Greensboro, North Carolina – Connor Hujsak hit his 24th homer of the year, tying the single-season franchise record set by Heriberto Hernandez during the 2022 campaign, as the Bowling Green Hot Rods (71-29, 24-11) fell 5-4 in 10 innings to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (61-40, 20-15) on Saturday at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina,
Bowling Green broke onto the scoreboard in the top of the second against Greensboro starter Jack Anker. Nicandro Aybar led off with a single and advanced to second on a groundout. Jhon Diaz singled to center, scoring Aybar, giving Bowling Green a 1-0 lead.
The Hot Rods created another run in the top of the third inning against Anker. Hujsak led off the inning with a solo homer to left, tying the franchise single-season record with his 24th homer, making it a 2-0 game.
Larry Martinez added another run for Bowling Green in the top of the sixth, hitting a solo homer off Anker, handing Bowling Green a 3-0 edge.
The Grasshoppers started an offensive surge in the bottom of the eighth against Hot Rods reliever Mason Nichols. With one out, Dylan Palmer singled and scored on a Yordany De Los Santos double, bringing the score to 3-1. De Los Santos stole third, and Jared Jones drove him in with a groundout, making it 3-2.
Bowling Green scored again in the top of the ninth against Greensboro reliver Draven Zeigler. Diaz hit a leadoff double and moved to third on a Tony Santa Maria fielder’s choice. Nathan Flewelling plated Diaz with a sacrifice fly to right, giving Bowling Green a 4-2 advantage.
Two runs scored for the Grasshoppers in the bottom of the ninth against Hot Rods reliever Garrett Gainey. Jhonny Severino led off with a solo homer, making it a one-run game again, 4-3. Carlos Caro walked, Josh Tate singled, and De Los Santos walked, loading the bases. Edward Florentino recorded an infield single, scoring Caro, tying the game at 4-4.
The Hot Rods failed to score in the top of the 10th, allowing Greensboro a chance in the bottom half. Jones started the inning at second base as the extra-innings runner. With one out, Severino singled to left-center to score Jones, completing a walk-off victory for Greensboro, 5-4.
Zeigler (4-3) received the win, tossing 2.1 innings, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one. Citelli (5-1) was given loss, surrendering one unearned run on hit while recording one out.
The Hot Rods and Grasshoppers play the finale of a six-game series on Sunday with a 1:00 PM CT first pitch at First National Bank Field. Bowling Green will send out RHP Jacob Kisting (6-0, 1.76) against Greensboro RHP Bryan Mena (5-4, 5.20).
Fans can catch all the action by watching on MiLB.tv, listening through the MiLB First Pitch App and BGHotRods.com. Fans can also secure their seats for future home Hot Rods games by calling (270) 901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office during normal business hours, or going to www.bghotrods.com.
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Hot Rods Baseball