Hopewell Baseball
Vescio Pitches Masterpiece in Last Home Game as Hopewell Baseball Beats Quaker Valley, 7-2
On Hopewell’s last two home games of the 2024 season, it’s only fitting that two Viking seniors turned in performances that they’ll remember for a real long time.
In yesterday’s dramatic 12-11 win over Ambridge, outfielder Lucas Walton hit a 2-run home run in the 7th inning to send the game into extra innings. Then in the 8th, Walton came through with the game-winning single to right field.
In today’s non-conference matchup against Quaker Valley, it was John Vescio’s turn to shine and he did exactly that, although it wasn’t in the batter’s box.
Head coach Morgan Singletary gave Vescio the start and he come through in a big way as pitched seven innings (complete game), allowing only 2 hits, 1 earned run, while striking out nine batters leading Hopewell to a 7-2 win in their home finale.
With the win, Hopewell improves their overall record to 9-8.
Hopewell scored 7 runs and did that on just 6 hits. Vescio and Ben McDonald both collected 2 hits apiece, while Kingston Krotec and Zach Gigliotti already got singles.
Here’s a game summary of today’s game:
Vescio recorded the 1-2-3 innings in both the first and second, as Tyler Triscila, Krotec (twice), Gigliotti and Emmet McCowin all made plays.
In the bottom of the second, the Vikings manufactured 3 runs.
Tyler Triscila was hit to lead off the inning. Then with 1 out, Gigliotti singled to right field and Triscila advanced to third. Krotec continues to hit really well from the leadoff spot as this time he singled to drive in Triscila and Hopewell led 1-0. Gigliotti would eventually score on a wild pitch and then Krotec would score the third Hopewell run on hard single to center by McDonald.
After 2 innings, Hopewell led 3-0.
Quaker Valley got a run back in the 3rd and were trying to get more but that chance ended when Hopewell catcher Charlie Smetana threw out an attempted base runner at second base.
The Quakers added an unearned run in the 4th inning to make the score 3-2 but Hopewell added on with 3 more.
With one out, Krotec was hit by a pitch, which was followed by a single by Vescio. Next up, McDonald does what good cleanup hitters do and drove in a run. On this play, Ben doubled to right field, which scored Krotec from second base. Hopewell led 4-2. Smetana was hit by a pitch to load the bases, which was important because McCowin grounded out to bring in McDonald. Hopewell now led 5-2. The final run of the inning would score on another Quaker Valley wild pitch.
Vescio pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning and followed that by having an easy 6th inning, which included an inning ending strikeout.
In the final frame, Vescio got a fly ball to Krotec in RF. Following a walk, John got the second out on a strikeout and ended the day with his ninth strikeout of the game.
Hopewell gets some well-deserved time off before returning to the field on Tuesday as they close the season at West Allegheny.
