Gunner Massey delivered a two-run, bases-loaded double in the first inning and the host Paducah Tilghman High School baseball team never looked back Tuesday, defeating Hopkinsville 10-0 in five innings. The Tigers were held to two hits and charged with five errors in their second loss in as many days.
The Blue Tornado, who have now captured victories in 9 of their last 11 games, built a 3-0 lead before Hoptown recorded an out. Then, the duo of Brendan Mira and Landon Hideg did the rest. Making his first start of the year, Mira walked three and allowed just one hit in three innings. Making his first appearance of the year, Hideg threw a pair of scoreless frames in relief.
Hoptown’s lone hits — singles from Lucas Kaetzel and Gavin Mitchell — never materialized into scoring opportunities. Trailing 4-0, the Tigers did load the bases in the second when Thomas Hallmark and Chase Fort walked, and Andrew Mayes was hit by a pitch, but Mira went strikeout-groundout on seven pitches to escape the jam.
Hallmark (2-4) pitched 4 1/3 innings in the complete-game defeat. He struck out three, walked two and allowed nine hits. Seven of the 10 runs Hallmark gave up were earned. Massey went 3-for-3, while Caleb Payne finished 2-for-3 with a run, two RBI and a double.
The Tigers (7-14) play at Clarksville High School in Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and return to Tiger Field for a three-game homestand Friday against Trigg County. The Blue Tornado (15-5) are now 6-0 against 2nd Region teams this season by a combined score of 77-0.
