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Bowling Green, Kentucky – Tony Santa Maria’s five-RBI performance ignited a Bowling Green Bootleggers (42-17) comeback effort, including seven unanswered runs, but the Rome Emperors (32-27) held on for an 8-7 win at Bowling Green Ballpark on Thursday.
This team, man.
Emperors WIN! pic.twitter.com/jdzVF9zKXR
— Rome Emperors (@GoEmperors) June 12, 2026
The Emperors plated the first run in the top of the first inning against Bootleggers’ starter Trevor Harrison. Eric Hartman smashed a solo home run to right field, vaulting Rome into a 1-0 lead.
Tonight's Crossroads Express Play of the Game is Tony Santa Maria's 3-run homer! 🔥#RevItUp🛞💨 | #MiLB ⚾ pic.twitter.com/4CGTW6sLuc
— Bowling Green Hot Rods (@BGHotRods) June 12, 2026
Rome added another home run in the top of the third inning off Harrison. John Gil hit a solo shot to left field, growing the Rome margin to 2-0.
TONY BRINGS HOME TWO 👏#RevItUp🛞💨 | #MiLB ⚾ pic.twitter.com/2E2qo7DYZ9
— Bowling Green Hot Rods (@BGHotRods) June 12, 2026
The Emperors piled on six runs in the top of the fourth inning against reliever Trey Pooser. Colby Jones tripled, and Mason Guerra lifted a two-run homer, increasing the edge to 4-0. Colin Burgess tagged a solo home run to boost the lead to 5-0. A Tate Southisene RBI double and another Gil home run, a two-run shot, made it 8-0 Rome.
be nice now, noah…#RevItUp🛞💨 | #MiLB ⚾ pic.twitter.com/v2j8OuXWY3
— Bowling Green Hot Rods (@BGHotRods) June 12, 2026
The Bootleggers got on the board against Rome reliever Cade Kuehler in the bottom of the sixth inning. Caden Bodine was plunked, Narciso Polanco reached on a fielder’s choice, and Santa Maria cranked a three-run homer to left-center field, trimming Rome’s lead to 8-3.
mateo's single adds another on the board ‼️#RevItUp🛞💨 | #MiLB ⚾ pic.twitter.com/FASL44zWKx
— Bowling Green Hot Rods (@BGHotRods) June 12, 2026
Bowling Green continued its comeback against Kuehler, plating one run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Juanfel Peguero and Theo Gillen walked, Bodine hit an RBI single to left field, hedging the Emperors’ advantage to 8-4.
a noah beal strikeout for your timeline:#RevItUp🛞💨 | #MiLB ⚾ pic.twitter.com/yxUtLDVB4d
— Bowling Green Hot Rods (@BGHotRods) June 12, 2026
The Bootleggers pulled one more run back in the bottom of the eighth against reliever David Rodriguez. Polanco singled, moved to second on a Ryan McCoy base knock, and Angel Mateo tagged an RBI single into center field to plate Polanco, cutting the Rome margin to 8-5.
Bodine singles ➡️ Peguero scores!#RevItUp🛞💨 | #MiLB ⚾ pic.twitter.com/EISShoxSXn
— Bowling Green Hot Rods (@BGHotRods) June 12, 2026
The hosts mounted a last-gasp effort against Rome’s Justin Long in the bottom of the ninth inning. Back-to-back Bootleggers reached base, an Aidan Smith fielder’s choice, and a wild pitch put runners at second and third. Santa Maria struck a two-RBI single into right-center field, reducing the deficit to 8-7. McCoy walked to put the game-winning run on base, but a Mateo flyout to center field wrapped up an 8-7 Emperors win.
what a snag by smith 💪#RevItUp🛞💨 | #MiLB ⚾ pic.twitter.com/09nBj0VYqW
— Bowling Green Hot Rods (@BGHotRods) June 12, 2026
Kuehler (6-1) received the win, throwing 3.0 innings, surrendering four runs on three hits, three walks and two strikeouts. Harrison (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits, walking two and striking out six in 2.2 frames. Long (2) earned the save with 1.0 inning pitched, giving up two runs on two hits and a pair of walks.
Tate Southisene is stealing bases again. pic.twitter.com/wkLutaATUO
— Rome Emperors (@GoEmperors) June 12, 2026
Bowling Green dawns its White Squirrel alternate identity for Friday night’s 6:35 PM CT matchup. The White Squirrels will send out RHP Jose Urbina (3-3, 3.91) against Emperors LHP Briggs McKenzie (0-0, 0.00).
He’s more than just a hot bat, yanno.
Eric Hartman shows off the glove in CF too 🤠 pic.twitter.com/o2xwTfbOux
— Rome Emperors (@GoEmperors) June 12, 2026
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.
Credit: www.bghotrods.com
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