2 0 1 2    S E A S O N    A R C H I V E

August 2, 2012

OVL President comments on 2012 Season. The addition of Hopkinsville (Hoptown) to the OVL certainly made for a vastly more interesting season and corresponding playoffs. The season began rather offbeat and oddly with Fulton going 0 and 4 and Marion achieving first place for an instant. The Madisonville Tradewater Pirates, formerly the Tradewater Pirates based in Dawson Springs, moved 18 miles to Kelly Field where Steve Fowler as GM also managed the new Pirates. The new kids on the block, Hoptown, and Madisonville fought each other all season just like their high school rivalry for over 90 years. Finally, Hoptown emerged as the league champs with a strong hitting lineup and good starting pitching that didn’t wear out down the stretch. Fulton made the late season very interesting, making a late surge to scare the Hoppers. But, in the end, it was all Hoppers. The Bobcats and Oilers were not able to survive player injuries while the Pirates only faded during the last week of the season.

     The interest created by the two new franchises translated into a significant increase in attendance, estimated to have grown to over 15,000 league wide. Fan loyalty increased somewhat as many strangers appeared in the visitors sections over the season.

     The 2012 fan interest has apparently been contagious, as several nearby communities have shown interest in seeking to join our league. That is a challenge that is to be worked out in the off-season.

     A special recognition goes to John Dunker and his scorekeeping team. Never before have we experienced such accuracy and promptness that game results were published on the league web site.  And unlike 2011 when over 40 rainouts and make-ups ate up the scheduled make-up days, we finished 2012 with only 16 games made up, which means all scheduled games were played for the first time since the league began as the K I T league.

     Nearby towns from three states have expressed more than a passing interest in the OVL. I am optimistic that more teams will be joining our growing league in the next two years to give the OVL a real baseball presence in Mid-America.

Gordon Guess

President OVL

Post Season Playoff Summaries

Jump  to Regular Season game summaries

July 30, 2012 - Playoff Championship Round 3, Game 3 - Best of three series 

Hopkinsville Hoppers 7, Fulton Railroaders 6. (From Hopkinsville) The regular season champion Hoptown Hoppers wrapped up the post season championship with a rousing 7-6 win over Fulton Monday night in Hopkinsville.  The Hoppers scattered 10 hits to the Railroaders 9, scoring 5 runs in the first 3 innings, and adding 1 in the 5th, and 1 in the 8th as Fulton tried to snap back but fell one short in the final stanza.

     Hoptown set the momentum in the bottom of the first when Philip Menou crushed a 3-run homer over the right field fence, driving in both Brett Pirtle, who had singled, and Jake Sandlin who walked.  The Hoppers took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd when Bancroft walked, Kaleb Brown sacrificed him to 2nd with a bunt, Matt McGowan’s grounder to shortstop was picked up but the throw to first sailed over first, scoring Bancroft.  The Hoppers then went up 5-0 in the third inning when Menou singled, Fernando Tanaka doubled, sending Menou to 3rd, and then Menou scored on Nolan Fisher’s ground out.

     Fulton made it 5-1 in the 5th when Mikee Moore drew a one-out walk, advanced on a balk, then scored when first-baseman Menou under-tossed a slow grounder by Joe Mike to second baseman Matt McGowan who was covering first and the  ball rolled away.  Still in the 5th, Mike stole second, and then scored on Quinton Alexander’s double.  Brandon Shaw’s single pushed Alexander to 3rd; he then scored when Hoptown catcher Brad Sevenish threw the ball wide on Shaw’s second-base steal, making the score 5-3.

     In the bottom of the 5th, Hoptown took a 6-3 lead following Tanaka’s deep grounder to short for a single, and then stealing second base.  Fisher drew a walk, with Tanaka stealing third on the ball four pitch, and Seth Bancroft’s sharp single to left center field scored Tanaka.  With Fisher on third, Brown lined out to second base and Bancroft was doubled up off first base.

     The Hoppers added another run in the bottom of 7th for a 7-3 lead when, with 2 outs, Tanaka drew a walk, stole second, followed by Fisher being hit by a pitch; then Bancroft hit a slow roller off relief pitcher Brock Downey, the second baseman pulling his teammate off first base as Bancroft reached safely and Tanaka crossed the plate.

      Fulton made it 7-4 in the 8th when Cash drew a walk and advanced to second on Rick Linton’s single—Linton pinch-hitting  for starting catcher Billy O’Connor—and scored on Mikee Moore’s double.  Linton tried to score on the same double to center field, but a relay to Pirtle who fired the ball home to Sevenish cut him down at the plate.

     Hoptown tried to add more insurance in the 8th when McGowan singled and advanced to second on a throwing error, but Pirtle’s attempted bunt sacrifice popped out easily to Fulton’s catcher.  Sandlin then singled to centerfield, advancing McGowan to third; then Sevenish drew a walk, but Menou hit into a double play to end the threat.

     In the top of the 9th, Eric Manning, pinch hitting for Joe Mike, was thrown out at first after a dropped third strike by catcher Sevenish.  Alexander then walked, followed by a Shaw double to right field that was misplayed by Tanaka, allowing Alexander to move to third.  Hogenkamp then made the second out on a long fly to centerfield, but Burrage’s double, again misplayed by Tanaka who dove for the ball, allowed both Alexander and Shaw to cross the plate.  With the score 7-6 and 2 outs, Cash grounded out to shortstop Pirtle who easily threw him out at first, handing the Hoppers the post-season championship in their first season of the modern era.

     Hoptown starter Will Hammock threw for 4 1/3 innings with no decision, Kyle Spencer came to the mound pitching for 3 2/3 innings and gets the win. Philip Menou earned the save closing out the final inning. Fulton starter Tyler Saltsman takes the loss going 6 2/3 innings, Brock Downey closed out for the final 1 1/3 innings. Box Scores Click Here.

July 29, 2012 - Playoff Championship Round 3, Game 2 - Best of three series 

Hopkinsville Hoppers 7, Fulton Railroaders 6. (From Hopkinsville) After falling 12-4 in Saturday’s opener of the best of 3 championship series, the Hoptown Hoppers held on for a hard-fought 7-6 victory Sunday night in Game 2.  Both teams scattered 9 hits, but key plays and 6 Fulton miscues made the difference.  Hoptown starting pitcher Clayton Dugan threw 100-plus pitches in his 5 innings of work, giving up 5 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) while walking 7 and striking out 3.  Reliever Taylor Vails threw 4 innings in relief, striking out 6 Railroaders, walking one, giving up 4 hits and 2 runs (one earned).

     Fulton took a one-run lead in the opening stanza when Mikee Moore walked, stole second base, advanced to third on a low pitch Hoppers’ catcher Brad Sevenish couldn’t find at his feet, then scored on a ground out by Angelo Burrage.

     Hoptown came right back with 3 runs in the bottom of the first when Matt McGowan led off with a high long fly that just missed clearing the right field fence, resulting in a double.  Pirtle followed him with a bunt single between the mound and 3rd base, pushing McGowan to 3rd.  Pirtle then advanced to second on Jake Sandlin’s groundout to first.  A deep sacrifice fly by Sevenish pushed McGowan across the plate, advancing Pirtle to third.  Phillip Menou then drew a walk and moved to second on a pitch in the dirt.  Seth Bancroft then singled for Hoptown, and Fulton shortstop Austin Bryant’s throwing error past first base allowed both Pirtle and Menou to score for a 3-1 Hoptown lead.

     In the top of the second, Fulton got one run back after Rick Linton singled with 2 outs, stole second, followed by Quinton Alexander reaching safely on an error , advancing Linton to third base.  Linton then scored on a Dugan balk, which also moved Alexander to 2nd.  The inning ended when Alexander was picked off trying to steal third.

     Fulton tied the game 3-3 in the top half of the third when Moore led off with a single, advanced to second on Rob Hogenkamp’s groundout, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Bryant.  Hoptown added a run for a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 3rd when Pirtle walked, followed by Sandlin’s flyout to left, a single by Sevenish, Menou reaching on an error; then Bancroft’s slow grounder to short stop resulted in Menou forced out at second, but Pirtle crossed the plate for go-ahead run.

     Fulton threatened in the top of the 4th, but failed to come through after Manning walked, moved to second on a nice bunt sacrifice by Linton, followed by an Alexander walk; then Moore flew out to right field, Hogenkamp reached on a slow roller to 3B to load the bases, but Burrage popped out to pitcher Dugan to end the inning.  Hoptown then went up 5-3 in the bottom of 4th as Fernando Tanaka reached on an error, Kaleb Brown walked, McGowan laid down a bunt, resulting in a throwing error by Fulton’s shortstop, scoring Tanaka, while Brown advanced to second.  The 4th ended, though, on Sandlin’s groundout.

     Fulton edged closer, 5-4, in top of the 5th when Andrew Cash walked, was put out at 2nd on a fielder’s choice on Bryant’s grounder, but Bryant then stole 2nd, with Joe Mike fouling out and Erik Manning walking; Linton then singled to left to push Bryant home.  But Hoptown then added 2 more runs in the bottom of the 5th after Menou drew a walk, followed by a Bancroft single and a pinch-hit by Collin Massanelli, which loaded the bases.  After Tanaka fouled out for the inning’s second out, Brown drilled a single to score both Menou and Bancroft for a 7-4 Hoppers’ lead.

     The 6th and 7th innings went scoreless, but Fulton made things interesting in the 8th when Brandon Shaw singled with one out, Moore walked, Hogenkamp hit a high chopper to short to score Shaw; Moore moved to third base then scored when Hopper catcher Sevenish sailed a throw to 2B on Hogenkamp’s steal.  Hogenkamp moved on to 3B on the errant throw.  With the score 7-6, Burrage and Cash both struck out to end the inning.  Fulton threatened in the top of the 9th with Billy O’Connor’s pinch-hit single (and Jack Henry Jones then ran for him); Jones moved to 2b on Manning’s groundout to 3B, but Linton then struck out looking to end the game.

     Fulton’s Daniel Szathmary took the pitching loss with 5 innings thrown, giving up 8 hits, all 7 runs (5 earned) while walking four and striking out one.  Brock Downey gave up 1 hit in 3 innings of relief, with 6 strikeouts against one base-on-balls. Box Scores Click Here.

July 28, 2012 - Playoff Championship Round 3, Game 1 - Best of three series 

Fulton Railroaders 12, Hopkinsville Hoppers 4. (From Fulton) Tensions ran high as the Railroaders piled up 12 runs on 14 hits to take the first game over the Hoppers in the best of three OVL Championship series.

     The Hoppers took a short lived one run lead in the 1st inning scoring an unearned run off an error and RBI single by Philip Menou. In the bottom of the 2nd inning the Railroaders put up 5 runs which began with a Quinton Alexander RBI double. After loading the bases, Hopper starter Taylor Veillon was replaced by Kyle Spencer with Angelo Burrage coming to the plate who in turn hit a grand slam homer. Spencer's next batter, Andrew Cash, was then hit by a pitch that cleared both dugouts onto the field. Cooler heads finally prevailed after a lengthy delay and both team were warned. 

     Hoptown clawed back in the third adding 2 runs with a RBI single by Jake Sandlin who also made it to 3rd base, then scored on a passed ball. The Hoppers made is 5-4 game in the fifth scoring one with the bases loaded and Nolan Fisher hit by pitch for a RBI the hard way.

     The Railroaders poured on 4 more runs in the 5th with a Rob Hogenkamp 2 RBI homer and a Billy O'Connor 2 RBI double. In the 6th inning, Fulton pulled away as Angelo Burrage launched another homerun with 2 runners aboard to reach the final 12-4 score.

     Angelo Burrage was best for Fulton going 2 of 5 with his two homers producing 7 RBI, followed by Rob Hogenkamp and Billy O'Connor each getting only one hit with 2 RBI each. Hoptown managed 6 hits total with only Jake Sandlin and Philip Menou hitting to drive in one run each.

     Fulton's starter Roman Kelly was pulled after 4 2/3 innings with no decision, striking out and walking 5 each, allowing 3 hits and tagged for 4 unearned runs. After loading the bases hitting a batter in the 5th with two outs, manager Albert Destrade pulled Kelly who appeared to be tiring and losing control. Lefthander Brock Downey came in the get the last out in the inning and continued for two more innings to get the win giving up only one hit and striking out three.

     Starter Taylor Veillon takes a hard loss for Hopkinsville throwing for only 1 1/3 innings striking out and walking 3 each, giving up 4 hits and 4 earned runs. Hoptown sent four pitchers to mound to complete the game with Kyle Spencer lasting the longest at 3 innings pitched.

     The two teams will play game two in Hopkinsville on Sunday, and a third game at the Hoppers home field on Monday if needed. Box Scores Click Here.

July 27, 2012 - Playoff Round 2 - Best of three series 

Marion Bobcats 6, Hopkinsville Hoppers 5. (From Hopkinsville) (completion of Game 2 from Thursday) Marion scored all six of its runs in the first three innings and held on as Hoptown made a push at the end of the game that was interrupted Thursday night by a thunderstorm. The game was completed as part of a double-header on Friday in Hopkinsville.

     The Bobcats scored three runs in the top of the first inning when Jordan Lorenzo led off with a single and stole second. Tyler Bonaventure was hit by a pitch, and Greg Liming drew a one-out walk to load the bases. Lorenzo scored on a fielder's choice, and Holden Watts doubled in Bonaventure and Clint Ambrosch to take a 3-0 lead.

     Hoptown answered in the bottom half of the inning when Brett Pirtle led off with a triple and scored on a two-out single by Philip Menou to get within 3-1.

     The Bobcats tacked on three more runs in the third inning when Clint Ambrosch hit a one-out double and took third on a wild pitch. Davey Murphy drew a two-out walk and stole second before Spencer Wilson stepped up a slapped a two-run ground-rule double, scoring Ambrosch and Murphy. Wilson scored on a single by Lorenzo to push out to a 6-1 lead.

     The game was halted Thursday night in the middle of the fourth inning when lightning from an approaching thunderstorm halted play and the decision was made to conclude the game from that point on Friday.

When play resumed Hoptown began an offensive push in the fifth inning when Jake Sandlin hit a one-out single and scored on a home run by Brad Sevenish to narrow the Marion lead to 6-3.

     The Hoppers plated another run in the seventh inning when Menou hit a one-out single, took second on a wild pitch and scored on Sevenish's single to pull Hoptown to within 6-4.

     Hoptown scored in the eighth inning when Fernando Tanaka led off with a walk and took second on a wild pitch. He took third base on a flyout, then scored on a groundout to cut the Bobcat lead to 6-5, but that was as close as the Hoppers would get, forcing a third game in the series. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 2, Marion Bobcats 0. (From Hopkinsville) Hoptown Advances to Championship Round. In the rubber game in the semifinal series between the regular-season champion Hoptown Hoppers and fourth-seeded Marion Bobcats came down to a brilliant pitchers' duel on Friday, with the Hoppers pushing across runs in the sixth and eighth innings to forge the 2-0 win.

     Philip Menou got the complete-game win, allowing no runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking one. The last 12 batters were retired, with the game ending on a double-play.

     All but equal to the task was Marion's Caleb Luttrell, who retired the first nine batters he faced. He ceded two runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking four, also pitching a complete game.

     Hoptown broke the scoreless deadlock in the sixth inning when Rob Friedlein led off with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, went to third on a groundout and scored on a single by Jake Sandlin.

     In the eighth inning, the Hoppers scored again when Matt McGowan led off with a single, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored on a single by Seth Bancroft.

     Bancroft went 2-for-3 to lead the Hoppers. Brett Pirtle picked up a double in the fourth inning for Hoptown, the only extra-base hit of the game. Greg Liming went 2-for-4 to lead the Bobcats. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 13, Madisonville Pirates 5. (From Fulton) The Railroaders won big over the Pirates taking game three in the second round, and advance to the final Championship round facing off with the Hoppers in Fulton on Saturday.

     The Railroaders blasted out 7 runs in the second inning and never looked back. The Pirates scored 2 in the in the third inning only to see the Railroaders counter in the fourth inning with 3 more runs, which included a lead homerun by Rick Linton. Fulton added a single run in the 5th with a led off homer by Mikee Moore. Tradewater managed a single run in the 6th, and another in the 7th on a batter hit by pitch RBI with the bases loaded. The Railroaders put up their final two  runs in the 8th, followed by the Pirates getting their final score in the 9th off a Logan Crook led off home run. 

     Fulton totaled 16 hits, was error free in the game and stranded 6 runners. Madisonville got 13 hits, had one error and left 13 runners on base.

     For the Railroaders Erik Manning (2 of 3) and Austin Bryant (3 of 5) had two RBI each and scored once. Rob Hogenkamp (2 of 4) has one RBI and crossed the plate 3 times. Logan Crook was best for the Pirates going 4 for 5, two RBI and one run scored.

     Cory Klinger earned the win for Fulton pitching the first 5 innings striking out 7 batters, walking one, giving up 6 hits and two earned runs. Scott Ashley picked up a save going the final 4 innings on the mound. Starter Michael Edward takes the hard loss pitching for only 1 1/3 innings only allowing 4 hits, striking out and walking 3 batters each, but tagged for 7 runs (4 earned). 

     The Pirates post season play ends with a 1-2 record while the Railroaders now move on to take on the Hoppers who eliminated Bobcats on the same night. The best of 3 series starts in Fulton with the first game and the final two and three games, if needed, in Hopkinsville.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 27, 2012 - Playoff Round 2, Game 2 - Best of three series 

UPDATE: Marion Bobcats @ Hopkinsville Hoppers - PPD Rain. The Game stopped due to weather in the 4th inning on Thursday has been ruled suspended and will resume on Friday, July 27 at 5 pm. The game will pick up in the 4th inning and be played to completion through 9 innings. A second 9 innings game, if necessary, will begin after the suspended game is completed.

July 26, 2012 - Playoff Round 2, Game 2 - Best of three series 

Madisonville Pirates 8, Fulton Railroaders 7. The Pirates came from behind to beat the Railroaders and tie the best of 3 series at a game each, the third game to be played in Fulton on Friday.

     The Railroaders scored one run in the first innings and added four more in the fourth for a commanding 5-0 lead on the Pirates. Tradewater got their first two runs in the 5th with a 2 RBI homerun by Logan Leverett. Fulton added another run in the 5th inning, only to see the Pirates get a second 2 RBI homer by Logan Crook in the 7th. The Railroaders put up one more run in the 8th to extend their lead to 7-4 going into the ninth inning. 

     Cody Alvey was called in to close out the win in the top of the 9th, and struck out the first 2 batters. Logan Crook singled then advanced to 3rd on an error when Trevor Harrard reached base on a dropped third strike with a bad throw to first. Kyle Neimeier walked to load the bases with 2 outs. Michael Roehrig stepped up and promptly hit the Pirates 3rd homerun, a grand slam to give Madisonville an 8-7 lead. Michael Edwards was called upon to finish off the bottom of the inning striking out 3 Railroaders to save the game.

     Zach Uher gets the win as the pitcher of record going three innings in relief. Cody Avley takes the loss with the go ahead run scoring in the final inning. 

     Friday's game will decided which team will advance to the final round in the Post Season Playoffs. Box Scores Click Here.

July 25, 2012 - Playoff Round 2, Game 1 - Best of three series 

Hopkinsville Hoppers 4, Marion Bobcats 2. The Hoppers take the first game in round two of the Playoffs against the Bobcats in Marion.

     Hoptown punched out their first runs in the 4th inning after Matt McGowan walked followed by a Jake Sandlin single. Both were moved forward one base by a Philip Menou sacrifice bunt, then Brad Sevenish stepped to the plate and banged a 3 RBI home run. The Bobcats scored their first run in the 5th with Spencer Wilson reaching on a fielder's choice and advancing to 3rd base on two Hoptown errors. Derek Hannahs drove in Wilson with a two out RBI single.

