Blanked for eight innings, the Hoptown Hoppers made some noise in the ninth Sunday night at Madisonville.
Down 5-0, Hoptown scored three times and had the potential tying run on first base with one out.
But the homestanding Miners got a strikeout and a pop up to end the game and hold on for a 5-3 triumph at Elmer Kelley Stadium at Madisonville City Park.
Madisonville, now 2-0, got strong starting pitching from left-hander Travis Kellems, who shut out Hoptown on just three base hits through five innings. The Indiana University Southeast hurler struck out five.
Four other Madisonville hurlers saw action in the contest until Coby Anker came in to get the final two outs and earn the save.
The Miners scored single runs in the first, third and fifth innings. Two more in the sixth had the home team seemingly in control at 5-0.
Hoptown didn’t dent the scoreboard until the ninth when two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs.
Konner Scheidt scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-1, then another base on balls loaded the bases again. An out later, Hunter Swanson singled home two runs to cut the gap to 5-3 and get the potential tying run on base.
However, Anker pitched out of the jam to preserve the Miner win.
Pete Britton and Coulter Hamilton were each 2-for-3 with a run batted in for Madisonville. Sean O’Brien was 2-for-4 while Noah Berning went 1-for-4 with a double and knocked in two.
Kolby Webb was 2-for-4 for Hoptown, but was the only Hopper with multiple hits. Hoptown was given nine walks in the contest, but stranded 16 baserunners.
Heath Henley suffered the loss on the mound. The right-hander went 5.1 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits.
Madisonville will play at home again on Monday against the Fulton County Railroaders.
Hoptown (0-2) will be at home for the first time on Monday when the Hoppers host the Full Count Rhythm at Christian County High School.
