Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — Those were zeroes, not Easter eggs.

Coal Grove and Portsmouth played to a scoreless tie until the eighth inning when the Trojans scratched out a run to nip the Hornets 1-0 on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We didn’t hit. We couldn’t put it together on offense,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader. “Portsmouth made the plays when they had to.”

Ryan Williams walked and Zack Delotell singled to begin the eighth. Reese Johnson hit a potential double play ball but Delotell’s hard slide kocked over the shortstop and prevented a throw to first base and Williams came around to score.

Delotell worked the eighth inning for the win. Andrew Shackart went the first seven innings.

Jacob Pierce went seven innings for the Hornets and struck out four and walked four. Daniel Rutherford worked the eighth and took the loss.

Jacob Clark was 3-for-4 and Cole Gannon was 1-3 with a double for the Hornets (2-1, 0-1). Sean Paulus and Jesse Rigsby also went 1-3.

Coal Grove hosts Fairland on Thursday.

Coal Grove 000 000 00 = 0 6 1

Portsmouth 000 000 01 = 1 6 5

Jacob Pierce, Daniel Rutherford (8) and Jesse Rigsby. Andrew Shackart, Zach Delotell (8) and Michael Sturgill. W-Delotell (K-1). Shackard (IP-7, K- 5, BB-2, HBP-1). L-Rutherford (K-1, BB-1). Pierce (IP-7, K-4, BB-4). Hitting CG: Jacob Clark 3-4, Jesse Rigsby 1-3, Sean Paulus 1-3, Cole Gannon 1-3 2B; Portsmouth: Ryan Williams 1-3, Zach Delotell 1-4, Hunter Gibson 3-4, Reese Johnson 1-4.