(From Marion)  Marion managed two runs off of only four hits Thursday at Guess Field en route to a 2-6 loss to the league-leading Hoppers.
     Brooks Balisterri contributed two singles for the Bobcats (6-32). Tyler Boxwell and Paul Angel, Marion's top hitter, each drove in a run.  On the hill, Tyler Simmons took the loss for Marion, but only two of the six runs he allowed in 6 1/3 innings were earned. Scooter Hightower closed the game with 2 2/3 innings of one-hit ball.   

     (Game summary from Hopkinsville)  Hoptown pitchers Jake Bell and Trevor Blocker retired 12 straight batters from the fifth through the ninth innings to secure the 6-2 win at Marion Thursday night.

     Hoptown scored in the top of the first when John Beary hit a one-out single, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Seth Larue to give the Hoppers an early 1-0 lead.

     Marion tied the game in the bottom of the second when Scooter Hightower reached on an error, went to third on another fielding error and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Boxwell to tie the game at 1-1.

     The Hoppers took the lead again in the top of the third when Geordie Carlson led off with a single, stole second, went to third on an error and scored on an interference call to put Hoptown ahead 2-1.

     The Bobcats retied the game in the bottom of the third inning when Luke McDonald led off with a single and went to third on a fielding error. He scored on a single by Paul Angel to tie the game at 2-2.

     Hoptown took the lead for good in the top of the fourth when Seth Larue reached on an error and scored on a triple by Brandon Powell to put the Hoppers up 3-2.

     The Hoppers got two insurance runs in the top of the sixth when Henry Rowland led off with a walk and Seth Larue was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on an error, with Rowland scoring on a single by Mason Colquitt and Larue scoring on a passed ball to put Hoptown ahead 5-2.

     The Hoppers scored again in the seventh inning when Zac Carter led off with a walk, went to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on a passed ball for the final tally of 6-2.

     Hoptown was led at the plate by Brandon Powell, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run batted in, Seth Larue scored two runs for the Hoppers.

     Marion was led at the plate by Brooks Balisterri, who went 2-for-4.

     Jake Bell got the win for Hoptown, allowing two unearned runs on three hits, striking out eight and walking none in seven innings. Trevor Blocker pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and striking out two. 

     Tyler Simmons took the loss for Marion, allowing six runs (two earned) on six hits, striking out seven and walking five in 6 1/3 innings. Scooter Hightower closed out the game for the Bobcats, allowing one hit, striking out four and walking five in 2 2/3 innings.