Rain, Runs, and Riverside: Team Hoffman FFC Battles Through Stormy Night

Thursday night’s matchup between Team Hoffman FFC and Riverside was anything but ordinary. With a steady drizzle that turned into a full rain stoppage midway through the game, the conditions were tough—but Riverside didn’t let the weather slow them down, pulling away with a 10-3 win at the Hopewell Raccoon Fields.

Riverside jumped out early, putting two runs on the board in the first inning thanks to a center-field single by Sammy Blatchford and a walk from Nate Boniey—both of whom would eventually cross the plate.

Then came a second inning that broke the game wide open. Riverside poured on six runs with a combination of timely hits and patient at-bats. Piercen Sankey drove in two with a single, Blatchford drew a bases-loaded walk to plate another, and Boniey knocked in three with a big base hit. When the dust (and rain) settled, Riverside had built an 8-0 lead.

They added one more in the third on a wild pitch, stretching the lead to 9-1 before Team Hoffman FFC could find their rhythm.

Noah Honess provided a spark for Team Hoffman FFC at the plate, going 1-for-2 and driving in two runs. Tyler Hoffman and Ryan Gaguzis each tallied a hit as well, but the offense couldn’t find an answer for Riverside’s early surge.

Vin Smetana got the start on the mound for Team Hoffman FFC, working through a difficult lineup in tough conditions. He allowed eight runs and seven hits across just under two innings. On the other side, David Guenther pitched four innings for Riverside, striking out nine and allowing just three hits and three runs—only two of which were earned.

Sankey and Ryan Battaglia led the offensive charge for Riverside with two hits apiece. Boniey and Sankey each collected multiple RBIs, while Blatchford, Sankey, and Battaglia were a constant threat on the bases—each swiping multiple bags. In total, Riverside stole 10 bases and drew six walks, showing discipline and aggression throughout the night.

Despite the rainy weather and mid-game delay, both teams showed up to play. But on this night, it was Riverside who weathered the storm—literally and figuratively.