     The Hoppers added a run in the 8th inning after Matt McGowan led off with a single, reached 3rd on an error and scored during a doubleplay by the Bobcats. Bottom of the 9th, Marion managed their last run with Dave Murphy leading off with double and scoring from a RBI single by Derek Hannahs.

     Joshua Tanski earned the win pitching 8 full innings giving up 7 hits, one unearned run, no walks and 6 strikeouts. Tyler Vails took a save pitching the finally inning. Darren Travers takes the loss pitching a complete 9 inning game allowing 5 hits, 4 earned runs, 3 walks, and striking out 6 batters.

     The teams meet again on Thursday in Hopkinsville for the second game of the best of three in Round 2 of the Post Season Playoffs. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 12, Madisonville Pirates 6. In 10 innings. The Railroaders and Pirates battled hard in game one of the Playoff's second round, with the Railroaders taking the victory in extra innings.

     The first lead was taken by the Pirates in the 1st inning as Kyle Neimeier walked and later scored on the first of 5 Railroader errors. Tradewater added a second run in the 5th when Trevor Haggard walked and made it home on another Fulton error.

     Top of the sixth inning the Railroaders final got on the board when Austin Bryant reached on a Pirate error, Rob Hogenkamp walked and Andrew Cash singled for 2 RBI to tie the game. The Railroaders took a 4-2 lead in the seventh inning with Angelo Burrage and Andrew Cash both getting RBI singles.

     The Pirates fought back in the bottom half of the 7th again using another error along with two RBI singles by Buddy Elgen and Ty Broady, and a RBI walk of Blake Massey with the bases loaded. Trailing 5-4, the Railroaders tied the game again in the 8th when Mikee Moore led off with a triple and scored on a wild pitch. Both teams remained scoreless in the 9th and the game headed into extra innings.

     In the top of the 10th, the Railroaders throttled up scoring 7 runs on six hits and an error to take a commanding 12-5 lead. The Pirates managed just one run in the bottom half of the inning. 

     Daniel Szathmary gets the win for the record with one inning pitched. Corey Ames takes the loss going 3 innings in relief and tagged with the go ahead run in the tenth. Both starters, Keaton Baker (Fulton) and Dillion Endecott (Madisonville) pitched strong games, both leaving the game tied.

      Both teams meet in Fulton on Thursday for game two of round two in the Playoffs. Box Scores Click Here.

July 24, 2012 - Playoff Round 1, single game elimination 

Marion Bobcats 6, Owensboro Oilers 5. The Bobcats advance to Round 2 in the Playoffs hanging on to beat the Oilers in the Round 1 single game elimination in Marion.

     The Oilers took an early 1-0 lead in the first innings as Tyler Tichenor reached base on an error and advanced to 2nd base on a throw. Christian McHatton singled with 2 outs to drive Tichenor across home plate. The Bobcats got going in the third scoring 4 runs. Cole Prejean was put aboard hit by pitch, Derek Hannahs singled and Tyler Bonaventure walked to load the bases. Tyler Bernard stepped to the plate with one out and hit a base clearing double for 3 RBI. Bernard advanced to 3rd base on error and scored off a Clint Ambrosch sacrifice fly.

     The Bobcats extended their lead in the fourth inning. Cole Prejean singled and moved to 3rd base following a Derek Hannahs walk and a wild pitch. Tyler Bonaventure drove Prejean in with sacrifice fly and Hannahs, who had made it the 3rd base, scored a second run off a Tyler Bernard single. Marion now had a 6-1 lead on the Oilers.

     Owensboro mounded a comeback in the 5th inning. Matt Cissell led off with a double and finally scored off a sacrifice by Matt Johnson. The Oilers added another run in the 6th after Zack Willoughby reached being hit by pitch and scored running in front of a Matt Cissel double. 

     Trailing 6-3, the Oilers drew to within one run in the 8th inning. Malduino Gonzalez walked and made it all the way home from three wild pitches. Zack Willoughby also walked and got to 3rd on wild pitches, then scored from a Taylor Mathew RBI single to complete the final 6-5 score.

     Starter David Roper gets the win pitching 7 2/3 innings striking out and walking 6 batters each. Roper allowed 7 hits and was marked for 5 runs (4 earned). Caleb Luttrell picked up a playoff save going 1 1/3 innings with no hits or runs, two strikeouts and one walk. Shane Weedman takes the loss throwing 4 innings giving up 5 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 4 walks and a couple of strikeouts. Jay Hachmiester finished the final four innings for the Oilers throwing hitless ball with 2 walks and strikeouts each.

     The Bobcats advance in the Playoffs to Round 2 in a best of three series against # 1 seeded Hoptown Hoppers. The first game of the series is Wednesday night in Marion. The # 3 Tradewater Pirates take on the # 2 Fulton Railroaders in Madisonville on Wednesday to begin their best of three series. Box Scores Click Here. 

Regular Season Game Summaries & Pre-Season Information

Go to Post Season Playoff game summaries

 July 22, 2012

Madisonville Pirates 8, Hopkinsville Hoppers 3 - game 1. In 7 innings. (From Madisonville) The Buccos took the first game of a doubleheader with league champ Hoptown, by the count of 8-3, behind the fine mound work of Michael Edwards.  The Pirates used two big innings to build an early lead, and gave Hoptown starter Taylor Veillon the loss.. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 7, Madisonville Pirates 6 - game 2. In 7 innings. (From Madisonville) In the second contest, Pirate starter Chad Cox had a nightmare first frame, as he watched the Hoppers score all seven of the their tallies in the opening stanza.  The Pirates struck for 4 runs in the bottom of the inning, and tacked on single runs in two remaining innings, but came up short in the end, by the count of 7-6.  Cox took the loss, but the Pirates were buoyed by the fine relief pitching of Hayden Marks.  Brad Sevenish had a home run for Hoptown in the second game. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 4, Owensboro Oilers 0 - game 1. In 7 innings. (From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers completed their 2012 regular season at home in a Sunday double header of seven-inning games with the visiting Fulton Railroaders. The result was a split as Fulton won game #1 by the final score of 4 to 0. The Oilers fell behind late in game #2 as well, but rallied to a 4 to 2 victory.

     In game # 1, the Railroaders scored one run in the top of the 1st inning and three runs in the top of the 6th inning. In the 1st inning Fulton leadoff hitter Brandon Shaw doubled. He eventually scored on a RBI sacrifice fly by Rob Hogankamp. Scoring in the 6th inning were Hogankamp (hit by pitch), Billy O'Connor (RBI single) and Andrew Cash (single). Rick Linton also RBI singled in the inning. Railroaders starter Jonathon Williams pitched the complete seven innings for the shutout win. Oilers starter Colton Slank got the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 4, Fulton Railroaders 2 - game 2. In 7 innings. (From Owensboro) In game #2 the Oilers scored first with one run in the bottom of the 4th inning. Tyler Tichenor led off the inning with a single, and advanced to second on a defensive error. He came in later on a RBI fielder's choice by Christian McHatton. Fulton took the lead with two runs in the top of the 6th inning. Daniel Szathmary walked and eventually scored on a RBI single by Jack Henry Jones. Jones was later plated on a RBI single by Quinton Alexander. Facing a possible sweep, Owensboro scored three runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to re-take the lead. Tichenor (single), Matt Johnson (bunt single), and  McHatton (bunt single) reached base consecutively to load the bases. Tichenor scored on a foul sacrifice fly by Austin Edge and Johnson moved to third base. Mauldino Gonzalez walked to fill the bases again. A passed ball let Johnson come across and the other runners to move up. Zack Willoughby lifted another RBI sacrifice fly to bring in McHatton. After six innings the Oilers led 4 to 2. The game played to completion with the same score. Oilers reliever Matt Johnson collected the win as the pitcher of record when Owensboro reclaimed the lead. Christian McHatton took the mound and worked around a hit and an error while striking out two in saving the game in the top of the 7th inning. Rick Linton got the loss for Fulton. Box Scores Click Here.

July 21, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 8, Madisonville Pirates 7. (From Fulton) The Railroaders battled back then hang on to beat the Pirates and move 2 games ahead of Madisonville in second place standings.

     Tradewater took a 2-0 lead in the second inning using 3 hits including a RBI double by Kyle Neimeier. The Railroaders got on the board with one run in the 3rd when Quinton Alexander led off with a single, stole 2nd and 3rd base then scored off a RBI double by Angelo Burrage, his 33rd on the season. The Pirates gained back the run in the 5th as Buddy Elgin hit a solo home run to take a 3-1 lead. Bottom half of the 5th, the Railroaders busted out with 4 runs that included a walked in run along with Mikee Moore driving in 2 on a single. After reaching 3rd base, Moore proceeded to steal home plate for another score. With a 5-3 lead, the Railroaders continued in the 7th inning chalking up 3 more runs off 2 hits and the only Pirate error on the night.

     Trailing the Railroaders 8-3, the Pirates mounted a comeback in the top of the 9th inning. With 5 singles and a costly 2 run Railroader error, Tradewater closed the score to 8-7 with two runners aboard and one out. Fulton called in Jonathon Williams to put out the fire getting a force out on a fielder's choice and striking the final out at the plate, and earned a save.

     Fulton's offensive was led by Angelo Burrage 3 for 3 with one RBI and score, Austin Bryant 2 for 5 with 2 RBI, and Mikee Moore 1 of 5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. For Tradewater, Michael Roehrig was 4 of 5 with a RBI, Trevor Harrard went 2 of 6 with 2 RBI and one score, and Logan Crook 3 for 4 and two runs scored. In total, the Railroaders had 9 hits and left 14 on base, and the Pirates produced 17 hits and stranded 16 runners.

     Starter Tyler Saltsman gets the win from the mound going 6 innings, striking out 6, allowing 8 hits, 4 walks and 3 earned runs. Madisonville's starter Zach Uher takes the loss pitching for 4 2/3 innings being hit 5 times with 5 earned runs allowed, walking 6 batters and striking out one. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 8, Marion Bobcats 3 - game 1. In 7 innings. In game one in Marion, the Hoppers put up their 8 runs on 10 hits to beat the Bobcats who mustered 4 hits for 3 runs. Each team had one error in the game. Jake Sandlin was 4 for 4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored for Hoptown. Philip Menou gets the win pitching for 5 innings walking only one and striking out seven at the plate. Marion's starter Kyle Williams takes the loss going 5 innings tagged for 8 hits and runs (5 earned), he struck out 6 and walked 8 total. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 8, Marion Bobcats 3 - game 2. In 7 innings. Game two ended with an identical score as game one. Both teams reluctantly played the game that would not affect Hopkinsville's #1 standing on the season. The game contained numerous position changes for both teams and ended with the Hoppers sweeping the Bobcats in both games. Box Scores Click Here.

July 20, 2012

Hopkinsville takes regular season pennant.  Although the Hoptown Hoppers were idle on Friday, they win the regular season pennant with the Fulton Railroaders losing their game against the Madisonville Pirates. The Hoppers still have 4 games remaining (2 doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday), but with a 4 1/2 game lead, neither the Railroaders or Pirates will be able to catch Hoptown with only 3 games remaining for each team. Fulton and Madisonville will now have to battle for the second seed position heading into the Post Season Playoffs scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 24. Congratulations to the Hoppers in their first season in the OVL as 2012 regular season champions. 

Madisonville Pirates 3, Fulton Railroaders 2. In 10 innings. (From Madisonville) [The Pirates] took a big win over Fulton in 10 innings at Elmer Kelley before a crowd of about 400.  Cole Fergus brought home Roadrunner Haggard from third with a seeing-eye single through the gap between first and second, as the Pirates recoved from a shaky 9th, to win their 20th game.  The Buccos held a 2-0 lead in the 9th with Dillon Endecott cruising, but the Trains stoked the engine long enough to bring in two tallies, and send the game to the bottom of nine, where reliever Brock Downey sunk the Pirates with a two-out strikeout with the winning run on third.  Not to worry, Michael Purcell came in for Endecott and got the Pirates to the bottom of ten, where Fergie and the Roadrunner wrote the winning tune, 3-2.  The Pirates now head to Fulton for another battle. Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 6, Owensboro Oilers 5. The Oilers took a short, early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Tyler Grogg singled and stole 2 bases then scored on a Bobcat error. The Bobcats gained a 4-1 lead in the fourth with a Jake Pewitt 2 RBI homer, a Tyler Bernard RBI triple and a Greg Lining RBI single. The Oilers tied the game up scoring 3 runs in the fifth using 4 hits including two doubles by Taylor Mathews and Christian McHatton. Marion regained the lead in the sixth from a 2RBI double by Derek Hannahs. Owensboro closed to within one run in the 9th with a single score when Grogg again singled, stole two bases and scored on a Tyler Tichenor sacrifice fly.

     James Dyer gets the win starting for Owensboro and going 6 innings, and Eli Nichell a save for throwing the final 3 innings. Starter Tim Johnson takes the loss for the Oilers pitching for 5 2/3 innings. Box Scores Click Here.

July 19, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 2, Owensboro Oilers 1. (From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers were setback with a loss at home in a close Thursday night game with the Hoppers of Hopkinsville. The final score was only 2 to 1.
    The Oilers scored their run in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Dalton West led off the home at-bat with a single. One out later Zack Willoughby singled, moving West to second base. John Saylor followed with a single that loaded the bases. Matt Cissell next lifted an RBI sacrifice fly to score West.
    The Hoppers tied the game with a run in the top of the 5th inning. With one out, Anthony Mazzella doubled, then advanced to third base on a defensive error. Mazzella came in on a RBI single by Cameron Olsen. The game remained tied until Hopkinsville scored a go-ahead run in the top of the 8th inning. With two outs Jake Sandlin walked. Pinch-hitter Brad Sevenish RBI doubled as Sandlin was moving on the pitch and beat a relay throw to the plate for the run, and the lead 2-1 for the visitors. The score remained unchanged at the end of nine complete innings.
    Hopkinsville starter Joshua Tanski worked seven innings for the win and reliever Kyle Spenser earned a two inning save. Owensboro starter Mason Morris was effective in his seven and two-thirds innings, but took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 9, Marion Bobcats 3 - game 1. In 7 innings. (From Fulton) The Railroaders swept the Bobcats in a doubleheader in Fulton on Friday, and picked up a half game on the Hoppers who beat the Oilers in one game on the same night. Slight hope remains for Fulton should the Hoppers loss their final 4 remaining games, but Fulton will need to wins all 4 of their remaining games. 

     In game one the Railroaders took a 5-0 lead after two innings scoring 3 in the first and 2 in the second innings. The Bobcats put up 3 runs in the top of the fourth, and the Railroaders answered with 2 more in the bottom half of the inning. Fulton added another 2 runs in the 5th to complete the final 9-3 score.

     Railroaders offensive consisted of 13 hits led by Angelo Burrage going 3 for 4, with 3 RBI and one run scored, followed by Rob Hogenkamp who was 2 of 4 with three runs scored. The Bobcats managed 4 hits with only 1 RBI produced from Spencer Wilson going 1 for 3 on the evening. 

     Cory Klinger threw an outstanding complete 7 inning game for the win, striking out 12 batters, giving up only one walk and no earned runs. Klinger finished the game with 94 pitches, throwing 74 strikes and only 20 balls in the game. Sean Fitzgerald takes the loss for Marion on the mound going 3 1/3 innings being hit 8 times for 7 runs (6 earned), with 2 strikeouts and walks each. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 3, Marion Bobcats 2 - game 1. In 7 innings. (From Fulton) In the nightcap of the doubleheader, the Railroaders had to battle back and retake the lead to win by one run. Fulton scored first with a run in the 2nd inning. The Bobcats tied the game in the 4th with one score, then took a 2-1 lead in the 5th inning. The Railroaders finally got going again in the 6th to put up two runs using 3 hits, a Bobcat error and sacrifice fly for the final 3-2 score. 

     Fulton managed only 5 hits with Alex Huddleston being the best at 2 for 3 and one RBI. The Bobcats punched out 9 hits total with Cole Prejean leading going 3 of 4, one RBI and one score.

     Fulton starter Daniel Szathmary pitched for 5 1/3 innings but left the game with the Bobcats leading 2-1. Brock Downey came in to finish the top half of the 6th innings and earned his fifth win with the Railroaders taking the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Cody Alvey picked up his 6th save on the season shutting out the Bobcats in the 7th with two strikeouts and a fly out. Caleb Luttrell takes the loss for Marion going the full 6 innings, striking out 3, one walk, and tagged for 3 runs only 1 earned. Box Scores Click Here.

July 18, 2012

Madisonville Pirates 5, Marion Bobcats 4. (From Madisonville) Closer Corey Ames and company could not close the door on the Bobcats in the top of the 9th, as Marion battled back to tie the game at 4-4. The Bobcats were down to their final strike several times, but managed to push in the tying tally, sending the Pirates to the bottom of the frame. Reliever Ethan Utley for Marion loaded the bases, but appeared to be close to taking the game to extra innings, with two strikes on Pirate outfielder Logan Crook, who played hero several times in the game in previous innings. Crook managed to bounce a ball to the infield, where a hurried throw to the plate appeared to have Trevor Haggard at the plate, but the throw escaped the catcher's secure grasp, and Haggard scored the fifth and deciding run for the Buccos, who move to 19-17 on the year.

     Starter Chad Cox and reliever Hayden Marks pitched well for the Pirates, prior to Ames entering the contest in the top of the ninth. David Roper, the Marion starter, gave up early runs- three in the first and one in the third, allowing the Pirates an early lead. Trevor Haggard sped home for the Pirates with the winning run against Marion, as Logan Crook put the ball in play with two outs, and two strikes. The Pirates won it in the 9th, in a game that had high drama throughout. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders @ Owensboro Oilers PPD Rain. The doubleheader in Owensboro was postponed because of weather. The two game doubleheader has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 22 in Owensboro with first game at 5 pm. Each game will be 7 innings each.

July 17, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 5, Marion Bobcats 4. (From Marion) With a 5-4 loss to visiting Fulton Tuesday, the 14-20 Bobcats will have to win outright during the regular season to hope for a .500 record, which would be the first in the team's five-year history. With only five days left in the season, Marion will travel to Madisonville Wednesday, Fulton for a double header on Thursday and finish out the regular season at home with a match against Owensboro on Friday and twin bill against the league-leading Hoppers on Saturday.
     Up 4.5 games on second-place Fulton (19-15), Hopkinsville's magic number to take the regular season title is 2, with any combinations of Hopper (24-11) wins or Railroader losses totaling that number handing the crown to first-year Hoptown. If the two teams end the season with identical 25-16 records, however, Fulton would take first place by virtue of beating Hoptown six of 10 times during the regular season.
     In third place, Tradewater can only hope second, but could finish as low as fourth. With five games remaining and only 1.5 games behind second-place Fulton, the 18-17 Pirates control their own destiny with two head-to-head matches remaining with the Railroaders. Marion, 3.5 games in back of the Pirates, have only one match remaining with their rival.
     At 9.5 games off the pace, the Bobcats are officially eliminated from first place, but can still finished in sole possession of second place if they win their remaining six games and Fulton (19-15) loses its half-dozen remaining game. The two teams go head-to-head twice on Thurday at Lohaus Field. The two teams ended the season with 20-20 record, Marion would take second place by virtue of a winning record against the Railroaders in regular season play.
     But Marion could still finish in last place, with only three games separating the Bobcats from last-place Owensboro (12-24) at 12.5 games out. The two teams meet one more time in the regular season.
     Regardless of their regular season finish, the Bobcats will have a crack at the post-season crown. The playoffs begin next Tuesday with the fifth-place team traveling to No. 4 for a one-game set to determine the next round of playoffs, which begin the following day.
     Meantime, on Tuesday, a late rally by the Bobcats fell just short at home against the Railroaders. Trailing 5-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth, Marion tacked on two runs courtesy of a two-RBI single off the bat of Cole Prejean to close the gap to 5-4. However, the Railroader bullpen shut down the rally in the ninth, setting the Bobcats down 1-2-3 to end the game.
     Taking the loss, Darren Travers missed his bid for tying the team's single-season victory total of six. The 5-4 starter pitched eight strong innings, however, giving up only two earned runs of the five scored against him. Tuesday was his ninth start of the year.
     At the plate, three Bobcats earned two hits—Prejean, leadoff hitter Tyler Bernard and Tyler Bonaventure. Marion piled on 10 hits, but left seven runners on base for the night. Clint Ambrosch and Greg Liming each hand an RBI. Liming's only hit of the night was his ninth double, only one behind the league leader.
     Bernard and Ambrocsh were among the league's top hitters coming into the night, batting .350 and .347 respectively. Bernard also had the second-highest number of hits in the league at 42, only four behind the league leader, and is tied with Liming with nine doubles.
     With four home runs and 21 RBI, Bonaventure is among the league leaders in each category and heads the Bobcats in both stats. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 6, Owensboro Oilers 2. (From Hopkinsville) The homestanding Hoptown Hoppers plated three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for good, and had five pitchers combine for a three-hitter in their 6-2 win over Owensboro.

