Hopewell HS Baseball Loses to Ambridge 5-4, Drops Late Lead

Morgan Singletary’s team entered today’s game against Ambridge with a record of 7-7 and battling to earn one of the four playoff spots in Class 4A/Section One. Montour and Central Valley have locked up spots, so there’s two remaining.

Just like last season, the Vikings will need to battle late to earn a playoff bid and today, they were in position to win but dropped a 5-4 decision at Ambridge.

Both teams couldn’t manufacture must offense, but Hopewell got on the scoreboard first in the first inning.

Leadoff hitter Kingston Krotec led off the with a walk and could come around to score on a double by John Vescio, who’s hot right now at the plate. On the double, Vescio was able to advance to third on an error by Ambridge, which was important because Vescio was able to score on a sacrifice fly by Ben McDonald. Hopewell led 2-0.

Ambridge had an opportunity to get on the board in the bottom of the first, but Medich slammed the door. After an error and a hit by pitch, the Bridgers had two on with two out, but Medich ended the threat with a strikeout.

Medich had an easy 2nd and 3rd innings, which included 3 strikeouts.

Ambridge recorded their first hit and first run in the bottom of the 4th to make 2-1 but Hopewell immediately responded in the top of the 5th.

Lucas Walton led off the inning with a walk and then immediately stole second base. Walton advanced to third on ground ball to shortstop and scored on an RBI single to left field by Zach Gigliotti to stretch the lead to 3-1. Hopewell loaded the bases with 1 out following an infield single by Krotec. Next up, Vescio reached base on an Ambridge error, which also scored Gigliotti.  Hopewell now led 4-1.

Ambridge showed resiliency and would immediately answer with 2 runs in the 5th and were threatening to get more. Ambridge had runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out, and A. Fernandez singled to center. Ambridge third base coach sent the runner from second, but CF John Vescio came up firing and threw a strike at home to catcher Charlie Smetana. Hopewell got out of that jam still leading 4-3.

Unfortunately for Hopewell, that lead only lasted for one more inning as Ambridge battled for 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning.

Krotec doubled with 2 outs in the 7th inning to give Hopewell a chance, but the Vikings couldn’t bring him in and Ambridge comes away with the win. Hopewell drops to 7-8 and these two teams will meet again at Hopewell High School.