Mealer, Powell send Hoppers back to OVL lead

The Hoptown Hoppers are back in first place in the Ohio Valley League baseball standings after a 15-6 win over Fulton combined with Henderson’s sudden death loss to Full Count on Wednesday night.

Brennan Mealer drove in five runs and former Hopkinsville High School star Gavin Powell went 3-for-3 with a solo home run to power the Hoppers. Mealer hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first as part of a five-run inning that staked Hoptown to a 5-0 lead.

The Hoppers increased their lead to 10-1 entering the sixth inning before the Railroaders (4-16) began their comeback. Fulton drew within 11-6 in the eighth inning after hitting two home runs and scoring four off Hoptown reliever Thomas Forehand.

The Hoppers answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the eighth and Chance Sweeney shut down Fulton in the ninth to end the game.

Heath Henley made his first pitching start for the Hoppers and went six innings, allowing only four hits while striking out five and giving up two runs to pick up the win.

Hoptown improved to 15-5 on the season and returns to action tonight at Henderson in a first-place showdown. Wednesday’s loss broke an 11-game winning streak by Henderson. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. today.

The next Hoppers’ home game is Friday night as the Flash return to Tiger Field to take on Hoptown at 6:30 p.m. Airtime for Friday’s game is 6:15 p.m. on 95.3 The Farm. Friday’s game is Pink Ribbon Night and they will be honoring Ann Isom before the game.

Score by Inning:

Fulton 010 001 040 – 6 8 2

Hoptown 501 311 04x – 15 16 3

WP – Henley (6 IP, 5 SO, 1 BB)

LP – Haener

Leading Hitters: Hoptown – B. Gibson (1B), G. Eddington (2 1B), Jacob (2B), Johnson (1B), Sweeney (1B), Mealer (HR, 1B, 5 RBI), Powell (2 1B, HR), C. Slaughter (2 1B), A. Maguire (1B), E. Leonard (1B).