Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — The best thing about Wednesday’s game is the Fairland Dragons may not have to bat against Daniel Rutherford ever again.
The Coal Grove Hornets’ senior threw his second no-hitter of the season — both at the expense of the Fairland Dragons — in a 15-0 five-inning Ohio Valley Conference win.
Rutherford struck out 10, did not walk a batter and hit three as Coal Grove improved to 11-5 overall and 8-5 in the OVC.
The Hornets took a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Rutherford walked, Jeb Jones reached on an error and Dylan Malone had a two-run double. Darin Bloomfield reached on an error as Malone scored.
The lead went to 10-0 in the second.
Evan Friend doubled, Chase McKnight singled and they pulled off a double steal as Friend scored.
Jacob Clark singled to score McKnight and then he stole third and scored on an error.
Rutherford followed with a single and Jones drilled a two-run homer.
Malone then singled, stole second and third and came home on a throwing error.
Bloomfield was safe on an error, Jordan Case singled and after a double steal Bloomfield scored on a passed ball.
The Hornets got five runs in the third.
McKnight was safe on an error and went all the way to third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Clark.
Rutherford, Jones and Malone all walked to load the bases and Bloomfield walked to force in a run. Case singled in two runs and then Nate Harmon and Friend walked.
Case went 2-2 and Malone 2-3 with a double for the Hornets.
On Friday, Coal Grove visits South Point and Fairland hosts Chesapeake.
Fairland    000    00    =    0    0    8
Coal Grove    375    0x    =    15    9    1
Reilly Sowards, Garrett Looney (2), Dairus Stapleton (3), Rankin (3) and Hernandez. Daniel Rutherford and Jeb Jones. W-Rutherford (K-10, BB-0, HBP-3). Hitting-CG: Chase McKnight 1-3, Jacob Clark 1-2, Daniel Rutherford 1-1 3-BB, Jeb Jones 1-3 HR, Dylan Malone 2-3 2B, Jordan Case 2-2, Evan Friend 1-2 2B.