Morgan Registers Stellar Four-Hit Game in Hot Rods Nail-Biting 3-2 Victory
Bowling Green, KY – July 5, 2024
In a spectular baseball showdown last Friday, the Bowling Green Hot Rods edged out a solid victory against the Rome Emperors, with a final score of 3-2. This victory was fueled largely by Tre’ Morgan‘s outstanding performance, batting four hits in the game. This impressive feat marks the third time Morgan has had a four-hit game at the High-A level.
Second Inning Starts the Scoring
The action started in the bottom of the second inning. Hot Rods’ Colton Ledbetter hit a single off Rome’s starter, Blake Burkhalter, then stole second base. Ryan Cermak took the opportunity to make his mark with a triple, securing Ledbetter’s run from second and thus scoring the first run of the game. Tatem Levins also joined the party with a base hit that allowed Cermak to run home, putting the Hot Rods at a 2-0 lead.
Rome Emperors’ Two-Strong Rally
The Emperors, not to be outdone, began a rallying comeback in the top of the third inning. Lead by Nick Ward’s stunning solo home run to the right field, Rome cut the Hot Rods’ lead to 2-1. In the top of the fourth, Emperors made another successful rally. E.J. Exposito was walked, and Stephen Paolini proceeded to triple, scoring Exposito from third and consequently tying the game at 2-2.
Last Minute Change Secures Hot Rods’ Victory
The game-changing moment came in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Rome’s pitcher Elison Joseph took the mound. Xavior Isaac from the Hot Rods reached second base due to a fielding error by Ward. That’s when Morgan of the Hot Rods came through with his significant four-hit performance, singling and positioning the runners at the corners. Ledbetter then scored Isaac with his key single, putting Hot Rods at a 3-2 advantage. The game concluded with Hot Rods’ reliever Jack Hartman’s superb performance, tossing two scoreless innings to cement their 3-2 victory.
Hot Rods’ starting pitcher, Owen Wild, came out with victory (3-1), pitching for 6.0 innings, giving up two runs and four hits, walking two, and striking out four. Rome’s reliver, Joseph (1-2), on the other hand, encountered the loss after 2.0 innings, ceding an unearned run on three hits while striking out two. The save belonged to Hartman, who tamed the last two innings scoreless and took down four Emperors.
Upcoming Series Finale
The exciting face-off between the Bowling Green Hot Rods and Rome Emperors will continue as they prepare for the finale of this six-game series. The first pitch is scheduled for Saturday at 6:35 PM CT, promising another thrilling match of High-A level baseball.
