The Fulton Railroaders rode a strong pitching performance from Grant Baskin and a sterling defensive effort to hold off the Hoptown Hoppers 4-1 Wednesday night in front of 753 fans at Christian County High School’s Colonel Field.
Baskin threw a perfect game for 3 2/3 innings and was helped by four outstanding defensive plays to rob Hoppers of hits as the Railroaders built a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the fifth.
Hoptown (1-8) got on the board in the fifth as Gabe Eddington singled and went to second on a hit by former Hopkinsville High School and Heritage Christian Academy star J.J. Thompson. Eddington scored on a hit by Cole Reynolds.
The Hoppers left the bases loaded in the fourth inning and also left two runners on in both the sixth and seventh frames.
Fulton (4-6) made it 4-1 in the top of the ninth on a solo home run by Chris Henson.
Former Hopkinsville High School pitcher Gavin Powell suffered the pitching loss, despite allowing only two earned runs and four hits through five innings.
Baskin was the winning pitcher as he went six innings and allowed six hits and one earned run.
Hoptown was led at the plate by Dom Bello, who went 2-for-3 on the night.
The Hoppers return to action tonight against Henderson at Evansville’s Bosse Field at 6:30 p.m.
Score by Innings:
Fulton Railroaders 001 110 001 – 4 6 1
Hoptown Hoppers 000 010 000 – 1 7 2
WP – Baskin
LP – Powell
Leading Hitters: Hoptown – Thompson (1B), Reynolds (1B), Bello (2 1B), Tucker (1B), Scheidt (1B), Eddington (1B).
File Photo