The Hoptown Hoppers scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and rallied for a 10-5 win over the visiting Madisonville Miners Thursday night at Tiger Field.
The Hoppers had to rally three times in the game as the Miners led 2-0, 3-2, and 5-3 before Hoptown’s big inning.
Zach Hampton went 4-for-5 with three RBIs to lead the Hoppers, who improved to 8-3 on the season. Easton Beaty also had a pair of hits and drove in two runs for Hoptown.
Hudson Hamilton started for the Hoppers and went six innings and struck out four while scattering six hits. He gave up solo home runs to Ryan Mesa in the first inning and Broc Mattox in the sixth.
Brady Leonard earned the pitching win for Hoptown in relief. Haydon Lockwood, who was one of seven Madisonville pitchers used Thursday night, suffered the loss.
The Hoppers’ victory combined with a 5-4 win by the Paducah Chiefs over Full Count gives Hoptown a half-game lead over the Chiefs in the OVL standings. Full Count is one game back.
Also in the OVL on Thursday, Henderson County routed Fulton 15-5.
Hoptown is scheduled to play the Rhythm tonight in Hendersonville, Tenn.
The Hoppers’ next home game is scheduled for Monday night against Paducah. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. with airtime at 6:15 p.m. on 95.3 The Farm and 953thefarm.com.
Score by Innings:
Madisonville 110 001 200 – 5 9 1
Hoptown 000 021 61x – 10 10 1
WP – Leonard (1 IP, 2 SO, 0 BB).
LP – Lock
Leading Hitters: Hoptown – Wall (1B), Jacob (1B), Scheidt (1B), Hampton (3 1B, 2B, 3 RBI), Beaty (2 1B), Maguire (1B).
Photos by Peyton Biaquis