Hoppers shut out Madisonville in 2026 OVL opener

The Hoptown Hoppers ushered in the 2026 Ohio Valley League baseball season Friday night with an impressive 6-0 victory over the Madisonville Miners at Hopkinsville High School’s Tiger Field.

Chance Todd threw seven strong innings, finishing with four strikeouts and a walk. He gave way to Hudson Hamilton, who finished the game with three strikeouts and a walk over two frames.

The two pitchers were supported by a strong defense led by third baseman Dom Hartman, who made several spectacular plays early in the game. Left fielder Reed Hayes also made a sliding catch on a sinking liner in the seventh.

Offensively, the Hoppers saw Hartman and Evan Jacob hit back-to-back home runs to give Hoptown a 5-0 lead in the second inning. Hartman hit a three-run homer that cleared the flagpole in left-center field. Jacob’s solo shot sailed long past the left field wall.

Cole Reynolds went 3-for-3 and scored three runs and Jacob finished with three RBIs.

The Hoppers scored in the first inning when Reynolds led off with a single, stole second base and came in to score on a single by Jacob.

Hoptown’s final run came exactly like the first one as Reynolds singled, stole second, and came in to score on a hit by Jacob.

Madisonville’s only scoring threat came in the ninth as Broc Mattox doubled and Ryan Mesa walked. Both players stole a base, but were stranded as Hamilton struck out the next two batters to end the game.

Jacob finished the game 3-for-4. Hayes and Charles Mealer also had a hit for the Hoppers, who travel to Fulton Saturday night.

Hoptown returns home Sunday night for a 6 p.m. game against the Henderson Flash. Airtime for the game is 5:45 p.m. on 95.3 The Farm and 953thefarm.com.

Score by Innings:

Madisonville 000 000 000 0 6 0

Hoptown 140 100 00x 6 9 0

WP – Todd (7 IP, 4 SO, 1 BB).

LP – Chase Maggard

Leading Hitters: Hoptown – Reynolds (3 1B, 3 R), Hartman (HR, 3 RBI), Jacob (2 1B, HR, 3 RBI), Hayes (1B), Mealer (1B).

Photos by Peyton Biaquis