PORTSMOUTH — Nothing like a big stick and some good leather to get the Coal Grove Hornets going.

The Hornets pounded out 14 hits and committed just one error as they beat the Portsmouth Trojans 8-4 Monday.

“We hit the ball, but we played defense, too. We made some dandy plays,” Hornets coach John Jones said. “They had 10 hits so they had some opportunities, but we made some plays.”

Alex Johnson was 3-3, Andrew Christian 3-4, Randy Wise 3-5 and Shannon Goodwin 2-3 to lead the Hornets offense.

Portsmouth got a run in the first inning. Howard Harcha walked, stole second base, went to third on a throwing error and scored on a wild pickoff throw.

Coal Grove came back to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the second.

Goodwin walked, Christian singled and Wise doubled home both runners.

The Trojans tied the game in the bottom of the inning.

Cody Colley singled and John Harcha reached on an error to put runners on the corners. Stephen Taylor grounded out as the run scored.

The Hornets answered with two more runs in the third.

Johnson and Tyler Branch singled, Bryan Bryant put down a sacrifice bunt and Eric Davidson had a two-run single.

Portsmouth got a run in the bottom of the inning when J.D. Jones walked and Brian Estep doubled.

Coal Grove then put together a four-run rally in the fourth.

Christian and Wise singled to start the rally. Zach Murphy had a run-scoring single, Johnson delivered a two-run double and the throw home was wild allowing Johnson to go to third base.

Branch grounded out as Johnson came home.

The Trojans scored their final run in the sixth inning on a double by John Harcha doubled and singles by Taylor and Todd Harcha.

Bryant went the distance for the win.

Coal Grove, 5-9, plays at St. Joseph Wednesday.

Coal Grove0224000=8141

Portsmouth1110010=4103

Bryan Bryant and Tyler Branch. Arrwood, Harcha (4) and 18 Howard Harcha. W-Bryant (2-K, 3-BB). L-Arrwood (2-K, 2-BB). 2B-Coal Grove: Randy Wise, Alex Johnson; Portsmouth: Estep, 1 Harcha. Hitting-Coal Grove: Randy Wise 3-5, Zach Murphy 1-3, Alex Johnson 3-3, Tyler Branch 1-4, Eric Davidson 1-4, Shannon Goodwin 2-3, Andrew Christian 3-4; Portsmouth: Todd Harcha 2-4, J.D. Jones 1-2, Brian Estep 1-4, 18 Howard Harcha 2-4, Cody Colley 1-3, John Harcha 1-4, Stephen Taylor 2-3.