Behind the play of several local products, the Hoptown Hoppers salvaged a split in a doubleheader Thursday night against the visiting Henderson Flash.
The local talent was on display in the second game as the Hoppers defeated the Flash 6-4 and ended Henderson’s seven-game winning streak.
Hopkinsville High School graduate Gavin Powell had a two-run single as part of a four-run fourth inning that gave the Hoppers a 6-2 lead. Trigg County High School graduate Aidon Butts also had a single and scored a run in the frame.
Former Hopkinsville High School star Jacob Dilday entered the game in relief and tossed two innings and struck out five to pick up the win. The right-hander only allowed two hits. John McGee earned the save.
The Flash scored two runs in the top of the first, but Hoptown answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. Carson Tucker’s fielder’s choice scored Grady Broughton and Butts scored on an error on the same play.
The Hoppers used three hits and a Flash error to score the four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Powell’s two-run hit and Butts’ RBI-single were the big hits in the inning.
The Flash threatened in the top of the seventh inning. After McGee retired the first two batters on ground balls, he walked the next two batters and gave up a two-run single to Milo Obradovich.
However, McGee slammed the door on the Flash as he got Nic Thomas on a come backer to end the game.
Former Hopkinsville High School and Heritage Christian Academy star JJ Thompson also went 1-for-2 and scored a run in the game.
In the first game of the night, Henderson pitcher Ryan Watterman and Hoptown’s Collin Toedter were embroiled in a pitcher’s duel through five innings.
The Flash (9-4) broke through in the top of the fifth with a two-out single by Christian Kiper to score Andrew Lee. Henderson chased Toedter in the top of the sixth and pushed its lead to 3-0 using a hit batter, two walks, and defensive miscue by the Hoppers.
Thompson drew the Hoppers to within 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth as he ripped a two-run homer over the right field fence, just inside the foul pole. Thompson had both hits for the Hoppers in the game, as he also tripled to lead off the fourth inning.
The homer came off relief pitcher Wyatt Colvin, who relieved Watterman after the left-hander left following the fifth inning. Watterman struck out six and walked one.
Henderson squashed any hope the Hoppers had of a comeback in the top of the seventh as the Flash scored two more runs using three walks and a single.
Toedter suffered the pitching loss despite striking out six and allowing only three hits in 5 1/3 innings.
The Hoppers (4-10) return to action tonight at home against the Madisonville Miners. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. and airtime for the game will be at 6:15 p.m. on 95.3 The Farm and 953thefarm.com.
Score by Innings:
Henderson Flash 000 012 2 – 5 4 0
Hoptown Hoppers 000 002 0 – 2 2 4
WP – Watterman
LP – Toedter
Leading Hitters: Hoptown – Thompson (3B, HR)
Score by innings:
Henderson Flash 200 000 2 – 4 6 4
Hoptown Hoppers 200 400 x – 6 7 3
WP – Dilday
LP – Barrett
S – McGee
Leading Hitters: Hoptown – Broughton (2B), Butts (1B), Sweeney (1B), Tucker (1B), Hamilton (1B), Thompson (1B), Powell (1B).
Photos by Peyton Biaquis