Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — This battery was full charged.

Daniel Rutherford pitched a three-hitter and catcher Jeb Jones drove in two runs with a hit and a sacrifice bunt as the Coal Grove Hornets blanked the Rock Hill Redmen 5-0 on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Rutherford struck out nine, walked two and hit three batters in going the distance.

“Rutherford threw the ball pretty well and we got some timely hitting,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader. “Jeb Jones had another good game. He’s really been on fire the last few games.”

Coal Grove took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a double by Rutherford and a single by Jones.

The Hornets added a run in the third when Chase McKnight walked, Jacob Clark and Rutherford singled to load the bases, and Jones put down a squeeze bunt.

The lead went to 4-0 in the fifth inning.

Rutherford and Jones walked and Dylan Malone had an RBI double. Isaac Howard then grounded out as the run scored.

The final run scored in the seventh on walks to Jones and Malone and a hit by Jordan Case.

Clark and Rutherford had two hits each.

Kaleb Kidd was 2-3 for the Redmen.

On Wednesday, Coal Grove hosts Portsmouth and Rock Hill is at Chesapeake.

Coal Grove 101 020 1 = 5 9 2

Rock Hill 000 000 0 = 0 3 2

Daniel Rutherford and Jeb Jones. Cody Lewis, Landon Smith (5) and Kaleb Kidd. W-Rutherford (K-9, BB-2, HBP-3). L-Lewis (K-4, BB-4, R-4). Smith (K-2, BB-2, H-2, R-1). Hitting–CG: Jacob Clark 2-4 2B, Daniel Rutherford 2-3 2B, Jeb Jones 1-1, Dylan Malone 1-3 2B, Jordan Case 1-3, Darren Brumfield 1-4, Cole Gannon 1-4; RH: Sean McFann 1-2, Kaleb Kidd 2-3.