The Hoptown Hoppers left 11 runners on base on Tuesday against the visiting Henderson Flash, including twice leaving the bases loaded, on their way to a 9-0 defeat that snapped a two-game winning streak.
Tyson LeBlanc had a massive night for the Flash with a double and two triples to drive in three runs, and pitchers Josh Kuhns and Zachary Lawson combined on the shutout.
LeBlanc started things in the first inning with an RBI triple, and the Flash added a second run thanks to a Hopper error.
The Hoppers looked to be in business with three straight singles to open their half of the 2nd, but a strikeout and double play ended the threat.
Kolby Webb was the lone Hopper with two hits, and his two-out single and a double by Hadley Smith helped load the bases again in the third. However, Kuhns again got out of a jam for the Flash with a fly ball to center.
Leading 4-0 in the top of the 8th, the Flash blew the game open with five runs courtesy of RBI singles by Dane DeWees and Logan Lacey on either side of LeBlanc’s two-run double.
Kuhns went five innings to earn the win, allowing eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Lawson was lights out on the mound the rest of the way, striking out five over four perfect frames.
DeWees finished with three hits, Lacey and Taylor Head each had two, and Nate York drove in a pair of runs to help the Flash to their fifth straight win.
Dalton Sisson started on the mound for the Hoppers, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits with four walks and five strikeouts before handing off to Easton Barnett after five and two-thirds. Barnett lasted one and a third, surrendering six runs, five earned, on five hits with three strikeouts.
The Hoppers will hit the road on Thursday for a matchup with the Madisonville Miners. The teams have split four meetings so far this season.
