ASHLAND, Ky. — The Coal Grove Hornets might want to take a few hints from bananas. Do things in bunches.

The Hornets had seven hits but managed just two runs as they lost 5-2 to the Ashland Tomcats Tuesday.

“We’re getting hits, we’re just not putting them together,” Hornets coach John Jones said. “We need to get more production out of our hits.”

Tyler Allen took the loss despite throwing a six-hitter. He struck out four and walked two.

“He only gave up two earned runs. He threw pretty well. For a sophomore, I’ll take it,” Jones said.

Ashland got two unearned runs in the first inning on a walk, a throwing error and a ground out.

The Tomcats add a run in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead.

Coal Grove came back to get a run in the third inning with a one-out rally.

Randy Wise singled, Bryan Bryant put down a sacrifice bunt and Alex Johnson doubled.

The Hornets closed to within 3-2 with a two-out rally in the fifth inning as Bryant singled, Johnson walked and Allen singled.

The Tomcats pushed across two insurance runs in the sixth inning. Four of their hits came in the final two innings.

Coal Grove, 3-5, plays at Fairland Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

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Tyler Allen and Mason Schug. Wilcox, Bonner (6) and Davis. W-Wilcox (2-K, 2-BB). Save-Bonner. L-Allen (4-K 2-BB). 2B-Coal Grove: Alex Johnson; Ashland: Cannoy.

Hitting-Coal Grove: Randy Wise 2-4, Bryan Bryant 1-4, Johnson 1-3, Allen 2-2, Zach Murphy 1-3; Ashland: Barbour 2-3, Williams 1-3, Bonner 1-3, Wilcox 1-3, Cannoy 1-2.