Hopewell Little League Walks It Off vs. Ambridge!!

Vikings Little League Walks It Off Against Ambridge

Hopewell Vikings Little League (Team Lavia) faced another tough test with a different Ambridge team at Kane Road on Monday night.

The Vikings fell behind 4-0 in the first inning, but managed to even the score in the bottom half with some clutch hitting.

The two teams traded runs in the second, before Ambridge pulled ahead 6-5 after 3. The Bridgers added to their lead in the top of the fifth, but the Vikings bats battled again to tie the game heading into the sixth inning.

With the game tied at 7 a piece, Hopewell would strand the potential go-ahead run at third, and head into the bottom of the sixth with a chance to walk it off.

After a leadoff walk drawn by Easton Mrkonja, and a stolen base, Gannon McNally singled in the winning run to secure the 8-7 victory for the home squad.

The Vikings offense was lead by Hunter Prenatt, who was 3-3 on the night with a pair of RBI. McNally, Connor Eiler, Jade DeAngelo, and August Ersek each also notched a hit for the Vikings. Eiler added 2 RBI, and Declan Lavia scored twice for Hopewell. Trent Kanyuch, Noah Loos, and Steven Brammer each reached base twice.

The pitching staff got the job done for the Vikings, allowing only three runs over the final five innings. Steven Brammer and Hunter Prenatt held Ambridge to one run each in the second and third innings, Declan Lavia allowed one run and struck out four batters throughout the fourth and fifth innings, and Connor Eiler pitched a scoreless sixth, K-ing twice and stranding the would-be go ahead run at third base.

The Vikings were sound defensively on the evening, with Lavia and DeAngelo making multiple clutch plays up the middle, and Ersek snagging a couple well hit balls in centerfield. Noah Loos made several strong plays at third base, including a highlight reel catch on a foul ball up the third base line, reaching over the fence to secure the out.