Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WELLSTON — Daniel Rutherford didn’t waste much time.

Rutherford used only 65 pitches to shut down the Wellston Golden Rockets 10-0 on Wednesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

Rutherford fired a two-hitter as he dominated the Wellston lineup. He struck out six and walked three and the only two hits were both singles by Hunter Whalen.

“Rudy threw really well and we kept hitting the ball. It was a good team win. We played well in all facets of the game,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.

The Hornets (11-9) will now play at Nelsonville-York on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the sectional finals.

Coal Grove had 14 hits with Cole Gannon going 3-3 and Jeb Jones 3-4. Jacob Clark and Rutherford were 2-4 and Sam Angelo was 2-3.

The Hornets got three runs in the third inning.

Angelo singled, stole second and went to third when Clark reached on an error. Rutherford then doubled in a run, Jones singled in a run and Dylan Malone reached on an error to score the third run.

Coal Grove blew the game open with six runs in the sixth inning.

With one out, Angelo, Gannon, McKnight, Clark, Rutherford and Jones had consecutive singles. Howard capped the rally with a two-out single.

The final two runs scored in the seventh inning.

Angelo and Gannon were hit by pitches, Rutherford walked and Jones had abase hit.

Coal Grove hosts Chesapeake on Thursday in a makeup game.

Coal Grove 003 006 2 = 11 14 0

Wellston 000 000 0 = 0 2 3

Daniel Rutherford and Jeb Jones. Noah Henry, Hunter Whalen (6) and Connor Baters. W-Rutherford (K-6, BB-3). L-Henry (IP-5.2, K-3, BB-1, H-1, R-8, HBP-1). Whalen (IP-1.1, R-2, H-1, HBP-2). Hitting-CG: Chase McKnight 1-5, Jacob Clark 2-4, Daniel Rutherford 2-4 2B, Jeb Jones 3-4, Isaac Howard 1-4, Sam Angelo 2-3, Cole Gannon 3-3; Wellston: Hunter Whalen 2-3.