Rough 6th Inning Costs Hopewell Junior High Baseball vs. Central Valley

The Hopewell Junior High Baseball team was back in action this afternoon as they hosted Central Valley.

The Vikings played well for six innings, unfortunately the one bad inning cost them as CV scored 6 runs in the 6th inning leading them to an 8-4 win.

Left-handed James Armstrong started for Hopewell and was effective, allowing only 1 run and striking out seven. However, Armstrong was only able to go 3.2 innings as he racked up a high pitch count.

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In the top of the 1st, CV got runners to 2nd and 3rd with just 1 out but Boo stranded them, getting a come-backer to the mound and then a strike out to end the inning.

The top of the defund was less dramatic as Armstrong struck out the side.

In the bottom of the second, with one out, Andrew Arzberger hit a deep bomb over the right fielders head. Although the CV fielders made a smooth relay, Arzberger appeared to get under the tag for a double. Unfortunately, the umpire didn’t see it that way and called Arzberger out.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the 4th, Hopewell had a chance to take the lead. Jayvion Lindsey started the inning with a walk. Then with 1 out, Armstrong and Camden Hoth reached on singles but Hopewell left the bases loaded.

Right-hander Collin Davis pitched a great 5th inning to keep the game at 1-0.

Hopewell threatened again in the bottom of the 5th getting runners to 2nd and 3rd but couldn’t bring them in.

Hopewell entered the last inning down 8-1 but didn’t quit. Pinch hitter Gunner Reese led off with a walk. Then, pinch-hitter Ryan Gaguzis reached on an error. After a Lindsey single loaded the bases, Davis hit a hard grounder which the CV shortstop handled and got a force out. On the play, Reese scored cutting the deficit to 8-2. Next up, Armstrong laced a double into the gap, scoring Gaguzis and Davis.

That was all Hopewell could muster which ended the game.

Final Score: Central Valley 8 Hopewell 4.

Hopewell won’t have long to think about it as they’ll return to the field tomorrow as they’ll host Beaver Falls. First pitch from the Hopewell Junior High is set for 4 PM.