Colton Ledbetter collected three hits and scored two runs, boosting the Bowling Green Hot Rods to series-clinching 4-1 win over the Rome Emperors on Thursday at AdventHealth Stadium in Rome, Georgia.

Bowling Green broke onto the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the second inning against Rome starting pitcher JR Ritchie. Noah Myers led off with a walk and advanced to third on a Tatem Levins single. Hunter Haas lined a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Myers to make it a 1-0 lead.

The Hot Rods struck again in the top of the third against Ritchie. Ledbetter led off with a walk and stole second base. Myers put a ball on the ground and a throwing error from Emperors shortstop Ambioris Tavares brought in Ledbetter to score, making it a 2-0 Hot Rods lead.

In the bottom of the third, Rome scored its first run against Bowling Green starter Jackson Baumeister. Joe Olsavsky led off with a double and moved to third on a Jacob Godman single. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. grounded out to shortstop, driving in Olsavsky to bring the score to 2-1.

Another run came around to score for the Hot Rods in the top of the fifth with Ritchie still on the mound. Ledbetter collected a leadoff double and advanced to third on a ground ball. Ledbetter came home to score on wild pitch, adding to the Hot Rods’ lead, 3-1.

Bowling Green added to their total in the top of the seventh against Rome reliever Austin Smith. Gregory Barrios led off with a walk and moved to third on a Ledbetter single. Mac Horvath flied out to center, allowing Barrios to score, making it a 4-1 Hot Rods lead.

Owen Wild and Jackson Lancaster combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings from the bullpen, locking down a 4-1 and sending Bowling Green to the South Atlantic League Championship against the winner of the series between Greensboro and Hudson Valley.

Baumeister (1-0) picked up the win, allowing just one run on four hits over 5 1/3 innings. Ritchie (0-1) was given the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over five innings, walking two and striking out four. Lancaster earned the save, tossing a scoreless inning, giving up one hit and striking out three.

The Hot Rods return home to play the winner of the Hudson Valley and Greensboro series on Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch at Bowling Green Ballpark.{&end}