Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PROCTORVILLE — Daniel Rutherford wears No. 4, but it seems his favorite number is zero.
Rutherford fired a no-hitter on Monday as the Coal Grove Hornets blanked the Fairland Dragons 11-0 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Monday.
Rutherford struck out 12 and walked five over six innings. Rutherford has now struck out 38 batters in 19 innings this season.
“Daniel threw well again. He stayed locked in and battled,” said Hornet’s coach Dean Mader. “Any time you throw a no-hitter, you’ve pitched a pretty good game.”
Coal Grove (4-2, 2-1) had just three hits but took advantage of eight walks, four errors and a hit batsman.
The Hornets scored two runs in the first inning.
Chase McKnight and Jacob Clark walked. McKnight stole third and scored on a throwing error. Clark went to third and scored on a deep sacrifice fly by Dylan Malone.
The lead went to 4-0 in the third.
McKnight and Clark walked again and pulled off a double steal. Rutherford grounded out for an RBI, Clark stole third and scored on a throwing error.
With two outs in the third, the Hornets scored two more runs.
Darin Bloomfield walked, Brady Doyle was hit by a pitch, both moved up on an error and Bloomfield scored on a passed ball. McKnight then singled home Doyle.
Rutherford started a three-run rally in the fifth with a solo home run.
Jeb Jones then walked, Malone was safe on an error, Bloomfield reached on a fielder’s choice and Jordan Case walked to load the bases. Evan Friend then delivered a two-run single.
Coal Grove got two runs in the sixth to end the game an inning early.
Clark walked, stole second and third, Rutherford walked and got in a rundown as Clark scored.
Jones reached on a dropped third strike as Rutherford scored.
On Wednesday, Coal Grove visits South Point and Fairland hosts Chesapeake.
Coal Grove    202    232    =    11    3    1
Fairland    000    000    =    0    0    4
Daniel Rutherford and Jeb Jones. Zach Crawford, Lawson (5) and Eli Bowen. W-Rutherford (K-12, BB-5). L-Crawford (K-7, BB-6). Hitting-CG: Chase McKnight 1-2 RBI 2-R 2-BB, Daniel Rutherford 1-3 HR 2-RBI, Evan Friend 1-1 2-RBI.