Hopewell Pony League Advances to Pony League Championship

Darlington- When you’re a team that has quality pitching, you’ll have a chance to be in every game and win a lot of them.

That’s been the story of the 2024 Hopewell Vikings Pony League team.

Coach Jamie Yurcina has had the fortune of being able to call upon arms such as James Armstrong, Collin Davis, Camden Hoth, Andrew Arzberger, Luke Vukovcan, Ryan Gaguzis, Jackson Yurcina and Jayvion Lindsey.

These are quality arms and they gave Hopewell quality performances, more times than not resulting in a win.

This pitching depth was going to be tested in these Beaver County Pony League playoffs.

If Hopewell was going to make the championship series, they needed to win 3 games in 3 consecutive days. Coupled with that, because of pitch count, if your starter threw more than 55 pitches, they were required then required to not pitch for 4 days.

Hopewell used James Armstrong and Collin Davis in there first two wins, so Yurcina would need to call upon that depth if they had a chance at the championship.

The call was answered in a big time manner as Hoth and Arzberger had their best outings of the season as Hopewell shutout No. 3 Blackhawk, 2-0.

Hopewell advances to the championship to take on Freedom, who upset No. 1 seed Ambridge. The championship is a best of three series, which starts tomorrow.

So, in their three games, Hopewell beat the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds along with a very talented Central Valley team.

The pitching was great but so was Hopewell’s defense which was outstanding. Hopewell made 18 outs in the field against Blackhawk/Haberman and didn’t commit a single error.

Speaking of defense, one thing was very obvious to anyone that saw these playoffs is the strength of Hopewell’s outfield. Not many teams have the luxury of being able to have players such as Lindsey and Armstrong roaming the outfield.

9 times out of 10, if a fly ball is hit to the Hopewell outfield, the ball is going to be caught.

Here are the game details of the semifinal win, which started Wednesday night and ended tonight.

In the first inning, Armstrong clobbered a deep home run to right-center field.  Hopewell led 1-0 and that turned out to be all they’d need.

In Blackhawks bottom of the first, Stephenson flew out to Armstrong, Korol grounded out to 3rd baseman  Luke Vukovcan and with 2 on and 2 out, Jackson lined out to 2nd baseman Jackson Yurcina.

Hoth was dealing in the second as he got two batters to ground out to SS Collin Davis and Elliot lined out to Lindsey in left.

Blackhawk had their best threat in the 3rd inning. After striking out the first batter, Hoth walked the next two batters. Then in what was arguably the play of the game, the Blackhawk runner attempted to steal third but catcher Owen Ackerman threw a strike to Vukovcan at third, who applied the quick tag.  Then with 2 outs and a runner at 2nd, Hoth got Haberman to fly out to Lindsey in left.

Thanks to our sponsors!

The rain then came and the game was suspended until tonight.

Rules stated that because Hoth pitched more than 35 pitches, he wasn’t permitted to pitch today so Coach Yurcina called upon lefty Andrew Arzberger.

Arzberger rewarded his coach and picked up the team as he turned in possibly the best outing of his career.

Arzberger went 4 innings, allowing just 1 hit, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.

Blackhawk went down 1-2-3 in the 4th as Fusetti grounded out to first baseman Vukovcan, Jackson grounded out to Hoth at 3rd base and Elliot struck out.

Arzberger was helped out with a huge defensive play in the 5th inning. With 1 on and 1 out, Haberman grounded out to Vukovcan at 1st base. After stepping on the base, Vukovcan fired down to Davis at second base. Initially, the runner was safe but the throw was right at the bag and the base runner momentarily lifted his hand off the base and Davis applied a quick down for the third out.

Hopewell added a second run in a controversial way.

Owen Ackerman led off the top of the 6th inning with a single and then with 2 outs, Davis ripped a single to left.

So, with runners at first and second with 2 out, Blackhawk decided to intentionally walk Armstrong to load the bases. This was the second time today that Blackhawk intentionally walked Armstrong. In the 4th inning with 1 out, they walked him despite no runners on base.

So after walking Armstrong, Hoth came to the plate with the bases loaded. Hoth made them pay as he walked on four pitches. Hopewell now led 2-0.

Arzberger had an easy 1-2-3 sixth inning as Stephenson flew out to Lindsey, Korol flew out to Armstrong and Haberman went down swinging.

Hopewell needed 3 more outs to advance to the championship game.

In the 7th inning, the first out came on a pop up to Yurcina at second base. After a walk, Arzberger got Elliot to ground to second base.

Hopewell needed one more out and got it on this play.

Hopewell advances to the championship game against Freedom in a best of three series. Game One is tomorrow at Freedom. Game Two will be on Monday at Raccoon Township. If a Game Three is necessary, it will take place on Tuesday at Freedom.