It was an impressive way for the Hoptown Hoppers to put an end to their two-game losing streak Wednesday night. The Hoppers scored early and often on their way to a 10-3 road win at Muhlenberg County,
Hoptown scored seven runs over the first three innings as the Hoppers took a 7-2 lead that they would never relinquish over the course of the night.
Robert Estrada got things rolling for the Hoppers in the top of the first as he connected on a two-out bases-loaded single. Sam Perkins and Artem Logvinov scored on the hit, putting the Hoppers up 2-0 after just half an inning.
The Hoppers picked right up where they had left off in the top of the second inning. Sam Perkins hit into a ground out, driving in Luis Villalba, who had walked to lead off the inning. Luis Vergara sinlged with two outs to drive in Manuel Villalobos and extend the Hoptown lead to 4-0. Dom Oliverio followed that up with a two-run shot to left, running the lead out to 6-0.
Muhlenberg County had a small rally in the bottom half of the inning. The Stallions plated a pair of runs to cut the lead to 6-2.
The Hoppers used three singles in the first four batters in the top of the third inning to get one of those runs back. Manuel Villalobos singled to score Robert Estrada to move the lead back out to 7-2.
Hoptown then firmly seized control of the contest in the top of the fifth inning. The Hoppers started the inning with three straight singles to load the bases. Manuel Villalobos drove in a run with a sac fly to make it an 8-2 game. Sam Perkins then doubled to drive in a run and extend the lead to 9-2. A sac fly from Artem Logvinov ended the scoring for the inning and gave Hoptown a 10-2 lead.
Muhlenberg County got a home run from B. Williams in the bottom of the seventh to trim the lead to 10-3, but that would be it in terms of any kind of comeback.
Robert Estrada led the way for the Hoppers, going 3-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Sam Perkins finished 2-5 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored. Manuel Villalobos was 2-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored.
The Hoppers ended up outhitting the Stallions 12 to 7 in the contest.
Starting pitcher Myles Green got the win for the Hoppers. Green went six innings, giving up two runs on five hits, striking out four while walking five.
