(From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers closed out their June-meets-July home stand with a Wednesday night win over the guest Hopkinsville Hoppers. The final score was 3 to 2.
     Strong pitching set the tone for the game an there was no score until the Oilers scored two runs in the bottom of the 4th inning. With one out, Braxton Morris doubled. Riley Benner singled, putting Morris on third base. Drew Bene walked to load the bases. Ben Rhodes reached on a fielder's choice used to put Morris out at home plate while the bases stayed loaded. Jake Wilson RBI walked to bring Benner across. Mark VanDenlangenberg RBI singled singled for Bene scoring, but Rhodes was out on a play at home plate. After four complete innings Owensboro led the game by the score 2 to 0.
     The Oilers ability to keep the lead was immediately severely tested in the top of the 5th inning. Bo Coolen led off with a walk. John Davis and Mitch Gallagher both walked as well to load the bases with nobody out. Owensboro pitcher Trey Robledo came on in relief and ... struck out two consecutive batters before inducing a ground ball to leave the bases jammed. The 2 to 0 score held up until the top of the 8th inning.
     Ernie de la Trinidad began the Hoppers 8th inning by reaching on an error. A strikeout later Will Olson was hit by a pitch. De la Trinidad and Olson executed a double steal. Matt Crowder walked to load the bases. De la Trinidad and Olson scored on a 2 RBI single by Coolen. Davis reached on a fielder's choice used to put Crowder out at home plate as Coolen moved to second base and Gallagher flied out to end the rally with the game only tied 2-2.
     Owensboro scored the one run needed to retake the lead in the bottom of the 8th inning. With one out, Alfredo Bohorques reached on an infield single. Morris walked and stationed Bohorques on second base. With two away, Bohorques scored on a RBI single by Bene. After eight complete innings the Oilers led again by the 3 to 2 score that became final after a scoreless top of the 9th inning.
     The win belongs to Owensboro pitcher John Hakemoller in relief as the pitcher of record when Owensboro retook the lead. Chase Randolph gets credit for a three-out save. Hopkinsville starter Nick Eggemeyer gave all that was asked of him in 7.67 innings pitched, but takes the loss.

UPDATE: The Oilers 3-2 win against the Hoppers played on July 1 in Owensboro has been overturned by the OVL and awarded to Hopkinsville as a 9-0 win for Hopkinsville. The Hoppers protested the game after an illegal player substitution was made by the Oilers. A pitcher not submitted on the line-up card to the umpires, scorekeeper and Hoptown coach was substituted and used during the game. By ruling of the OVL, all players' stats for the game will remain intact except for assignment of win, save and loss for the pitchers. Current standings have been adjusted to reflect this decision.