Photo by Cindy Dougherty
A Blake Jackson-less, 25-20 Hoptown Hoppers team will represent the West division in the Ohio Valley League championship series against the top-seeded Owensboro Riverdawgs (32-14). Both teams are undefeated this postseason, while Owensboro won the regular season series at 4-2.
Without Jackson, the Hoppers offense has faced its challenges. However, the addition of Malik Blaise at second base while moving Cole Cummings to third has overpowered that adversity. Blaise is batting .300 in Jackson’s absence with two RBI and as many runs scored. Cummings has picked up the slack as well, batting .428 with three RBI and as many runs scored.
The offense as a whole has came together amid head coach Brock Moss’s praise. However, the Hopper pitching has been phenomenal as well.
While starting arms were a bit of a concern in the regular season, so far this postseason every starter has gone at least five innings.
With Brian Coffey and Sage Holderfield picking up the first two wins this postseason for Hoptown, it’s likely Moss will look their way to start the first two games of this best-of-three series with Owensboro.
The Riverdawgs, though, are not a team to underestimate. While they had just two more dingers (36) than the Hoppers (34), 15 of those Hopper homers belonged to Triple-Crown winner Blake Jackson. As for any game they play, keeping balls inside the park should be a top priority for Hoptown’s defense.
While both teams have swept their way to the championship series, it won’t be easy for either team. They’re each representing their division for a reason and will have their hands full taking down each other for the OVL title.
First pitch for Game 1 on Friday is set for 7 P.M. in Owensboro. Game 2 will be at Colonel Field on Saturday at 7 P.M. If there’s a 1-1 split for the first two games, their will be a winner-take-all Game 3 in Owensboro on Sunday.
