Mike Vukovcan Things didn’t look good early for Hopewell (Team Reed) as they got themselves in a big hole last night against Riverside in Pony League action.
But as the saying goes, that’s why they play 9 innings, in Pony League it’s 7 innings but you get the point.
Trailing 8-2 after 2 innings, Hopewell battled back to pull out a 12-11 comeback win.
Trailing 8-2 in the 3rd inning, the Vikings got themselves back in the game with a 4-run frame. The impressive part was that this 4 run inning started with 2 outs.
Andrew Arzberger, who was 3-for-5 for the game, tripled to right field and scored on a passed ball. Logan Sweesy and Ethan Adams then singled and both scored on a double to left by Nico Yannessa. Mason Hahn followed that up with a single to drive in Yannessa. Riverside now led only 8-6.
Following a scoreless bottom of the 3rd by Connor Reed, Hopewell tied the game at 8 following a 2-run double by Arzberger.
Reed went on to pitch both a scoreless 4th and 5th innings, striking out 4 batters. This was a huge factor in this game as it allowed Hopewell’s bats to chip away at the deficit and eventually take the lead, which they did in the top of the 6th inning.
Reed started the inning by getting hit by a pitch. After moving to second on a ground out, Connor stole 3rd base and scored on a passed ball. Hopewell added another run to make it 10-8.
To their credit, Riverside responded by scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th to take a 11-10 lead.
Hopewell had one last chance to tie the game and they did exactly that.
Hahn got things started by drawing a leadoff walk. Hahn advanced to second on a passed ball and then stole 3rd. Jaxsen Covalt then walked and stole second, which put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs.
Reed stepped up and hit a sacrifice fly to center, which scored Hahn, the game was tied at 11-11. Richard Kurtz then stepped to the plate and lined a single to center, scoring Covalt and giving Hopewell a 12-11 lead.
Arzberger went to the mound in the bottom of the 7th looking for 3 outs and he hit them in style. Andrew struck out 3 consecutive batters and needed only 9 pitches to do so.
Final Score: Hopewell 12 Riverside 11.
Team Reed improves their record to 6-3-1. Congrats Vikings!
