Hopewell Fall Pony League Comes Back for 7-5 Win Over Beaver

After dropping their first two games of the Pony League season, the Hopewell Vikings have responded with 2 straight wins, including tonight’s 7-5 win at Beaver.

Leading the way offensively for Hopewell were Andrew Arzberger with 4 hits and Reed Budavich with 2 hits. In the last 2 games, Arzberger is 8 for 8.

On the mound, Budavich started and went 2 innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs and 2 strike outs. Arzberger pitched the 3rd and 4th innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 run, while striking out 1 batter. Vukovcan closed out the win by going 2 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 run and striking out 4 batters.

Here’s a recap of tonight’s Hopewell win, which included Hopewell turning 2 double plays.

Top of 1st: Nico Yannessa was hit to start the game and Arzberger followed with a single. After a passed ball put runners on 2nd and 3rd, Vukovcan grounded out to 3rd to bring in Yannessa. Hopewell 1-0.

Bottom of 1st: Beaver scored 3 runs and were threatening for more as they had runners on 1st and 2nd with 0 outs. However, Hopewell turned a double play on the next batter as Vukovcan fielded a groundball at short, flipped to Yannessa at 2nd, who fired to Arzberger at 1st. Beaver 3-1.

Bottom of the 2nd: Budavich came back and had a quick bottom of the 2nd. Reed struck out the first batter, the next batter grounded out to Vukovcan at short and the inning ended with another strikeout. Beaver 3-1.

Top of 3rd: Arzberger led off the winning with a single, which was followed by Vukovcan and Budavich drawing walks to load the bases. With 1 out, Tyler Hoffman hit a fly ball to right field and reached on a Beaver error. On the play, Arzberger and Vukovcan scored to tie the game. Next up, David Johnson grounded out to first base, which brought in Budavich. Hopewell took the lead 4-3.

Bottom of 3rd: Beaver tied the game at 4 and had runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. However, Arzberger got the next batter to fly out to Budavich in right field. Game tied at 4.

Top of 4th: Hopewell first two batters reached base and were driven in when Arzberger tripled in G Olsen and Yannessa. With 1 out, Arzberger scored when Budavich did his job by bringing him in with a ground out to second. Hopewell regained the lead 7-4.

Bottom of 4th: Beaver’s leadoff hitter reached on a walk, but things were cleaned up when the following hitter grounded back to Arzberger at pitcher, who threw to Vukovcan at 2nd, who fired to Hoffman at 1st base.

Bottom of the 5th: Hopewell leading 7-4, Vukovcan came on to pitch and had a quick inning. Luke struck out the first batter, the next batter grounded out to Arzberger at short, with Vukovcan getting the 3rd out on a strike out.

Bottom of the 6th: Vukovcan struck out the first two batters. Then after hitting the next two batters and allowing an RBI single, the game ended on a ground out to Arzberger at short.

Vikings Win 7-5 to even their record at 2-2.

Hopewell returns to action on Tuesday as they’ll host Beaver Falls at home. First pitch is set for 5:30 PM.