(From Dubois County) The Dubois County Bombers opened a big holiday weekend homestand by downing the Hopkinsville Hoppers 9-6 last night in front of a festive crowd of over 1500 fans. In addition to the hometown league leaders, Dubois County fans were treated to the raucous and creative musicianship of Bucket Ruckus, a group that sees the world as a set of drums.
     The start of the game was delayed an hour after an afternoon shower passed through. When the umpire finally bellowed, "Play Ball", the Bombers were ready for action. Scoring in three of the first five frames, Dubois County led 9-1 after five innings.
     Morgan DePew, Jacob Snodgrass, and Devyn Newberry all touched Hoppers starting pitcher Bryan Cruse for doubles in the first inning. Toss in a couple of walks and a Nick Gobert sacrifice fly, and the Bombers led 4-0 after one inning.
     Dubois County added three unearned runs in the fourth inning. Devyn Newberry singled to lead off the inning. The next two Bombers reached by errors, setting the home squad up for another rally. The top of the order followed, and it didn't disappoint. DePew, Gobert, and Drake McNamara all drove in runs, upping the advantage to 7-0.
     Hopkinsville scored in the top of the fifth. Zac Sanders brought Mitch Gallagher in with a sacrifice fly, cutting it to 7-1 in favor of the home team.
     The Bombers would regain that run and another in the bottom of the inning. DePew and Gobert provided the RBIs once again.
     Through five innings, Bombers starter Devin Williams had experienced little trouble with the Hopper batting order, holding them to a single run on four base hits. Hopkinsville broke through in the sixth, scoring five runs on three hits. A couple of walks and a Bomber error aided the Hoptown cause. 
     With two down, Bombers head coach Andy Lasher pulled Williams and placed the game in the hands of the bullpen to protect the 9-6 lead. Willy Poe and Nicholas Scheller didn't disappoint, shutting out the Hoppers over the final 3 1/3 innings on three hits.
     Williams picks up the win to go 3-1. Cruse takes the loss. His record now stands at 0-3. Scheller picks up his second save.
     DePew went 4-for-5 with a double to key the Bomber attack. Snodgrass and Newberry both contributed a double and a single. Gobert had three RBIs without benefit of a base hit. Mitch Gallagher had three hits for Hopkinsville. Matt Dunlevy had a single, a triple, and two RBIs.
     The win is the Bombers fifth in a row this week. During that span, they have outscored their opponents 40-12. At 19-8, Dubois County has a 3 ½ game cushion over Fulton and Madisonville, who are tied for second. 
     Dubois County continues the holiday weekend festivities tonight with a 4th of July contest against Madisonville. Tickets are still available, but chair back seats are in short supply.
     Hopkinsville drops to 7-17. They are idle until Monday.