Mike Vukovcan HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP– Sports can be great but they can also be heartbreaking and unfortunately the Hopewell Junior High Softball team dealt with the later this afternoon.
In Game One of a double-header against Central Valley, the Lady Vikings looked as though they were on their way to a victory but that’s not how things ended. Hopewell led by 3 runs with 2 outs in the last inning but Central Valley didn’t quit and went on to score 4 runs enroute to a 10-9 come from behind victory.
Hopewell is coming close lately but not getting any breaks. Last Monday against Blackhawk, Hopewell led 16-11 with 2 outs in the last inning only to see Blackhawk go on to score 6 runs to win 17-16.
This Hopewell team is talented and will no doubt learn from these tough outcomes. They’re obviously in position to win, now it’s just a matter of getting that 3rd out in the final inning.
In Game 2 of the double-header, with the score tied 5-5 in the top of the 4th inning, CV scored 6 runs in the last two innings to come away with an 11-6 victory. The highlights in this game were a Homerun by Lillian Otto and Lilly Beron and Lacy Soltis each registering 2 RBIs.
Hopewell’s Lillian Otto
Keep in mind in high school and junior high double headers, the games are only 5 innings instead of the normal 7 innings.
GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS:
*Bottom of the First: Central Valley scored 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning but Hopewell cut into that lead in their first at-bats. Gianna Rossi led off the game with a single to left field and after advancing to third on an error and a groundout, Rossi scored on an RBI ground out by Brooke Otto. Central Valley 3-1.
*Bottom of the Second: After a scoreless second by Hopewell starter Bella Cipolla, which included 2 strikeouts, Hopewell tied the game in the bottom of the second. Lillian Otto led off with a single and advanced to second on an error. Otto then scored on a deep double to center field by Abby Babinsack. Abby would then score on another error by CV. Game tied 3-3.
*Top of the Third: Cipolla put up another zero with a sold inning. First out came following a groundout to Brooke Otto at third base. Shortstop Izzy Matkus then made two catches to end the inning with the game still tied at 3.
Hopewell’s Bella Cipolla
*Bottom of the Third: Hopewell took the lead, and a terrible break prevented them from adding a couple more. With 1 out, Brooke Otto singled to right field and would come around to score on a deep home run to center field by Matkus. This home run by Izzy was an absolute bomb. Hopewell took their first lead 5-3.
Hopewell’s Izzy Mutkus
Next up, Lillian Otto collected a single to left field. In game one, Otto racked up 3 hits in 4 at-bats. This where Hopewell ran into bad luck and arguably as the turning point of the game. With Otto on first, Babinsack looked to have a home run as she crushed it to center field. It looked to be a carbon copy of Matkus blast earlier in the inning, however, the battle hit off the very, very, very top of the fence and instead of the ball tipping backwards, it dropped straight forward. Instead of a homerun, Babinsack got a double with Otto advancing to third. Unfortunately for Hopewell, they couldn’t bring home another run. Instead of leading 7-3, Hopewell only led 5-3.
*Top of the Fourth, CV retook the lead on a 2-out, 3 run-HR by Powell, which was her second homerun of the game. CV retook the lead 6-5.
*Bottom of the Fourth, Hopewell wasn’t flustered and responded with 4 runs. Rossi reached on a fielding error, which also scored Lily Cain, and the game was tied at 6. Hopewell then got some 2-out magic of their own as Lillian Otto came up clutch with a single to left field, which scored Rossi and Sam Holsinger. Hopewell led 8-6. Otto would then score on an RBI single by Babinsack. The middle of Hopewell’s lineup produced as their 3, 4, 5 and 6 hitters (B. Otto, Mutkus, Otto and Babinsack) went 8-for-13 (two doubles, HR) and 7 RBIs.
As mentioned earlier, CV didn’t die and scored 4 runs with 2 outs in their final at-bats.
FINAL SCORE: CENTRAL VALLEY 10 HOPEWELL 9 (5 Innings)
The Hopewell Junior High team returns to action on Thursday as they’ll host South Fayette with the first pitch set for 4 PM>
