🥎⚓ Hopewell 12U Navy Opens Season With Statement Win Over CV Carolina! ⚓🥎

The road to the playoffs started with energy, grit, and a big-time victory Thursday night as the only Hopewell 12U softball team this spring, Hopewell 12U Navy, knocked off one of the league’s strongest opponents, CV Carolina 12U Hill, by a final score of 7-4 in an important early-season seeding matchup.

The win gives Hopewell a huge boost in one of five critical seeding games that will help determine playoff positioning later this season. Even more impressive, the Vikings did it against a talented CV Carolina squad that many expect to contend deep into the postseason.

Leading the charge for Hopewell is veteran coaching duo Rachel Santamaria and Mary Cronin, who have now coached many of these girls together for seven years, building chemistry, confidence, and a strong softball culture along the way. Santamaria is also coming off another successful high school season as a varsity coach at Hopewell High School, where the Lady Vikings recently clinched a playoff spot and now prepare for a showdown with McGuffey next Thursday.

That winning mentality carried right into Thursday’s season opener.

After Hopewell grabbed an early lead in the second inning when Ruby Fillo grounded out to score a run, CV Carolina answered in the third inning behind a two-run double from Ruby E to take a 2-1 lead.

But Hopewell never blinked.

The Vikings stormed back in the fourth inning with clutch at-bats and aggressive baserunning. Aubrey Majors delivered a key RBI single while Lacey Snouffer worked a bases-loaded walk to help swing momentum back in Hopewell’s favor. Then came the game-changing fifth inning explosion, where the Vikings poured on four more runs to put the game out of reach.

Hopewell’s offense was fueled by patience and pressure all night long. The team drew an incredible 13 walks and constantly attacked on the basepaths, swiping eight stolen bases and forcing the defense into difficult situations.

🔥 Offensive Standouts

Madison Santamaria continued her strong play at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored, two stolen bases, and later shutting things down in the circle.

Meier Swana was a hitting machine as well, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI double and consistently making hard contact.

Aubrey Majors came through in the middle of the lineup with a huge RBI performance, finishing 1-for-2 with two RBIs, a run scored, and two stolen bases while also starting the game in the circle.

Tayla Schwartzmiller set the tone from the leadoff spot, collecting a hit, drawing a walk, scoring a run, and stealing two bases while creating chaos on the bases all game long. Adding an amazing catch in the fourth inning deep in center which surely saved a run her defense was sizzling last night.

Sofia Cronin added a hit, a walk, and a run scored while helping anchor the defense at first base.

Jaina Zito contributed an RBI and scored a run despite battling through tough at-bats against strong pitching.

Ruby Fillo added an RBI groundout and worked a key walk for the Vikings.

Lacey Snouffer showed tremendous patience at the plate, drawing a bases-loaded walk that plated an important insurance run.

Kaylin Michael displayed excellent discipline by drawing two walks in limited plate appearances.

Maisie Karwowski crossed the plate for a run and battled her way on base with a walk.

Natalie Freddo worked a walk and stayed aggressive on the bases and in center field defensively.

Erin Points added a run scored after reaching base via walk and helped keep innings alive.

Madison Marchitelli also battled at the plate and contributed with a walk against tough pitching.

💪 Strong Work In The Circle

Hopewell’s pitching staff combined for a strong effort against a dangerous lineup.

Aubrey Majors started the game and battled through three innings, allowing just two runs while striking out two hitters. Her ability to limit damage early helped keep Hopewell within striking distance before the offense erupted.

Then came Madison Santamaria in relief — and she slammed the door shut.

Santamaria dominated over the final three innings, allowing only one hit while striking out five batters and giving Hopewell complete control late in the game. Her composure and command in pressure moments helped seal the season-opening win.

It’s important to note a complete pitching win is not possible without a strong command behind the plate, Meier Swana and Ruby Fillo were in control of the game managing the pace and sealing some key outs with clean defensive play supporting their pitchers.

The Vikings finished with seven hits, seven runs, and relentless energy from top to bottom in the lineup — exactly the kind of complete team performance coaches hope to see to start a new season.

If Thursday night was any indication, Hopewell 12U Navy could be a team nobody wants to face once playoff time arrives. 👀🥎