Hopewell Pony League Beats Blackhawk to Earn 1st Win of Fall

Winning is fun and that made tonight a fun night for the Hopewell Vikings Fall Ball Pony league team.

After losing their opening two games of the season, Hopewell went on the road and pulled out an impressive 7-2 win over Blackhawk.

Pitching was key tonight for the Vikings as Andrew Arzberger, Luke Vukovcan and Nico Yannessa held the Couguars to just 4 hits, walked only 2 batters and struck out 12.

Arzberger threw a perfect 2 innings, allowing 0 hits, 0 runs and striking out 5. Vukovcan pitched the 3rd and 4th innings and allowed 2 hits, 1 run and struck out 3 batters. Yannessa closed out the game and allowed 2 hits, 1 run and struck out 4.

GAME RECAP:
*Hopewell got on the board in the top of the 1st inning. After 1 out, Arzberger picked up the first of his four hits on the evening. Then with 2 outs, cleanup hitter Reed Budavich hit a line drive double, scoring Arzberger. Hopewell 1-0.

*Bottom of the 1st- Arzberger struck out the first two batters with the final out coming on a pop up to 2nd baseman Ethan Adams.

*Top of the 2nd inning- After 2 outs, Keller Faulkner drew a walk, which was followed by another walk by Yannessa. Then with runners on 1st and 2nd, Arzberger dropped a single into center field, Faulkner scored. Hopewell 2-0.

*Bottom of the 2nd inning- Arzberger made short work of Blackhawk as he struck out the side. Hopewell 2-0.

*Bottom of the 3rd, Hopewell leading 2-0: With Vukovcan coming on to relieve Arzberger, the first batter grounded out to Yannessa at second. Vukovcan then got a strike out looking and the final out came on another grounder to Yannessa at second. Hopewell 2-0.

*Top of the 4th, Adams and Christian Fisher started off the inning with walks. Following a passed ball, Yannessa singled to right field, which brought in Adams. Hopewell led 3-0. After Yannessa advanced to second, placing runners on 2nd and 3rd, Arzberger picked up his 3rd hit scoring Fisher and Yannessa. Hopewell led 5-0.

*Bottom of the 4th, Vukovcan struck out the first two batters. Then after Blackhawk scored a run and were threatening for more but Vukovcan got a ground ball to Arzberger at shortstop. Hopewell led 5-1.

*Bottom of the 5th, Yannessa came on and struck out the side, all three coming via swinging.

*Top of the 6th, with 2 outs, Arzberger singled, which was followed by a Vukovcan double. Next up, Budavich reached on a Blackhawk error, scoring Arzberger and Vukovcan. Hopewell’s lead grew to 7-1.

*Bottom of the 6th, with 1 on, Yannessa got the first out on a strike out. Following a single to put 2 on, Yannessa got a pop up to Arzberger at first. Following a Blackhawk run, the last out came via a pop up to Yannessa on the mound.

Vikings Win!!

Congrats Hopewell on win No. 1! The Vikings return to action on Thursday as they travel to Beaver.