Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Youth was served and served well.

Freshmen Daniel Rutherford and Chase McKnight combined for a one-hitter as the Coal Grove Hornets blanked the Huntington St. Joe Fighting Irish 21-0 in five innings on Tuesday.

Each pitcher struck out four and walked two as Coal Grove improved to 2-0.

“For two freshmen to combine for a one-hitter, that’s a pretty good debut,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.

Jesse Rigsby went 3-3 with two doubles and four runs batted in to lead a 15-hit attack. Conor Markins was 2-3 with a double and three RBIs and Jacob Clark 2-3.

The Hornets took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and erupted for 13 runs in the second to blow the game wide open.

Coal Grove hosts Ironton Thursday.

Hunt. St. Joe 000 00 = 0 1 6

Coal Grove 4(13)0 4x = 21 15 0

Vanston and Rabel. Daniel Rutherford, Chase McKnight (4) and Jesse Rigsby, Jacob Clark (3). W-Rutherford (K-4, BB-2). McKnight (K-4, BB-2). L-Vanston. Hitting-HSJ: Walters 1-3; CG: Mason Nance 2-2 rbi-3, Adam Bryant 1-2, Jesse Rigsby 3-3 rbi-4, Conor Markins 2-3 rbi-3, Cole Gannon 1-2, Daniel Rutherford 1-2, Travis Carey 1-2 rbi, Dylan Malone 1-1, Chase McKnight 1-3 rbi-2, Jacob Clark 2-3. 2B-CG: Jesse Rigsby 2, Conor Markins, Daniel Rutherford.