Mike Vukovcan CENTER TWP-Last Thursday against Avonworth, the Hopewell JV baseball team played a solid game but lost 6-5. This afternoon against Central Valley, the Vikings once again played well but this time they came away with the win.
In arguably their best performance of the season, led by the pitching of Andrew Arzrberger and Camden Hoth, Hopewell defeated Central Valley, 5-1.
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The freshman left-hander went 5.2 innings, allowing just 5 hits, 1 earned run and struck out 8 batters. Arzberger threw 96 pitches, 54 for strikes.
Hoth relieved Arzberger in the 6th inning with the bases loaded and 2 outs and ended the inning with a strikeout. The right-hander then pitched a 1-2-3 final inning as he struck out the side.
Offensively for Hopewell, freshman outfielders Reed Budavich and Ryan Gaguzis led the way with 2 hits apiece, Gags also collected 3 RBIs.
Freshman catcher Luke Vukovcan was on base three times this afternoon with a single, walk and hit by pitch. Hoth also reached base 3 times via walks.
Hopewell also played a solid game in the field as they didn’t commit an error and Vukovcan played an above average game defensively behind the plate.
Keys Moments in the Game:
*Central Valley had bases loaded in the 1st inning with 0 outs and didn’t score as Arzberger recorded a strikeout followed by a double play turned by Ethan Adams to Jaxsen Covalt to Budavich at first.
*Central Valley had a runner at 2nd with 2 outs in the second, but Arzberger ended the inning with a strikeout.
*Hopewell scored in the Top of the 3rd inning as Josh Gill led off with a walk, followed by a single by Vukovcan and a walk to Hoth. With the bases loaded with 0 outs, Gill scored on a ground ball by Adams that was ruled an error. Gaguzis then stepped to the plate and on a 1-2 pitch, went the other way with a single to right field, Hopewell led 3-0.
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*An easy 1-2-3 inning for Arzberger in the 3rd as Covalt and Adams both recorded outs on ground balls and RF Gunner Reese caught a fly ball to end the inning.
*CV threatened in the bottom of the 5th when the first two batters reached via walks. However, Arzberger settled down and struck out the next 2 batters and the inning ended on a ground ball to Adams, who flipped to Covalt at short for the force out. Hopewell led 3-1.
*Hopewell added another run in the 6th inning, courtesy an RBI single by Gaguzis, which scored Hoth, who walked. Hopewell led 4-1.
*Arzberger seemed to have another easy inning in the 6th as he got two quick outs, first one on a pop up to Adams followed by a fly ball to Gill in center. However, CV didn’t quit and loaded the bases following 2 singles and a walk. With the bases loaded in 2 outs, Hoth was brought in to replace Arzberger, and it worked perfect as he recorded a strikeout. Hopewell led 4-1 after 6 innings.
*The final run scored following smart base running. Gill reached on a fielder’s choice, which was followed by Vukovcan getting hit by a pitch and Hoth receiving another walk. Then with the bases loaded, Gill attempted a steal of home, got in a long rundown and eventually beat the tag at home to score, Hopewell led 5-1.
*Hoth did his job in the final frame as he recorded 3 quick strike outs.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 5 CENTRAL VALLEY 1
These two teams will play again tomorrow (weather permitting) with the scene shifting to Hopewell High School. First pitch is set for 4 PM.
