Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — They say pitching and defense are the keys to winning. They certainly opened the door to victory for the Coal Grove Hornets.

The Hornets got good pitching and defense as they edged the Fairland Dragons 2-0 on Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“Pierce threw well and we played pretty good defense. We turned two double plays that helped us work out of some jams,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.

Jacob Pierce pitched a three-hitter for the Hornets. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.

Collin Damron took the loss. He gave up just six hits, fanned nine and walked five.

“We had chances and didn’t capitalize,” said Fairland coach Bryan Ward. “It was a good high school baseball game. Both pitchers threw well and there were some good defensive plays.”

The Hornets (9-5, 6-2) got the only run they really needed in the first inning when Daniel Rutherford doubled and Jesse Rigsby singled.

Coal Grove added an insurance run in the seventh.

Clark reached second on a throwing error and scored on Rutherford’s base hit.

Rutherford was 2-for-4 with a double and Rigsby was also 2-4.

Damron was 2-3 for the Dragons (8-8 6-3).

On Monday, Coal Grove goes to Rock Hill and Fairland visits Chesapeake.

Coal Grove 100 000 1 = 2 6 1

Fairland 000 000 0 = 0 3 2

Jacob Pierce and Jesse Rigsby. Collin Damron and Garrett Scheibelhood. W-Pierce (K-5, BB-0). L-Damron (K-9, BB-5). Hitting—CG: Jacob Clark 1-3, Daniel Rutherford 2-4 2B, Jesse Rigsby 2-4, Chase McKnight 1-3; FHS: Collin Damron 2-3, Seth Clay 1-2.