(From Madisonville)  The Hoptown Hoppers (15-6) exploded for six runs in the top of the sixth inning and downed the Pirates, 8-3, Thursday night in Madisonville. The win ran the Hoptown winning streak to six. Madisonville (10-11) has now lost five straight.
     Madisonville took the early 1-0 lead when Garrett Emling led off the bottom of the second with single and moved to second when Gooch Greer laid down a sacrifice bunt. Chad Collum followed with a double, moving Emling to third base. The Pirates then executed a perfect squeeze play, as Robert Veltre laid down the sacrifice bunt just as Emling was about to cross home plate.
     The Hoppers answered with a run of their in the top of the fourth inning against Pirate starter Mason Roof. Hopkinsville's run came on a double by Henry Rowland, a sacrifice bunt by Mitch Huckabay, and an RBI ground out by Seth Larue.
     The score remained tied 1-1 until the Hoppers erupted for six runs in the top of the sixth inning.  Brad Sevenish, Henry Rowland, Mitch Huckabay, Seth Larue, Zac Carter, and Drew Allen all reached base and scored a run as the Hoppers chased reliever Pirate Marc Noyalis out of the game after facing only four batters.
     The Hoppers added a run in the top of the eighth, with Zac Carter scoring on an RBI double by Ryne Long.  Madisonville rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth with the help of three straight Hopper errors, but Trevor Blocker came on to finish the game for starter Cole Isom and slammed the down on the Pirates.
     Isom got the Win, pitching 8 2/3 innings on 116 pitches and giving up 3 runs (1 earned). For the ballgame, Isom scattered seven hits, struck out five, and walked one.
     Pirate starter Mason Roof pitched five complete innings, giving up one run on two hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. Marc Noyalis, who got the Loss, came on in relief to start the sixth inning and faced four batters, all of whom reached base and ultimately scored. Noyalis gave way to Taylor Burr, who allowed two runs on two hits and one walk in two complete innings of work. Jack Coleman and Samuel Gilbert each pitched one complete inning, with Coleman giving up one run on two hits in the eighth inning. Gilbert pitched the ninth for the Pirates, allowing no runs on one hit and two strikeouts.
     The win gives the Hoppers a three-game lead in the standings over the Owensboro Oilers. Madisonville falls into fifth place in the standings, five games behind. 
     Friday night Madisonville travels to Owensboro to face the Oilers; Hoptown hosts the Fulton Railroaders.