Hopewell Baseball
Hopewell HS Baseball Battles but Loses to Central Valley, 5-3
The Hopewell Vikings Baseball team showed fight but, in the end, it wasn’t enough as they dropped a 5-3 decision to Central Valley.
The two storylines of this game were missed opportunities for the Hopewell offense and uncharacteristic sloppy defense. Unlike the game yesterday, the Vikings had opportunities today but couldn’t cash them in. As far as defense, Hopewell committed 6 errors and only 2 of the CV runs today were earned.
Central Valley got on the scoreboard first as they plated two runs in the top of the first inning on RBI singles by McIntosh and Ciucci.
In the bottom of the first, Hopewell had 2 runners on with 2 outs but couldn’t get them in.
In the top of the second, starter Kingston Krotec had a quick 1-2-3 innings, which included two strikeouts.
In the bottom of the second, Hopewell got runners to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out but unfortunately, they stranded both runners.
In the top of the third, CV stretched their lead to 3-0 as they scored an unearned run.
In the bottom of the third, Hopewell loaded the bases with just 1 out but once again, they left the bases loaded and the score remained CV leading 3-0.
CV added two more runs in the top of the 4th, with one of those runs being unearned. In the end, CV extending the lead to 5-0 was too much for Hopewell to overcome.
After Krotec pitched a 1-2-3 top of the 5th, he got things started for Hopewell in the bottom of the 5th. Kingston led off the inning with a single and advanced to 3rd on two CV wild pitches. Krotec would then score on a sacrifice fly to left field by John Vescio. CV led 5-1.
Sophomore left-hander Ben McDonald was brought in and pitched a scoreless 6th and 7th innings, which kept Hopewell within striking distance.
In the bottom of the 7th, Lucas Walton led off and was hit by a pitch. Then with 1 out, Vescio launched a 2-run homerun to center field, which closed the deficit to 5-3. With 2 outs, McDonald singled to center field to bring the tying run to the plate but that was it for the Vikings.
Hopewell’s record now stands at 6-7 and they’ll return to the field on Thursday as they’ll host Ellwood City. The first pitch is set for 3:30 PM.