     The Hoppers (24-11) gave up a run in the second inning when the Oilers' Tyler Tichenor walked, went to second on a balk and scored on a fielder's error to give Owensboro an early 1-0 lead. The Oilers added to their lead in the third inning when Christian McHatton led off with a walk, went to second on an error, stole third and scored on a sac bunt by Matt Cissell to put the Oilers ahead 2-0.

     Hoptown got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning when Bobby Clark hit a one-out single and went to second on a fielding error. He scored when Matt McGowan was hit by a pitch with the bases load to pull the Hoppers to within a run, 2-1. Hoptown took the lead for good in the fifth inning when Jake Sandlin led off with a walk, went to second on a single by Philip Menou, took third on a single by Brad Sevenish, then scored on a balk to tie the game at 2-2. Menou scored on a wild pitch to give the Hoppers the lead, then Sevenish scored on a sac fly by Bobby Clark to give Hoptown a 4-2 lead.

     Hoptown scored again in the sixth when Seth Bancroft hit a two-out single, followed by a single by Jake Sandlin. Both runners moved up on a passed ball, and Sevenish doubled them in for the 6-2 final.

     Hoptown was led by Sevenish, who went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two runs batted in. Clark went 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI. Sandlin scored twice for the Hoppers, and Tony Mazzella had a double. Owensboro (12-24) was paced by Matt Johnson, who went 2-for-5 with a double. Box Scores Click Here.

July 16, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 15, Owensboro Oilers 9. (From Fulton) In a marathon game of almost 4 hours with a delay of 30 minutes, the Railroaders won over the Oilers in Fulton. Together both teams produced 33 hits to go with 24 batters crossing the plate.

     The Oilers started the scoring in the first inning with 3 runs off three hits and a Fulton error. The Railroaders answered in the bottom of the inning with a 3 RBI homerun by Angelo Burrage, his fifth on the season. Fulton broke the 3-3 tie in the 2nd after Brandon Shaw doubled and scored from a Austin Bryant RBI single. Owensboro responded in the top of the third using 4 singles and 2 walk-in runs scoring three to take a short term 6-4 lead. The Railroaders quickly came back on the bottom half of the third to put up 3 more after two outs on a RBI single and 3 Oiler errors, and re-took a 7-6 lead.

     In the middle of the fourth inning the game was delayed as the home plate umpire suddenly became ill and had to be tended to by medical personnel. He left the field ok but had to be replaced by another umpire.

     The Railroaders extended their lead in the 5th scoring three more from 4 singles and another Owensboro error. Behind by 4, the Oilers came back in the 7th to make it a game scoring two runs with Tyler Tichenor reaching on a single and driven in by a Tyler Grogg triple. Grogg then scored off a Austiin Edge RBI single. Bottom of the 8th, the Railroaders pulled ahead with 5 more runs that included a base clearing triple by Brock Downey for 3 runs. The Oilers put up their final score in the 9th with a lead off homerun by Matt Johnson, but not nearly enough of overcome the final 15-9 Fulton victory.

     Fulton's offensive was lead by Rob Hogenkamp at 4 of 5, 2 RBI and 2 scores, Burrage was 2 for 3, with 4 RBI and one score, and Downey 2 for 3, 3 RBI and one score. Brandon Shaw and Jack Henry Jones both scored 3 times and each had  2 hits. Andrew Cash was perfect at 3 for 3 and one score.

     For Ownensboro; John Saylor had 3 RBI going 1 of 3, Tichenor was 3 for 4 with a RBI and scored once, Malduino Gonzalez went 3 for 5 and two runs scored, and Grogg was 2 of 4, two scores and 2 RBI. 

     Tyler Saltsman earned the win on the mound for Fulton going for 5 1/3 innings. Shane Weedman takes the loss lasting only 3 innings and tagged for 7 runs with only 2 earned. For complete box scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 7, Hopkinsville Pirates 2. The Pirates used 12 hits and 8 Hoptown errors to control and beat the Hoppers in Hopkinsville on Monday. 

     At the plate, Tradewater was lead by Michael Roehrig going 3 of 5, one RBI and one score, and Cole Fergus who was 3 for 4 with a RBI and one score. Blake Massey added a solo homer to the mix. Matt McGowan highlighted for Hoptown with a homerun in the 9th for his team's second run.

     Kooper Kessler was the winning pitcher going 7 innings striking out 7, walking 4, allowing 5 hits and one unearned run. Will Hammock takes the loss for Hoptown throwing for 5 innings giving up 9 hits, one walk for 4 strikeouts. He was tagged for 6 runs with only one being earned. Box Scores Click Here.

July 15, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 7, Fulton Railroaders 2. (From Fulton) The Hoppers extend their first place lead in the standings to 5 1/2 games with a victory over the Railroaders in Fulton on Sunday. 

     The Railroaders jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning without a hit using two walked batters, a groundout RBI and sacrifice fly. Both teams remained scoreless from the 2nd through 6th innings. The Hoppers tied the in the 7th with two runners scoring off 1 of 2 Railroader errors in the inning and a RBI single. Hoptown added a run for a 3-2 lead in the 8th on another Railroaders miscue, then piled on four more runs in the 9th with a Philip Menou 2 RBI homerun, a RBI single and one scored from a double error play by Fulton. In total; the Railroaders had 6 errors on the evening while the Hoppers remained free of defensive faults throughout the game. The Hoppers managed 8 hits in total with the Railroaders getting 6 for their effort. 

     Taylor Veillon started for Hoptown and went 5 innings giving up only one hit, walking and striking out 6 each, leaving the game with the Railroaders in the lead. Kyle Barbee threw for 1 /13 innings and allowed 3 hits with one strikeout. Joshua Tanski pitched 1 2/3 innings in hitless relief and gets the win. Kyle Spencer closed out the final 9th inning for the Hoppers. 

     Fulton's starter Keaton Baker pitched a good game through 7 innings striking out 9 batters, giving up 5 walks, 3 hits and tagged for 2 runs (one earned). Cody Alvey takes the hard loss going for 1 1/3 innings and giving up the go ahead run. 

     The Hoppers now have won four straight games with 7 to go in the regular season. The Railroaders dropped their fourth game in a row with 8 games remaining. Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 6, Madisonville Pirates 1. (From Owensboro) The weather gave the Owensboro Oilers a chance to return to home play on Sunday night, hosting the Tradewater Pirates from Madisonville. The Oilers won by the final score of 6 to 1.
     Owensboro scored first with two runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. John Saylor led off the home half with a single and stole second base before Matt Cissell walked behind him to bring up Tyler Tichenor. Tichenor RBI singled to score Saylor. Tichenor stole second base successfully, but Cissell was caught breaking away from third base for one out. Tyler Grogg sacrifice bunted the runner to third base. Tichenor came in on a clutch two-out RBI single by Taylor Mathews.
     The Pirates narrowed the score to 2-1 with their run in the top of the 4th inning. Joe Black was hit by pitch leading off. Ty Broady sacrificed Black on to second base. The runner claimed third base on a wild pitch. Black scored on a RBI sacrifice fly  by Trevor Haggard.
     The Oilers tacked an insurance run back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 6th inning. Malduino Gonzalez led off with a single. Dalton West followed with a double, setting up the second-and-third base situation. Saylor returned to the plate and lifted a RBI sacrifice fly to drive in Gonzalez to account for the scoring. At the end of six innings the score was a close 3-1 in favor of the home team.
     Owensboro pulled away with three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Gonzalez led off the at-bat with a walk, then gave way to pinch-runner Zack Willoughby. The runner was sacrificed over to second base. A fly out later, Cissell RBI singled to plate Willoughby. Tichenor was hit by a pitch. Grogg reached safely on a bunt single. The bases were loaded with two outs. Mathews followed with another two-out hit, this time a 2-RBI single that scored Cissell and Tichenor. The timely knock gave Mathews three RBIs for the game, and pushed the Oilers lead to 6-1 after eight innings.
     The Oilers starter Tim Johnson got three outs from the four batters he faced in the top of the 9th inning to complete his winning performance. He went the distance by yielding only three hits, surrendering the one run, while striking out nine against two walks. The defensive support behind him was among the most solid of  the season for Owensboro. Pirates starter Michael Edwards took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

July 14, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers @ Madisonville Pirates doubleheader - PPD Rained out. The doubleheader scheduled in Madisonville has been rained out and rescheduled for Sunday, July 22 as a doubleheader beginning at 5 pm, 7 innings each. 

Fulton Railroaders @ Owensboro Oilers - PPD Rained out. The game scheduled for tonight in Owensboro has been rained out and rescheduled for Wednesday, July 18 as part of a doubleheader, 7 innings each.

July 13, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 5, Fulton Railroaders 3. (From Hopkinsville) The homestanding Hoptown Hoppers extended its first-place lead over Fulton tonight in Hopkinsville, using strong pitching and timely hitting to push past the visiting Railroaders 5-3.

     Hoptown (22-10) got on the scoreboard first with a run in the second inning when Nolan Fisher hit a solo home run with one out in the inning. Things got jumping in the fourth inning when the Railroaders (17-14) plated three runs when Austin Bryant led off wth a single and Angelo Burrage followed with a walk. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Billy O'Conner, and Bryant scored on a single to left by Joe Mike. The relay throw to the plate sailed high, and Burrage scampered home to give Fulton a 2-1 lead. Mike went to third on a groundout, then scored on a wild pitch to give the Railroaders a 3-1 lead.

     In the bottom half of the inning, Tony Mazzella walked, then went to third on a double by Bobby Clark. Matt McGowan singled in Mazzella, then Kaleb Brown singled in Clark to tie the game at 3-3. Hoptown took the lead for good in the fifth inning when Fernando Tanaka led off with a walk, went to second on a sac bunt by Jake Sandlin, then went to third on a groundout. Fisher got an intentional pass, then took second on defensive indifference. Mazzella then laced a single into right-center field, plating Tanaka and Fisher to cap the scoring at 5-3.

     Hoptown was led by McGowan, who went 2-for-3 with a run batted in. Sandlin and Clark each doubled for the Hoppers, while Fisher scored twice and had a home run. Mazzella had two RBIs for Hoptown.Fulton was paced by Mike, who went 2-for-4.

     Philip Menou started for Hoptown and got the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits, striking out six and walking three in 6-1/3 innings. Kyle Spencer came on in the seventh inning, allowing no runs on no hits and striking out four in 1-2/3 innings. Tyler Vails pitched the ninth inning and got the save, allowing no hits and striking out one in one inning.

     Starter Brock Downey got the loss for the Railroaders, allowing five runs on six hits, striking out four and walking four in 5-1/3 innings. Cory Klinger closed out the game, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out three and walking three in 2-2/3 innings. Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 4, Madisonville Pirates 2 - game 1. In 7 innings. (From Madisonville) The Pirates lose first game by score of 4-2. The Buccos could not get over the hump in the initial contest as Sean Fitzgerald pitched a great game for Marion, and gets the win. The Pirates made it close in the 7th, but a 4-0 hole was too deep to crawl out of. Zac Uher took the loss, but pitched well before being relieved by Chad Cox, down just 2-0. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 3, Marion Bobcats 0 - game 2. In 7 innings. (From Madisonville) The Pirates drop Bobs In 2nd behind a Endecott gem in the second game. Dillon Endecott spun a three hit beauty, no walks and seven strikeouts, and dominance throughout.  The Bobcats held on to some hope in the late going, but a solo home run by Pirate infielder Buddy Elgin sealed the 3-0 win. Endecott faced only 27 batters in the second game, that lasted just one hour and 45 minutes. Box Scores Click Here.

July 12, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 5, Marion Bobcats 0. (From Hopkinsville) The Hoptown Hoppers strolled to a 5-0 shutout over the Marion Bobcats Thursday July 12th.  Philip Menou led Hoptown going 2-for-4 from the plate, batting in four runs including a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 4th.  Jake Sandlin had the other Hoppers’ RBI and was 2-for-3 at bat.  Starting pitcher Clayton Dugan came through with 7 1/3 strong innings, giving up just 5 hits while striking out 6, walking 3.  Kyle Spencer also struck out 3 Bobcats in relief.

     Hopkinsville took the 2-0 lead in the 4th when Sandlin walked, Brad Sevenish bunted him to second base, followed by Menou’s homerun.  The Hoppers went up 4-0 when Fernando Tanaka singled in the 5th, then advanced to third on Sandlin’s single, with Sandlin advancing to 2nd when the outfield throw went to third base.  Sevenish was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, followed by a smash single by Menou that tipped off Greg Liming’s glove at first base, scoring both Tanaka and Sandlin.

     The Hoppers wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the 8th when Seth Bancroft walked and scored on a huge Bobby Clark double.

     Dugan was consistent and sharp in his 107-pitch performance that raised the Hoppers to a 21-10 season record. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates @ Owensboro Oilers - PPD Rained out. The game scheduled for tonight in Owensboro has been out and rescheduled for this Sunday, July 15. 

July 11, 2012

Marion Bobcats 6, Fulton Railroaders 1. (From Marion) Marion pulled a game closer to Fulton for second place in the Ohio Valley League with a 6-1 win Wednesday. The victory moved the fourth-place Bobcats to 13-17, just four games behind second-place Fulton whose record is a mirror image of Marion's at 17-13.
     There are 10 games left on the Bobcats' schedule. The season ends with a scheduled double header with the Hoptown July 21 at Guess Field.
     Fulton is three games off the pace set by Hoptown. Idle Tradewater remains in third place, 4.5 games behind the Hoppers, who topped last place Owensboro 3-2 on Wednesday. The Oilers are 10.5 games out at the end of the night. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 3, Owensboro Oilers 2. Trailing 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning. the Hoptown Hoppers used a walk, a single, a fielding error and a walk-off bunt single to take a 3-2 decision against the visiting Owensboro Oilers.

     Collin Massanelli led off the inning for Hoptown (20-10) with a walk, but was thrown out in what appeared to be a failed hit-and-run attempt. Seth Bancroft then drew a walk and pinch-runner Kaleb Brown stole second. Tony Mazzella then rapped a single, moving Brown to third. Pinch-runner Fernando Tanaka then took second on defensive indifference.

     Matt McGowan hit a shot to third base, but Oilers third baseman Brenden Hardin had trouble fielding the ball, aiming to throw home, then tried to throw to first base, but McGowan beat out the throw, scoring Brown to tie the game at 2-2 and moving Tanaka to third.

     Rob Friedlin bunted his first pitch back to the mound on a squeeze play, and Tanaka scored the game-winning run before Owensboro pitcher Tim Johnson could field the ball.

     Owensboro (11-22) took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning when Hardin drew a one-out walk, then Tyler Tichnor was hit by a pitch. Taylor Mathews slapped a sacrifice bunt, but the throw to first went wide, allowing Hardin to score and moving Tichnor to third. Tichnor scored on a double-steal to give the Oilers the 2-0 lead.

      The Hoppers plated their first run in the eighth inning when Brett Pirtle was hit by a pitch, took second on a failed pickoff attempt and scored on a two-out single by Jake Sandlin to cut the Owensboro lead to 2-1.

      Kyle Barbee got the win in relief, allowing no hits, striking out one and walking one in one inning of work. Will Hammock started for the Hoppers, allowing two unearned runs on four hits, striking out six and walking two in eight innings.

     Johnson took the loss in relief, allowing two unearned runs on two hits, walking two in two-thirds of an inning. Jay Hachmeister started for the Oilers, allowing one unearned run on five hits, striking out three and walking one in 7-2/3 innings.

     Hoptown was led by Brad Sevenish, who went 2-for-4 with a double, and Sandlin, who went 2-for-4 with a run batted in. Tichenor, Tyler Grogg, Christian McHatton and Matt Cissell each had singles for the Oilers. Box Scores Click Here.

July 10, 2012

Owensboro Oilers 6, Marion Bobcats 5. (From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers won the Tuesday night game against the traveling Marion Bobcats in comeback, walk-off fashion by the final score of 6 to 5. The game played out with the 1st through 5th innings belonging to the Bobcats. The 6th through 9th innings belonged to the Oilers.
     Marion scored one run in the top of the 1st inning. Derek Hannahs led off the game with a solo home run, batting himself in. The Bobcats increased their lead to 3-0 by scoring two runs in the top of the 4th inning. With one out, Brandon Ollet singled and Alex Reiman followed with a double. Ollet moved to third base. An out later, Sean Fitzgerald plated both Ollet and Reiman with a 2-RBI double. The Marion advantage grew to 5-0 with two more runs in the top of the 5th inning. Jake Pewitt led off with a single Tyler Bernard also singled. The third consecutive hit was Greg Liming's RBI single to score Pewitt. Two fly outs later Bernard came in on a RBI single by Clint Ambrosch.
     After 5 innings the visiting team led 5 to 0. Then the Oilers offense went from flat 0 to 6 over the course of the last four innings while defensively holding ground.
     The Oilers got on the scoreboard with two runs in the bottom of the 6th inning. With one out, Brendon Hardin and Tyler Tichenor singled back-to back. Taylor Mathews loaded the bases by reaching safely on a bunt. Hardin scored on a RBI sacrifice fly by Tyler Grogg. Matt Johnson followed with a RBI single to drive in Tichenor, making the game 5-2 for the Bobcats. Owensboro drew closer with one run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Hardin was hit by a pitch leading off. Tichenor and Mathews walked back-to-back to load the bases. Grogg RBI walked to secure Hardin's run from third base. Marion bore down for a pop out and a double play to prevent anything else that inning.
     Owensboro needed two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to stay in the game. They got three runs to win the game instead. Brandon Morris was hit by a pitch leading off the inning. Pinch-hitter Malduino Gonzalez singled, and gave way to pinch-runner Matt Cissell. Both runners were advanced one base by a sacrifice bunt. A wild pitch pitch allowed Morris to score the fourth run, and moved Cissell up to third base. Hardin plated Cissell as the fifth and tying run with a RBI single. Hardin got himself 90 feet from home by stealing both second and third bases. Tichenor walked and moved to second base uncontested by the defense. Mathews was intentionally walked to load the bases. A strikeout later, Johnson reached first base on the only Marion defensive error of the evening, but Oilers were safe all around. That included Hardin scoring the sixth and winning run.
     The win belonged to Oilers newcomer Christian McHatton who worked five scoreless innings in relief of fellow Oilers newcomer Jeremy Kiper. Bobcats reliever Chris Hunt took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers @ Fulton Railroaders - PPD Rained out. The game scheduled for tonight with the Hoppers been rained out and rescheduled for this Sunday, July 15, start time is 7 pm.

UPDATE: Bobcats @ Railroaders - PPD Rain. The game on Sunday July 8 that was also rained out has been rescheduled  on Thursday, July 19 as part of a doubleheader in Fulton. 

July 9, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 5, Madisonville Pirates 1 - game 1. In 7 innings. The Railroaders won their 12th straight game with a victory over the Pirates in Madisonville. Keaton Baker pitched the complete 7 innings for the win. 

