YSE File Photo
The Hoptown Hoppers got out to a 4-0 lead and then held on tight to pick up a big 5-4 road win at Franklin Sunday night. The Hoppers, who will be the #3 seed in the OVL South Division, move to 21-19 on the season with the playoffs set to begin later this week.
Hoptown took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI double from Noah Brown. The Hoppers then extended that lead in the top of the 4th inning. Hoptown converted a walk and a Kurt Paldino double into a pair of runs on sac flys from Zayd Brannigan and Patrick Walker to push the margin out to 3-0.
Noah Brown picked up his second RBI of the night in the top of the 5th when he grounded out to drive in B.J. Banyon and give the Hoppers a 4-0 lead.
The Duelers got two of the runs back in the bottom of the 5th to cut the lead to 4-2.
Hoptown would score what turned out to be the game-winner in the top of the 7th when Jojo Cruz reached base on a double, allowing Noah Brown to score, extending the Hopper lead to 5-2.
Franklin plated two runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 5-4. But that would be the end of the threat on the night for the Duelers.
B.J. Banyon, Kurt Paldino, and Noah Brown had two hits each for the Hoppers. Brown also had two RBIs in the game.
Payton Hart got the start for the Hoppers, going 4 2/3-innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits, striking out two, and walking two.
