Photo - Hoppers YouTube Channel
For the first time in nearly a month the Hoptown Hoppers have won back-to-back games. The Hoppers got a great five-inning start from Zach Duenas Sunday night as they picked up a 6-1 road win against the Fulton Railroaders.
Duenas went five innings, giving up no runs on just one hit as the Hoppers jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Duenas had seven strikeouts and four walks during his time on the mound.
The win for the Hoppers was their second straight, the first time since June 8 that Hoptown has won back-to-back games. The win back on June 8 was the Hoppers fourth straight
Hoptown broke through in the top of the second inning to take the early lead in the game. Ren Tachioka connected for a two-out single to drive in a pair of runs and put the Hoppers up 2-0.
The Hoppers would extend the lead in the top of the fourth. After a walk and a single, Tachioka drilled a three-run homer to right field to run the Hoptown lead out to 5-0.
Josh Rodriguez would hit a solo shot in the top of the seventh to push the lead out to 6-0.
Hoptown pitching struggles led to the first run of the game for the Railroaders in the bottom half of the inning. Hopper pitchers gave up three walks in the bottom of the seventh, including one with the bases loaded to trim the lead to 6-1.
Ren Tachioka was almost a one-man show on offense for the Hoppers. Tachioka went 2-4 with a home run and five RBIs. Josh Rodriguez finished his night 1-5 with a home run and an RBI. Connor Cornwell added three base hits for Hoptown.
Outside of Duenas’s start on the mound, Hopper pitchers Garrett Blevins, Cody Hupp, and Jacob Dilday combined to pitch the final four innings. They gave up just one run on three hits. Dilday would finish with four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of work.
Lyon County grad Jackson Shoulders got the start for the Railroaders. Shoulders went 3 2/3-innings, giving up four runs, just two of them earned, on three hits, striking out four, while walking two.
