Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PIKETON — Chase McKnight was throwing strikes. Zac Landers was hitting strikes.

The duo had big games as the Coal Grove Hornets rallied to beat the Piketon Red Streaks 3-1 on Monday.

“Chase threw as well as he has all year. He had a good fastball and he mixed in a good breaking ball,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.

“We got some clutch hits. Zac Landers had a big hit and scored a big run for us in the seventh. It’s a big reason we won.”

McKnight threw just 91 pitches — 65 for strikes — as he struck out 14 and did not walk a batter.

The game was scoreless until the fifth when Piketon scored with two outs.

Koleton Penwell doubled, moved up on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error.

Coal Grove (14-6) tied the game in the sixth on a one-out triple by Daniel Rutherford and a double by Jeb Jones.

The Hornets scored the deciding two runs in the seventh.

Darren Bloomfield walked and Jordan Case singled but pinch-runner Isaac Massie was out on a misplayed infield fly and Case went to second.

Landers then hit his clutch double to put the Hornets head. Landers went to third base on a passed ball and scored when the throw went into left field.

McKnight fanned two of the three batters in the bottom of the seventh to close out the win.

Jacob Clark went 2-4 for the Hornets.

Coal Grove plays in the Division III sectional tournament at 11 a.m. on Saturday at home against the winner of Rock Hill and Crooksville.

Coal Grove            000            001            2            =            3            7            2

Piketon            000            010            0            =            1            2            1

Chase McKnight and Jeb Jones. Scott Spires, Shane Vulgamore (67) and Jacob Matthews. W-McKnight (K-14, BB-0, ER-0). L-Vulgamore. Hitting-CG: Chase McKnight 1-4 2B, Jacob Clark 2-4, Daniel Rutherford 1-3 3B, Jeb Jones 1-3 2B RBI, Jordan Case 1-3, Zac Landers 1-3 2B RBI; Piketon: Conner Galloway 1-2, Koleton Penwell 1-2 2B.