Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Walks, maybe. Hits, no way.

Even though there were 16 walks between the two teams, it didn’t stop Chase McKnight from pitching a five-inning no-hitter as the Coal Grove Hornets blanked the New Boston Tigers 11-1 on Thursday.

“He has good stuff. He throws hard and he has a nice breaking pitch, he just needs to be consistent. But he’s not bad for a freshman,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.

McKnight struck out 13 and walked five while allowing an unearned run. New Boston pitchers combined to walk 11 batters.

The Hornets (8-5) took a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

D.J. Miller walked and scored when Mason Nance doubled. Jesse Rigsby had an RBI double, Conor Markins singled and Daniel Rutherford and McKnight walked to force in a run.

Coal Grove got a run in the second when Miller walked, stole second and third and came home on Nance’s sacrifice fly.

Another run scored in the third. Travis Carey was hit by a pitch, stole second, took third on a fly ball and scored when Jacob Clark reached on an error.

The lead went to 7-0 in the fourth.

Rigsby walked, moved up on a wild pitch and came home when Rutherford singled. The throw home allowed Rutherford to advance to second. He stole third and Carey hit a sacrifice fly.

Clark, Miller and Adam Bryant all walked. Rigsby was safe on an error for a run and Cole Gannon hit a sacrifice fly. Carey singled for a run, McKnight walked and a throwing error sent home the final run.

Coal Grove hosts Rock Hill Monday.

New Boston 000 01 = 1 0 3

Coal Grove 311 24 = 11 5 2

Tyler Shonkwiler, James Spicer (4), Shonkwiler (4) and Nate Payton. Chase McKnight and Jesse Rigsby. W-McKnight (K-13, BB-5). L-Shonkwiler (K-0, BB-9). Spicer BB-2. Hitting-CG: Mason Nance 1-2 rbi-2, Jesse Rigsby 1-2 rbi, Markins 1-2, Rutherford 1-3, Travis Carey 1-2. 2B-CG: Jesse Rigsby, Mason Nance.