Hoptown couldn’t overcome a slow start and fell to Henderson 5-4 Sunday at B.T. Wayne Field – their fourth loss in six trips to Henderson.
Union County alum Trey Hutchison had a two-run single as part of a three-run Henderson first inning. The 2018 Second Region player of the year led off the third inning with a home run to left field.
Hoptown scored twice in the second inning on a ground out and Henderson error.
Hunter Evans got a run back in the fourth on a solo home run that cut the Henderson lead to 4-3.
Josh Johnston hit a solo home run in the seventh that proved to be a huge run for Henderson.
The Hoppers staged a rally in the eighth inning when Greg Mehlhaff singled home Jacob Jenkins. Chandler Kendall was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. However, the next two Hoppers struck out to end the threat.
In the ninth, Micah Genter singled and advanced to third with one out. But again, two strikeouts ended the threat and game.
Drew McGowan took the pitching loss for the Hoppers, while Brant Husser had two more hits on the offensive side.
Caldwell County graduate Noah Brown had a single for Henderson, while his former high school teammate Bryce Thomas walked twice.
The Hoppers fell to 17-11 but still lead the OVL West by 2.5 games over Paducah and three games over Fulton.
The Hoppers continue their long homestand Tuesday when they entertain Muhlenberg County.
