Stephen Bell’s two-out single in the bottom of the ninth drove in John Keibler with the game-winning run as the Hoptown Hoppers walked off an 8-7 win over the Henderson Flash Sunday night at Christian County High School. The win was the second straight for the Hoppers, coming off another tough one-run win over Paducah Saturday.
Keibler had walked with one out in the ninth. He advanced to second base on a two-out wild pitch just ahead of Bell’s game-winning hit as the Hoppers rallied from an early five-run deficit.
The game was an offensive battle with the two teams combining for 23 hits on the night.
The Flash got things going early, scoring two runs in the first and three more in the second to take a 5-0 lead.
Hoptown rallied to cut the lead to a single run in the bottom of the second. Two-run singles from Stephen Bell and Carter Hood were the big hits in the inning for the Hoppers.
Henderson would get one of the runs back in the top of the fourth on an RBI single from Nathan Brewer to make it a 6-4 game.
In the bottom of the sixth, after loading the bases on back-to-back doubles and a hit batter, Hoptown scored three runs on a bases-loaded walk, a fielder’s choice, and a sac fly to take the lead for the first time of the night at 7-6.
A Hopper error in the top of the seventh allowed the Flash to tie the game at 7-7, setting up the exciting finish.
Stephen Bell had a monster night for the Hoppers, going 4-6 with three RBIs and a run scored. Sam Perkins finished 3-5 with a run scored. Carter Hood was 1-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Chase Gruno picked up the win for Hoptown in relief. He pitched the ninth inning, allowing no runs on no hits, striking out two and walking one. Gruno was the sixth pitcher of the night for the Hoppers.
One Response
Great win!! Great game!! Thanks Hoppers and Henderson for the exciting entertainment!!!