YSE File Photo
For the second consecutive night, the Hoptown Hoppers had trouble getting their offense revved up. The Full Count Rhythm held the Hoppers without a hit into the 8th inning as the Rhythm picked up the 3-1 win Saturday night at Drakes Creek Park.
Full Count got on the board in the bottom of the first for all of the offense they would need on the night. Following a leadoff walk, the Rhythm got an RBI double from Jackson Hannon to make it 1-0. Hannon would then score later in the inning on an RBI single from Matthew Batts to extend the lead to 2-0.
Full Count would extend their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Christian Smith led off the inning with a double and then advanced around the bases on a pair of ground outs to push the margin out to 3-0.
As the Rhythm was building a lead, the Hoppers were struggling to find a way to generate any offense of their own. Ryan Ginther and Austin Sandifer combined to hold the Hoppers hitless until Landon Choboy came up with a one-out single in the top of the 8th. The Hoppers looked like they had a threat going as Riley Garczynski followed that up with a walk. However, Full Count came up with a double play to end the threat and the inning.
The Hoppers would finally end the shutout in the top of the 9th inning. Jake Parr was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Then, with two outs, after Parr had advanced to second on a wild pitch, Zayd Branningan singled to center to cut the lead to 3-1. Alex Gonzales followed that up with a walk to give Hoptown runners at first and second with the go-ahead run coming to the plate.
But that would be the end of the threat. Kyle Magrans was able to get Tanner Holliman on strikes to end the game.
The Hoppers had their chances over the course of the game to get more offense going. But, Hoptown could not find the way to take full advantage of seven walks and a hit batter given up by Full Count. Four Rhythm pitchers combined to strike out twelve Hopper batters in the game.
The Hoppers’ pitching was able to keep them within shouting distance over the duration of the game, as they limited the Rhythm to just six hits. The best outing of the evening game from Arlon Butts, who pitched two innings, giving up no runs on no hits, striking out two.
