Before losing their last game to the Full Count Rhythm, the Hoptown Hoppers had won back-to-back games, so they were hoping to capture that same momentum in their matchup against the Paducah Chiefs on Saturday evening.
They were unfortunately not able to do that, as the Chiefs’ pitching came to play.
Hayden Alexander started on the mound for Paducah, and he was able to pitch six innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts. Brevin Scott also came in and got the job done, allowing just one hit in the three innings he pitched. They were two of the keys in the Chiefs coming out on top 6-1.
As for the Hoppers, Heath Henley made the start, who by no means pitched a bad game. He allowed seven hits, but he only allowed one run in the six innings that he was in the game. It was the second straight solid start for the right-hander, who has allowed one earned run over his last 13 innings.
As for the offense, Hoptown’s only run came in the top of the seventh inning from a sacrifice fly from Dominick Bello. The Hoppers missed on chances to get to Alexander before his exit, leaving the bases loaded in the fifth inning and stranding runners at second and third in the sixth.
The team’s hits came from Aidon Butts, Owen Hutcheson, Myles Denton, Zach Hampton, Eli Laurent, and Bello, the last of which had a double.
Gunnar Bingham, the Murray State Racer and Lyon County product, had a two-run triple for Paducah in the eighth inning, his second straight game with a bases-clearing three-base hit. After losing seven straight games, the Chiefs have won four in a row.
Saturday’s game at Brooks Stadium was delayed 15 minutes due to rain showers that moved through Paducah late Saturday afternoon.
The Hoppers will be looking to bounce right back in their next game on Monday, June 30, a double-header against the Fulton Railroaders. First pitch of the first game is scheduled for 5 p.m. from Lohaus Field.