     (From Madisonville) Tradewater split two games with Fulton, with the Roaders taking Game One for their 12th win in a row, behind the pitching of Keaton Baker, and the overall great play of Quinton Alexander. The Pirates never got ontrack, with Fulton as sharp as a new razor throughout the contest. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 8, Fulton Railroaders 3 - game 2. In 7 innings. The Pirates score first with 3 runs in the bottom half of the third inning. The Railroaders answered in the top of the 4th with three scores to tie the game. Tradewater regained the lead in the bottom of the 5th getting five more runs that included a 3 RBI homer from Blake Massey. The Railroaders' winning streak of 12 games ends with the loss. 

     (From Madisonville) In Game Two, the Buccos broke a 3-3 tie with a huge 5th inning, featuring a three-run blast by Blake Massey, and a huge triple by Justin Riddle.  Kooper Kessler was a complete game winner, striking out two of three in the 7th, to seal the deal. Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 6, Hopkinsville Hoppers 1. (From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers returned home and won the Monday night game with the Hoptown Hoppers visiting from Hopkinsville. The final score was 6 to 1.
    Hopkinsville scored its run of the game in the top of the 2nd inning. With one out, Nolan Fisher singled. He proceeded to steal second base, and moved to third base on a passed ball. Collin Massanelli was hit by a pitch. A defensive error in trying to prevent Massanelli from stealing second base allowed Fisher to score.
    The Oilers scored and took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. With one away, Taylor Mathews singled and Tyler Grogg followed by reaching base on an error. Matt Johnson delivered both teammates to the plate with a 2-RBI double. The score remained 2-1 for the home team until Owensboro added one run in the bottom of the 5th inning. Leadoff hitter Grogg again reached base on an error. An elusive attempt to pick Grogg off first base gave him a chance to demonstrate his worrisome speed. He moved all the way to third base. He scored from there on a wild pitch.
    The Oilers picked up two more runs in the bottom of the 6th inning. With two outs, Tyler Tichenor walked and stole second base. Mathews followed with a walk. A wild pitch moved the runners up to third and second bases respectively. Grogg batted in Tichenor and Mathews on a 2-RBI single. At the end of six innings the Oilers led 5 to 1. Owensboro capped the scoring with one more run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Malduino Gonzalez led off with a single. He was sacrificed over to second base. One out later, Grogg reached base safely on a bunt, pushing Gonzalez to third base. A defensive error trying to prevent Grogg from stealing second base brought Gonzalez across.
    Oilers starter Shane Weedman got the win for his premium start, working seven innings, giving up just the one run while striking out nine against 2 walks. Jonathan Brinez worked the final two shutout innings in a positive non-save situation. The Hoppers starter Taylor Veillon took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

July 8, 2012

Marion Bobcats @ Fulton Railroaders - PPD Rained out. The game went into a rain delay in the bottom of the 4th inning, two runners on and two outs, and tied at 3 each. Rained continued and the game was call. The game has been rescheduled for Thursday, July 19 as part of a doubleheader in Fulton, each game 7 innings each. First game start is 5 pm.

July 7, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 6, Hopkinsville Hoppers 3. The fired up Railroaders held the Hoppers to just 3 hits and runs in their win over Hoptown, and Fulton continues with a 11 game winning streak.

     The Railroaders jumped to a one run lead in the 1st when Mikee Moore singled, stole 2nd and 3rd base, then scored on the only Hopper error of the evening. Hoptown tied the game in the bottom of the 2nd with two hits which included a Matt McGowan RBI triple. Fulton regained the lead in the 3rd with back to back doubles from Austin Bryant and Angelo Burrage who got the RBI. The Railroaders added another run in the 5th on a bunt single by Brandon Shaw who then advanced on a wild pitch, stole 2nd, and made it home on another wild pitch. 

     Fulton put up 2 more runs in the 7th with two outs after walks, wild pitches, and a passed ball a setup a stolen home plate by Austin Bryant and a RBI single from Billy O'Connor. Hoptown closed to within two scoring 2 runs using two walked batters, 2 Railroader errors and a sacrifice fly by Brett Pirtle. The Railroaders added an insurance run in the 9th with Moore leading off with a double and making home plate on an Andrew Cash RBI single. 

     Starting pitcher Jonathon Williams earned the win going 6 innings giving up only 2 hits and one earned run. Clayton Dugan takes the loss on the mound for 5 1/3 innings pitched and tagged with 3 runs (2 earned) and allowing 5 of the Railroaders 9 total hits. Fulton gains one game on Hoptown who remains in first place by 2 1/2 games ahead of the Railroaders. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 9, Owensboro Oilers 4 - game 1. In 7 innings. (From Madisonville) Dillon Endecott pitched the Pirates to a 9-4 win in the first game versus Owensboro, giving up just seven hits, and Michael Edwards pitched a two hit, 6-0 shutout in the nightcap, as Tradewater pushed their record back above .500, as the Buccos had big innings in both games to send the Oilers to 9-21 on the season.  The Pirates broke a 3-3 tie in the first, and won going away, and in the second contest punched home five runs in the 1st, to win with ease, behind Edwards, who at one time, retired 15 straight Oilers.  The Pirates take Sunday off, and return home Monday to host a doubleheader with red-hot Fulton. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 6, Owensboro Oilers 0 - game 2. In 7 innings. See above game summary. Box Scores Click Here.

July 6, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 14, Madisonville Pirates 7. After a 45 minute delay in starting the game due to rain, the Hoppers cruised over the Pirates on Friday with a 14-7 victory.

     Hoptown scored one run for an early lead in the 1st inning. Tradewater took a brief 2-1 lead in the top of the 3rd only to have the Hoppers tie it at 2 with one run in the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom frame of the 4th the Hoppers plied on 5 more runs, adding another 3 in the sixth for a commanding 10-2 lead. The Pirates scored two in the 7th only to see Hoptown answered with 4 more runs in the bottom half which included a 3 RBI homerun by Jake Sandlin. Tradewater managed 3 runs in the 8th inning, but it was too little too late.

     For the Hoppers, Sandlin was best going 3 for 5, crossing the plate once and 6 RBI, followed by Seth Bancroft who was 2 for 4, scored 3 runs and 2 RBI, and Brad Sevenish 2 of 5 for 3 RBI. The top bats for the Pirates were Cole Fergus going 3 of 5, scoring one and 2 RBI, and Trevor Haggard 2 for 5, one RBI and 3 runs scored across the plate. 

     Both starters were the pitchers of record. Will Hammock earned the win throwing for 5 innings striking out 5, giving up 5 hits and 2 walks, and 2 runs (both unearned). Zach Uher takes the loss tagged with 6 runs (5 earned), walked and struck out 3 each, and gave up 5 hits. Each team used three relievers to finish out the one sided game. Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 10, Marion Bobcats 9. In 10 innings. A back and forth battle in Marion finally ended with the Bobcats coming out on top over the Oilers. The win breaks a 5 game Bobcat losing streak. 

     Marion scored 2 runs in the first inning and Owensboro came back in the 2nd to tie with two of their own. The Oilers put up 2 more runs in the fifth for a short lived lead before the Bobcats chalked up 3 runs in the sixth inning. Owensboro regained a two run lead in the top of the 8th scoring three only to see Marion tie it up in the bottom half of the inning with 2 runs. The teams remained tied through the 9th with both getting two more runs each. Bottom of the 10th the Bobcats put the winning run across with 2 singles, a sac bunt and a fielder's choice.

     Clint Ambrosch led the Bobcats going 5 for 6, scoring twice, 3 RBI and the game winning hit in the extra inning of play. Tyler Grogg was best for the Oilers at 3 for 4, three runs scored and a RBI.

     David Roper earned the win in relief pitching for the final 2 innings, and Colton Slank takes the loss on the mound in the 10th. Box Scores Click Here.

July 5, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 6, Marion Bobcats 0. (From Hopkinsville) Hoptown Hoppers’ pitcher Philip Menou turned in a gem In shutting down the Marion Bobcats Thursday night (7-5-2012), giving up just one hit while striking out 10 and walking 4 for a 6-0 complete game.  The Hoppers picked up 9 hits and had seven batters hit-by-pitch, while the Bobcats committed 3 errors.

     Hoptown took a 1-0 lead in the first after Fernando Tanaka singled the score on a double to left by Jake Sandlin.  In the bottom of the 2nd, Hoptown went up 3-0 when Matt McGowan reached on an error, Kaleb Brown walked,  Rob Friedlein’s sacrifice bunt moved them up, and Tanaka was hit by pitch; then McGowan and Brown both scored on Sandlin’s 2-RBI single.

     In the 4th, Friedlein and Brett Pirtle were both hit by pitches, Collin Massanelli (batting for Tanaka, who was injured on HBP in 2nd inning) then bunt sacrificed runners to 2nd and 3rd, and a Sandlin sacrifice drove in the runs for a 5-0 Hoppers lead.  In the bottom of the 6th, Hoptown scored its final run when Sandlin singled, Cameron Olsen was hit by pitch, then Sandlin scored on Bobby Clark’s RBI single.

     Marion’s Darren Travers put 7 Hoppers on base by hit batsman while throwing 119 pitches, and giving up all 9 hits and six runs through 7 full innings.  Jordan Lorenzo finished pitching out the last two innings for Marion. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 8, Owensboro Oilers 5. (From Fulton) Fulton came from behind to beat Owensboro and win their 10th straight game. The victory keeps the Railroaders in pace behind the 1st place Hoppers at 3 games.

     The Railroaders jump to a 1-0 lead in the first inning only to have the Oilers take a 4-1 lead in the second with a Fulton error, 2 walks and 3 singles. Fulton chipped away at the lead scoring one run in each of the 4th and 5th innings, and pushed ahead in the 6th with five more runs off 3 walks, a passed ball, 3 hits including a 2 RBI double by Joe Mike. A second Railroader error and a RBI walk gave the Oilers one more run in the 7th for the final score of 8-5 in favor of Fulton.

     Of the Railroaders' 7 hit total, Joe Mike hit 2 of 3 for his two RBI and Billy O'Connor 1 for 2 with three RBI from a sac fly, single and walk. For the Oilers' 8 hits, Tyler Grogg and Austin Edge each were 2 of 5, one RBI and one run scored. 

     Tyler Saltsman started and won the game pitching for 6 innings with 7 strikeouts, 3 walks, tagged for  7 hits and 4 runs (2 earned).  Daniel Szathmary earned a save finishing off the 9th inning. Oiler starter Jay Hachmiester was pulled after 4 innings giving up only 2 earned runs and middle reliever Austin Pittman took the loss going just 1 1/3 innings giving up 5 hits and 5 earned runs.  Box Scores Click Here.

July 4, 2012

Owensboro Oilers 4, Madisonville Pirates 1. (From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers won their Fourth of July home ballgame with the Tradewater Pirates, visitors from Madisonville. The final score was 4 to 1.
     For the second night in a row the Oilers rewarded the home faithful by jumping out to a multi-run lead, scoring three runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. Leadoff hitter Tyler Grogg started by reaching safely on a bunt. Matt Johnson followed with a double. With runners on second base and third base, Austin Edge also doubled for the 2 available RBIs. A groundout later, Edge was in position to score the third run on a RBI single by Colin Buckner.
     The score remained 3-0 until the Pirates scored their only run in the top of the 6th inning. With one out, Ethan Blumenthal reached and advanced to second base on a defensive error. He moved to third on a foul fly out. Cody Hyden delivered a two-out RBI single to score Blumenthal.
     Owensboro declared independence from June scenarios by getting that one run back in the bottom of the same inning. Dalton West led off with a walk, but got cut down trying to steal second base. Brendon Hardin re-started with a single and stole second base. A groundout moved Hardin to third base. He scored from there on a wild pitch.
     The score had reached 4 to 1 for the Oilers by the end of six innings. The lead was the same going into the top of the 9th inning -- it was just a matter of keeping it that way. Joe Black led off for the Pirates by grounding out. It became less easy from there. Trevor Haggard and Logan Leverett singled back-to-back, then Blake Massey walked. The bases were loaded. The Oilers brought in Tim Johnson,  who needed only four pitches to induce a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.
     Mason Morris started and won the game working 7.33 innings without walking a batter. Jonathan Brinez pitched the inning of work between Morris and the Johnson save from just 0.67 of an inning. The loss went to Pirates starter Chad Cox. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers @ Marion Bobcats - PPD weather. Game postponed due to weather conditions and rescheduled for July 21 as part of a doubleheader in Marion.

July 3, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 8, Madisonville Pirates 3. In 11 innings. The Hoppers busted out of a stalemate game with 5 runs in the final inning to win over the Pirates at Riverside Park in Dawson Springs.

     Hoptown scored first in the 2nd with one run in a 4 error inning that saw no hits. Tradewater came back scoring one run the 3rd with no hits using a batter hit by pitch, advanced with a sac bunt, and getting him home on a passed ball and wild pitch. Both teams scored 2 runs each in the fourth inning and the game remained tied 3-3 until the 11th inning. The Hoppers finally broke the deadlock putting up 5 runs using a Pirate error and 5 hits that included a ground rule double by Brad Sevenish and a Brett Pirtle 2 RBI triple. The Pirates went quickly in the bottom of the 11th on two groundouts and a flyout. 

     The Hoppers totaled 9 hits bested by Pirtle and Sevenish both going 2 of 5, Pirtle getting 3 RBI and Sevenish scoring twice. The Pirates managed 4 hits with only Kyle Neimeier getting the only RBI for Tradewater.

     Jason McDonald earned the win pitching the final 3 innings, and Corey Ames took the loss throwing the final 2 innings for Madisonville. Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 8, Marion Bobcats 3. (From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers bested the visiting Bobcats from Marion in the Tuesday night game at Owensboro. Final score was 8 to 3.
     The Oilers scored at least one run in each of the first four innings. The bottom of the 1st inning saw leadoff hitter Tyler Grogg single and steal second base. Matt Johnson followed with a single that moved Grogg to third base. Johnson swiped second base while Grogg held to third base. An RBI groundout by Austin Edge scored Grogg and moved Johnson to third base. Brandon Morris came through with a RBI single bringing Johnson across for the second run in the inning.
     Leading 2-0, Owensboro scored two more runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Brendon Hardin led off with a walk and Tyler Tichenor singled. Taylor Mathews sacrifice bunted, moving both runners ahead of him up one base. Grogg returned to the plate for a 2- RBI single, scoring both Hardin and Tichenor.
     The Oilers added one run each in the bottom of the 3rd and 4th innings. In the 3rd inning, Edge singled and was sacrifice bunted to second base. One out later, Edge hustled in on a two-out RBI single by Dalton West, who took second base on the throw attempting to keep Edge from the plate. In the 4th inning, Tichenor led off with a walk and stole second base. Mathews followed with a single that moved Tichenor to third base. Mathews followed the active Oilers game plan by stealing second base as Tichenor maintained third base. Grogg followed by reaching base on a perfectly executed RBI squeeze bunt that plated Tichenor, and pushed Mathews to third base. The Bobcats starter battled back for three quick outs, but the home team had built a 6-0 lead.
     Marion did not get to Oilers starter Shane Weedman until scoring one run in the top of the 5th inning. In fact, the leadoff single by Tremaine Woolridge was the first Bobcat hit off Shane Weedman in 13 innings of work over two starts. Woolridge made the most of the opportunity on base. He took second base on a passed ball, moved to third base on a defensive error, then scored on a wild pitch. The run for Marion made the score 6-1 for the home team. The Bobcats threatened again in the top of the 6th inning, as a tiring Weedman intersected three walks with a couple of pop outs to load the bases with two outs. A timely strikeout kept the frame scoreless.
     Owensboro pressed the advantage by scoring one run in the bottom of the 6th inning. Tichenor led off with a walk and was sacrifice bunted over to second base. Grogg bunted his way on safely again, and Tichenor went to third base. Tichenor broke for the plate on a ball that wasn't as hard to handle as it looked and was tagged out, but Grogg replaced him at third base. Mathews then walked. The Bobcats caught him in rundown that played out between first and second base, but the speedy Grogg crossed the plate before Marion tagged Mathews as the third out. The home lead was back to 7-1.
     The Bobcats and Oilers each scored once in their respective share of the 7th inning. In the top of the inning, Alex Reiman led off with a walk Jake Pewitt singled. They were sacrificed bunted to third and second base respectively. Reiman scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by Tyler Bernard. In the bottom of the inning, Edge led off with a double and Morris followed with a walk. Two pop outs later they were both still in place when Hardin reached on an error that loaded the bases. Edge came in on a wild pitch during the next at bat. The 7th inning ended with the Oilers leading 8-2.
     The home team took that score into the top of the 9th inning determined to hold on to it, and the Bobcats were determined to erase. it. Marion made the last visiting at bat uncomfortably interesting from the home perspective -- stringing together four singles in the first five at bats of the frame. Reiman, on by way of a fielder's choice, scored on a RBI single by Bernard. A double play provided the Oilers with the final two outs that set the score at 8-3 in favor of the home team.
     Starter Shane Weedman picked up the Owensboro win. Bobcat starter James Dyer took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

July 2, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 10, Hopkinsville Hoppers 8. (From Fulton) The Railroaders extended their winning streak to 9 games after beating the Hoppers in Fulton and gained ground on first place Hoptown.

     The Hoppers drew first blood scoring 3 in the third from an error, sacrifice fly, RBI double and single. The Railroaders answered with one run in the bottom of the 3rd off a single and RBI double. Fulton took a 5-3 lead in the fourth inning with two RBI singles, a bases loaded hit-by-pitch and sacrifice fly. Top of fifth, Hoptown cut the lead by one scoring on a bunt single, another Railroaders error and a ground out RBI. The Railroaders pushed two more runs across in the 6th using two walks and a 2 RBI double for a 7-4 lead.

     The Hoppers scored another run in the 8th off a fourth Railroader error and RBI single. Fulton took a 10-5 lead in the bottom of the 8th putting up 3 runs on two walks, a RBI single, RBI double and a bases loaded walk. Hoptown made it close in the 9th when a lead off walk and single was followed by a 3 RBI homerun from Philip Menou. The Railroaders then call Cody Alvey to the mound to shutdown the Hopper threat, ending the game and earning his 4th save on the year.

     The Railroaders totaled 13 hits; Billy O'Connor was 2 of 3 hitting two doubles for 4 RBI, Eric Manning went 3 for 5 and scored once, Rob Hogenkamp managed 2 of 3, a RBI and crossed the plated four times, and Austin Bryant was 2 for 4 and 2 RBI. The Hoppers picked up 12 hits; Menou was 2 of 5 for 4 RBI and two runs scored, Jake Sandlin 4 for 5 and scored three, and Matt McGown 2 for 2 and a RBI. While the Hoppers played an error free game, the Railroaders had to overcome a total of 4 errors on the evening.

     Fulton starter Keaton Baker went only 4 innings on the mound giving up 3 hits and runs (2 earned) with 2 strikeouts and walking 4 batters. In trouble, Baker was replace by Brock Downey who threw for 3 1/3 innings allowing 4 hits, striking out 4, no walks and one unearned run, he gets the win. Jonathon Williams and Casey Tiller combined for only 2/3 of an inning in middle relief. Hopkinsville starter Kyle Barbee takes the loss pitching for 6 innings and tagged for 11 hits, 7 earned runs, 3 walks and strikeouts. Kaleb Brown and Layne Cecil finished the final two innings. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 8, Marion Bobcats 7. The Pirates hold on to win in Marion against the Bobcats. A walked batter and a triple by Cole Fergus gave the Pirates one run in the 1st inning. Bottom of the 1st, the Bobcats answered scoring two runs with 2 men aboard and a Greg Liming 2 RBI double. The Pirates tied game at 2 in the top of the second with a sac fly and a runner on third who reached on an error and advanced 2 bases on as many wild pitches.

