Brooklyn Cyclones outfielder Nick Morabito (22) slides safely into second base under the tag of Bowling Green Hot Rods infielder Cooper Kinney (8) at the Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Ky., on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The Hot Rods win the series opener, 14-5. (Daily News photo by Joe Imel/joe.imel@bgdailynews.com)

Cooper Kinney blasted a home run for the second straight game to lead the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 5-2 win over the Hickory Crawdads on Wednesday at L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory, North Carolina.

The Hot Rods (36-29) scored in the top of the first inning against Crawdads starter Ryan Lobus. Brayden Taylor walked and Tre’ Morgan reached first on a fielding error, putting runners at first and second. Ryan Cermak blasted a three-run home run, giving Bowling Green a 3-0 lead.

Hickory (27-38) responded in the bottom of the second, facing Hot Rods starter Roel Garcia. Konner Piotto singled and crossed home on a Ben Blackwell double to left. Devin Hurdle plated Blackwell from second on a single, cutting into lead, 3-2.

Bowling Green pushed the lead against Lobus in the top of the third. Morgan reached on an infield single and came across to score on a Kinney two-run homer, increasing the lead, 5-2.

In the bottom of the ninth, Jake Christianson sat down the Crawdads lineup in order to end the game, 5-2.

Garcia (5-3) earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits with a walk and a strikeout over five frames. Lobus (3-3) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Christianson notched the save with two perfect innings.

The Hot Rods and Crawdads play game three of a six-game series on Thursday with first pitch set for 6 p.m. CT. Bowling Green is set to start right-hander Duncan Davitt (5-4, 3.11), while Hickory rolls out lefty Mitch Bratt (3-3, 4.60).