(From Fulton)  The Hoppers scored nine unanswered runs in final three innings to come from behind and beat the Railroaders in Fulton. Hoptown now leads the final best of three championship series by 1-0, forcing the Railroaders to win the final two games in Hopkinsville in order to take the post season title. 

     The Railroaders jumped to a early 5-0 lead after the first and second innings, scoring four in the first and one in the second.

     The Hoppers got on the board in the third inning with a 2 RBI homerun by John Beary.

     Fulton put up three more runs in the fourth inning. Homeruns by Ramon Valdez for 2 RBI and a Taylor Douglas solo homer gave the Railroaders an 8-2 lead on Hoptown. 

     The Hoppers cut into the lead in the seventh scoring four runs, then took the lead in the eighth banging out four more runs to make it 10-8 in their favor. Hoptown added another run the ninth inning for the final 11-8 score.

     The Hoppers had 10 hits, 3 errors and left 8 men on base.  The Railroaders totaled 16 hits, 2 errors and stranded 10 runners. 

     Kyle Barbee earned the win in relief pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings and was the pitcher of record when the Hoppers took the lead in the eighth. Jake Bell finished the final 1 1/3 innings for a save. 

     Fulton's reliever Caleb Shelly takes the loss pitching the final 1 2/3 innings giving up the go ahead and final 3 runs scored by Hoptown.

     The Hoppers lead the final championship series 1-0. The two teams play game two on Tuesday in Hopkinsville.