     The Pirates heaped on 6 more runs in the third to give Madisonville their total of 8 runs. The inning contained five hits and 2 Bobcat errors, and included a Logan Crook 3 RBI triple and a RBI double by Blake Massey.

     Bobcats made it a close game in the sixth inning using five hits to score 5 more runs  The inning included two singles and three doubles by Clint Ambrosch, Jake Pewitt and Brandon Ollet,

     Michael Edwards gets the win pitching 5 2/3 innings, and Wayne Sparks earned a save throwing the final inning. Chris Hunt takes the loss for Marion going only three innings and giving all 8 Pirate scores with only 4 earned. Box Scores Click Here.

July 1, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 10, Marion Bobcats 6. (Summary from Marion, game played in Hopkinsville) July started no better for the Bobcats than June ended. On Sunday, Marion traveled to Hopkinsville to face the top team in the league and left having lost seven of their last eight and falling two games below .500 and 5.5 games out of first place.
     Hoptown jumped on Marion pitching in the bottom of the first for a 2-0 lead, but fell behind 3-2 after three innings. However, in the bottom of the fourth, the Hoppers would tack on four more runs off Marion starter David Roper (2-3) for a 6-3 lead and would never look back. They added three more runs in the fifth off Roper before Marion's bats struck put up a three-spot in the top of the sixth on a three-run blast off the bat of Tyler Bonaventure that moved the scored to 9-6 in favor of the home team. However, that would be all the offense the Bobcats could muster in the game and the Hoppers added a final run off Marion's bullpen in the next half inning.
     Tyler Bernard was a perfect 3-for-3 for Marion with his league-leading seventh double. He also scored two runs. Bonaventure added a single to his home run in five trips to the plate and score two runs as well. Leadoff hitter Derek Hannahs, who went 0-for-3, scored two of his own runs regardless of a hitless night at the plate. Clint Ambrosch was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Greg Liming and Brandon Ollet also added an RBI each. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 9, Owensboro Oilers 0. (From Madisonville) Dillon Endecott and the Pirates downed the Owensboro Oilers by the count of 9-0 Sunday evening, as Michael Roehrig producted the big offensive fireworks for Tradewater.  Roehrig belted two triples and knocked in four runs, adding another hit as well on the night.  The Pirates produced three runs in the third and six runs in the sixth for their offensive explosion, as Endecott received good relief support from lefty Michael Purcell and closer Corey Ames.  Buddy Elgin produced several sparkling defensive plays at third base to support the pitching corps. Miller took the loss for Owensboro.

     Tradewater moved to 12-11 with the win, and will visit Marion Monday, before playing Hoptown at Riverside Park, Dawson Springs, Tuesday evening, with great fireworks to follow the contest. Box Scores Click Here.

June 30, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 6, Marion Bobcats 4. in 10 innings. (From Marion) A leadoff walk to start the 10th inning ended up as the game-winning run for Fulton Saturday as the Railroaders tacked on two runs in extra innings to overcome the Bobcats 6-4 at Guess Field.
     The Bobcats, who have dropped six of their last seven games, held a 4-3 lead heading into the ninth, but a walk issued to the Fulton leadoff hitter came around to score and tie the game. In the bottom of the ninth, tied 4-4, Marion's winning run was left stranded in scoring position after Tyler Bonaventure singled and stole second to lead off the inning. The Railroader bullpen kept Bonaventure on second base, striking out the side to send the game to extra frames.
     After the Railroaders two-run 10th, their bullpen stayed sharp, setting down Marion's offense 1-2-3 to end the game and keep pace with league leading Hoptown (15-7), who maintains a three-game lead over second-place Fulton (13-11). Marion dropped to fourth place at 11-12.
     Bonaventure's potential winning run was one of 13 runners left stranded on base for Marion. Fulton left only two on base. Fulton was outhit by Marion nine hits, including a double by Derek Hannahs, to only six. Alex Reiman was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Tyler Bernard went 3-for-5 with 1 RBI. Brandon Ollet had 2 RBI and Hannahs added one. Bonaventure had two hits to move to .320 on the season and lead the team with 24 hits.
     On the mound, Caleb Luttrell threw eight strong innings, giving up only two earned runs of the three that scored against him. But a home run from Fulton's Erik Manning in the eighth helped chase Luttrell from the game. Jordan Lorenzo started the ninth and gave up the tying run to Fulton. He started the 10th and gave up the game-winning run before Eli Nickell took the hill. Nickell would give up the final run of the game to ultimately allow Fulton the 6-4 win.
     Lorenzo was saddled with his first loss of the season. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 6, Owensboro Oilers 0.  (From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers were shutout Saturday night at home by the visiting Hoptown Hoppers of Hopkinsville. The final score was 6 to 0. Hopkinsville scored two runs in the top of the 2nd inning. Cameron Olsen singled and stole second base. Olsen was batted in on a Collin Massanelli RBI single. Massanelli was driven in on a RBI single by Anthony Mazzella. The Hoppers added a run in the top of the 4th inning. Nolan Fisher singled, was sacrifice bunted to second base, stole and stole third base. With two outs, he came in on another RBI single by Mazzella.
     The score remained 3-0 for Hopkinsville until they posted two runs in the top of the 8th inning. Robert Friedlein doubled. One out later a RBI single by pinch-hitter Philip Menou plated Friedlein. Seth Bancroft followed with a double to put runners on second base and third base with one out. Massanelli was intentionally walked to load the bases. The move led to an out, but in the form of Mazzella's third RBI of the game for the sacrifice fly the brought in Menou. The Hoppers scored once more in the top of the 9th inning. Fernando Tanaka began their at bat with a single. He advanced to second base on an error, moved to third base on a groundout, then scored on a separate error. They maintained the shutout for the 6-0 final.
     Hoppers starter Will Hammock pitched eight strong innings for the win. Oilers starter Tim Johnson offered a better than quality start but took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

June 29, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 5, Madisonville Pirates 4. (From Fulton) The Railroaders held on to beat the Pirates and get their seventh straight victory. The Railroaders win hoists them into second place by a half game over the Pirates and Bobcats who won against the Oilers on the same night in Owensboro. 

     Fulton took the early lead scoring one run in both the 2nd and 3rd innings. Tradewater got on the board in the 4th with one run and put up two more in the 5th to take a 3-2 lead. The Railroaders tied the game in the 6th with one run, then regained the lead in the 7th with a two out 2 RBI homerun by Alex Huddleston. The Pirates closed to within one in the 8th when Trevor Haggard hit a solo homer.

     The Railroaders totaled 13 hits led by Joe Mike who was 3 of 5 with an RBI and one score, and Quinton Alexander going 3 for 3 with a RBI. Alex Huddleston managed the game winning 2 RBI with his only hit on the evening. For the Pirates and their 11 hits, Trevor Haggard was 3 of 4, a RBI and scored twice.

     Jonathon Williams started for Fulton, but only made it through 4 innings giving up 8 hits, 4 walks and 2 strikeouts, tagged with 3 runs (2 earned). Brock Downey takes his third win on the season in relief going for 3 2/3 innings striking out 3, no walks, 3 hits and one earned run. Cody Alvey picked up his 3rd save closing out the 9th innings with 2 strikeouts and a ground out. Madisonville's starter Kooper Kessler pitched for 6 complete innings leaving the game with a lead giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits, walking 3 and striking out two. Robert Spath gets tagged for the loss throwing only in the 7th inning, allowing 5 hits along with 2 go ahead earned runs.

     The Railroaders, now at 12-11, are over .500 for the first time in 2012. They will travel to Marion on Saturday to face the Bobcats who just broke a 6 game losing streak with their win over the Oilers. The Railroaders take Sunday off and return to play on Monday at home to take on the 1st place Hoppers at Lohaus Field. Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 5, Owensboro Oilers 4. (From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers were overcome at home by the visiting Marion Bobcats in the Friday night game at Owensboro. The final score was 5 to 4.
      The Oilers scored first with two runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. Leadoff hitter Tyler Grogg walked and Brandon Morris was hit by a pitch. Grogg scored on an RBI single by Matt Johnson. One out later, Morris came in on an RBI single Jordan Rhodes. Leading 2-0, Owensboro increased the margin with two more runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. With one out, Grogg was hit by a pitch. He stole both second base and third base, then scored on an RBI single by Morris. Matt Johnson and Tyler Tichenor followed with consecutive singles to load the bases. A RBI groundout by Rhodes plated Morris for the second run of the frame. At the end of the 5th inning the Oilers led 4-0.
    The Bobcats got back into the game with two runs in the top of the 6th inning. Brandon Ollet reached on an error to lead off and took second base on a wild pitch. Greg Liming followed with a walk. An out later, Derek Hannahs RBI singled to score Ollet. Dave Murphy followed with a RBI double that brought Liming in too. The score was 4-2 for Owensboro until Marion added one run in the top of the 8th inning. Liming led off with a single. Clint Ambrosch singled behind him. Hannahs reached on a fielder's choice used to force Ambrosch out at second base, but Liming took third base in the process. Murphy also reached on a fielder's choice that forced Hannahs, but batted in Liming for the run.
    The Oilers still hoped to hold a 4-3 lead through to the win, but the Bobcats scored two runs in the top of the 9th to take the lead. Jake Pewitt led off with a single, but after the following batter Tyler Bernard popped out, Pewitt was caught trying to steal second base and became out number two. Tyler Bonaventure placed a shallow single into right field. The next batter was Ollett, who blasted a 2-RBI home run over the left field wall to put the Bobcats up 5 to 4. In the bottom of the 9th it looked like the leadoff hitter for the Oilers might beat out an infield hit, but his foot caught and he fell mid-way between home and first base, becoming the first of the three outs that Marion needed. It was that kind of night for the home team.
    Bobcats starter Darren Travers went the complete game for the win. The loss fell on Oilers reliever Thomas White. Box Scores Click Here.

June 28, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 6, Madisonville Pirates 1. The Pirates score first with their one run in the 1st inning. The Railroaders answered in the 2nd with one run. The game remained tied through the 5th inning. Fulton put up 3 runs in the 6th and 2 more in the 8th. The win is the 6th in a row for Fulton and moves them to 3rd in the standings. First time this season the Railroaders are at .500. Both teams go at it again on Friday in Fulton with second place in the standings on the line. Game time is 7 pm. 

     (From Madisonville)  The Pirates took a short-lived 1-0 lead on Fulton, before the Railroaders spaced out six runs and ten hits, to defeat the Pirates 6-1.  Tradewater produced only seven hits against Roader pitching, as starter Tyler Saltsman took the win.  Pirate starter Chris Goins accepted the loss for the Buccos.  Cole Fergus had two Tradewater hits, and the only RBI of the night.  Fulton continued their win streak, now at six games. The Pirates saw their three game win streak snapped, and lost a game in the standings to leader Hoptown, who defeated Owensboro. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 5, Owensboro Oilers 1. (From Owensboro)  The Owensboro Oilers lost their Thursday night game with the Hoppers from Hopkinsville. The final score was 5 to 1.
     Hopkinsville scored first with a run in the top of the 1st inning. Brett Pirtle led off for the Hoppers, and moved around from first base to third base on a wild pitch. Pirtle scored on an RBI single by Nolan Fisher. The fast-moving game remained 1-0 until the Oilers tied with a run in the bottom of the 5th inning. With one out, Tyler Grogg reached base on a bunt. He moved around to third base on an errant pickoff throw. Grogg came across on a RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Brandon Morris.
     The Hoppers turned the game to their advantage for keeps with three runs in the top of the 7th inning. With one out, five consecutive batters for the Hoppers reached base: Seth Bancroft singled, Bobby Clark singled, Kaleb Brown reached on an error, Robert Friiedlein and Pirtle singled. Bancroft was put out trying to steal third base, but Clark, Brown and Friedlein all scored from a two-out bases loaded situation that followed from the Pirtle single, his two RBIs and two separate defensive errors. Hopkinsville poste one more run in the top of the 9th inning. Bancroft led off the visiting half with a single. This time it was his turn to go from first base to third base on a wide pickoff attemmpt. Bancroft scored on a RBI single by Brown. That made the margin 5-1 in favor of the road team, and so it remained.
     Hopkinsville starter Philip Menou pitched the complete game for the win. Mason Morris started for the Oilers and bore the loss, though only 2 of the 4 runs he allowed in seven innings of work were earned against him. Box Scores Click Here.

June 27, 2012

Madisonville Pirates 10 , Marion Bobcats 6. (From Marion)  The Bobcats squandered an early 3-1 lead, a 2-run Greg Liming home run and 4-for-5 night for Clint Ambrosch en route to a 10-6 loss at the hands of Tradewater Wednesday at Guess Field. The loss was Marion's fifth consecutive, dropping their record to 10-11 in a third-place tie with Fulton.
     Marion put together 13 hits and held a 6-5 lead heading into the seventh. The lead was short-lived, however, when reliever James Dyer spelled starter James Naile by giving up the tying run in the seventh after hitting the first batter he faced. The Pirates would tack on three more runs off Dyer (1-2), who failed to register an out in the eighth, leading to his second loss of the year. Manager Drew Barrett called on Ethan Utley in the bullpen to get all three outs of the inning.
     Utley would give up another run in the final frame, leaving the Bobcats in a 10-6 hole heading into their final at-bat of the game. However, Pirate reliever Corey Ames shut down the Bobcats in the ninth to preserve the win for the surging Tradewater team.
     Despite scoring 10 runs and registering 12 hits against Bobcat pitching, the Marion staff stranded 16 Pirates on base.
     The loss spoiled a productive night at the plate for several Bobcat hitters. Leading the way was Liming, who went 2-for-4 and drove in his two runs of the night on a home run in the fifth. Ambrosch, who came into the night batting .333, contributed a double as one of his four hits. Termaine Wooldridge and Derek Hannahs added two hits each. Hannahs, Dave Murphy and Alex Reiman each drove in a run.
     The Bobcats will have Thursday off to regroup for a Friday game at Owensboro. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 12 , Hopkinsville Hoppers 4. (From Hopkinsville) The Fulton Railroaders picked up 13 hits and took advantage of six Hoptown Hoppers miscues to beat the league-leading Hoppers 12-4 on Wednesday. The Railroaders scored four runs in the fourth and sixth innings to bolster the road win.

     Fulton was led by Austin Bryant, who went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and four runs batted in, and Mikee Moore, who went 3-for-5 with a double, a run and an RBI. Brandon Shaw went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored, and Rob Hogenkamp went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and three RBIs.

     Hoptown was paced by Bobby Clark, who went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Anthony Mazzella slapped a home run for the Hoppers.

     Keaton Baker got the win for the Railroaders, allowing three unearned runs on four hits, striking out seven and walking five in six innings. Christopher Flores pitched the seventh inning, striking out one and walking two, Roman Kelly pitched the eighth inning, allowing one run on one hit, walking two, and Seth Marcus pitched the ninth, striking out one and walking two.

     Taylor Veillon got the loss for the Hoppers, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on nine hits, striking out seven and walking seven in 6-2/3 innings. Clayton Dugan came on in the seventh, and Kyle Barbee closed out the game, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out one in 2-2/3 innings. Box Scores Click Here.

June 26, 2012

Owensboro Oilers 3, Marion Bobcats 0. The Oilers broke their 3 game losing streak in big fashion on Tuesday with a no hit shutout over the Bobcats in Marion. Shane Weedman threw a complete 9 innings striking out 9 and walking 4 to hand the Bobcats their 5th straight loss. Losing pitcher David Roper also threw a good game through 8 innings allowing 6 hit, striking out 9, walking 2 with only 1 earned run of 2 total scored against him. Tyler Grogg was best at the plate going 2 of 5 with a RBI and crossing the plate one time. The Oilers committed only 1 error while the Bobcats were tagged with 3. 

     The loss moved Marion into 3rd place as Madisonville moved up after beating the Hoppers in Hopkinsville on the same evening. The Oilers get a day off on Wednesday before hosting the Hoppers in Owensboro on Thursday. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 10, Hopkinsville Hoppers 4. The visiting Tradewater Pirates took advantage of some iffy Hoptown Hoppers pitching, as five straight Pirates batters walked to lead off the second inning, where they plated four runs en route to the 10-4 win, halting a six-game Hoptown sin streak Tradewater (10-9) took over second place in the Ohio Valley League, thanks to Marion's loss tonight. The Pirates are three games behind the league-leading Hoppers (13-6).

     Trevor Haggard went 4-for-5 for the Pirates with a double, two runs scored and a run batted in. Logan Leverett went 2-for-3 with a home run, a run and three RBIs. Ty Broady and Kyle Neimeier scored twice for Tradewater. Hoptown was paced by Kaleb Brown, who went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, and Jake Sandlin, who went 2-for-4 with a run.

     Michael Edwards got the win for Tradewater, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits, striking out one and walking three in 5-2/3 innings. Adrian LaRowe came on in the sixth and pitched into the seventh. Michael Purcell picked up the save for the Pirates, allowing no hits and striking out two in three innings.

     Jason McDonald took the loss for the Hoppers, allowing seven runs on five hits, striking out four and walking seven in four innings. Tyler Vails came on in the fifth, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out one in four innings. Layne Cecil closed out the game for Hoptown, allowing one run on two hits and walking two batters in the ninth inning. The game was played before a crowd of 546 fans. Box Scores Click Here.

June 25, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 7, Marion Bobcats 6. The Railroaders came from behind to beat the Bobcats for the first time in 2012, and extend their winning streak to 4 games. Marion jumped to a 3-0 lead in the 3rd innings using 2 singles, a walk and a double with 2 outs. The Bobcats added 2 more in the 4th with another RBI double and one scored off the only Railroader error for a 5-0 lead. Fulton cut the lead to 2 by scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 4th with a 2 RBI double and RBI single. The Railroaders took advantage of a Bobcat error in the 5th to score 1 run and tied the game at 5 all in the 6th off a solo homerun by Brandon Shaw, his second in as many nights. In the top of the 7th, the Bobcats re-took the lead at 6-5 with a Tyler Bonaventure solo homer. The Railroaders came back in the bottom of the 8th to score  2 with a 2 RBI game winning single by Austin Bryant.

     The Railroader offensive was lead by Brandon Shaw with his homerun, a double and 2 singles, going 4 for 4 with 3 RBI's and scoring twice at the plate. For the Bobcats; Tyler Bonaventrue was 3 of 4 with his homerun adding 3 RBI's and scoring home twice. Both teams had 11 hits each and both stranded 9 runners on base. The difference in the game came down to 3 errors for Marion and 1 for Fulton.

     Roman Kelly started for Fulton but only made it through 3 /13 innings giving up 6 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), striking out and walking 3 each. Jonathon Williams takes the win throwing for 4 2/3 innings allowing only 1 earned run, 4 hits, striking out 6 with no walks. Daniel Szathmary (former Bobcat) earned a save finishing off the final inning for Fulton. Marion starter Caleb Luttrell pitched for 7 innings with 8 hits allowed, 5 runs (4 earned), walked and struck-out 2 each, and left the game with a 1 run Bobcat lead. James Dyer takes the loss throwing the final Railroader 8th inning, and was tagged for 3 hits and 2 earned runs.

     The two teams had met 4 times prior to tonight's game with the Bobcats winning all four. The Railroaders take Tuesday off while the Bobcats return home after losing 4 straight to face off with the Oilers who have dropped 3 straight games. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 11, Owensboro Oilers 5. Tradewater starter Zach Uher would like to have his first start back as a Pirate. The lefty gave up no hits in 1.33 innings, but allowed six walks and two runs, and gave way to effective reliever Adrian LaRowe, who put out several fires. The Pirates ended up winning 11-5. after falling behind 3-0.  Uher found out his Mates had his back.  Several mighty mites- Joe Black and Kyle Niemeier, for example, made life miserable for the Oilers all night, as the Pirates collected 15 hits.

