Hopewell Baseball
HV’s Varsity Baseball Drop Season Opener vs. Shenango
In a tightly contested battle between two strong teams, the Shenango Varsity Wildcats edged out the Hopewell Varsity Vikings 2-1 on Friday. Both teams featured stellar pitching performances, but Shenango’s ability to capitalize at the plate made the difference in this defensive showdown.
Hopewell starter David Medich took the mound for the Vikings, delivering a solid outing. Medich went five innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run. He struck out nine and walked three, keeping his team in the game throughout. However, it was the Shenango lineup that struck first, as Tyler Houk’s RBI single in the top of the second inning put the Wildcats on the board.
Shenango’s pitcher, Joey Campoli, was even more dominant. The southpaw went the distance, tossing a complete game while giving up only three hits and one earned run. Campoli also racked up eight strikeouts and issued four walks. His control and poise on the mound were key to the Wildcats’ success, as they held off any potential rally from the Vikings.
Drew Donovan, who replaced Medich in the sixth inning, took the loss for Hopewell. The right-hander pitched one inning, giving up one run on two hits. Despite a strong performance from Medich and Donovan, the Vikings struggled to generate much offense, leaving just a few opportunities to capitalize.
Hopewell’s offense was led by Kingston Krotec, who finished the day 2-for-4 and drove in the team’s lone run. Krotec’s consistency at the plate was one of the few bright spots for the Vikings in an otherwise quiet offensive performance.
For Shenango, Houk was the offensive star, driving in both of the Wildcats’ runs from the number seven spot in the order. He went 2-for-3, providing the necessary spark for his team’s slim but crucial lead.
The game was a testament to the power of pitching, with both teams showing their defensive prowess. Hopewell now turns their attention to their next matchup, where they will host Riverside on Tuesday, looking to bounce back from this hard-fought loss.
As the Vikings prepare for their upcoming game, they’ll aim to sharpen their offense while continuing to build on the solid pitching efforts from Medich and Donovan.
