Mike Vukovcan Prior to the season, Hopewell Junior High baseball coach BJ Rankin told Vikings Sports Now that he felt as though the strength of his team and he’s been 100% correct.
This afternoon, Hopewell traveled to take on Central Valley and the duo of Ryder Kostrick and Liam Rankin led the Vikings to a 6-2 win.
Established in 1986, family owned and serving the Beaver County community for over 40 years. Serving breakfast favorites and lunch specials.
The victory was Hopewell’s 3rd of the season, which is impressive considering this team was winless last season.
Hopewell’s offensive wasn’t overwhelming and did all their damage in the 1st inning, which was all they needed.
Hopewell’s Kruz Krotec
Hopewell Six-Run First Inning:
*Vin Smetana led off the game with a hard single to right field and after reaching second base, would score on an error on a ball hit by Kruz Krotec. Hopewell loaded the bases following a single to left field by Tyler Hoffman (2 hits in the game for Hoffman) and Nico Yannessa was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded and 1 out, Connor Reed came through with an RBI single that brought in Krotec, Hopewell led 2-0.
Later in the inning, Hoffman would score on a passed ball and then Liam Rankin singled to center, bringing in Yanessa and Reed.
Hopewell’s Defense:
*After getting staked to a 6-0 lead, Kostrick and his teammates played a flawless game in the field.
1st Inning:
*Central Valley loaded the bases with 0 outs, but Hopewell was able to limit the damage, which turned out to be the turning point of the game.
-The first out came when Channing Yesionek fielded a ground ball at third and threw home to get the runner for a force out.
-After CV scored a run on a bases loaded walk, Hopewell got out #2 on a popup to catcher Tyler Hoffman.
-CV added a second run on a passed ball but Kostrick ended the inning with a strikeout. Hopewell led 6-2 after the first inning.
Established in 1986, family owned and serving the Beaver County community for over 40 years. Serving breakfast favorites and lunch specials.
2nd Inning:
*Easy second inning as Kostrick recorded a strikeout, a groundball out to Yesionek at third base and then a fly ball out to Rhett Rankin in right field.
3rd Inning:
*Another stressless inning for Kostrick as the first out came on a fly ball to Brandon Cecchini in right, followed by two strikeouts.
4th Inning:
*Liam Rankin took the mound to start the 4th inning, and he was lights out striking out the side.
5th Inning:
*In the final inning, Rankin started things off with another strikeout but then got into a jam as he loaded the bases. Rankin then found a way to get out of things as he recoorded his 5th strikeout of the game and the game ended on a pop up to Reed at first base.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 6 CENTRAL VALLEY 2
Winning is Fun!!
Pitching Line:
Kostrick: 3 Innings, 2 Hits, 2 Runs, 4 Walks and 4 Strikeouts.  (77 pitches, 38 Strikes)
Rankin: 2 Innings, 2 Hits, 0 Runs, 2 Walks and 5 Strikeouts.   (40 pitches, 22 Strikes)
Next up for Hopewell is a game on Friday against Ambridge.