     The Oilers finally broke loose in the 9th against Corey Ames, but it took several miscues for that to occur.  Even Kooper Kessler got in the mix as a reliever, and held the Oilers at bay. When the smoke cleared, the Pirates had evened things at 9-9 for the season, and gained on Marion, who lost to Fulton, and Hoptown, who took the night off.  The Pirates travel to Hoptown and Marion this week, before hosting Fulton on Thursday.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 24, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 8, Owensboro Oilers 5. The Railroaders won their 3rd straight and swept the Oilers in 2 games to finish their weekend schedule of games. Fulton jumped to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning with a 2 out, 2 RBI homerun from Andrew Cash and a RBI single by Quinton Alexander. The Railroaders added another run in the 3rd and 2 more runs in each of the 5th and 6th inning for a 8-0 lead. Relief pitching by the Oilers held Fulton from further scoring.

     The Oilers finally got on the board in the 7th with Dalton West leading off with a solo homer and added another from a sacrifice fly by Jordan Rhodes. Owensboro battled back in the top of the 9th scoring 3 runs from a Jordan Rhodes 2 RBI double and a RBI single by Matt Cissell. Fulton sent Cody Alvey to mound to shut down the Oilers' comeback to seal the 8-5 victory, he picks up a save.

     Mike Moore and Quinton Alexander were both 3 of 4 with a RBI each, and Angelo Burrage along with Andrew Cash were 1 for 3 with 2 RBI's each for the Railroaders. Tyler Grogg for Owensboro was the only multiple hitter going 2 of 5 but no RBI's, and Jordan Rhodes' led the Oilers RBI with his 2 going 1 for 4.

     Starter Tyler Saltsman pitched for 7 innings striking out 6, walking 2, giving up 5 hits and 2 earned runs, he earns the win for Fulton. Owensboro's starter Tim Johnson lasted 4 innings with 3 strikeouts, one walk, allowing 7 hits and tagged for 6 runs with 4 earned, he takes the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 9, Marion Bobcats 2. Hopkinsville pulled ahead of Marion 3-2 in the season series and two games in front of the second-place Bobcats in the league standings with a dominating 9-2 win at Guess Field Sunday afternoon.

     The Hoppers amassed 16 hits—including a double and two triples—off four Marion pitchers, handing starter Chris Hunt (2-1) his first loss of the season. The visiting team jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after one inning and added another three runs off Hunt in the fourth to forge ahead 6-0, chasing Hunt after only 3 1/3 innings. The Hoppers' bats would add another run before the Bobcats tallied their only two runs of the afternoon in the bottom of the seventh.
     Marion was able to put only three hits on the board off five Hoptown pitchers, with the first coming in the fourth of Clayton Dugan. He threw four scoreless innings after spelling starter Kyle Spencer after only one inning pitched. The outing earned Dugan (1-0) his first win of the season.
     Brandon Ollet, Dave Murphy and Greg Liming were the only Marion batters to not be shut out at the plate, each singling. Caleb Luttrell accounted for the lone RBI for the Bobcats, driving in Murphy in the seventh. Ollet added the only other score for Marion, reaching home on an error in the same inning. Box Scores Click Here.

June 23, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 10, Owensboro Oilers 5. The Owensboro Oilers lost their Saturday night home game to the Railroaders up from Fulton. The final score was 10 to 5. Each team scored one run in the 3rd inning. In the top half Quinton Alexander led off with a double. He was sacrifice bunted over to third base base. Alexander scored on a RBI sacrifice fly by Mikee Moore. In the bottom half the Oilers answered as Taylor Mathews and Austin Edge started with consecutive walks. One out later, Mathews came around as John Saylor reached base on an error. Owensboro took a brief 2 to 1 lead with a run in the bottom of the 4th inning. With one out, Oiler newcomer Brendon Hardin drew a walk. Tyler Grogg, also making his Owensboro debut, followed with a single. Tyler Tichenor walked to load the bases. Mathews then reached on a RBI fielder's choice used to force Grogg out at third, but the double play could not be turned as Hardin crossed the plate.
    Fulton turned the game in their favor with three runs in the top of the 5th inning. With one out, Rob Hogenkamp walked and Austin Bryant followed with a single. A groundout moved both runners up a base. Hogenkamp from third base on an error. Billy O'Connor RBI singled to bring in Bryant. Andrew Cash followed with an RBI double, scoring O'Connor from first base. The Railroaders led 4-2. Fulton added three more runs in the top of the 7th inning. With two out,  Angelo Burrage was hit by a pitch. O'Connor singled. Cash RBI singled to score Burrage. Rick Linton followed with a 2-RBI double to plate both O'Connor and Cash. Fulton expanded the lead, 7-2.
    Owensboro found runs late trying to get back into the game, scoring two runs in the bottom of the 7th inning. Tyler Tichenor led off the inning with a walk, and had already advanced to third base when walks to Mathews and Edge loaded the bases. One out later, Saylor reached on fielder's choice that played to force Edge out at second base, but allowed both Tichenor and Matthews to come in. That closed the score to 7-4. The Railroaders put those two runs back up in the top of the 8th inning. Scoring in the inning were Brock Downey , who reached on an error , and scored on a separate error as well as Hogenkamp who reached on the error that allowed Downey to score. Hogenkamp was driven in on a RBI sacrifice fly by O'Connor. That made the score 9-4. The Oilers cut into the lead one last time with one last run in the bottom of the 8th inning. With two out, Grogg singled, then stole both second and third base. He scored on a RBI single by Tichenor. Fulton put that run back on the scoreboard too in the top of the 9th inning. With one out, Alexander walked and eventually scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by Hogankamp. That score was 10 - 5 in favor of the Railroaders, and there it remained.
    The starters took the decisions for each side in the game. Railroaders pitcher Cory Klinger got the win while Oilers hurler Patrick Knight took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 6, Hopkinsville Hoppers 0. Little went right Saturday night as Tradewater garnered only 4 hits off Hopper pitching, as Hammock and Barbee shut down Bucco hitting.  The Pirates certainly had their chances, stranding runners in several situations with just one out, but Hoptown pitching and defense stymied every attempt, leaving Tradewater goose-egged and frustrated.

     Pirate starter Dillon Endecott, witout his "A" in tow, struggled to control the Hoppers, as the league-leaders raced out to a commanding lead.  About the only Pirate highlight was the insertion of Stony Brook outfielder, Michael Roehrig, into the Tradewater line-up, as the lefty tattooed the ball with authority each time at bat.  Ethan Blumental had a pinch hit single in the 9th, with Cody Hyden and Logan Leverett the only other Bucs with bingos on the evening.  Tradewater drops to a disappointing 8-9, losing a game in the standings to Hoptown.  The Pirates are home to Owensboro Monday. Box Scores Click Here.

June 22, 2012

Fulton Railroaders 4, Hopkinsville Hoppers 3. The Railroaders ended a 4 game losing streak and ended the 1st place Hoppers' 4 game winning streak by coming from behind on Friday. Hoptown took a 1-0 lead in the 5th inning with a 2 out solo homerun from Kaleb Brown. The Hoppers added 2 more runs in the 7th on a 2 out, 2 RBI single from Nolan Fisher. The Railroaders tied the game in the 8th with a 2 out, 2 RBI single from newly acquired Billy O'Conner and another run scored on double errors from the Hopper infield. Bottom of the 9th, Angelo Burrage drove in the game winning RBI with a 2 out single scoring Quinton Alexander from 2nd base. 

     Both starters pitched a strong game with neither getting a decision. Fulton's Keaton Baker pitched 7 complete innings striking out 8, walking 3, allowing 6 hits with 3 earned runs. For Hopkinsville, Philip Menou threw for 7 2/3 innings achieving 12 strikeouts, no walks, giving up 8 hits and tagged for 3 runs (2 earned). Brock Downey pitched one inning in relief, and Daniel Szathmary the 9th to take the win for Fulton. Hopper Tyler Vails relieved Menou in the 8th for one out, and gave up 2 hits and 1 earned run in the 9th to get the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 5,  Marion Bobcats 2. The Pirates won a huge game at home as Pirate pitching featuring starter Chad Cox, middle reliever, and winner, Michael Purcell, and closer Corey Ames, allowed just seven hits and two earned runs.  The Pirates found RBI's off the bats of Fergus, Broady and Massey, as Tradewater put together a very impressive all-around victory over second place Marion, who drops to 10-7, with the Pirates back at .500 at 8-8. 

     The Pirates took an early 2-0 lead only to see the Bobs battle back to tie, then the Buccos bolstered the battle royale with three more, that sealed the deal in the end, as Purcell and Ames closed the door on Marion.  Hoptown lost to Fulton in the final inning of play, so the Pirates and Hoppers square off at the Elmer Saturday evening, with an expected overflow crowd on hand, with the game sponsored by Hudson Toyota. Box Scores Click Here.

June 21, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 13, Marion Bobcats 2. The Hoptown Hoppers entered tonight's game just a half-game ahead of the visiting Marion Bobcats, but the Hoppers' bats quickly took the drama out of the game, taking a 7-0 lead through five innings en route to the 13-2 win.

     Hoptown (11-4) used a four-run fifth inning and a six-run seventh to take the wind out of the Bobcats' sails. Errors also plagued Marion, with the Bobcats making four miscues leading to five unearned runs.

The Hoppers were led at the plate by Brett Pirtle, who went 3-for-3 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Jake Sandlin went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Phillip Menou went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs and three RBIs, while Brad Sevenish went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs. Fernando Tanaka hit a triple for Hoptown and scored on a throwing error on the play, and Anthony Mazzella gave the home team a double.

     Marion (10-6) was paced by Greg Liming, who went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI, while Brandon Ollet went 2-for-3 and Derek Hannahs went 2-for-5. Tyler Bonaventure picked up a double and a run for the Bobcats, while Alex Reiman also got a Marion double.

     Taylor Veillon got the win for Hoptown, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out five and walking two in six innings. Kyle Barbee came on in the seventh, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out one and walking one in two innings. Layne Cecil closed out the game, allowing one hit in one inning.

     James Naile took the loss on the mound for the Bobcats, allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits, striking out three and walking one in six innings. James Dyer came on in the seventh, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits, striking out one and walking one in two innings. Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 8, Madisonville Pirates 4. The Owensboro Oilers won Thursday night game in Owensboro with the Tradewater Pirates from Madisonville. The final score was 8 to 4.
     The Oilers scored first with five runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. Tyler Tichenor led off for the Oilers with a single, then stole second base. He moved to third base on a groundout. Austin Edge, Dalton West walked back-to back to load the bases, then Matt Johnson RBI walked and Tichenor scored. John Saylor reached on an error, and advanced to second base on a separate error. Edge and West came around in the process and Johnson moved to third base. Colin Buckner followed with an RBI single to plate Johnson and move Saylor over. Saylor scored as the fifth Oiler run on an RBI groundout by Brandon Morris. A strikeout ended the productive home at-bat 5-0 in favor of the Oilers.
     It remained a five run gap until the Pirates scored one run in the top of the 5th inning. Justin Riddle led off with a walk. One out later he moved to third base on a double by Blake Massey. Riddle came in as Buddy Elgin reached on an error with two outs. Madisonville added two more runs in the top of the 6th inning. Ty Broady and Cole Fergus started off with back-to-back singles. Both scored on a RBI double by Cody Hyden. The Pirates had cut the lead to 5-3 for the the Oilers.
     Owensboro got one of those runs back in the bottom of the 6th inning. With two away, Morris singled. Matt Cissell followed by reaching on an error and moved to third base on a separate error that allowed Morris to score. The Pirates trimmed the lead back to two with a run in the top of the 7th inning. Massey led off that frame with a walk, and was sacrifice bunted over to second base. A groundout later, Massey scored on a RBI double by Trevor Haggard.
     The Oilers lead was 6 to 4 heading into the bottom of the 7th inning. Owensboro added two insurance runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Saylor led off with a walk, and was sacrifice bunted to second base. Morris singled. A strikeout later, Tichenor and Mathews both RBI singled consecutively to drive in Saylor and Morris respectively. That made the score 8 to 4 for the Oilers, and that was the ballgame.
     Oilers starter Mason Morris pitched a quality start for the win, getting effective relief from Jonathan Brinez and Tim Johnson. Pirate starter Kooper Kessler took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

June 20, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 13, Owensboro Oilers 1. The Hoptown Hoppers scored in each of the first seven innings and held visiting Owensboro to four hits en route to the 13-1 win Wednesday.

Hoptown led 3-0 going into the third inning, when the Hoppers broke the game open by getting six consecutive hits to open the frame, producing four runs. Five of the Hoppers' eight innings featured at least seven batters.

     Hoptown was led at the plate by Nolan Fisher, who went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in the six inning, an RBI double in the first, scored two runs and drove in four. Brett Pirtle went 3-for-4 with a triple, two runs and a run batted in, while Matt McGowan went 3-for-5 with three runs and an RBI. Fernando Tanaka hit a double for the Hoppers, while Colin Bucker doubled for the Oilers.

     Jason McDonald got the win on the mound for Hoptown, allowing one unearned run on three hits, striking out three and walking four in six innings. Kyle Barbee got the save, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out two and walking one in three innings.

     Austin Pittman took the loss for the Oilers, allowing eight runs (five earned) on 10 hits, striking out two and walking two in four innings. Colton Slank came on in the fifth, allowing five runs (one earned) on six hits, striking out four and walking none in three innings. Luke Daugherty closed out the game for Owensboro, allowing no hits and striking out two in one inning. The run total could have easily been greater for both teams, as Hoptown left 13 runners on base and Owensboro stranded eight. Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 11, Fulton Railroaders 1. The Bobcats remain one game behind the Hoppers in the standings with a big win over the Railroaders. Marion scored 5 in the 1st, added one in the 2nd and 4th innings, then capped their total in the 5th with 4 more runs. Fulton's only score came in the top of the 6th inning. The Bobcats pounded out 13 hits total and committed 1 error and the Railroaders managed 5 hits with 3 errors on the field. David Roper gets the win going 7 innings striking out 10, issuing 3 walks and 4 hits. Garrett Hunt takes the loss with 4 innings pitched allowing 10 hits, 6 earned runs, striking out 4 and walking 2 batters. Box Scores Click Here.

June 19, 2012

Marion Bobcats 13, Owensboro Oilers 2. The Owensboro Oilers to the visiting Marion Bobcats in their Tuesday night game at Owensboro. The final score was 13 to 2.
     The Bobcats scored first with one run in the top of the 2nd inning. With one out, Tyler Bonaventure reached on an error and advanced to second on a separate error. He scored one out later on a RBI single by Dave Murphy. Marion made it 2-0 with a run in the top of the 4th inning by virtue of a solo RBI home run from Bonaventure. The Oilers scored their only two runs of the night in the bottom of the same inning. Tyler Mathews led off the frame with a single. John Saylor walked. Dalton West followed by reaching on a fielder's choice used to force Mathews out at third base but the attempt to convert it into a double play went badly allowing Saylor to score while West wound up on third base credited with an RBI. West scored on an RBI groundout by Austin Edge before another groundout ended the rally. The score was tied 2 to 2, but that was as competitive as the game was ever going to get.
       The Bobcats broke the game open for good by scoring five runs in the top of the 5th inning. Scoring were Jake Pewitt (walk), Michael Huddleston (dropped third strike), Derek Hannahs (single), Tyler Bernard (double; 2 RBIs) and Brandon Ollet single. Clint Ambrosch and Bonaventure also collected lone RBIs in the Bobcat inning. Marion added four runs in the top of the 7th inning. Scoring were Ollet (single), Bonaventure (walk), James Peterson (walk) and Dave Murphy (single; RBI) Pewitt and Huddleston also collected individual RBIs. The Bobcats tacked on one run in the tops of the 8th and 9th innings. In the top of the 8th inning. Bernard led off with a walk and eventually scored on a RBI single by Peterson. In the top of the 9th inning, Caleb Luttrell singled with one out and eventually scored on a RBI single by Ambrosch. 
     Bobcats starter Darren Travers pitched six innings for the win and Kyle Williams gets a save for 3 innings pitched with a lead. Oilers starter Tyler Miller took the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 8, Fulton Railroaders 5. In 11 innings. After a strange ending in the bottom of the 11th inning, the Pirates walked away with their second straight win over the Railroaders. Fulton took an early 1st inning lead from a solo homerun by Angelo Burrage, his 4th on the season. Pirate starter Michael Edwards settled in after giving up the homer and pitched 6 fine innings totaling 7 strikeouts, issuing  just one walk and allowing 3 hits. Railroader starter Tyler Saltsman also pitched a good game through 7 shutout innings giving up only one hit, 2 walks and striking out 8 batters. While the Tradewater sent a fresh arm to mound after 6 frames, Fulton left a tired Saltsman in to start the 8th inning and the Pirates began their comeback. Cole Fergus led off with a solo homerun, followed by a runner reaching on an error, then Trevor Haggard stepped to plate and knock a 2 RBI homer to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead. Fulton relief finally came in and shutdown Pirate scoring until the top of the 11th inning. 

     The Railroaders tied the game up at 3 all in the bottom half of the 8th scoring 2 from 2 hits and one Pirate error, but couldn't get the go ahead run in with bases loaded and 1 out as a double play ended the inning. After 10 innings play, the Pirates began the 11th with a walk, single and 2 more walks to take a 4-3 lead. Tradewater then scored 4 more using another single and 2 costly Railroader errors to extend their lead to 8-3. The Railroaders began a one out rally in the bottom of the inning using 2 hits, 2 walks and 2 Pirate errors to score one run and leave the bases loaded for Fulton's leading hitter Austin Bryant. With a 0-1 count, Pirate reliever Wayne Sparks threw an over hand curve ball that didn't break and sailed over Bryant's head hitting his bat and fell into the field of play, a fair ball. Unaware the ball was fair, Bryant remained at the plate turned around, catcher Cole Fergus alertly recovered the ball, stepped on home plate for a force out and threw the ball to 1st base for a double play ending the game.

     Sparks gets the win for Tradewater pitching for the final 3 innings, and Cody Alvey takes the hard loss walking in the go ahead run and tagged with 2 more unearned from errors. Box Scores Click Here.

June 18, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 7 Owensboro Oilers 6. In 11 innings. The Owensboro Oilers lost their Monday night home game to the Hoppers from from Hopkinsville in 11 innings. The final score was 7 to 6. In 13 games played this was the fifth Oilers game to be decided in extra innings.
    Hopkinsville opened the scoring with one run in the top of the 1st inning. With two outs, Jake Sandlin doubled and scored when Brad Sevenish followed with a RBI single. The Owensboro offense took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. With two outs, Jordan Rhodes was hit by a pitch and Matt Johnson walked. Malduino Gonzalez followed with a 2-RBI double that scored them both. Matt Cissell was next with a RBI single to plate Gonzalez for the third run. The Hoppers tied the game at 3-3 with two runs in the top of the 3rd inning. With one out, Robert Friedlein reached on an error. One out later Sandlin doubled again collecting an RBI for Friedlein. Sevenish followed with a RBI double of his own, scoring Sandlin again. The Oilers responded by scoring three more runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. John Saylor, Dalton West, and Colin Buckner all drew consecutive walks to load the bases with no outs. Rhodes reached on an RBI fielder's choice that brought in Saylor but forced Buckner at second base. Johnson RBI singled to score West and push Rhodes to third base. Gonzalez reached on an RBI fielder's choice that forced Johnson but brought in Rhodes. Cissell's fielder's choice forced Gonzalez to end the frame. After three innings the score was 6-3 for the Oilers.
    Hopkinsville made it 6-5 with two runs in the top of the 5th inning. With one out, Friedlein again reached base on an error, then advanced from first base to third base on an errant pickoff attempt. Nolan Fisher followed with an RBI double. Fisher moved to third base on a groundout, then scored as Sevenish reached on the third defensive error of the frame. The Hoppers tied the game 6-6 with one run in the top of the 7th inning. For the third time Friedlein reached base on an error, then for the second time in the game he advanced from first base to third base on a errant pickoff. Fisher brought him in with a RBI sacrifice fly. Hopkinsville took the lead with one run in the top of the 11th inning. With one out, Philip Menou doubled and gave way to pinch runner Kaleb Brown. Brown moved to third base on a fly out, and scored on an in pop fly infield fielding error -- the seventh Oilers error of the game. Owensboro managed a single in the bottom of the 11th, but no more.
    Hopkinsville relief pitcher Tyler Vails picked up the win. Oilers pitching gave up only 2 earned runs in the 11 innings pitched, but the tough loss fell to Owensboro reliever Jonathan Brinez. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 15, Fulton Railroaders 4. Tradewater put it all together in a 15-4 victory over Fulton at home Monday evening, as starter and winner Dillon Endecott threw six innings of 4 hit ball, with just one earned run and 6 strikeouts. He received able relief assistance from Chad Cox and closer Corey Ames.  The Pirates produced two big innings, with seven runs in the second, and five in the eighth, on a night that saw them rap 15 hits. Cody Hyden had a big home run, was 2-3; Blake Massey was 2-4 with 2 ribbies; and Buddy Elgin produced 2 ribbies, with a 4-5 night.......Pirate right-fielder Joe Black came up big as well, with a 3-5 night and 2 ribbies, and provided some fireworks, going all the way around the bases following his bunt, that produced a throw-away, allowing Joe to go...go...go...all the way home..... and Logan Leverett had trifecta RBI's....The Pirates now float down to Fulton to meet a band of angry Roaders, Tuesday night. Box Scores Click Here.

