Hopewell Youth Baseball
Five-Run 4th Inning Puts 12-year-Olds in Championship Game
Things started off shaky as the 12-year-olds trailed West Allegheny 6-1.
But when you have players in your lineup capable of hitting the long ball, you’re never out of a game.
That was the case tonight as the Vikings rallied late and were propelled by two big home runs enroute to a 10-7 victory.
Entering the bottom of the 3rd, Hopewell trailed 6-1 but got bank in the game by scoring 4 runs.
With the bases loaded and 1 out, Liam Rankin singled to left, scoring Vin Smetana. Hopewell trailed 6-2. Following a sacrifice fly by Nico Yannessa and a key 2-out double by Tyler Hoffman, Hopewell cut the deficit to 6-5.
Connor Reed came on to pitch the 4th inning and threw a scoreless frame, which was key and kept the score 6-5.
Here’s what happened in game-winning 4th inning.
Ethan Adams led off with a walk, which was followed by a single to left by Smetana.
Then with 2 on and 1 out, the man of the day for Hopewell, Ryder Kostrick stepped to the plate. In the game earlier this afternoon, Kostrick hit two home runs.
Guess what he did in this at-bat? Yep, Ryder ripped a 3-run HR to center. Hopewell now led 8-6. This was Kostrick’s 5th HR of this 2024 All-Star season.
Hopewell wasn’t done! After a walk to Reed, Rankin hit a bomb to center, which was his third hit of the game. Hopewell led 10-6.
Reed stayed on to pitch the last inning and ended the game with a strikeout.
Final Score: Hopewell 10 West Allegheny 7
The night isn’t done for Hopewell. In just a few minutes, they’ll take on Riverside in the championship game.
