Game of the Year!! 8-Year-Olds Beat Moon, 7-6, in Extra Innings

In what might have been the best game played at the Kane Road Complex this season, the Hopewell and Moon 8-year-old All-Stars played a classic.

In the semifinals of the Hopewell All-Star tournament, Hopewell defeated Moon, 7-6, in 8 innings (extra innings).

The defensive play in this contest was incredible considering these were 8-year-olds, especially the Hopewell infield. Not to single out a player but the defense played by Jonah Honess was incredible.

We want to give credit to the Moon players as well because they played equally as well, as they held this Hopewell offense to just 15 hits and 7 innings in 8 innings. Yesterday, the Vikings scored a combined 38 runs in two games. So, hats off to this Moon team.

Before we get to some specific plays and the game-winning 8th inning, here’s a box score of the Hopewell offense.

Leadoff hitter Jordan Peck paced the way with 4 hits, followed by Brody Benson with 3 hits and Bennett Beron, Honess, Ackerman, Tristyn Trkulija and Michael Kurta finished with 2 hits apiece. In terms of RBIs, Honess had 3 and Benson, Ackerman, Maddox Kennedy and Tommy Carver each drove in one.

BIG MOMENTS OF TODAY’S WIN:
Top of the 1st, Moon had runners at 1st and 2nd with 0 out, and the Moon batter lined out to Ackerman at first base, who then stepped on first for a double play.  0-0.

Top of the 2nd, Moon leading 2-1 and have a runner at 2nd with 2 outs, Moon batter grounds out to Honess at 3rd base (that will be a theme today).

Bottom of the 2nd, Kennedy with a RBI double to score Trkulija, the game is tied at 2-2. Next batter, Carver singles to center field, scoring Kennedy. Hopewell leads 3-2.

Top of the 4th, Hopewell leading 4-3, Moon has two runners on and 1 out, Moon batter grounds into a fielders choice to Peck at second for the second out. With a runner at 3rd and 2 out, Moon batter flies out to Honess at 3rd base.

Bottom of the 5th and Moon leading 5-4, Pecks leads off the inning with a double and would come around to score on a RBI single by Benson. Game tied at 5-5.

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Top of the 6th (last inning in regulation), 3 batters grounded out to Honess at 3rd base. This was huge. Remember these are 8-year-olds and the throw to third to first is the longest from the infield. Not only did Jonah field three consecutive ground balls but he threw them to first and Ackerman caught them all.

Top of the 7th, game still tied at 5, Moon with runner on 1st with 0 out, but the next two batters ground out to Benson at shortstop, who gets the out at second. Next batter hits a grounder to Honess at 3rd, who throws to second for the out.

Top of the 8th, Moon has a 6-5 lead and has the bases loaded and just 1 out. The Moon hitter pops up to Honess at 3rd base and the last out came on a flyout to Kennedy in left field. Instead of allowing a handful of runs to dig themselves a big hole, Hopewell did damage control and only allowed 1 run.

Bottom of the 8th, Peck leads off with a single. Next up, Beron picks up an infield single, which was followed by a single to center by Benson. Hopewell has the bases loaded with 0 out, Honess hits a sac fly to center, which scores Peck, and the game is tied at 6. With runners at 1st and 2nd, Ackerman singled on the first pitch he saw to bring in Beron.

Hopewell Wins 7-6 in 8 innings!!

Following the game, HSN caught up with Hopewell assistant coach Adam Ackerman to get his thoughts on this classic.

“Being a part of a game like that is very special,” said Ackerman. “It was an absolute dog fight. Moon played great and showed a lot of guts. They have a good group of kids, and they are well coached team. The outcome went in our favor, but it could have gone either way.”

“It’s great to see the kids keep a positive attitude and never give up. As a coach, it’s great to see the stuff we work so hard on in practice, paying off and watching the kids apply it when it matters. The next game will be tough, but after what I’ve seen this season, these kids are up to the task and will play hard until the final out.”

The 8-year olds will take on either New Brighton or Central Valley in the championship game.