The Hopkinsville Tigers only had one fielding miscue in their game against Christian County Friday night, but that one came at absolutely the worst time. The Tigers mishandled a bases-loaded ground ball with two outs in the top of the 9th allowing Christian County to score two runs, breaking a 3-3 tie and resulting in a 5-3 win for the Colonels as they completed their regular season sweep of the Tigers.
Christian County finished the game without head coach Cole Isom, who had been ejected in the bottom of the 5th after contesting a safe call that resulted in the tying run scoring for the Tigers.
Hoptown had very nearly gotten out of a tough spot in the top of the ninth. After a fly out to open the inning, Christian County’s Gage Montes connected for a one-out single, which was the Colonels’ first hit since the top of the 4th inning. After a courtesy runner entered the game, Hopkinsville coach David Weber elected not to face Elijah Underhill and put him on base with an intentional walk, forcing the courtesy runner to second base.
Both runners would then advance to give Christian County runners on 2nd and 3rd with still one out. Landon Cook then struck out Preston Phan for the second out of the inning. Coach David Weber then elected to use a second intentional walk. With first base open, Hopkinsville walked Josh Snorton to load the bases and bring Brylle Javier to the plate. Javier’s mishandled grounder would then turn out to be the difference in the game.
Carter Sholar was then able to get around a one-out walk in the bottom of the 9th to close out the win.
Javier and Sholar had given the Colonels an early 2-0 lead in the game. Javier hit an RBI double and Sholar drove in another run with a ground ball in the top of the third to put the Colonels up.
The lead grew to 3-0 in the fourth when Elijah Underhill drilled an RBI double to center.
The Tigers began their rally in the bottom of the inning. After a walk and a double from Landon Cook, Gavin Powell drove in two runs with a single to cut the lead to 3-2.
Hoptown then tied the game in the bottom of the 5th on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Zach Moss. It was the call on that play that resulted in the ejection of Christian County head coach Cole Isom.
From there it was a pitcher’s battle until the Colonels scored the winning runs in the ninth.
Elijah Underhill led the Colonels, going 2-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. Brylle Javier ended up 1-5 with an RBI. Christian County had four total hits in the game.
Landon Cook was 2-3 for Hopkinsville with a double and a run scored. Gavin Powell finished 1-4 with 2 RBIs. The Tigers scored their three runs on five hits.
Carter Sholar picked up the win for the Colonels in relief. He went 4 2/3 innings, giving up no runs on no hits, striking out five, while walking only one.
Three Tiger pitchers combined to strike out 12 batters but also gave up ten walks in the nine-inning contest.
