Hopewell Junior High Softball
Hopewell Lady Vikings Junior High Softball Team Battles Back to Tie South Fayette in Season Opener!
Hopewell Lady Vikings Junior High Softball Team Battles Back to Tie South Fayette in Season Opener
In their first game of the season, the Hopewell Lady Vikings Junior High Softball team found themselves in a tough spot early on, but mounted a thrilling comeback to tie South Fayette 16-16 in an action-packed matchup on Tuesday.
The Lady Vikings struggled initially, falling behind 16-5 heading into the fifth inning. Hopewell’s pitching staff, starting with Bella Cipolla, gave up 10 runs over the first two innings. Cipolla pitched two innings, allowing eight hits and four walks, while striking out one. Alyssa Phillips took over, surrendering six runs on just one hit in her two innings of work. Despite these pitching struggles, the Vikings stayed competitive, scoring five runs early to remain in striking distance.
Brooke Otto started things off in the first inning with a single down the left field line, and Lily Enders followed suit with another single. Alyssa Phillips then grounded into a fielder’s choice, driving in a run. South Fayette quickly responded with six runs of their own in the bottom of the first, taking a 6-3 lead. They extended their advantage in the second and third innings, putting Hopewell behind 16-5 going into the fifth.
Hopewell’s offense came alive in the fifth inning with a remarkable 11-run rally. The team batted through the lineup, showcasing strong hitting and smart base running. Izzy Mutkus was a standout at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and two singles. Her contributions were key to the comeback, as she scored and drove in several runs during the pivotal fifth inning.
In the top of the fifth, the Lady Vikings exploded for 11 runs, tying the game 16-16. Key hits came from Mutkus, who doubled twice, and Lillian Otto and Abby Babinsack, who both had doubles of their own. The team also benefitted from a passed ball and multiple walks, including two walks each from Cipolla, Gianna Rossi, and Babinsack. Enders also added two stolen bases to the effort.
Despite the early pitching challenges, Cipolla returned in the bottom of the fifth, delivering a scoreless inning that allowed Hopewell to hold onto the tie and avoid a loss.
Hopewell finished the game with 15 hits and eight walks, showing their offensive depth. While the pitching will need some refinement, the team’s resilience and offensive power were on full display.
Next up for the Hopewell Lady Vikings Junior High team is a matchup against West Allegheny on Thursday.
