The Brazos Valley Bombers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 3-1 win in the opener of Saturday night’s doubleheader with the Coppell Copperheads at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark. That streak came to an end in the nightcap, as the Copperheads earned a bit of revenge with a 10-0 decision over the Bombers.

The doubleheader split, coupled with the Colleyville LoneStars and Duncanville Deputies each taking one end of their twinbill Saturday, maintains Brazos Valley’s lead atop the Speaker Division.

Scooter Hicks (4-2) went the distance for the Bombers in the first game, giving up six hits and one run over seven innings. He struck out five and walked only two in earning his team-leading fourth win of the season.

Game one opened with the Copperheads taking a lead in the top of the first, before Hicks settled down and took control of the game. The Bombers offense retaliated in the third, when Keith Stein and Jess Buenger singled, then moved up a base on a wild pitch. Joseph Towns walked to load the bases, then Tim Palincsar earned his first RBI in a Bombers uniform with a two-out walk.

Brazos Valley took the lead in the fourth with textbook station-to-station hitting. Chris Wallace led off with a walk, then Ryan Weber singled. Daman Aaron laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners up a base. Stein then hit behind the runners, bouncing a ball to second that allowed Wallace to score the go-ahead run.

The B’s added an insurance run in the home sixth, with the help of a Coppell miscue. Aaron notched a two-out single and Stein followed with the same, bringing up Buenger with runners at first and third. Buenger grounded a ball to the left side that ate up the Copperheads third baseman, allowing Aaron to score.

The top of the order did the lion’s share of the damage, with Aaron, Stein, and Buenger all going 2-for-3.

After a team-record seven-game win streak that included a move into first place and the TCL’s first no-hitter, it’s quite possible that a letdown like the nightcap could have been expected. The Copperheads, who entered game two with an 0-5 record against the B’s this season, again grabbed an early lead, and this time it held up.

Bombers starter Will Currier (2-3) surrendered a two-run homer in the first and a solo shot in the third, staking Coppell to a 3-0 lead. He settled down, though, and worked his way into the fifth inning before handing the ball over to Adam Albright. Albright gave up a hit and walk, striking out three, in two scoreless innings of relief. The Bombers were unable to generate any offense, and through six innings the Copperheads held a 3-0 lead.

The game got further away from the B’s in the seventh. Brice Ary came in and struggled, and the anxious Coppell bats took advantage. The first three batters reached base, setting the stage for a Preston Clark grand slam. The Copperheads continued hitting, adding three more runs in the frame to push the lead to 10-0.

Buenger registered two more hits for a tired Bombers offense, giving him a 4-for-5 doubleheader with a pair of walks. In fact, Buenger has posted a multiple-hit game in each of his three starts since first donning a Bombers jersey.

The B’s will enjoy an off-day on Sunday before heading to Mineral Wells and Wichita Falls Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday will see the Copperheads returning to Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark to make up an earlier rainout. On Wednesday, the Bombers will also host a pre-game matchup of baseball teams representing the Bryan fire and police departments. The gates will open at a special 5 pm time, with the police vs. fire battle beginning at 5:30. The Bombers first pitch will be at 7:05.

Thursday marks the final Thirsty Thursday of the Bombers regular season. Fans will be able to enjoy one dollar draft beers and 50-cent small soft drinks throughout the game, courtesy of Jack FM.

Friday might just be the biggest blockbuster to date. After setting the league single-game attendance record on Opening Night, the Bombers have seen the mark taken back by the McKinney Marshalls. The B’s have vowed to write a new record in the books on Friday, July 20, and need the help of Bombers fans everywhere. The team wants to pack the park and has booked not one, but two big promotions to make it possible. Friday will be Fireworks Friday, so the game will be followed by a spectacular fireworks show. During the game, Reggy! The Entertainer, the biggest, baddest, purplest party dude on the planet, will visit to make it a night to remember.