Prospero Scores on Wild Pitch for Walk-Off Win
The Miners and first-place Hoppers hooked up in a fantastic ballgame Friday night at Elmer Kelley Stadium in Madisonville, with the Miners winning in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the ninth.
The Hoppers got on the scoreboard first when Andrew Gross led off the second inning with a solo home run to straight-away center, but the Miners answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 1-1 when Wesley Birchmeier got an RBI ground out to drive in Daniel Jackson, who led off the inning with a double.
The Hoppers got right back in action in the top of the fourth on a two-run home run by Kyle O’Keefe and led 3-1 heading into the bottom of the inning. The Miners then cut the lead in half when Tom Prospero singled, driving in Genesis Hillard.
The score remained 3-2 until the Miners tied the ballgame in the bottom of the eighth. After Nolan Ramsey singled, Chase Hensley doubled, scoring Ramsey.
The Miners held the Hoppers scoreless in the top of the ninth and entered the bottom of the frame needing one run to claim the victory in regulation. Prospero led off with double and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Hopper reliever Austin Hearn. After Adam Cox struck out and was thrown out after the pitched was dropped, Hearn uncorked another wild pitch scoring Prospero from third to win the ballgame.
Tyler Watson started the game for the Hoppers and pitched seven complete innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on six hits, one walk, and five strikeouts. Hearn pitched the final 1.33 innings, giving up two runs (both earned) on three hits, one walk, and one strikeout. Hearn took the loss for the Hoppers.
Miner starter Justin Whitley pitched four complete innings, giving up all three Hopper runs (all earned) on four hits and one strikeout. Colin Hudson came on and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit, three walks, and striking out two Hoppers. Hudson gave way to Kyle Klotz, who pitched the final two innings, Klotz gave up two hits and struck out three before picking up the win on the Miners’ heroics in the bottom of the ninth.
The box score and game recap are available here: Hoppers at Miners July 1 2016
The win, the third in four games for the Miners, lifted Madisonville to 14-10 on the season, while the loss dropped the Hoppers to 21-4. The Hoppers still hold a 5.5 game lead over their closest rival, the Owensboro Oilers (16-10). The Miners are in sole possession of third place in the standings, 6.5 games back of the Hoppers.
Miners Roll To Muhlenberg County Saturday Night
The Miners (14-10) ride a two-game winning streak to Muhlenberg County on Saturday night to face the Stallions (4-21). The game gets underway at 7:00 pm CT on the West Campus of the Muhlenberg County High School in Greenville.
Updated Stats
The Miners stats are updated thru Friday night’s win over the Hoppers:
Updated Batting Stats thru July 1
Updated Base Running Stats thru July 1
Updated Pitching Stats thru July 1
