Hopewell Pony League Baseball
Blackhawk Silences Hopewell’s Bats in 8-4 Win
Raccoon Twp- Heading into tonight’s game, Hopewell has been able to build up a 5-game unbeaten streak (4-0-1) despite producing much offense.
The Vikings have ridden the coattails of their tremendous pitching but their good fortune ran out tonight against Blackhawk.
While the pitching wasn’t dominant, in the end it didn’t matter because the Hopewell bats were only able to muster 2 hits in 7 innings.
Hopewell did manufacture some base runners and runs courtesy of 4 Blackhawk errors but it wasn’t enough as they dropped an 8-4 decision to the Cougars.
Right-hander Reed Budavich got the start for Hopewell and pitched a strong first two innings.
In the first, after allowing a leadoff walk, Budavich was able to retire the next 3 batters on 2 fly outs to Jayvion Lindsey in CF and a pop up to Camden Hoth at 3rd.
Blackhawk looked like they were going to break open the game in the 2nd as the first 3 runners reached base (error, walk and hit batter). However, Budavich got strong and got out of the jam without allowing a run.
Reed struck out the next two batters and then with 2 outs, Budavich got a pop up to first baseman Andrew Arzberger.
Unfortunately, Hopewell couldn’t keep Blackhawk scoreless forever as the Cougars scored 6 runs over the next two innings, four of which came after 2 outs.
Hopewell picked up 2 unearned runs in the 4th inning as Hoth’s groundout scored Noah Ciminella and Jaxsen Colvalt manufactured a run by stealing home.
Blackhawk scored two more runs in the 5th to extend their lead to 8-2.
Those were the last runs Blackhawk scored as Hoth came on to pitch a scoreless 6th and 7th inning.
Hopewell’s two hits tonight were collected by Budavich and Collin Davis.
Hopewell scored two more unearned runs in the last inning but that ended up being four runs short.
It should be pointed out that Hopewell played tonight without 3 starters (James Armstrong, Luke Vukovcan and Ryan Gaguzis).
Hopewell will have a chance to rebound as they return to the field tomorrow as they take on Central Valley.
