A 57 minute lightning delay didn’t spoil the spirits of Hoptown Hoppers fans and they were rewarded with the year’s first walk-off win. In the Hoppers’ home opener, the crowd saw just three runs total. However, the third and final one was certainly worth the wait.
Hoptown struck first to start the game off of Aiden Elias’s single that scored MJ Rookard in the first inning.
Before the delay, Madisonville got on the board in the third after a Miner runner being called out at home was overturned and was scored as a run.
Following the delay, Caldwell County standout Shane Burns replaced Ethan Clark on the mound and stole the show for Hoptown.
Burns held the Miners scoreless and tossed 10 strikeouts through just 4.2 innings. He was replaced by Christian Edwards in the eighth.
Neither team could reach home plate and the game eventually fell into extra innings before a decision could be made.
In the bottom of the 12th, with Max Remy standing on third base, Rookard lazered a shot to right field to drive in the winning walk-off run.
Rookard finished the game going 3-6 with three singles, an RBI and a run. Remy finished his night with a stat-line of 2-4 with two singles and the game’s winning run.
Kyle Turner was granted the win and Brennan Hatten was given the loss.
The Hoppers (3-0) will play their fourth consecutive game Sunday night in Muhlenberg County against the Stallions (1-1).
First pitch is set for 6 P.M.