On Saturday June 26, Hoppers center-fielder Stephen Bell celebrated his 19th birthday and managed to go two-for-five at the plate while getting two RBI in a 6-5 Hopper win over the Paducah Chiefs.
The birthday candles however, stayed lit for Bell on the next day as he managed to go 4-6 at the plate with a walk-off base hit in Sunday’s 8-7 win over the Henderson Flash.
The action started with a two-run homer by Henderson’s Nathan Brewer in the top of the first inning.
The Flash then went on to score 3 runs in the second inning to give them a 5-0 lead but the Hoppers charged back in the second scoring 4 runs to make it a one-run ballgame.
After a scoreless fourth inning the Flash tagged a run on the scoreboard making it a 6-4 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth for the Hoppers, back-to-back doubles came from Luis Vergara and Dom Oliverio. Carter Hood was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs which helped Hoptown eventually score three runs to take the lead.
It was then wild throw to first base from catcher Luis Viallba in the top of the seventh, that proved to be a critical error for the Hoppers scoring a run from third for the Flash to tie the game at 7-7.
After seeing five pitchers on the mound for the Hoppers, it was Chase Gruno from the staff that closed things in the top of the ninth allowing no hits and striking out 2 batters.
The moment of truth for the Hoppers then came in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, John Keibler at first base, and a hot-hittting Stephen Bell at the plate.
The first pitch came in wild at the plate which advanced Keibler to second. Hopper head coach EJ Devarie then came out for a conference with his players and base coaches.
Following the meeting, Bell saw one strike come and after that hit a line drive to left field which went towards Flash left-fielder Luke Scales who failed to grasp the ball, that ultimately prevented a throw to home.
With the win, the Hoppers moved to 8-11 on the season and will go on the road to take on the (13-6) Full Count Rhythm who hold the best record in the league on Tuesday.