The Hoptown Hoppers entered Tuesday night’s Game 2 against the Paducah Chiefs with a perfect 3-0 record this postseason.
Despite playing two of the three (and the rest of the playoffs) without Ohio Valley League Triple Crown winner Blake Jackson, the Hoppers pounded the Chiefs, 11-7, to clinch their berth to the OVL Championship series.
Starting pitcher Ryan Traylor found himself in a hole early, as Paducah took a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
However, his offense had his back by posting a 5-spot in the top of the second to take the lead.
Hoptown quickly loaded the bases so Malik “Playoff” Blaise could score on a wild pitch and John Michael Reed could single to score Max Remy.
Next, Chandler Skelly scored on an error and MJ Rookard singled to drive in Reed.
A fielder’s choice scored Cummings to cap off five straight runs.
The fireworks got Traylor in a groove, as he retired the Chiefs in order in the bottom of the second.
Hoptown kept pouring it on, scoring two more in the third.
Cummings ripped a double to score both Remy and Reed.
Paducah managed three runs in the bottom of the fourth but only just before the Hoppers came right back with three of their own in the fifth.
Rookard singled to score Reed and Proto followed suit to score Cummings. Another Chief error allowed Rookard to score and all of a sudden the Hoppers were up, 10-5.
Skelly scored on another wild pitch in the sixth and though the Chiefs added a run in each of the seventh and eighth, it wasn’t enough to rally as the Hoppers took the division for the series win.
Traylor earned the win, going five innings to give up eight hits for five runs but managed to fan two.
Stone Selby took the loss.
Without Jackson, the Hoppers collectively added to the offense with an overall-team performance.
Cummings continued his case as the best lead-off man in the OVL, going 3-6 for two singles, a double, three RBI and two runs scored. Reed had a highly efficient night as well, going 2-3 for two singles, a RBI and three runs scored while also drawing two walks.
The Hoppers will now have a few days of well-earned rest, as their next game isn’t until Friday, of which they’ll face the winner of the Dubois County Bombers and Owensboro Riverdawgs. For the Hoppers, it will be their fifth appearance in the OVL Championship. They will be looking for their first title since 2012.
The Riverdawgs won Tuesday and currently lead the series, 1-0.