Strong Start by Luke Vukovcan Leads Hopewell to 7-3 Win

Heading into tonight’s regular season finale, it’s been the strength of their pitching staff that’s led Hopewell to 8 wins.

It’s fitting that on the last game, Hopewell’s pitching was the story of tonight’s 7-3 win over Ellwood City.

Right-hander Luke Vukovcan got the start and turned in his best outing of the season as he pitched 5 shutout innings. On the night, Vukovcan went 5 innings, allowing 2 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts. The big key was his ability to work ahead in the count, as he threw 66 pitches and 42 of those being strikes.

Ellwood City had a chance to get on the scoreboard first but came up empty. With a runner on third with just 1 out, Vukovcan was able to strike out the next two batters looking.

In Ellwood City’s second inning, their leadoff hitter flew out to Jayvion Lindsey in center field. Ellwood City once again got a runner in scoring position, but Vukovcan picked off the runner at second with a nice quick move.

After threatening in their first two innings, Hopewell was able to get on the scoreboard in the third inning.

David Villanueva, who’s really been hitting the ball well lately, led off the inning with an infield single to shortstop. Then with 1 out, Noah Ciminella laced a single to center field and Villaneuva advanced to third. Leadoff hitter Jaxson Covalt did his job by putting the ball in play as he grounded out to shortstop, but it allowed Villanueva to score. Hopewell led 1-0. Then with 2 outs, Ciminella scampered home from third on a wild pitch. Hopewell led 2-0.

In Ellwood City’s third, Vukovcan did what you’re supposed to do when your team gets you the lead as he struck out the side and needed only 11 pitches to do so.

The Vikings added two more runs in the top of the fourth. With 1 out, Vukovcan reached on an error. Luke then took second on an Ellwood City balk and then stole third base. With 2 outs, Vukovcan scored on a wild pitch to stretch the lead to 3-0. Owen Ackerman walked, stole second and then scored on two throwing errors by Ellwood City. Hopewell led 4-0.

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In Ellwood City’s fourth inning, a runner reached with 1 out. However, he was erased as the next batter lined to second baseman Jaxson Covalt, who quickly threw over to first to double off the runner.

In Ellwood City’s fifth inning, Vukovcan struck out the first two batters looking. Then after walking the next batter, Vukovcan fielded a sharp ground ball and threw over to first baseman Andrew Arzberger.

Hopewell was able to score two very important runs in the sixth inning which sealed the win. With 1 out, Lindsey reached on an error and after stealing second, he scored on an Ellwood City throwing error. Hopewell led 5-0. Collin Davis crushed a ball to center for a double. Then with 2 outs, Vukovcan was hit by a pitch which put two runners on base for Jackson Yurcina. On a 2-1 pitch, Yurcina came up with a great piece of hitting as he took a pitch to right field which scored Davis and Vukovcan. Hopewell led 7-0.

Ellwood City was able to score a few runs in the sixth inning, but Yurcina did a great job of not letting the inning get out of control. Ellwood City cut the score to 7-2 and had the bases loaded with 0 outs. However, Yurcina struck out the next hitter and followed that grounder to third, which scored a run. Then with the score 7-3 and 2 on with 2 out, Yurcina ended the Ellwood City threat with a strikeout.

In the final frame, manager Jamie Yurcina called on Lindsey to close things out. The leadoff hitter reached on a walk, but Hopewell turned their second double play of the game. The Ellwood City batter hit a flare out to short right field but second baseman Jackson Yurcina sprinted out to snag it and then threw to first base to double off the runner. The final out of the game came on a flyout to Covalt in right field.

Hopewell finishes the regular season with a record of 9-5-1 and now wait to find out their first-round opponent in the playoffs that start next week.