The Hoptown Hoppers did something Friday night they had not done since June 24. After taking a big lead and then losing it, the Hoppers rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 9-8 win over the Madisonville Miners at Hopkinsville High School.
The win gave the Hoppers back-to-back victories for the first time since they won games over Paducah and Fulton on June 23 and June 24.
The Hoppers appeared to have things going their way after the bottom of the 5th when they scored five runs to take a 6-2 lead over the Miners. Hoptown took advantage of of three Madisonville errors and a bases-loaded walk in the inning to get to the seemingly comfortable lead.
But then the Hoppers had their own issues in the field and it almost cost them. Madisonville scored a run in the sixth, two in the seventh, and three in the 8th inning to come back to take an 8-2 lead. Three Hopkinsville errors in that span played a big part of the Miner rally.
The fielding errors on both sides played a big part in the game as the two teams combined for seven errors, three from Madisonville and four from Hopkinsville.
The Hoppers started their game-winning rally with one out in the bottom of the 8th inning. Braden Pingel was hit by a pitch to get it rolling. Ethan Landis singled to make it runners at first and second.
After a strikeout, Hadley Smith doubled to drive in Pingel, making it 8-7. Kolby Webb singled to score Landis and tie the game at 8-8. Brayden Eftink then singled to drive in Smith for what was the game-winning run.
The Miners had runners at first and second with no one out in the ninth, but Sam Patrick was able to get the next three batters to snuff out the rally.
Brayden Eftink ended up 3-5 with a pair of RBIs. Ethan Landis, Hadley Smith, and Caden Buxton had two hits each for the Hoppers.
Sam Patrick picked up the win in relief, going the final 1 2/3 innings, giving up no runs on three hits.
(Photos below – Lanie Bivins)
