Zayd Brannigan’s bases-loaded walk in the top of the 9th inning put the Hoptown Hoppers in the lead and help the Hoppers complete a 3-2 come-from-behind road win at Muhlenberg County Sunday night.
The Hoppers were able to load the bases thanks to a Stallions error, a walk, and a hit batter. The walk was the fifth given up by Muhlenberg County pitching on the night.
The Stallions broke on top in the bottom of the first inning. Mason Lundgrin hit a one-out double to right to drive in Colin Cornwell, who had led off the inning with a single, to give Muhlenberg County the early 1-0 lead.
The score remained that way until the Hoppers came to bat in the top of the 5th inning. Alex Gonzales led off the inning with a walk and then advanced to second on a single by Jojo Cruz. Gonzales then scored the Hoppers first run of the night on a base hit from Landon Choboy to even up the score at 1-1.
The Stallions came right back in the bottom half of the inning to regain the lead. A dropped third strike, a stolen base, and a sac fly added up to a run and gave Muhlenberg a 2-1 lead.
The Hoppers clawed their way back into a tie in the top of the seventh. Kurt Paldino connected for a one-out single. Riley Garczynski was plunked by the pitcher to give Hoptown runners at first and second with one away. Nico Montes then came up with the RBI single to tie the game at 2-2, setting the stage for the end game excitement.
Landon Choboy paced the Hoppers going 2-3. Nico Montes and Zayd Brannigan had an RBI apiece for Hoptown.
Chase Gruno picked up the win in relief, going two innings, giving up no runs, on no hits, striking out five, while walking one.
