The Hoptown Hoppers broke out their hitting sticks early Saturday night. The Hoppers pounded out 11 runs in the first two innings as they rolled to a 12-1 win over the Fulton Railroaders in five innings at Christian County High School.
After Fulton scored a run in the top of the first, Hoptown took advantage of three first inning walks to score seven runs the first time they came to the plate. The big shot in the first inning was a three-run blast to centerfield off the bat of Kurt Paldino.
In the second inning, the Hoppers loaded the bases on a single and two more walks setting up some more “long ball” excitement. Alex Gonzales took a 2-2 pitch over the fence in left for a grand slam to push the Hoppers lead on out to 11-1.
Hoptown would add one more run in the bottom of the fifth before the game was stopped, as Jojo Cruz tripled to drive in the final run of the night.
Alex Gonzales had a big night for the Hoppers, going 3-3 with the grand slam, five RBIs, and two runs scored. Kurt Paldino finished 1-2 with a home run, three RBIs, and a run scored. Jake Parr and Jojo Cruz added two hits each for Hoptown.
Jonathan Beymer gave the Hoppers five big innings on the mound. He gave up just the one run, on two hits, striking out six, while walking two.
