Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Tyler Ward is no magician. It just seems that way when he pitches.

Ward worked his way out of several jams as he pitched the St. Joseph Flyers to a 6-2 win over the Coal Grove Hornets on Thursday.

Ward tossed a six-hitter, struck out four and walked five as he kept the Hornets off-balanced.

“Tyler got in a couple of jams but he was able to get out of them. He was like Houdini in the fifth inning,” said Flyers’ coach Brent Wirzfeld.

“Zac McGraw is doing a great job and everyone as a team is executing.”

Dylan Malone pitched well in defeat. He gave up five hits, struck out five and walked four.

The Hornets (7-4) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Jacob Clark reached on an error, stole second and Jacob Pierce doubled.

But the Flyers answered in a big way as Cole Willis cranked a three-run homer following walks to Daniel Davidson and Tre Neal.

Coal Grove cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fifth on singles by Jacob Myers, Daniel Rutherford and Jesse Rigsby.

St. Joseph got two runs in the bottom of the inning.

McGraw doubled and scored when Davidson reached on an error. Willis was safe on an error as the second run scored.

The final Flyers’ run scored in the sixth when Jacob Clark reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and third and came home on a passed ball.

The Flyers visits Eastern Brown on Monday. The Hornets visit Chesapeake on Friday.

Coal Grove 100 010 0 = 2 6 3

St. Joseph 300 021 x = 6 5 3

Dylan Malone and Jesse Rigsby. Tyler Ward and Gage Butler. W-Ward (K-4, BB-5). L-Malone (K-5, BB-4). Hitting—CG: Jacob Clark 1-4 2B, Daniel Rutherford 2-4, Jesse Rigsby 1-3, Jacob Pierce 1-3 2B, Jacob Myers 1-3; SJ: Tre Neal 1-1, Cole Willis 1-3 HR rbi-3, Chase Walters 1-2, Zac McGraw 2-3.