YSE File Photo
The Hoptown Hoppers were wearing their rally caps when they left for Paducah Saturday evening. The Hoppers spotted the Chiefs a four-run lead and then came all the way back to take a 7-5 win, giving them three straight on the season.
The Chiefs hit the Hoppers with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. After two walks and a single loaded the base to start the inning, Kyle Hayes, from Western Kentucky University, doubled to score two runs. Cadwell Turner and Nathan Lang then drove in a run each with grounders to close out the scoring in the inning.
The Hoppers started to fight their way back into the game in the top of the 5th inning. After a hit batter, an error, and a single loaded the bases with nobody out, Ruben Ogando grounded out to drive in the Hoppers’ first run of the night. Brayden Eftink then hit a sac fly to cut the lead to 4-2.
Hoptown got even closer in the 6th inning as an RBI single from John Kiebler cut the margin to 4-3.
However, the Chiefs got that one back in the bottom of the inning when Luke Dymond drove in a run with a double to left to make it 5-3.
The Hoppers completed their comeback in the top of the 7th inning. Two bases-loaded walks, a ground out, and an RBI singe from John Kiebler pushed across four runs as Hoptown moved to a 7-5 lead that would stand up for the rest of the game.
Kiebler finished the game 3-5 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Ruben Ogando and Gavin Lake were each 2-4.
Easton Barnett got the win for Hoptown in relief. He went two innings, giving up no runs on one hit, striking out two and walking none.
Harrison Waxley pitched the ninth inning to pick up the save.
