Mike Vukovcan CENTER TOWNSHIP– A week after winning their own All-Star Tournament, the Hopewell 12-Year-Old All-Star team was back on the field as they open up play in the Central Valley All-Star Tournament.
HC Dave Gigliotti’s team opened up action this afternoon with a matchup against the Washington Bronco All-Stars. The Vikings bats were as hot as the weather and thanks to four homeruns, Hopewell walked away with an easy 12-1 win.
Going long today for Hopewell were Kruz Krotec with 2 HRs, Rhett Rankin with 1 and Henry Dunn with 1.
With a 10+ run lead, this game only went 5 innings, which helped out Hopewell in terms of innings pitched. Rilynn Davis got the start and went 2 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 earned run and struck out 2. Rankin pitched the 3rd and 4th innings, allowing 1 hit, 0 earned runs and striking out 3. Dunn pitched the last inning and gave up 1 hit.
GAME RECAP:
Top 1st: Davis got things going quick as she led off the game with a walk and then stole second and third base. She then scored on an RBI ground out by Krotec as Hopewell took an early 1-0 lead.
Bottom 1st: Washington got a runner to 2nd base with 2 outs, but Davis cleaned things up by getting a ground out to Krotec at shortstop.
Bottom 2nd: Washington scored on an RBI groundout and had a runner at 3rd with 2 out but Davis ended the inning with a strikeout. Game was tied at 1.
Bottom 3rd: Hopewell picked up a run in the top of the 3rd thanks to a couple of errors from Washington and Rankin entered in the bottom of the frame. Rhett started the inning with back-to-back strikeouts and the inning ended with a groundout to Eli Seech at second base. Hopewell led 2-1.
Top of 4th: The inning started as on a 3-2 pitch, Krotec hit a line drive HR to left field. The very next batter, Rankin did the very same thing as the left-handed batter put it over the right field fence. Hopewell led 4-1. Later in the inning, Dunn walked and eventually advanced to third after a wild pitch and a stolen base. Henry then scored as Wes Gigliotti laid down a perfect bunt single. The scoring eventually ended as Elliott Mancos hit a line drive single to score Austin Gallagher. Hopewell led 7-1.
Top of 5th: Five more runs for Hopewell in the 5th inning. With 1 out, Krotec hit his second HR of the game, once again to left field. Then with 2 outs, Wade Enders reached on an infield single to third. Dunn then stepped to the plate and hit the first pitch he saw over the left field fence. Hopewell led 10-1. The last two runs of the inning scored as both Gigliotti and Gallagher stole home.
Bottom of 5th: Washington was able to load the bases with 2 outs, but the game ended as Dunn was able to get a fly ball out to Seech in right field.
FINAL: HOPEWELL 12 WASHINGTON 1
*Later today, Hopewell will take on the host team, Central Valley. VSN will of course have a game recap.
