Mike Vukovcan East Liverpool, Ohio– If the Hopewell 10-Year-Old All-Star team was going to win back-to-back tournaments, they would need to win 3 games today in Ohio.
Unfortunately, Hopewell was only able to win one game, although they came very close to winning the semifinal game before losing 5-4 to Follansbee (Ohio).
HOPEWELL VS. RIVER VALLEY RENEGADES (QUARTERFINALS)
In the first game this morning, Hopewell got off to a strong start by defeating the River Valley Renegades, 16-10, in 5 innings.
Logan Giering was the MVP of this game as he went 2 for 3, with 3 runs, 3 RBI and a double. Logan also pitched a very strong and important 1.2 innings for his team, not allowing a hit or a run, while striking out 3 batters.
Eden Lingenfelter also went 2-3 with 2 runs and 1 RBI, Breyson Hoth was 2-2 with 2 runs, 1 RBI and 1 walk and Lincoln Cumpston was 1 for 1, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and was hit by a pitch. Sean Bain also came up big with a 2-run double.
This was a tight game early as Hopewell led 10-6 after 2 innings but they broke things open with a 6-run bottom of the 4th inning.
FINAL- HOPEWEL 16 RIVER VALLEY RENEGADES 10
HOPEWELL VS. FOLLANSBEE (SEMIFINALS)
These two teams met yesterday in bracket play with Follansbee overwhelming the Vikings by the score of 11-0. So, on paper, this looked to be an uphill battle for Hopewell.
But as the saying goes, that’s why they play the game.
This was a completely different game than the first one as Hopewell gave Follansbee everything they wanted and were only play away from possibly winning it. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case as they lost 5-4.
Hopewell jumped out to a 1-0 before Follansbee scored 3 in the bottom of the first. However, Hopewell answered with 3 of their own in the top of the second and led 4-3 until the bottom of the 4th. In that frame, Follansbee scored 2 runs, which were the decisive runs of the game.
GAME SUMMARY:
Top of 1st: With 2 outs, Declan Lavia hit a line drive single to center field and would then score as Logan Giering hit a 3-2 pitch to center field for an RBI double, Hopewell led 1-0.
Bottom of 1st: Follansbee put up 3 and were threatening for more but shortstop Jack Holsinger fielded a ground ball and turned an unassisted 6-3 double play to end the inning. Follansbee led 3-1.
Top of 2nd: With 1 on and 1 out, Sean Bain hit an RBI single to right scoring, Waylon Phillips, Hopewell now trailed just 3-2. After advancing on a wild pitch, Bain would score as Breyson Hoth hit a line drive RBI single to center, the game was now tied 3-3. Then with 2 outs, clutch hitting by Holsinger as he singled in Hoth and Hopewell led 4-3.
Bottom of 2nd: Phillips pitched this inning and was effective as he recorded the first out on a groundout to Giering at first. Phillips took care of the final two outs as he recorded two strikeouts. Hopewell led 4-3
Bottom of 3rd: Bowen Smith pitched the 3rd inning and got the job done. Smith took care of the first out on a grounder back to the mound. Out No. 2 came via a strikeout and then with a runner on, Hopewell recorded a fielder’s choice, Lingenfelter to shortstop Clayton Magnone. Hopewell still led 4-3.
*The problem ended up being Hopewell couldn’t extend that lead after scoring in the second inning. Follansbee eventually scored 2 runs in the 4th inning to take a 5-4 lead.
Bottom of 5th: Declan Lavia got the ball in the 5th inning and kept Hopewell close as he recorded a 1-2-3 inning. Lavia struck out the first two batters of the inning swinging before Giering caught a line drive at first for the final out.
Top of 6th: After 1 out, Smith walked on a full-count pitch. After Lavia grounded into a fielder’s choice, he advanced to second on a wild pitch with 2 outs. So, with the tying run at 2nd base, Follansbee took the bat out of Giering’s hand and intentionally walked him and didn’t give him a chance to hit. Hopewell then pulled a double steal to advance runners to 2nd and 3rd, but that’s how the game ended.
FINAL SCORE: FOLLANSBEE 5 HOPEWELL 4
