Hopewell Pony Tops Beaver Falls in Complete Team Effort

The Hopewell Fall Pony team put together a strong all-around performance Tuesday night, defeating Beaver Falls 13–7 in a game that highlighted the group’s growth and chemistry.

Hopewell wasted no time in the opening frame. Connor Eiler sparked the offense with a single to center, and the rally quickly gained steam with triples from Domenico Yannessa and Ty Shannon that hugged opposite foul lines. A Beaver Falls miscue added another run, giving Hopewell an early edge.

The momentum carried into the second inning, where Ethan Bolinger ripped a triple to get things started. Bennett Tomei followed with a run-scoring double, David Johnson added an RBI single, and Eiler came up clutch again with a two-run hit. By the end of the frame, Hopewell had built a commanding lead, and Tomei’s two-run single in the third only stretched it further.

On the mound, Channing Yesionek set the tone with five strikeouts across just over an inning of work. Relief efforts from Yannessa and Johnson helped close the door, keeping Beaver Falls from mounting a late comeback despite their aggressiveness on the bases.

Offensively, Hopewell finished with 13 hits, led by Eiler’s perfect 3-for-3 night. Johnson chipped in two more hits, and the team combined for 16 stolen bases, with Eiler, Johnson, and Evan Vogel leading the charge.

For Coach Yesionek, the win was about more than numbers. “Ethan Bolinger’s bat has really come alive, and his baserunning was excellent tonight,” he said, pointing out how the young hitter continues to set the tone. He also praised Tomei’s two-hit night and against what he called “three really good arms — each one of them an ace.”

What stood out most to the coach, though, was the way his players continue to develop and play for one another. As he explained, “This was an all-around team win. You can see their baseball IQ rising game by game, and the best part is how they truly play for each other.”

Hopewell now turns its attention to Thursday’s matchup against Blackhawk Fall Pony, carrying plenty of momentum and confidence into the next contest.