Hopewell 11-Year Olds Continue to Dominate, Beat North Hills 15-3

If a team is going to beat the Hopewell 11-year-old All-Star team this weekend at the North Hills All-Star Tournament, they’re going to have to be really good.

Today in the opening two games, the Hopewell Vikings won two games by the combined score of 29-5.

Thus far in the 2024 All-Star season, Coach Gigliotti’s team has is now 6-0 and have won those games by a combined score of 66-12.

After beating NCAA 11u Blue this morning 14-2, the Vikings followed that up with a 15-3 win over host North Hills.

In the top of the first, Wade Enders put a ball in play that was scored as an error, Wes Gigliotti scored, and Hopewell led 1-0.

Kruz Krotec got the starting assigning for Hopewell and went the first two innings, allowing 0 hits, 0 runs and 1 strike out.

In the bottom of the first, the North Hills leadoff hitter grounded out to Gigliotti at second base. Then with 1 on, Krotec recorded a strikeout. Then with 2 on and 2 out, Krotec fielded a comebacker to the mound and threw to Henry Dunn at first.

Hopewell then ended the game in the top of the second inning.

Rilynn Davis led off with a double, then with 1 out, Elliott Mancos traded places with him at second base, as he doubled to right field. Davis scored and Hopewell led 2-0.

Hopewell then got some time 2 out hitting.

Here’s how the rest of the second inning played out. Gigliotti singled to right field scoring Colby Cunningham and Brandon Cecchini. Hopewell up 5-0. Next up, Rhett Rankin singled to center field which scored Gigliotti. Hopewell led 6-0.

Later in the inning, with bases loaded, Davis drew a walk, which scored Rankin. Hopewell led 7-0. One batter later, Henry Dunn singled scoring Waden Enders and Krotec. Hopewell extended their lead to 9-0.

Moving ahead to the top of the 4th with Hopewell up 11-1, Elliott Mancos recorded his second hit of the game scoring Enders. Hopewell now led 12-1. Then Connor Eiler continued the hit parade for Hopewell, scoring Krotec. Hopewell’s lead increased to 13-1.

Dunn pitched the 3rd and 4th innings for Hopewell, allowing 3 hits, 2 earned and striking out 3 batters.

The final inning was pitched by Cecchini, allowing 1 hit and 1 run.

The Hopewell 11-year-old team will find out later tonight their seeding and opponent tomorrow.