(From Hopkinsville) The Owensboro Oilers and homestanding Hoptown Hoppers battled a quick seven-inning seesaw battle in the first game of a double-header on Saturday, with Owensboro prevailing with a run in the seventh and final inning for the 4-3 win.
     Hoptown (12-18) got on the scoreboard first when Matt Cogen hit a one-out single in the first inning, went to second on a Matt Crowder single, went to third on a balk and scored on a Mitch Gallagher single to give the Hoppers an early 1-0 lead.
     Owensboro (9-22) took the lead in the top of the third when Alfredo Bohorques hit a two-out single and Josh Wetzel came in to pinch-run for him. Tyler Tichenor double him in and scored on a Riley Benner single to put the Oilers ahead 2-1.
     Hoptown retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Gallagher hit a two-out single and went to second when John Davis was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and both runners scored on an errant pickoff attempt to give the Hoppers a 3-2 lead.
     Owensboro tied the game in the top of the sixth when Drew Bene led off with a single and Conner McHugh came in to pinch-run for him. McHugh advanced to second on a bunt single by Ben Rhodes, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mark VanDenlangenberg to knot the score at 3-3.
     The game-winner crossed the plate in the top of the seventh when Tyler Tichenor led off with a single, went to second on a sac bunt and scored on a two-out single by Tyler Shewmaker to give the Oilers the 4-3 win.
     Owensboro was led at the plate by Tichenor, who went 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and a run batted in. Rhodes went 3-for-4, Benner went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Bene went 2-for-3.
     Hoptown was paced by Crowder, who went 3-for-4 and Gallagher, who went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. 
     On the mound, Chase Randolph (2-1) got the win in relief, allowing no runs on one hit and striking out two in 1 2/3 innings. John Hakemoller started for the Oilers, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and striking out five in five innings. Trey Robledo came on in the sixth, allowing no runs on two hits in one-third of an inning.
     Christian Myers (1-4) took the loss for the Hoppers, allowing one run on two hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Jordan Martin started the game, allowing no runs on three hits and striking out two in two innings. Newcomer Zach Denney came on in the third, allowing two runs on six hits in three innings, and another newcomer, Drake O'Bryant, came on in the sixth, allowing one run on two hits with a walk in one-third of an inning.