Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — This day just belonged to Gallipolis.

The Blue Devils moved a step closer to winning the Ohio Valley Conference title as they beat the Coal Grove Hornets 9-1 on Monday behind good pitching and hitting.

Marcus Moore went the distance to get the win for Gallipolis (12-7, 9-2). He gave up five hits, struck out four and walked one.

After a scoreless first inning, Gallipolis got three runs in the second.

Jeremy Brumfield and Ryan Terry walked, John Stout was hit by a pitch, Braden Simms walked, Kole Carter singled and Matt Bailey hit a sacrifice fly.

The Blue Devils got three more runs in the fourth.

Carter singled, Bailey walked and Anthony Sipple had an RBI double. Eric Ward walked and an error scored two runs.

The final three runs scored in the sixth.

Bailey singled, stole second and scored on Sipple’s double. Ward singled Sipple to third and he scored on an error. Terry doubled an out later to drive in the final run.

Coal Grove (4-8, 2-8) got its run in the sixth inning when Jacob Clark singled, Daniel Rutherford was hit by pitch, they pulled off a double steal and Jeb Jones grounded out for the RBI.

On Wednesday, Coal Grove visits Fairland and Gallipolis hosts Chesapeake.

Gallipolis 030 303 0 = 9 11 0

Coal Grove 000 001 0 = 1 5 3

Marcus Moore and Ryan Terry. Chase McKnight, Dylan Malone (4) and Jeb Jones. W-Moore (K-4, BB-1). L-McKnight (IP-4.1, K-2, BB-5, H- 4, R-6). Malone (IP-3.2, K-4, BB-1, H-7, R-3). Hitting-Gallia: Kole Carter 2-5, Matt Bailey 2-3, Anthony Sipple 4-5 2-2B, Eric Ward 1-4, Ryan Terry 1-3 2B, Braden Simms 1-3; CG: Jacob Clarek 1-3, Daniel Rutherford 1-2, Dylan Malone 1-3, Darin Bloomfield 2-3.