The Madisonville Miners (0-3) and the Hoptown Hoppers (1-3) hooked up at Elmer Kelley Stadium on Tuesday night, and neither team simply wanted to let go. Eighteen innings later, the Hoppers won the longest game in the history of the Ohio Valley Summer Collegiate Baseball League by the final score of 4-2. (Box Score Here)
Hoptown got the scoring underway in the top of the 3rd inning, scoring two runs off Madisonville starting pitcher Cameron Smith. Hopper second baseman Chris Jones singled after a leadoff ground out by Jimmy Cubillos. Jones then moved to third on a single by the next batter, John Davis, and scored on a delayed steal after Davis stole second base. Ernie de la Trinidad followed with a single, and advanced to second base on a Miner error that also allowed Davis to score.
Madisonville answered with one run in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Addison Rospert ripped a one-out triple and scored on an RBI-single by Jacob Csizmadia.
The Miners tied the ballgame at 2-2 in the bottom of the 4th after Andrew Tanous reached base on an error and later scored on a ground ball by Matt Walsh.
Neither team could muster another run over the next fourteen innings. The Hoppers finally broke the deadlock in the top of the 18th inning, scoring two runs and taking a 4-2. The inning started with Cubillos drawing a leadoff walk from Miner reliever Colin Hudson. Cubillos then scored on a single by de la Trinidad, who promptly scored on a single by Cody Duncan.
Madisonville loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half of the 18th inning, but pinch hitter J.A. Harville ended the game by lining out hard to Duncan, the Hopper shortstop.
Madisonville pounded out ten hits, but stranded sixteen runners on the base paths. Addison Rospert went 1-for6, Jacob Csizmadia went 2-for-7 with an RBI, Nolan Ramsey went 2-for-5, Matt Walsh went 2-for-6 with an RBI, and Wesley Birchmeier went 1-for-8. Pinch hitters Tyler Greiner and Conner Moss each went 1-for-1 late in the ballgame. Madisonville committed three errors on the night.
The Hoppers had eleven hits and stranded eight baserunners. Ernie de la Trinidad led the way at the plate, batting 5-for-8 with an RBI and one run scored. Cody Duncan went 2-for-8 with an RBI. Hopper catcher Will Olson went 1-for-7, Chris Jones went 2-for-7 with one run scored, and John Davis went 1-for-7 with one run scored. The Hoppers committed seven errors.
Hopper starter Brady Walsh pitched nine complete innings, giving up four hits, two runs (one earned), walking one, and striking out three Miners. Jordan Martiin pitched two scoreless innings, walking one. Will Bishop took over from there, pitching 7 shutout innings. Bishop walked five and struck out five Miners. Bishop picked up the Win.
Cameron Smith got the start for Madisonville and pitched four complete innings. Smith gave up five hits, two runs (one earned), and struck out one. Smith gave way to Nicholas Purpera, who pitched four scoreless innings while scattering two hits and striking out two Hoppers. Kyle Vedrode followed, pitching three scoreless innings. Vedrode gave up one hit and struck out four Hoppers. Yancey Pritchett took the mound and pitched one inning, walking one and striking out one. Colin Hudson relieved Pritchett and pitched five and two-thirds innings. Hudson gave up two runs (both earned) on two hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. Cory Finkler wrapped things up on the mound for the Miners, allowing one hit in one-third inning of work. Hudson took the Loss for the Miners.
Madisonville gets back in action on Wednesday night in Fulton against the Railroaders.
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