The Hoptown Hoppers survived a rally attempt by the visiting Paducah Chiefs and remained undefeated with a 10-5 victory Monday night at Tiger Field.
Hudson Hamilton gave Hoptown another good starting pitching outing, going five innings and allowing only two runs to pick up the victory. But it was the play of former Christian County High School star Gage Montes who may have saved the day for the Hoppers.
Montes, who came in as a relief pitcher, snagged a line drive up the middle and threw to first base to complete a double play to preserve a 7-5 lead in the top of the eighth inning. An inning earlier, Montes tagged out a Paducah runner trying to score on a passed ball at the plate that ended the inning.The former Colonels’ star pitched 1 1/3 innings and didn’t allow a hit or a run.
Paducah took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but the Hoppers responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Chance Sweeney had a two-run single. Zach Hampton and Cole Reynolds also had RBI’s in the inning.
Hoptown (4-0) extended its lead to 5-2 in the third as Deklan Riggs singled and came around to score on a couple of wild pitches.
Riggs and Easton Beaty had RBI-singles in the fourth inning to push the lead to 7-2.
However, the Chiefs (2-1) battled back with a run in the sixth and drew within 7-5 in the seventh inning as a couple of Hopper errors, two walks, and two hit batters made things interesting. With bases loaded, Jevan Andrews tried to take home on a passed ball, but catcher Mark Harmon got the ball to Montes who got to the plate at the same time as Andrews and applied the tag in time to end the threat and the inning.
The Hoppers put the game out of reach with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Sweeney went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and Riggs also went 2-for-4 at the plate. Brennan Mealer and Hampton also had a pair of hits each for Hoptown.
The Hoppers travel to the Full Count Rhythm tonight. The Hoppers have a one-game lead over the Rhythm for first place in the league standings.
Score by Innings:
Paducah 020 001 200 – 5 8 2
Hoptown 041 200 03x – 10 15 2
WP – Hamilton (5 IP, 3 SO, 3 BB).
LP – A. Smith
Leading Hitters: Hoppers – Reynolds (2 1B), Sweeney (2 1B, 2B), Dom Hartman (1B), Riggs (2 1B), Beaty (1B), Mealer (2 1B), Harman (1B), Hampton (2 1B), Maguire (1B).
Photos by Peyton Biaquis