Lillian Otto The future is bright for Hopewell Softball, and expectations are high for a successful season. Many of the girls have been playing together for 6+ years and are part of reputable travel teams, creating a lot of depth to both the offensive and defensive lineup. There is speed, power, pitching consistency, and reliable defense to make this a winning season.
To kick off the Hopewell Junior High School Softball season, I would like to introduce the coaching staff and 8th graders, who will be moving up to the high school level.
Bill Boggs, Head Coach
1. How many years have you been coaching?
A: “This is my 24th straight year of coaching softball.”
2. How do you feel about this season?
A: “I am excited this year because this could possibly be the strongest roster I have had now in my 4th year at Hopewell.”
3. What is your favorite softball memory?
A: “My favorite softball memory was in 2019 season when I was still head coach for Freedom varsity and we set the record for most wins in a season, won two WPIAL playoff games making it to the WPIAL Semifinals which qualified us for the PIAA playoffs, although we lost 9-1 in Dubois. That season my pitcher and catcher were co-players of the year for Beaver County Times and we had several players make 1st team all WPIAL and 1st and 2nd team on all PIAA state teams. To cap it off I was named coach of the year. It was a season I will never forget and always cherish.”
Holly Baughman, Asst. Coach
1. How many years have you been coaching?
A: “I have coached college at Franciscan University from 2015-2020 and Carlow University from 2008-2012.” Total years of coaching – over 25 years
2. How do you feel about this season?
A: “I am always very excited to coach new girls every year, seeing them grow throughout the season is something special. As for the returning girls, I enjoy seeing
them step up in leadership and continue to fine tune their skills. This year we have a great group of 7th graders, and I cannot wait to see them grow and succeed on and off the field.”
3. What is your favorite softball memory?
A: My favorite memory of softball would be coaching both my girls on the same team. One was a pitcher, and one was a catcher. They are 9 years apart in age and never played together, so it was an awesome experience to see them play as a team.”
ISABELLA CIPOLLA #5
Hopewell’s Isabella Cipolla
Position – Pitcher/First Base
Years Playing Softball – 8 years
1. How did you get into softball?
A: “My sister always played.”
2. What is the biggest highlight of your athletic career so far?
A: “The biggest highlight of my athletic career was going to Florida for the USSSA games last year to play on a team for a week.”
3. What is your favorite TV show?
A: Greys Anatomy
4. What would be your perfect future job?
A: “My perfect job would be a surgeon who eventually becomes good enough to create her own schedule.”
LILLIAN OTTO #11
Hopewell’s Lillian Otto
Position – Catcher/Utility
Years Playing Softball – 8 years
1. What is the biggest highlight of your athletic career so far?
A: “My biggest highlight of my softball career is when I hit a grand slam in the championship game with my new travel team, Athletix, this fall.”
2. Aside from softball, what is your favorite sport to play and watch?
A: “Softball is my favorite sport. But other than softball, I play volleyball and basketball. My favorite sport to watch is football.”
3. What is your favorite singer, band, or music artist?
A: SZA, Daniel Caesar and Travis Scott
4. What would be your perfect future job?
A: “I want to be a sports commentator. I want to commentate football, basketball, and softball games.”
ISABELLA MUTKUS #13
Hopewell’s Isabella Mutkus
Position – 3rd Base/Shortstop
Years Playing Softball – 4 years
1. What motivates you to keep pushing yourself?
A: “God and my family.”
2. Aside from softball, what is your favorite sport to play and watch.
A: “I like to watch baseball.”
3. What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
A: “I cheered for 7 years.”
4. What would be your perfect future job?
A: “A lawyer or be in the Air Force.”
ALYSSA GRAY #18
Hopewell’s Alyssa Gray
Position – Outfield
Years Playing Softball – 2 years
1. What is your biggest influence growing up?
A: “My dad.”
2. How did you get into softball?
A: “My friends suggested that I play, and I really enjoyed it.”
3. What is your favorite singer, band or music artist?
A: Zach Bryan
4. Who is your favorite teacher at Hopewell?
A: Mrs. Blyzwick
EVIE DECAMPLI #20
Hopewell’s Eve Decampli
Position – Shortstop
Years Playing Softball – 4 years
1. What is the biggest highlight of your athletic career so far?
A: “Winning a tournament before my birthday with my friends.”
2. What motivates you to keep pushing yourself?
A: “I am motivated by the fear of failure and the need for success.”
3. What is your favorite restaurant in Hopewell?
A: Dairy Queen
4. Who is your favorite singer, band or music artist?
A: Zach Bryan
GIANNA ROSSI #21
Hopewell’s Gianna Rossi
Position – Catcher/Middle Infielder
Years Playing Softball – 9 years
1. What motivates you to keep pushing yourself?
A: “My father.”
2. How do you handle pressure during big moments in a game?
A: “I talk to my dad or think about it.”
3. What’s your favorite singer, band or music artist?
A: Playboi Carti, Ken Carson, Jay-Z and Rihanna
4. Who are your favorite teachers at Hopewell?
A: Mrs. Pollick and Mrs. Morell
ABBY BABINSACK #22
Hopewell’s Abby Babinsack
Position – Pitcher/First Base
Years Playing Softball – 3 years
1. Aside from softball, what’s your favorite sport to watch and play?
A: “My favorite sport to play besides softball is volleyball, and my favorite sport to watch is hockey.”
2. Is there a particular game that stands out as your favorite?
A: “A game that sticks out as my favorite is my 12u softball playoffs game verses Riverside where I had 12 strikeouts pitching and a triple.
3. What’s your favorite singer, band, or music artist?
A: Meghan Trainor
4. What is your ideal vacation destination?
A: California and Disney
LILY ENDERS #25
Hopewell’s Lily Enders
Position – Shortstop/Center Field
Years Playing Softball – 4 years
1. What were your biggest influences growing up?
A: “My parents. They are always motivating me that I can do whatever I put my mind to.”
2. What motivates you to keep pushing yourself?
A: “My family is my biggest motivator. Growing up all my family did was softball and they made me love it as much as they do.”
3. What is your favorite thing to do outside of sports?
A: “I love playing wiffle ball with my family.”
4. What is your favorite restaurant in Hopewell?
A: Shulligans
AUBREE JOHNSON #29
Hopewell’s Aubree Johnson
Position – Second Base/Right Field
Years Playing Softball – 2 years
1. What were your biggest influences growing up?
A: “My parents.”
2. What motivates you to keep pushing yourself?
A: “I am motivated to one day become really good at softball if I keep trying.”
3. What is your favorite thing to do outside of sports?
A: “Hanging out with friends.”
4. What is your favorite restaurant in Hopewell?
A: JW Halls
KYLIE SMITH #34
Position – First Base/Center Field
Years Playing Softball – 3 years
1. How did you get into softball?
A: “I started playing softball after some of my friends wanted me to play with them.”
2. What were your biggest influences growing up?
A: “My biggest influence is my mom as she has influenced me and pushed me to be the best I can be.”
3. What is your favorite thing to do outside of sports?
A: “My favorite thing to do outside of sports is having fun with my friends and socializing with my family.”
4. What is your ideal vacation destination?
A: “My favorite vacation place is Outer Banks, North Carolina.”
Stay tuned to ongoing coverage of your Hopewell Junior High Softball team on Vikings Sports Now. Come out and support them as they play at home April 16th and April 22nd.
Go Vikings!
