(From Greenville)  Madisonville fought off a furious rally by Owensboro in the top of the 9th to beat the Oilers, 9-8, tonight in Greenville, Kentucky.  Owensboro outhit the Pirates, 10-9, but the Oilers also committed four costly errors in defeat.

     Madisonville took an early 2-0 advantage after three innings but saw Owensboro battle back to take a 3-2 lead after five innings of play.  The Pirates drew even at 3-3 after six before Owensboro reclaimed the lead with one run in the top of the seventh.  Madisonville seemed to put the game away, scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh and two more in the bottom of the eighth.  Down 9-4 heading into the top of the ninth, Owensboro rallied to score four runs before Madisonville finally closed the game out.

     Gooch Greer (2-4, 2 RBI) led Madisonville at the plate, with Ty Broady (1-1, 3 R), Matt Sheneman (2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI), Robert Veltre (1-5, 1 R, 1 RBI), Dathan Prewett (2-3, 1 R), Joe Tipton (1-5, 1 R), Cody White (0-4, 1 RBI), and Garrett Emiling (0-3, 1 R, 1 RBI) all getting in the scoring action.

     Madisonville starter Aaron Mason pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Josh Drake came on to pitch two innings before giving way to Kyle DeMeo after walking the first two batters in the top of the ninth.  Drake picks up the win, his second of the season.

     For Owensboro, Taylor Matthews scored three runs and went 3-4 at the plate, Tyler Tichenor went 1-4 with one RBI and two runs scored, and Cameron Wallace had two RBI, scored a run, and went 2-5 at the plate.  Brent Elder, who came on in relief of starter Taylor Grisham, took the loss for the Oilers.

      The combination of the Madisonville win and Owensboro loss gives both teams a 16-15 record, good for a tie for third place in the OVL standings. Despite a loss in Fulton Wednesday night, Hopkinsville stays in first place with a 21-10 overall record.

     Madisonville travels to Owensboro on Thursday night, with Tyler Thomas scheduled to get the start for the Pirates.