June 17, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 3, Fulton Railroaders 2. The Hoptown Hoppers held on to beat the Railroaders in Fulton on Sunday and moved into 1st place alone, a half game ahead of Marion. The Hoppers put up one run each in the 2nd and 3rd innings before the Railroaders marked up one score in the bottom of the 3rd. Hoptown scored another run in the 6 to take a 3-1 lead and continued to hold Fulton at bay until the bottom of the 9th inning. The Railroaders loaded the bases in the final innings and got one run across the plate with a sacrifice fly with one out. A hit batter loaded the bases once again but closer Tyler Vails struck out the final batter to secure the win and earn a save. Will Hammock pitched a strong game for Hopkinsville giving up 4 hits, striking out 6, and 2 walks. The one run scored against Hammock was unearned and he gets the win. Fulton's starter Cory Klinger labored hard through 5 2/3 innings throwing 123 pitches, giving up 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 6 walks and striking out one batter, and takes the loss. 

     Offensively for Hoptown, Fernando Tanaka led the way going 3 for 3 and 2 RBI's. Nolan Fisher and Seth Bancroft each got 2 hits and Bobby Clark drove in the Hoppers' 3rd run. On Fulton's side, Mikee Moore was 3 for 5, but Rob Hogenkamp accounted for the Railroaders' runs with 2 RBI's batting 0 for 4 with Rick Linton scoring both times off a ground out and sacrifice fly. The loss sends Fulton back into 5th place in the standings, only a half game behind both Owensboro and Madisonville, and 3 1/2 games from the leader Hopkinsville. Box Scores Click Here.

June 16, 2012

Marion Bobcats 1, Madisonville 0 - game 1. In the first 7 inning game of a doubleheader in Marion, Bobcats' starter held the Pirates scoreless through 5 innings, allowing Tradewater only 2 hits and striking out 5 with no walks. Reliever James Dyer finished off the final 2 hitless innings and takes the win. Kopper Kessler pitched the complete 7 innings game for the Pirates allowing 5 hits, striking out 9, walking 1, and giving up the wining earned run in the bottom of the 7th. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 6, Marion Bobcats 4 - game 2. In the second game of the twin bill, the Pirates came back to split the evening with a 6-4 victory. The Bobcats took an early 3-0 lead in the 1st inning. The Pirates took over the lead in the 3rd putting up 4 runs. Each team scored one run in both frames of the 5th inning and Tradewater capped off the game in the final 7th inning with another run to finish off the Bobcats. Cody Hyden led the Pirates going 3 of 4 with 2 RBI's, and Greg Liming for the Bobcats was 2 of 4 with one RBI. Corey Ames picked up the win in relief pitching the final 2 innings. Marion starter Michael Purcell went only 4 2/3 innings striking out 8, walking 4 but did not complete a full 5 innings to qualify for the victory.  Bobcats' starter Caleb Luttrell takes the loss pitching for 5 innings giving up 6 of the 7 Tradewater hits. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 4, Hopkinsville Hoppers 2.  The Hoppers scored in the 1st inning to take a 1-0 lead, follow by the Railroaders tying it up in the top of the 2nd inning with one run. Again in the 5th, Hoptown put up a run for a 2-1 lead only to have Fulton score and tie it in the 6th inning at 2 each. The Railroaders manufactured 2 more runs in the 7th, and continued to hold the Hoppers from scoring to the game's end. The Railroaders put up 6 hits with Austin Bryant leading going 2 of 4, one RBI and scoring one. Bobby Clark lead the offense for Hoptown and was 2 of 4 with one RBI. Starter Keaton Baker takes the win for 7 innings pitched and Cody Alvey picked up a save going 1 1/3 innings. Philip Menou takes the loss starting and pitching for 6 1/2 innings. Box Scores Click Here.

June 15, 2012

Owensboro Oilers 9, Marion Bobcats 8.  The Oilers moved from last place to third with a victory over the Bobcats and a loss by the Pirates to the Hoppers. The Bobcats jumped to a 3-0 lead scoring 2 in the 2nd and one in the 3rd inning. Owensboro put up 2 runs in the top of the 4th only to have Marion extend their lead in the bottom of the inning scoring 5 more to make it 8-2. The Oilers chipped away scoring 2 in both the 5th and 6th innings, while holding the Bobcats scoreless through the remainder of the game. In the top of the 8th inning, the Oilers finally took over the lead marking up 3 more runs for the final 9-8 score. 

     Owensboro's offense was led by Austin Edge who went 3 for 5, 3 RBI's and scored 3 across the plate, and Matt Johnson 2 of 5 with 2 RBI's. For the Bobcats, both Tyler Bonaventure and Clint Ambrosch were 3 of 5 in the losing effort. Mason Morris earned the win from the mound for Owensboro with Tyler Browning taking the loss, both in relief. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 6, Madisonville Pirates 5. Trailing 5-4 entering the bottom of the 9th, the Hoptown Hoppers were recipients of the Tradewater Pirates miscues and came back for a surprising 6-5 victory.  With one out in the 9th, Hoptown’s Matt McGowan took first after being hit by pitch, soon followed by Fernando Tanaka who also was hit.  Following Rob Friedlein’s foul out, Tradewater seemed to have the game in hand with two outs when Brett Pirtle grounded to second baseman Kyle Neimeier.  Neimeier seemed to have trouble getting the ball out of his glove and was ran into in the baseline by Tanaka, knocking the ball loose.  McGowan scored on the play to tie it up 5-5.  Brad Sevenish then singled to left field to load the bases for the Hoppers.  On a ground ball to second by Jake Sandlin, Tanaka scored from third base when Sevenish was able to beat the attempted force out at second base: Hoppers win 6-5.

     Tradewater had taken an early 3-0 lead in the 3rd inning after Buddy Elgin singled, advanced to second on a bunt sacrifice, then Neimeier was walked.  Both Pirates scored on a ripping triple by Tradewater’s Trevor Haggard.  Haggard then scored the Pirates third run when Cole Fergus singled him home.  The Pirates would take a 5-0 lead in the top of the 5th when Joe Black walked with one out; Neimeier singled; Haggard advanced the runners to second and third with a bunt sacrifice; and Fergus singled both runners safely home.

     Hoptown finally got on the board in the bottom of the 5th when Friedlein scored on a Sevenish single, which flipped past the right fielder’s error.  Sevenish would score on a hard-hit double by Sandlin, making it 5-2, but the inning ended as Sandlin tried to stretch the double and was thrown out at third base.

The Hoppers made it close in the bottom of the 7th following Tanaka’s single to left field, a Friedlein single to right, and another error on which Tanaka scored and Friedlein moved all the way to third base.  Pirtle’s ground out would then advance Friedlein home for a 5-4 score.

     The Hoppers' eight hits were aided by Tradewater’s four errors.  Brad Sevenish produced ½ of the Hoppers hits, going 4 for 5 at the plate. Box Scores Click Here.

June 14, 2012

Marion Bobcats 3, Fulton Railroaders 1.  A complete game win for Darren Travers moves the Bobcats to a half game lead in the standings.  The Railroaders will held to 5 hits while Fulton's Tyler Saltsman also threw a complete game and only gave up 4 hits to the Bobcats. The loss puts the Railroaders back into the basement with the Oilers. Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 12, Madisonville Pirates 2. Tradewater lost their fifth game in nine tries, as six Pirates pitchers barely slowed down the Owensboro offensive express, and the Oilers broke a six game losing streak with the victory.  The Pirates led early, 2-0, but the floodgates opened thereafter, and the Oilers used effective starting pitching from Patrick Knight, the game winner, and relief help from Colton Slank, to slay the home team.  Logan Leverett provided the only offensive help for the Buccos, with 2 RBI's.  The Pirates saw the Oilers put up innings of 2, 4, 1 and 5, to put the game out of reach by the 8th. Tradewater was out hit 17-5 in the blowout win for Owensboro.   Box Scores Click Here.

June 13, 2012

Marion Bobcats 10, Hopkinsville Hoppers 3. At home Marion moved into a tie for first in the standings with Hopkinsville after a big win over the Hoppers. Starter James Naile threw for 7 innings striking out 8 with no walks and allowing only 1 earned run, he earned the win. Jason McDonald (who pitched a no hitter last week) got tagged for 10 hits and 4 earned runs in 4 innings on the mound, he takes the loss. The Bobcats totaled 11 hits for their 10 runs, and the Hoppers 8 hits for 3 runs.  Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 9, Owensboro Oilers 8. For the second night in a row, the Railroaders and Oilers battled for 11 innings with Fulton coming out on top. Owensboro kicked off the scoring with a run in the 1st, followed by Fulton putting up 3 in the bottom half of the inning. The Railroaders added 2 in the 2nd and one more in the 3rd inning to take a 6-1 lead. The Oilers got back into game in the 4th inning scoring 5 to tie the contest at 6 all, then grabbed a 8-6 lead in the 5th marking up 2 more runs. Fulton tied the game again the bottom of the 6th with 2 runs and then scoring stalled for both teams. 

     The Railroaders led off the bottom of the 9th inning with a triple by Alex Huddleston, and the Oilers intentionally walked the next 2 batters to load the bases and tighten the infield defense. The move worked as the Oilers forced the first out at home plate on an infield grounder, struck out the next batter and got a the third on a groundout. Owensboro then threatened in the 10th when Austin Edge singled and made it to 3rd base on a sacrifice bunt and groundout, but the Railroaders got another groundout to end the inning. In the bottom of the 11th inning Andrew Cash led off with a double and finally scored the winning run when a throwing error to 1st base from a bunted ball got away and allow the score.

     The Railroaders put up 16 hits with Rob Hogenkamp, Joe Mike and Andrew Cash each getting 3 on the evening. The Oilers managed 12 hits lead by Jonathan Brinez who went 3 for 6, one RBI and scoring twice. Fulton used 5 pitchers with Brock Downey getting the win throwing the final innings, Austin Pittman took the loss pitching for the final 5 innings with no earned runs allowed. 

     Both teams entered the game with 3-6 records and last in the standings. Fulton's win moves them into 4th place after spending the first 9 games in the bottom of the 2012 standings. Box Scores Click Here.

June 12, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 3, Madisonville Pirates 2. The Hoptown Hoppers retain their first place standing with a come from behind win at home against the Tradewater Pirates. The Pirates scored a run in the 1st inning on a RBI double from Cole Fergus and held a 1-0 lead through 7 innings. The Hoppers finally got on the board and took the lead in the bottom of the 8th scoring 3 runs from a 2 RBI single fro Jake Sandlin and a RBI sacrifice fly by Bobby Clark. The Pirates responded with one run in the 9th but remained short by 1 run. Kyle Spencer got the win finishing the game through the last 3 innings striking out 5 batters giving up 3 hits with one unearned run. Starter Dillion Endecott took the hard loss going 7 1/3 innings allowing 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks and striking out 4 batters. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 7, Owensboro Oilers 3. In 11 innings. The Owensboro Oilers lost to the visiting Fulton Railroaders on Tuesday night in Owensboro. The final score was 7 to 3 in another extra inning home game, this time 11 innings.
     The Oilers scored first with one run in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Matt Johnson walked to lead off the inning. He stole second base, and came the rest of the way around on groundouts. Austin Edge collected the RBI. The Railroaders answered with one run in the top of the 3rd inning. With one out, Erik Manning reached on an error. Mikee More and Rob Hogenkamp singled back to back, loading the bases. Manning scored on a RBI foul sacrifice fly by Angelo Burrage before another fly out ended the frame tied 1-1.
     Owensboro came right back with a run in the bottom of the third inning. With one away, Josh Salmon reached on a bunt. Dalton West followed with a single that sent Salmon to second base. Salmon scored as Matt Johnson reached on an error. Fulton tied the game again with a run in the top of the 5th inning. With one out, Manning singled. An out later Hogenkamp walked. Manning scored on a RBI single by Burrage.
     The Oilers took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 8th inning. Edge singled to start. Colin Buckner reached safely on a bunt sacrifice, then Colton Slank sacrifice bunted both runners forward. After Taylor Mathews walked Edge came across on a RBI sacrifice fly by Tyler Tichenor. The Railroaders got the tying run they needed in the top of the 9th inning. Andrew Cash reached on an error. A strikeout later, Mikee More singled. Cash and More executed a double steal of third and second bases. Hogenkamp plated Cash by reaching on an RBI bunt. Burrage was intentionally walked to load the bases and a double play kept the game tied.
     The score remained 3-3 until Fulton scored four runs in the top half of the 11th inning. Scoring were Hogenkamp (single), Joe MiKe (single), Rick Linton (single), and Austin Bryant (single). Bryant collected one RBI in the inning and Brock Downey added a 2-RBI double. Fulton reliever Cody Alvey hung around for the win. Owensboro reliever Jay Hachmiester had the misfortune to lose his second game in as many appearances. Box Scores Click Here.

June 11, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers @ Fulton Railroaders - Rained Out. This game has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 17 in Fulton, 7 pm start.

Madisonville Pirates @ Marion Bobcats - Rained Out. This game has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 16 as part of a doubleheader, 5 pm first game start.

June 10, 2012

Hopkinsville Hoppers 4, Marion Bobcats 2. The Hoptown Hoppers overtook the visiting Marion Bobcats for the top spot in the Ohio Valley League with a tight 4-2 win Sunday afternoon in Hopkinsville. Hopkinsville (5-2) scored a run in the first inning when Brett Pirtle led off with a single, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, moved to third on a groundout and scored on Robert Friedlein’s single. The Hoppers added a run in the second inning when Matt McGowan hit a two-out single and scored on a deep single by Pirtle to give Hopkinsville a 2-0 lead. In the third inning, Marion (5-3) plated two runs to knot the game at 2-2 when Michael Huddleston and Tyler Bonaventure led off the inning being hit by pitches. Both then attempted to steal bases, and Huddleston scored on the errant throw from the plate. Bonaventure scored the tying run on a balk to even the score. 

     Hoptown took the lead for good in the third inning when Bobby Clark walked, went to second on a passed ball, then scored on a single by Anthony Mazzella. The Hoppers added an insurance run in the eighth when Cameron Olson led off with a walk, went to second and third on passed balls, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Bobby Clark. Phillip Menou got the win as a starter for the Hoppers, allowing two unearned runs on four hits, striking out eight and walking two in six innings. Michael Kratochvil got the save, allowing no runs on three hits, striking out two and walking three in the last three innings. David Roper got the loss for the Bobcats, allowing three runs on six hits, striking out five and walking four in six innings. Jordan Lorenzo came on in the seventh inning, allowing an unearned run on no hits, striking out one and walking two in two innings. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 8, Owensboro Oilers 7. The host Owensboro Oilers lost to the visiting Tradewater Pirates from Madisonville on Sunday night in 12 innings. The final score was 8 to 7.
     The Pirates opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the 4th inning. Justin Riddle and Blake Massey walked consecutively to start the inning and both would eventually score on passed balls without a hit recorded in the inning. The Oilers rallied to take the lead with four runs in the bottom of the 4th inning. Jordan Rhodes walked to lead off the inning and Josh Salmon followed with a single. One out later, Rhodes scored on a RBI single by Matt Johnson. Malduino Gonzalez walked, positioning Salmon to come in on an RBI single by Colin Buckner. Austin Edge followed with a RBI single of his of his own for Johnson's score, and set up Gonzalez to come across on a RBI groundout by Tyler Tichenor.. After four innings it was Oilers 4 to 2.
     Madisonville reclaimed the lead with one run in each of the next three visitor innings. In the top of the 5th inning Travis Haggard singled, stole second base, advanced to third base, and scored on a RBI groundout by Logan Leverett. In the top of the 6th inning Riddle walked, stole second base, and scored on an errant attempt to record the second out. The Pirates made it 5 to 4 in their favor with the run in the top of the 7th inning. With two out, Madisonville loaded the bases by sandwiching a single between two Oilers errors. Then Massey was hit by a pitch for an RBI to plate Leverett from third base.
     Owenboro rallied for multiple runs again, scoring three runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to take over again at 7 to 5. After a leadoff single was erased by a fielder's choice that left Tichenor on first base, he stole second base and scored on a RBI single by Taylor Mathews. Mathews was cut down trying for second base. Rhodes followed with a walk and Salmon topped that by pounding a 2 RBI home run over the left field wall.
     The Pirates overcame the Oilers lead in the top of the 9th and got the two runs it took to force extra innings. With one out, Cody Hyden and Riddle both doubled, as Riddle collected an RBI. A walk and a fielder's choice brought the Oilers within one out of a win , but put Riddle on third base. He scored on a RBI singe by Ethan Blumenthal.
     Madisonville got their go ahead run in the top of the 12th inning. Blumenthal was hit by a pitch to start the inning. He was bunted over to second base, reached third base on an error, and scored on a RBI groundout by Cole Fergus. The Oilers managed to get a runner to second base in the bottom half of the 12th inning, but no further. The winning pitcher was Pirate reliever Corey Ames. Oilers reliever Jay Hachimiester pitched well over the last three innings, but was stuck with the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

June 9, 2012

Marion Bobcats 10, Fulton Railroaders 8. The Bobcats maintain their half game lead in the standings with another win over the Railroaders in Fulton. Tied at 2 each after 5 innings, the Bobcats shot forward scoring 6 runs in the top of the 6th with 5 hits including a 2 RBI homerun from Clint Ambrosch. The Cats added 2 more in the 8th bringing the score to 10-2. The Railroaders made a valiant comeback attempt in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs, punching out 6 runs that included a grand slam homer from Alex Huddleston, but fell short with the tying run at plate striking out. Marion starter and winner Chris Hunt threw for 6 innings striking out 9, giving up only 4 hits and walking 3 men. Taking his second loss on the season and to the Bobcats, Christopher Flores went 5 1/3 innings striking out 3, walking 5, and allowing 5 earned runs. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 9, Owensboro Oilers 3. The Hoppers came from behind to beat the Oilers in Hoptown and retrained their second place standing a half game back of the Bobcats. The Oilers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning. The Hoppers jumped ahead in the bottom of the 2nd scoring 2 runs from an Oiler error and a balk. Owensboro regained a 3-2 lead in the 7th scoring 2 on two Hopper errors and a sacrifice fly. Bottom of the 8th, the Hoppers blasted out 5 hits to produce 7 more runs that included two 2 RBI doubles from Brett Pirtle and Cameron Olsen, and a Kaleb Brown 1 RBI double.  Will Hammock gets the win for Hoptown in relief, and Colton Slank the loss for Owensboro. Box Scores Click Here.

