In 7 innings. (From Owensboro) The Owensboro Oilers lost game 2 of the second round playoff series with the Hopkinsville Hoppers. This game was also abridged by rain -- called complete at 5 to 2 in favor of the visitors after seven complete innings.

The Oilers scored first. In the bottom of the 3rd inning with one away Joe Silva reached on fielder's choice that put a lead runner out at second base. Silva took second base himself on a concurrent throwing error. Next, Seth Woodard hit a massive 2-RBI home run over the high center field wall. Owensboro led 2 to 0 going to the 4th inning.

The Hoppers answered with two runs in the top of the 4th inning to tie the game. Matt Crowder singled. Andrew Gross walked. Both runners were moved ahead one base by a sacrifice bunt. Chase Schmittou reached on RBI fielder's choice scoring Crowder and moving Gross up a base. Chris Smutny followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to plate Gross.

Hopkinsville took the lead with one run in the top of the 5th inning. Brian Chilton led off with a single. One out later, a walk moved Chilton to second base. He was singled over to third base and scored on a RBI fielder's choice by Grant Robbins. The Hoppers extended the lead with two runs in the top of the 6th inning. Smutny opened with a double. Hunter Holland followed with an RBI single, moving to second base on the throw to home plate. One out later, Holland was singled over to third. Holland scored as a RBI fielder's choice by Allonte Wingate did not become the double play the Oilers hoped to turn. After six at-bats Hopkinsville led 5 to 2.

An Owensboro attempted rally in the bottom of 7th -- with rain quickly closing the weather window -- ended when with two on and one out. Holland made a diving catch in left field on a ball stung by Bryce Windham, and threw it back to double off the runner trying to return to second base.

Then down came the rain and washed the baseball out with the final as it was at the end of seven complete innings: Hoppers 5 to Oilers 2.

The winning pitcher was Hopkinsville starter Chase Maddux. Credit a save to Hopkinsville reliever Chance Carner.

The losing pitcher was Owensboro starter Adam Schmitt.

The best-of-three series concludes Friday in Hopkinsville, ... weather permitting.

This was the last Oilers home game -- at least for 2016 -- As always thanks to our players, our young men of summer! Thanks to Coach Hamilton, and Coach Robbins. Yes, there's still baseball to play, but thanks comes where it will. Thanks to our fans who either turned out or tuned in to TeamLine this year. Thanks to our regular game crew. Glen Snow, along with his wife and family (GM, host families and gate), John Reed (PA), of course to Charlie Pierce (President, TeamLine broadcaster). Me? I'm Brett Mills (Scorekeeper and Webmaster). Gold fields will be green again one day, and baseball comes around again.