Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — It was a big game, so the Coal Grove Hornets turned to their senior duo.
Chase McKnight pitched a two-hitter and Daniel Rutherford went 3-3 with two doubles and two RBI including a game-winning triple as the Hornets edged the South Point Pointers 2-1 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Wednesday.
McKnight struck out 11 and walked four in going the distance.
The Pointers’ tandem of Tanner Hall and Jonathan Henline gave up eight hits, struck out eight and walked three.
“Chase threw well. Daniel stepped up and got the hit in the seventh and  Dylan made a great play in the seventh. We had a lot of guys who stepped up for us. It was a really solid game by both teams. South Point played well,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.
South Point got its only run in the top of the first inning when Hall walked, stole second, went to third on Max Tabor’s ground out and scored on a delayed steal of home.
Coal Grove (4-2, 3-1) tied the game in the bottom of the inning.
Chase McKnight singled, stole second and scored on Rutherford’s double.
Coal Grove scored the winning run with two outs in the seventh inning when Jacob Clark singled and Rutherford tripled.
South Point had threatened in the top of the seventh.
Travis Dillon singled, Brody Blackwell walked and Douglas Shaffer reached on a fielder’s choice as the throw on his bunt attempt pulled the Hornets’ third baseman off the bag.
McKnight struck out the next batter, Hornets’ shortstop Dylan Malone made a great play to throw out the runner at home on a force play, and then Hall flied out deep to centerfield to end the game.
Coal Grove visits Fairview and hosts Chesapeake on Friday. South Point plays at Portsmouth Thursday and Fairland on Friday.
South Point    100    000    0    =    1    2    0
Coal Grove    100    000    1    =    2    8    1
Tanner Hall, Jonathan Henline (5) and Max Tabor. Chase McKnight and Jeb Jones. W-McKnight (K-11, BB-4). L-Henline (IP-2.2, K-4, BB-3). Hall (IP-4.0, K-4, BB-0). Hitting-SP: Jonathan Henline 1-3, Travis Dillon 1-2; CG: Chase McKnight 1-3, Jacob Clark 1-4, Daniel Rutherford 3-3 2-2B 3B 2-RBI, Jeb Jones 1-2, Darin Bloomfield 1-3, Jordan Case 1-3.