The Hoptown Hoppers used a solid pitching performance from three pitchers to rebound from Thursday night’s loss at Henderson by taking a 4-1 road win at Franklin Friday night. The Hoppers had a shutout going into the bottom of the ninth inning.
Starting pitcher Jackson Lyons, along with relievers Alex Gonzales and Chase Gruno combined to allow the Duelers just seven hits on the night. Lyons went six innings, giving up no runs on three hits, striking out five, while walking only one to pick up the win.
The Hoppers would get all the runs they would really need in the top of the second inning. After Jake Parr and Zayd Brannigan led off the inning with a single and a double, Landon Choboy homered to centerfield to give the Hoppers a 3-0 lead.
The game stayed that way until the top of the ninth. The Hoppers had runners at first and second when B.J. Banyon stole third. The pitch would get away from the catcher and Banyon would score on the play to extend the lead to 4-0.
Franklin would load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning. The Duelers drew a bases loaded walk to cut the lead to 4-1. Chase Gruno then got Franklin to hit a grounder to first to end the game.
B.J. Banyon, Jake Parr, and Joe Sassi had two hits each to lead the Hoppers, who scored their four runs on eleven hits. The Hoppers were charged with one error.
