The Hoptown Hoppers bid to open the season at 2-0 came to an abrupt end on the road Saturday evening. The Fulton Railroaders used an eight run explosion in the bottom of the 8th inning to rally from a 7-3 deficit and hand the Hoppers their first loss of the 2019 season.
After falling behind 1-0, the Hoppers took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 3rd when Greg Mehlhaff blasted a two run home run to right field. A home run from Seth Bennett extended the lead to 3-1 in the top of the 4th inning.
Bennett drew a bases loaded walk in the 5th to push the lead out to 4-1. Fulton came back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 4-3.
Drew McGowan drew a bases loaded walk in the 6th to make it a 5-3 game. Brennan Crooms came through with an RBI single in the 7th to make to make it 6-3. Jacob Jenkins left the park in the top of the 8th to push the Hoppers’ lead to 7-3.
In the bottom of the inning, the Railroaders took advantage of four walks and a Hoppers’ error to plate eight runs. Fulton also had four singles during the rally.
Fulton pitcher O. Hunter then struck out the Hoppers in order to close out the game in the ninth.
Jacob Jenkins was 3-4 for Hoptown, with a home run, an RBI, and two runs scored. Seth Bennett was 2-3, with a home run, an RBI, and two runs scored. Greg Mehlhaff ended up 1-5, with a home run, two RBIs, and a run scored.
Chandler Kendall took the loss for the Hoppers in relief.
