At the midway point of the Ohio Valley season, the Hoptown Hoppers have opened up a four-game lead in the West Division thanks to winning 13 of their last 16 games. The Hoppers continued their winning ways by sweeping a doubleheader Friday in Franklin.
The Hoppers jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the third inning of the opener before holding off the Duelers for a 10-9 win.
The first four batters in the Hopper lineup went 9-for-15 with six runs scored and eight RBIs. Jacob Jenkins smacked a two-run home run in the second inning as part of a two-hit, four-RBI night. The Western Kentucky University product leads the Hoppers with three homers this season.
Drew McGowan had a pair of doubles and two RBIs. Santrel Farmer had three hits from the leadoff spot, and Ben Huber had two hits.
The Hoppers were able to overcome four homers by the Duelers that aided their comeback. The last home run was a two-run shot by Travis Faix in the bottom of the seventh inning. Tyler Walton was able to get the final two outs to seal the win for the Hoppers.
Will Nash got the win, striking out seven and scattering eight hits over six innings.
Trigg County alum Tyler Estes had a single for Franklin.
In the nightcap, the Hoppers jumped ahead with four runs in the first inning. McGowan singled and scored on a Jenkins double. After Cade Burkey drew a bases loaded walk, Brant Husser plated two with a single.
After Franklin got to within 4-3, the Hoppers scored twice in the sixth inning as McGowan singled home Husser, and later scored on a balk.
McGowan had three hits for the Hoppers, while Jenkins and Husser each had two hits.
Faix homered in the second game for Franklin (9-10), who was outhit 7-4.
Brennan Crooms picked up the win in his first start of the season. Chandler Kendall pitched three innings of solid relief, striking out five and allowing just one hit. Ben Huber pitched the final two innings for the save, striking out five and allowing no hits.
Hoptown (14-6) has won three straight games to move four games ahead of Fulton in the OVL West standings. The Hoppers are off Saturday and close out a five-game road trip Sunday at Madisonville.