VMI's Matt Keane had three hits and seven RBIs for the Hoptown Hoppers in their 20-4 win at Fulton Thursday.
The Hoppers were already ahead 5-0 after three innings and put up a 10-spot in the fourth inning to take control. Hoptown only managed 11 hits in the game and took advantage of 14 walks issued by Railroader pitchers.
Matt Keane (VMI) had the big night for the Hoppers with three hits and seven RBIs. He had a two-run single in the third inning and added a two-run double in the fourth inning. Keane closed out his huge night with a three-run homer in the sixth inning.
Cody Hartness (Western Kentucky) and Blake Jackson (Georgia State) each had two hits and an RBI, while Joe DeFina (New Mexico) doubled home a pair of runs for the Hoppers. Jackson reached base five times in the contest.
Fulton had nine hits in the game and got a three-run home run from Jack Gallagher.
Brian Coffey (New Mexico) picked up the pitching win, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in 3.2 innings. He struck out five and walked one. Kendall Marshall (Middle Georgia State) pitched the final 2.1 innings and didn’t allow a run while striking out two and allowing two hits.
The 20 runs equal a team record for runs in a season opener. The Hoppers beat Paducah 20-1 in 2016.
Hoptown returns to action for a home-and-home series with Madisonville. The Hoppers will play Friday at Elmer Kelley Stadium before returning home to play the Miners in their home opener Saturday at Christian County’s Colonel Field.
