Mike Vukovcan For the second consecutive game, the Hopewell HS Softball team received outstanding pitching, however it wasn’t enough as Blackhawk pulled out a 2-1 extra inning scrimmage win.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, Blackhawk’s Brynn Hysong collected a 1-out RBI to give the Cougars the walk-off win. Hysong was the best player on the field today as she collected 4 hits in 5 at-bats.
Despite the loss, the Hopewell coaches have to be excited about the pitching they received from both Kara Barkovich and Allison Ramaley.
Barkovich got the start and went 4 innings, allowing just 1 hit, 0 runs, walking 5 and striking out 6 batters. Barkovich threw 73 pitches (36 strikes). Ramaley pitched the last 4+ innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs and striking out 2. Ramaley threw 55 pitches (38 pitches).
The Blackhawk pitchers did a good job silencing the Vikings bats allowing just 4 hits and no runs after the first inning.
Hopewell got on the scoreboard first in the Top of the 1st inning as Victoria Mann doubled in Alana Covalt, who singled to lead off the game.
The game remained scoreless until 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th when Blackhawk squared things up in the bottom of the 6th.
Hopewell had a chance extra innings in the top of the 8th inning as they had runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out but stranded the runner.
Along with the pitching, another positive for Hopewell has been the team defense. In today’s game, the Vikings defense didn’t commit a single error in 8+ innings.
Hopewell will return home for another scrimmage this Thursday when they take on Sto-Rox.
