Photo by Cindy Dougherty
Going into Thursday’s matchup with the Muhlenberg Stallions, the Hoptown Hoppers seemed to be clicking on all cylinders. The Hoppers were winners of three straight with just a week until the start of the postseason.
In Muhlenberg, however, they came back down to Earth against the second-worst team in the Ohio Valley League.
With undefeated Brian Coffey on the mound for Hoptown, things looked to be highly in their favor. But when OVL home run leader Blake Jackson sent one to the moon in the first inning, a win seemed inevitable for the Stallions.
Hoptown went on to score another run in the top of the first, as Matt Keane singled to drive in Aidan Elias.
However, Muhlenberg resisted Hoppers’ wrath and put up three of their own in the bottom of the inning to take the lead.
A 2-run third put Hoptown back on top, as Cole Cummings scored on a fielder’s choice and MJ Rookard scored on a wild pitch.
Again, though, Muhlenberg refused to go away. They put another run on the board to tie it in the bottom of the inning.
Hoptown took advantage of a big fifth inning, scoring three runs. Elias drove in Cummings on a sac-fly with Keane following suit, driving in Rookard and Jackson on a double.
Leading 7-4 and their ace on the mound, one would have assumed the game was won for the Hoppers.
However, a five-run sixth inning gave the Stallions the lead and ultimately the victory.
Three defensive errors didn’t lend Coffey much help, as he took his first loss of the season. He went five innings to fan six but gave up eight hits and seven runs.
Cole Lyons took the win, pitching three innings to strike out six without allowing any hits or runs.
Jackson’s home run was his 15th of the season, extending his OVL lead.
Hoptown (19-15) will return home on Friday to host Dubois County for the first of a four day home-stand which includes two double headers.
First pitch on Friday is set for 7 P.M.
