After a four-run rally in the fifth inning to tie the game, the Christian County Colonels appeared to have the Hopkinsville Tigers right where they wanted them, a tie game, late in the game on their home field in the 8th District championship game. However, the Tigers proved there was still some bite in their offense as they erupted for six runs in the bottom of the sixth and went on the claim the title 10-4 Monday evening.
The win gave the Tigers their first 8th District title since the 2014 season.
Hoptown took the early lead in the game after Ryan Myers walked, stole second and third, and then scored on a sac fly to put the Tigers up 1-0.
The Tigers added to the lead in the bottom of the third after Preston Chaudoin led off the inning with a double and then scored on an RBI single from Zach Moss to extend the lead to 2-0.
Hoptown looked to be rolling towards the title when they added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to push the lead on out to 4-0. Then, things got interesting in the top of the 5th.
After a single by Carter Sholar and a two-out walk to Broden Kellum, George Forrest reached on an error allowing Sholar to score and cut the lead to 4-1. Elijah Underhill then blasted a home run to left to give the Colonels new life and tie the game at 4-4.
The hopes that built up for the Colonels after the Underhill home run, were dashed and smashed by the Tigers in the bottom of the 6th inning. Using five singles, a double, and a walk, Hoptown had seven straight batters reach base safely. That was enough to generate six runs, and suddenly what looked like a game that might come down to the final out, was back firmly under Tiger control.
Christian County would then go down in order in the top of the 7th to end the game.
The Tigers scored their ten runs on eleven hits. Zach Moss was 3-4 with two RBIs. Landon Snyder finished 2-4 with three RBIs in the game. Eight different Tigers had a hit in the contest.
Hoptown did have its issues in the field, as the Tigers were charged with three errors in the game.
For Christian County, Elijah Underhill was 2-4 with 3 RBIs. Carter Sholar had the only other hit in the game for the Colonels, who were limited to three hits.
Preston Chaudoin got the start for Hopkinsville, going five innings. He gave up four runs, none of them earned, on three hits, striking out 12.
Both teams will now move on to the 2nd Region tournament, which is slated to start Saturday at University Heights. Hopkinsville improves to 21-9 with its sixth win in the last seven games. Christian County drops to 8-19.