June 8, 2012

Futon Railroaders 11, Madisonville Pirates 1. A strong pitching performance by Keaton Baker help Fulton win their first game at home against Madisonville.  While Baker held the Pirates scoreless through 7 innings, the Railroader offense put up a 4-0 lead that included a 3 RBI homerun from Angelo Burrage, his 3rd one on the early season. After giving up 1 run in the first inning, Pirate starter Kooper Kessier held the Railroaders down until the 5th inning when Fulton's first homerun extended the lead. Kessler was pulled and 2 Pirate relievers held Fulton again until the 8th inning. The Railroaders poured it on in the 8th as the 3rd Tradewater reliever, Michael Edwards, took the mound. The 7 hit and 7 run inning included a 2 RBI double from Burrage, a 2 RBI double by Rob Hogenkamp, and a homer by Brandon Shaw for 2 RBI's. Brock Downey and Casey Tiller each pitched one inning to finish off the game for Fulton. The Pirates managed to prevent the shutout in the 9th by scoring 1 run from 2 hits and a stolen base. The Railroaders totaled 13 hits with 9 earned runs on the evening with the Pirates getting 6 hits and 1 earned run. Baker takes the win and Kessler the loss. Box Scores Click Here.

Marion Bobcats 4, Owensboro Oilers 3. The Owensboro Oilers lost at home Friday night in Owensboro to the visiting Marion Bobcats. The final score was 4 to 3. The Oilers scored single runs in each of the tops of the 1st, 6th and 7th innings. The Bobcats got single runs in the tops of the 5th and 6th innings, then took the game with two runs in the top of the 9th inning. Scoring for Owensboro was Taylor Mathews, Josh Salmon and Oilers newcomer Jorge Rosales. Salmon and Matthews also had an RBI each for the home team. Scoring for Marion was James Petersen, Sean Fitzgerald, and Jake Pewitt -- whore came across twice for the Bobcats. Marion RBIs belonged to Tyler Bernard, Pewitt and Alex Reiman. The winning Bobcats Pitcher was Tyler Browning in relief while Owensboro reliever Jordan Meese took the difficult loss. Box Scores Click Here.

June 7, 2012

Madisonville Pirates 7, Futon Railroaders 6. In 10 innings. The Railroaders battle back against the Pirates in Madisonville to tie the game, but fall short one run in the 10th inning on a wild pitch. The Pirates' 7 runs came from 9 hits and 3 errors while the Railroaders' 14 hits and 2 Pirates errors weren't enough to pull out the win. Madisonville's Logan Leverett led their offense 2 of 5 and 2 RBI's.  Rick Linton and Erik Manning were both 3 for 5 with Manning hitting a solo homerun. Corey Goins gets the win for the Pirates and Daniel Szathmary takes the loss for the Railroaders. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 9, Owensboro Oilers 0. Jason McDonald pitched a no hitter on Thursday against the Oilers and helped the Hoppers recover from the previous night's whipping by Fulton.  The Hoppers punched out 11 hits against 4 Oiler pitchers sent to the mound.  Matt McGowan led the Hoptown at the plate going 3 of 4 and 2 RBI's which included one double. Taking the loss for Owensboro was starter Shane Weedman.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 6, 2012

Marion Bobcats 11, Madisonville Pirates 1. What comes to mind is, things like shipwreck.....held captive......marauding thieves......stranded.  All these things seemed to come alive in Madisonville Wednesday, as the Tradewater Pirates, for the second night in a row, lost big to Ohio Valley League competition, this time at the hands of the Marion Bobcats, who avenged an opening-season loss to Tradewater just a few short nights ago.  Darren Travers, this time around, spun some magic and came up big for the Bobbies.  The Pirates, who have lost by a combined 18-2 over the course now, of two games (7-1, 11-1), simply can't find the plate. The shipwrecked crew were, yes, held captive by a marauding band of Bobbies, as the Buccos stranded runner after runner, for the second evening in a row. The ship leaked early, and often, as timely hitting did not materialize.

     Marion unbuckled the swashbuckling Mates inning after inning, scoring big, time and time again, to move the Pirate record to 2-2.  The sabres were sharpened, and the cannons set....but alas, for the Pirates, their powder was wet.  Michael Purcell took the loss, as the Pirates looked anemic at the plate, with no medicine in sight just yet.  Perhaps the Fulton Railroaders will be the remedy Thursday night, 7pm, at Elmer Kelley. Box Scores Click Here.

Fulton Railroaders 18, Hopkinsville Hoppers 4. The Railroaders redeemed their opening season loss in Fulton to the Hoppers by over powering Hopkinsville’s home start for 2012. In front of 450+ enthusiast Fans, the Hoppers commanded the game through 4 innings scoring 3 runs and holding Fulton scoreless until the 5th inning.  The Railroaders pounded out 5 runs on 5 hits including 2 doubles. Fulton continued in the 6th scoring 1 run, and added 4 more in the 7th off 2 costly Hoptown errors and a batter hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded. The Railroaders put another run up in the 8th and topped off with 7 runs in the 9th form 4 hits, 2 walks, and a 3 RBI homer by Austin Byrant.  The Hoppers where held at bay by excellent Railroader defense and good relieve work from 5 pitchers to hold the Hoppers hitless after 4 innings.  Hoptown placed 1 more run in the 9th aided by Fulton ’s only error.

     The Railroaders total of 18 hits was led by Austin Bryant going 4 of 6 with a 2 RBI homer and scoring twice.  Mikee Moore stole 2 bases in 3 attempts as he played in his first game for 2012, and he added 2 RBI’s along with 2 runs scored while going 2 of 4.  The Hoppers' 8 total hits came early with Brett Pirtle and Nolan Fisher getting half the total, both going 2 for 3.

     Brock Downey gets the win pitching only the 5th inning, striking out 2 with 1 walk.  Starter Garrett Hunt when only 4 innings as Fulton decided to used a fresh arm for each remaining innings.  Hoppers’ starter Will Hammcock pitched strong through 4, then pulled when the Railroaders finally zeroed in during the 5th, he takes the loss.  Hoptown sent 4 more to the mound but were unable to stop the Railroader offensive attacks. Box Scores Click Here.

June 5, 2012

Owensboro Oilers 5, Marion Bobcats 1. Starter James Naile fell victim to some porous defense Tuesday at Guess Field, taking the loss in a 5-1 game against Owensboro. The Bobcats committed four errors, allowing three runs to score with Naile on the mound. The game was scoreless until the top of the fifth when the Oilers pushed two unearned runs across. They added a third run to chase Naile after seven innings. Marion's only run came in the bottom of the eighth on a solo home run off the bat of Brandon Ollet. Box Scores Click Here.

Hopkinsville Hoppers 7, Madisonville Pirates 1. Tradewater lost to the upstart Hoppers at home Tuesday night, as it seemed the Pirates could do no right and the Hoppers no wrong, as it applied to scoring opportunities.  The Pirates left nearly a dozen and a half mates on the bases, and the pitching staff struggled to stay above water all night.  The Hoppers played well, and gave the Pirates fits all night, as each Pirate rally seemed to fizzle.  Robert Spath took the loss and Tradewater saw their perfect record drop to 2-1, as they now prepare for Marion at home Wednesday. Cole Fergus was the hits leader for Tradewater. Box Scores Click Here.

June 4, 2012

Marion Bobcats 15, Fulton Railroaders 7.  The Bobcats improved to 2-1 after dishing out a 4th straight loss to the Railroaders in Fulton in an abbreviate 6 inning game call for lightning and weather. Marion improved their team batting average in two games of .193 to .311 against a struggling Railroader pitching staff. The Bobcats pounded out 17 hits lead by Tyler Bernard who went 5 for 5 and included 2 doubles and a 3 RBI homerun for a total of 5 RBI's. Fulton did manage 10 hits to get their 7 runs along with using 2 Bobcat errors.  Austin Bryant was best for the Railroaders at the plate going 3 of 4 including a 3 RBI homerun. David Roper earns the win for Marion pitching the full 6 innings, Christopher Flores takes the loss going only 2.67 innings and giving up 9 earned runs.  The woes for the Railroaders continue through 4 games as they have produced a total of 32 runs but have allowed 44 to score against them. Bobcat pitching suffered little by going into the game with a team 2.12 ERA average and emerging with a 3.52 ERA average. Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 3, Owensboro Oilers 1.  The Pirates struck for three runs in the fifth, and held off the many assaults by the Oilers with good pitching by starter Kooper Kessler, followed by outstanding middle relief from Chris Goins,and a closing performance by Cory Ames, to defeat Owensboro 3-1.  Both teams fended off early disaster with timely defense and classy pitching.  The Buccos finally struck paydirt in the 5th, and won an emotional contest for "Number 7" Reid Rizzo, who passed away Saturday.  A brief tribute preceded the game for Rizzo, who will remain the inspirational leader for all of 2012.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 3, 2012

Marion Bobcats 5, Hoptown Hoppers 3.  The Bobcats moved its record to 1-1 Sunday afternoon with a 5-3 victory in their 2012 debut at Guess Field over the Hoptown Hoppers in their freshman year of the Ohio Valley League. The Hoppers, too, are 1-1 on the new season.  Box Scores Click Here.

Owensboro Oilers 6, Fulton Railroaders 5. The home opening Owensboro Oilers defeated the visiting Fulton Railroaders Sunday night by a score of 6 to 5 in 11 innings.
    The Oilers scored first with one run in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Brandon Morris led off the inning with a double. He was advanced to third base, then scored on a wild pitch. Owensboro added another run in the bottom of the 6th inning. Josh Salmon singled to start the frame. He stole second base, advanced on a wild pitch, then scored on an RBI double by Colin Buckner.
    The Railroaders took the lead with three runs in the top of the 7th inning. With one out Erik Manning singled, Andrew Cash and Austin Bryant both walked to load the bases. Manning scored on a passed ball. One out later Brandon Eggenschwiler plated Cash and Bryant with a 2-RBI single.
    The Oilers tied the game with a run in their half of the 7th inning, courtesy of a solo home run by Matt Cissell. Fulton reclaimed the lead with a solo home run by Angelo Burrage in the top of the 8th inning. Owensboro scored twice in the bottom of the 8th inning to retake the lead. Salmon singled leading off. One out later Dalton West walked. A RBI double by Conner Brackhahn scored Salmon and put West on third base. West came in on a wild pitch. The Railroaders scored once in the 9th to tie the game. Cash was hit by a pitch and Jack Henry Jones pinch ran for him. An errant pick-off attempt moved Jones all the way over to third base. Bryant RBI doubled to score Jones, but the Oilers retired the next three Railroaders in order, leaving Bryant at third base.
    The late developing back and forth battle ended when Owensboro scored the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning. Kyle Schwinghammer singled to lead off. A fielding error put two on with no out. Schwinghammer scored when Salmon lifted a sacrifice to center, and the attempt on him at third base eluded fielding.  Owensboro reliever Shane Weedman collected the win. Fulton Reliever Cory Klinger took the loss.  Box Scores Click Here.

June 2, 2012

Owensboro Oilers 12, Fulton Railroaders 11.  The Oilers handed Fulton their second straight home loss to open the season in a 9 inning 3 hour 50 minute marathon game.  For Owensboro, who opened their season on the road, the 1 run win shoved Fulton into the basement and helped healed the wounds from last year's post season championship loss to the Railroaders.  The Railroaders out-hit the Oilers by 2, but stranded 12 runners while the Oilers only left 5 aboard.  Costly errors by Fulton, 3 total, were another major factor in the loss. The Railroaders took an early 3-0 lead through 3 innings.  Top of the 4th, the Oilers' bats came alive producing 6 of their 10 hits resulting in 7 runs scored and aided by the first Railroader error.  Fulton answer in the bottom half with 4 runs to tie the game at 7 all.  The Railroaders regained the lead punching out 2 runs in the 6th, but the Oilers came back in the 7th with the 5 runs scored from 2 more hits and another Railroader error.  Fulton managed 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th to end the scoring for both teams. Each team sent 4 pitchers to the mound forcing both offenses to earn 20 or the 23 total runs scored.  Owensboro's 2 unearned runs ensured their win over Fulton.  The offensive highlights were a 3 RBI homerun off the bat of Railroader Angelo Burrage, and a base clearing 3 RBI double from Oiler Matt Johnson.  Colton Slank is the winning pitcher of record and Jordan Meece picks up a save.  Cody Alvey takes the hard loss in middle relieve.  The two teams face off again tomorrow in Owensboro.  Box Scores Click Here.

Hoptown Hopper @ Madisonville Pirates - PPD.  This game has been postponed due to the passing of teammate Reid Rizzo this morning.  Visit the Pirates website for further information concerning this tragic loss.

June 1, 2012

Hoptown Hoppers 11, Fulton Railroaders 9.  The season opener at home for the Fulton Railroaders was spoiled as the upstart Hoptown Hoppers regained the lead by 2 in the 9th inning.  The Hoppers scored 1 run in the 1st inning with the Railroaders matching it in the bottom half.  Top of the 3rd, Hoptown marked up another run only to lose the lead again with Fulton adding 2 more to finish the inning.  The battle continued in the 4th with the Hoppers chalking up 2 and taking a 4-3 lead.  The Railroaders answered in their half of the 4th scoring 4 runs and included a 3 RBI homer by Alex Huddleston clearing the 325 mark in right-center field.  Fulton adding 2 more runs in the 5th for a wide 9-4 lead.  Hoptown made back one run in the 6th, then the Hoppers jumped out with 3 runs each in both the 8th and 9th innings while holding the Railroaders scoreless.  Jake Sandlin's game winning RBI double drove in 2 to make the score 10-9 and then scored the final run to top off the score.  Jason McDonald earned the win in relief pitching for the last 5 innings.  The Railroaders went through 5 pitchers on the evening with Daniel Szathmary taking the loss.  Fulton mustered up 13 hits and stranded 9 runners, the Hoppers got 9 hits and left 5 on base.  Railroader pitching began strong but weakened in last 3 innings, while the Hoppers struggled at first then finished tough.  The difference ultimately came down to the Hoppers scoring 2 more earned runs than the Railroaders.  Box Scores Click Here.

Madisonville Pirates 3, Marion Bobcats 2.  Dillon Endecott provided a gritty performance as starter, and relievers Michael Purcell and Michael Edwards gave Tradewater superb performances in middle and closing roles, to edge out the Marion Bobcats by the count of 3-2 in the 2012 opener for both teams, at Elmer Kelley Stadium, Madisonville. The victory marked the triumphant return of Steve Fowler as Pirate head coach, and gave the home fans a night to remember, in a slugfest of two intense rivals.  Ty Broady struck a big blow for Tradewater with a hit to put the Pirates ahead for good, and Trevor Haggard became the holder of several 2012 records, for first hit of the season, and first run scored.  Haggard also displayed his impressive speed on several occasions.  The defense was spectacular for Tradewater, with the highlight of the evening coming from Buddy Elgin at second base, who made a thrilling play to end a Bobcat rally.  Edwards ended the Bobcat 9th by striking out the final batter.  Dillon Endecott received excellent middle inning support from lefty Michael Purcell.  Pirate defense was stellar throughout the game.  The Bobcats tied the game twice, but could not get over the final hump, as Edwards blocked the Marion invasion force in the 9th......Outfielders Leverett, Haggard and Busekrus covered turf like a blanket covers a baby, and the infield made quick work of all potential disasters.  Justin Riddle provided field general suppport all night from his backstop position.  Box Scores Click Here.

May 18, 2012    

Season Openers just 2 weeks away. The 2012 OVL season kicks off on Friday, June 1st with two games on tap.  The upstart Hoptown Hoppers travel to Fulton to face off with the 2011 Post Season Champions Railroaders.  The relocated Tradewater Pirates will host the Marion Bobcats in Madisonville.  Saturday, June 2nd, will see two more games played with the Hoppers going to Madisonville to challenge the Pirates, and the 2011 Regular Season Champion Owensboro Oilers will head to Fulton to play the Railroaders.  All five teams are working hard to get ready for the upcoming season.  Most players will arrive at their respective teams just a few days before opening night.  Individual teams' websites should be updated shortly with roster information.  Check back often for updates.  

April 5, 2012    

2012 Schedule set with season openers on June 1st. The 40 game season in 2012 begins on a Friday with games in Fulton and Madisonville.  The reborn Hoptown Hoppers will visit the Railroaders in Fulton, while the relocated Tradewater Pirates host the Marion Bobcats in Madisonville.  The 2011 Season Champion Owensboro Oilers play their first 2012 game in Fulton on Saturday, June 2, against the 2011 Playoff Champ Railroaders.  Check the Schedule page for the complete 2012 season and post-season playoff setup.

February 18, 2012

Teams preparing for 2012 season. With a little over 3 months before first the pitches, 5 teams in the Ohio Valley League are building their rosters for the 2012 season.  OVL officials are at work with a preliminary schedule of games expected soon.  More details on this year's league play are also forthcoming as expansion efforts continue to progress.  Check individual team websites for updates on their preparations for the upcoming season.

Additional OVL President news and comments for the 2012 Season  The Ohio Valley League has expanded to Hopkinsville. This fifth team in the league will be known as the HOPTOWN HOPPERS. President of the Hoppers, Carter Hendricks, also president of the local chamber of commerce, announced the latest league entry.  The team is expected to play their home games at Hopkinsville High School field and the Christian County High School field, and will begin play in June 2012. Hendricks has put together a solid group of local government officials, businessmen and women including some media as they expect to have a radio presence for the fans. Coaching the Hoppers will be Grayson Crawford, a coach presently with  Pensacola (Fla) State College.  The predecessor of the 21st century edition of the team is their namesake, the Hoppers of the old Kitty League 1906 - 1954. The team colors will be red & white with the same logo.  Serving as General Manager will be Mrs Finney Nofsinger, a former ass't to the VP of the Chicago White Sox. and will be glad to show off her World Series ring.  The old time rivalry is expected to flourish with the recently organized Madisonville franchise just up the road.  

Organizational efforts are ongoing in Paducah with a group of local businessmen and baseball enthusiasts are engaged in the groundwork necessary for forming a Paducah franchise for the 2013 season. Its too early to comment with any accuracy on efforts to expand the league to 8 teams, but Murray & Mayfield are both under consideration for league entry in 2013 and 2014. The long term objective is to create 2 divisions of 4 teams each and put on a league All-Star game at mid-season.  The 2012 season league schedule is expected to be announced any day and will provide for a 40 game championship schedule with a 5 team post season playoff at the end of July.

November 14, 2011

Tradewater Pirates moving to Madisonville. Dawson Springs will no longer host a team in the Ohio Valley League as the Tradewater Pirates move to Madisonville KY for the upcoming 2012 season. Former Bobcat coach Steve Fowler left his post as the coach of the Oilers and will head a new Pirates franchise. "We are glad to have Madisonville join our league and are still actively pursuing additional franchises in Hopkinsville, Paducah and Mayfield," Guess said. As of now, Guess said the league remains at four teams and is working to get games broadcast on the Internet and radio for every home game.

In other league news, the Marion Bobcats begin their fifth season in 2012 with major changes happening off the field. The Ohio Valley League president and founder, Gordon Guess, is stepping down from his four-year run as the general manager of the Bobcats. Kory Wheeler will take over the reigns as the team's general manager, with Guess remaining as the Bobcats CEO and OVL league president. Wheeler is one of the team's original investors and a member of the Bobcat Executive Committee. "She is a great detail person and has been actively involved with the Bobcats since the beginning," Guess said of his replacement.

The Bobcats will enter next season with a new skipper at the helm as well. Guess has tapped former Bobcats shortstop Drew Barrett to take over for Kyle Medley who coached the team to a 20-22 overall record last season. Barrett played for the Bobcats in 2009 and his collegiate career has consisted of a stint at Wabash Valley College before finishing his career at Lindsey Wilson College. Barrett was an assistant coach for the Owensboro Oilers last season.