Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — It might have been a tournament game, but it was business as usual for Daniel Rutherford.

The Coal Grove freshman left-hander pitched a five-inning one-hitter as the Hornets beat the Oak Hill Oaks 12-2 Wednesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

Rutherford has thrown three one-hitters and a no-hitter on the season. He struck out seven, walked three, hit a batter and the only hit was a one-out fifth inning single by Tyler Trisch.

“He’s been pretty consistent all year. That’s pretty good for anyone, let alone a freshman,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.

“(Jesse) Rigsby did a nice job behind the plate calling the game. It’s a pretty good tandem. They work well together.”

The Hornets jumped in front 5-0 in the first inning.

Mason Nance singled, moved up on a passed ball and scored on a hit by Rutherford.

Rigsby singled, Conor Markins and Travis Carey all singled for a run. After a double steal, both scored on a D.J. Miller single. Sean Paulus singled and Dillon Miller and an RBI single.

The lead went to 8-0 in the second.

Rigsby singled with one out and Markins doubled. Carey doubled in both runners but was thrown out on the bases.

D.J. Miller then singled, stole second and third and scored on a passed ball.

Oak Hill got a run in the top of the third when Zach Walls walked, Riley Kuhn was hit by a pitch, and Colton Salyers and Trisch both walked.

Coal Grove added a run in the third when Jacob Clark walked, went to third on an error and Nance’s base hit, and scored when Rutherford hit a sacrifice fly.

The Oaks got a run in the fourth. Matt Gilliland walked, went to second on an error, moved to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a passed ball.

Coal Grove created the 10-run mercy rule with four runs in the fourth.

D.J. Miller and Paulus walked and both moved up on a passed ball. A wild pitch scored Miller.

Clark had an RBI singled. Nance doubled in a run and Rutherford had an RBI single.

Coal Grove plays at Alexander Saturday.

Oak Hill 001 10 = 2 1 2

Coal Grove 531 4x = 12 15 1

Cody Swann, Matt Gilliland (2) and Matt Gilliland, Riley Kuhn (2). W-Rutherford (K-7, BB-3, HBP-1, ER-1). L-Swann (IP-1.1, K-0, BB-0, H-11, R-7). Hitting-OH: Tyler Trisch 1-3; CG: Mason Nance 2-4, Daniel Rutherford 2-3, Jesse Rigsby 2-4, Conor Markins 2-3, Travis Carey 2-3, D.J. Miller 2-2, Sean Paulus 1-1, Dillon Malone 1-3, Jacob Clark 1-2. 2B-CG: Mason Nance, Conor Markins, Travis Carey.