Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Alex Whitt didn’t do it by himself, but he certainly tried.

Whitt pitched a six-hitter and drove in two runs as the South Point Pointers beat the Coal Grove Hornets 5-1 on Wednesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

Whitt struck out three, walked one and hit a batter as he threw a complete game. The Pointers had lost twice to the Hornets during the regular season.

The Pointers jumped in front 2-0 in the first inning.

Chris Woodard singled, Logan Wade reached on an error and Whitt had a two-run single that proved to be the decisive margin of victory.

South Point pushed the lead to 5-0 in the second inning.

Douglass Shaffer singled, Woodard was safe on an error and Trey Kearns singled in a run. Whitt walked to load the bases and Travis Dillon had a two-run single.

The Hornets got their only run in the third when Daniel Rutherford reached on an error and Jesse Rigsby singled.

Rigsby was 2-4 with a double and two runs batted in. He also pitched five strong innings of relief by allowing only one hit, striking out five and walked two.

South Point will play at Chesapeake at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the sectional finals.

South Point 230 000 0 = 5 6 2

Coal Grove 001 000 0 = 1 6 5

Alex Whitt and Christian Pritchard. Daniel Rutherford, Jesse Rigsby (3) and Jesse Rigsby, Jacob Clark (3). W-Whitt (K-3, BB-1, HBP-1). L-Rutherford (IP-2, K-2, BB-1,H-5, R-5). Rigsby (IP-5, K-5, BB-2, HBP-1, H-1). Hitting-SP: Chris Woodard 1-3 rbi, Trey Kearns 1-4, Alex Whitt 1-2 rbi-2, Travis Dillon 1-4 rbi-2, Brandon Layne 1-3, Douglass Shaffer 1-3, Christian Pritchard 1-3; CG: Jesse Rigsby 2-4 2B rbi, Dylan Malone 1-3, Chase McKnight 1-2, Jeb Jones 1-3, Isaiah Gunther 1-3.