The Miners scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning to defeat the Hoppers 5-4 at Elmer Kelley Stadium on Sunday night.
The Hoppers took an early 1-0, scoring in the top of the first inning on sacrifice fly to center by Kyle Hubbuch that scored lead-off hitter Matt Cogen. Madisonville answered with two runs in the bottom of the half of the frame on an RBI-single by Cory Finkler (scoring Wesley Birchmeier) and a sacrifice fly by Shane Connahan (scoring Nolan Ramsey).
The Miners led 2-1 until the top of the 4th inning, when the Hoppers got back-to-back doubles from Kyle Hubbuch and Trent Turner to tie the game at 2-2. The Hoppers took a 3-2 lead later in the inning when a Miner error allowed Cody Duncan to reach base and drove in Turner from third base.
Madisonville retook the lead 4-3 in the bottom of the 5th inning. Cory Finkler drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in Connor Moss, and Shane Connahan followed with a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Birchmeier.
Hoptown rallied in the top of the ninth, tying the game at 4-4 and sending the teams into extra innings. Parker Cash, who came in as a pinch-runner for Trent Turner scored on a wild pitch by Nicholas Purpera, to even the score.
Shane Connahan led off the bottom of the 10th inning by drawing a walk from Hopper reliever Will Bishop, who replaced starter Jordan Martin in the bottom of the 5th inning. After a pop-up by Brooks Benson, Tyler Greiner singled and advanced Connahan to second. Andrew Tanous then grounded to short and beat out the double play attempt, with Connahan advancing to third. After JD Minor fouled the first pitch of the next at bat off, Bishop uncorked a wild pitch to the backstop and allowed Connahan to score the winning run.
Miner reliever Colton Nussell pitched the top of the 10th and picked up the Win. Will Bishop suffered the Loss for the Hoppers.
The complete official OVL box score is available HERE.
OVL Schedule for Monday, July 20
The Railroaders (24-14) host the Oilers (9-30) in Fulton, and the Hoppers (14-24) host the Miners (23-15) in Hoptown. Both games get going at 7pm Central Time. Dubois County (26-13) gets the night off.
