The Hoptown Hoppers suffered a major setback in their hopes of earning a home playoff game as they dropped a 10-3 decision to the host Henderson Flash on Monday night.
Braden Gabel hit a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning to break open a close game and push the Flash into third place in the OVL standings at 17-16. Henderson has a half-game lead on the Fulton Railroaders, who were rained out Monday against the Full Count Rhythm.
The Hoppers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a single by Myles Denton.
However, the Flash used a two-run homer by Dane DeWees to take a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the third inning. After Henderson added another run in the bottom of the fourth to push its lead to 3-1, Gabel struck with his grand slam to push the host’s lead to 7-1.
Hoptown cut the lead to 7-2 in the top of the sixth as Cole Reynolds walked and stole second base. Tyler Casserly singled. Jordan Carter’s ground ball scored Reynolds.
However, the Flash got the run back in the bottom of the frame and led 8-2 before adding two more runs in the bottom of the eighth.
The Hoppers plated their final run in the ninth as Aidon Butts singled to score Konner Scheidt.
Hoptown was led at the plate by Denton and Trigg County’s Butts, who both went 2-for-4 at the plate.
Heath Henley suffered the pitching loss for Hoptown.
The Hoppers slipped to 14-20 on the season and are scheduled to play at Madisonville tonight at 6:30 p.m. They trail fourth place Fulton by three games with four regular season games remaining.
Score by Innings:
Hoptown Hoppers 010 001 001 – 3 7 2
Henderson Flash 002 241 02x – 10 11 1
WP – Gries
LP – Henley
Leading Hitters: Hoptown – Casserly (1B), Bello (2B), Scheidt (1B), Denton (2 1B), Butts (2 1B).
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