Hot Rods crush Emperors 10-5 in high-scoring affair

Bowling Green offense explodes for season-highs in runs, hits, and extra-base hits

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:06pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a baseball game broken down into overlapping planes of color, capturing the dynamic energy and scoring outburst of the Hot Rods' victory.The Hot Rods' offensive explosion showcases the team's ability to overwhelm opponents with their powerful bats.Bowling Green Today

The Bowling Green Hot Rods defeated the Rome Emperors 10-5 in a lopsided game at Bowling Green Ballpark on Thursday. The Hot Rods scored four runs in the second inning and continued to pile on the offense, eventually reaching double digits in runs. The Emperors managed to score five runs late, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Hot Rods' big lead.

Why it matters

This win gives the Hot Rods a 4-2 record on the season, keeping them in contention in the early going. The Emperors, meanwhile, fall to 3-3 as they struggle to find consistency. This high-scoring affair showcases the offensive firepower of both teams and sets the stage for the rest of their six-game series.

The details

The Hot Rods got off to a fast start, plating four runs in the second inning. Connor Hujsak hit a solo home run, and Adrian Santana and Émilien Pitre drove in two more runs with singles. The Hot Rods continued their onslaught in the third, with Nathan Flewelling hitting a solo shot and J.D. Gonzalez and Ryan McCoy adding RBIs to make it 7-0. Bowling Green tacked on two more runs in the fourth to extend the lead to 9-0. The Emperors finally got on the board with a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth, but the Hot Rods answered with an insurance run in the eighth to seal the 10-5 victory.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • The Hot Rods and Emperors will play the fourth game of their six-game series on Friday, April 11, 2026 at 6:35 p.m.

The players

Adrian Santana

Shortstop for the Bowling Green Hot Rods who drove in two runs with a single in the second inning.

Émilien Pitre

Outfielder for the Bowling Green Hot Rods who added an RBI single in the second inning.

Nathan Flewelling

Outfielder for the Bowling Green Hot Rods who hit a solo home run in the third inning.

J.D. Gonzalez

Infielder for the Bowling Green Hot Rods who collected an RBI single in the third inning.

Cedric De Grandpre

Starting pitcher for the Rome Emperors who took the loss after allowing four runs in 1 2/3 innings.

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What they’re saying

“We came out swinging and never let up. It was great to see the offense clicking on all cylinders tonight.”

— Adrian Santana, Shortstop, Bowling Green Hot Rods

What’s next

The Hot Rods and Emperors will play the fourth game of their six-game series on Friday, April 11, 2026 at 6:35 p.m. Bowling Green will start right-hander Gary Gill Hill (1-0, 3.60 ERA) while Rome will counter with lefty Cam Caminiti (0-0, 5.79 ERA).

The takeaway

This high-scoring victory showcases the offensive firepower of the Bowling Green Hot Rods, who have now won four of their first six games. The team's ability to put up big numbers at the plate will be crucial as they look to contend in the early part of the season.