Hoppers put up 12 against Chiefs 4 runs for the win

PADUCAH -- Zach Duvall and Michael Rhea had three hits apiece as the Hoptown Hoppers jumped on Paducah early and spoiled the Chiefs' home opener, 12-4, in front of 675 fans Friday at Brooks Stadium. The Hoppers plated five runs in the first inning, exploiting Paducah starter Drew Pierce's wildness and a pair of errors. Aiden Elias' RBI single came in the midst of an inning that saw three walks, two hit batters and two throwing errors. The Chiefs answered in the home first, as leadoff man Brandon Kelly singled and Christian Dominguez walked, before both scored on a fielder's choice and a ground out. But the Hoppers chased Pierce in the second, as Nolen Milton walked and Ryan Hatton followed with a home run over the left-field wall for a 7-2 lead. Hoptown added to its lead in the fourth, as Duvall tripled and scored on a fly ball, and scored again in the fifth, as Rhea singled, stole second and scored on Aharon Modlin's sacrifice fly for a 9-2 advantage. The Chiefs plated a pair in the eighth on Jacob Sawyers' two-run single before the Hoppers completed the scoring with three in the ninth, highlighted by Reese Alexiades' RBI-double.

 

Hoppers starter Dustin Berrong earned the win, as he scattered eight hits over six innings, allowing only two walks while fanning two. Pierce took the loss.