Hopewell Travel Baseball Weekend Recap

Travel baseball is very popular and not surprisingly, many players from Hopewell are playing for various organizations throughout Western Pennsylvania.

With these players also involved in their local baseball organization, this is a huge commitment from both the players and their parents, who spend countless hours driving them to and from practices, along with to the weekend tournaments.

A big congratulations to both parties. If you want to get better at anything, a commitment must be shown, and these kids are definitely doing that.

This was the first full weekend of travel baseball tournaments, so HSN wants to recognize these players that are playing extra baseball.

We’re hoping to get as much cooperation from you the families as possible. If you have a child involved in travel baseball and if your child or their team did something that you’d like us to mention, please send us the information. We’re going to attempt to do this on a weekly basis. Keep in mind, even after this story is posted, we can add information to this story. All you need to do is email us (hopewellsportsnation@gmail.com) or text Mike Vukovcan (724-462-5756) with the pertinent information and pictures if you want.

Brey Hoth– His team Beaver Valley 9U White team took part in a tournament in Trafford and lost in the semifinals to the No. 1 seed. For the weekend, Brey’s team went 3-1, collecting 12 plate appearances: 3 hits, 2 walks, 3 HBP. Brey pitched 2 innings, allowing only 1 run, 1 hit and striking out 5 batters. Brey also played catcher and threw out 2 runners.

Bowen Smith– His BV Red 8U team played up in the same 9U tournament. Bowen’s team went 3-1 before losing to BV Black 9U in the semifinals.

Reed Budavich- His Diamond Dawgs 13U Brown team took part in a tournament in Trafford. Budavich started on Saturday for his and went 2 innings, allowing 4 runs. At the plate, Reed drew a walk. Reed’s team went 0-3 next weekend.

Jaxsen Covalt– Covalt is a teammate of Budavich on Diamond Dawgs 13U Team Brown. This weekend, Jaxsen collected 2 hits. Nice job Jax!

Andrew Arzberger and Collin Davis- These two are teammates on the Hopewell Junior High baseball team and are also paired up on the Diamond Dawgs 13U Black Team. This weekend, Arzberger and Davis brought home the championship with 4 dominating performances over the weekend. In their 4 victories, they beat United Baseball 13-2, Freeport Stingers 16-3, Beaver Valley Black 10-6 and beat the host Team All-American 19-10 in the championship game. For the weekend, Andrew had 4 hits (1 triple), while pitching 4 innings and only allowing 5 hits. This is Collin’s first year playing travel baseball, while Andrew is a long-time member of the Diamond Dawgs organization.

Luke Vukovcan– His Diamond Dawgs 13U Grey team competed in the Shake Off the Rust Tournament in Trafford and went 1-2. Successful weekend in the field and at the plate for Luke as he went 5 for 9 (double, 2 triples) and a walk.

Mason Santamaria– His Steel City 12U team competed in Trafford this weekend. In today’s game, Mason went 1-3 with an RBI. He also pitched the opener on Friday, going 2 innings, allowing 3 runs and striking out 2 batters.

Vin Smetana- His Beaver Valley Black 12U team made it to the championship game in the Shake Off the Ruster Tournament in Trafford. A final score of that game hasn’t been reported yet. Vin’s BV team was dominant leading up to the finals beating Fennell Brothers 12-5 and 8-2, Butia Baseball Academy 11-1, and Hardcore Elite 16-2.

David Johnson and Ryan Gaguzis-  David and Ryan play for the Beaver Valley White 12U team and they pulled out two big upsets for BV White. David was on fire collecting 5 hits and 4 RBI this weekend. Gaguzis also did well collecting 3 hits, 2 RBI. Ryan also started against the Pgh Outlaws, picking up the win as he went 5 innings, allowing only 3 ER and striking out four.

Connor Eiler and Reagan Haring –  Connor Eiler steel town maulers competed at north coast tournament in Macedonia Ohio. Connor pitched 4 innings, giving up 2 runs on 1 hit while striking out 7. At the plate, he recorded 6 hits on 8 at bats, including a double and a triple, with 5 rbis. Reagan – pitched 1 inning, collecting 2 strikeouts while giving up two hits. At the plate, he had 4 hits at 7 at bats.