Mike Vukovcan ELLWOOD CITY– The Hopewell 9-Year-Old All-Star squad had their bats going tonight as they opened the Summer Splash Tournament with high-scoring win over Ellwood City.
The Vikings outhit the Ellwood City, 11-2, and came away with a 13-11 win.
Hopewell started the game strong as they jumped out to a 10-1 lead, which proved to be the difference as Ellwood City made a late run.
Jonah Honess once again had the big bat in the Hopewell lineup going 2-3, a double, 2 runs and a team-high 3 RBIs. Aaron Ackerman, Brody Benson and Michael Kurta also collected 2 hits apiece. Congrats to Bennett Beron, who bombed a 2-run HR!
GAME RECAP:
Top of 1st Inning– It took only 3 batters for Hopewell to get on the board as Honess doubled in Jordan Peck and Maddox Kennedy. Following an infield single for Ackerman, Benson brought in Honess and Ackerman with a 2-run triple to left field. Benson would eventually score courtesy an error from Ellwood City. Hopewell led 6-0.
Top of 3rd Inning- Ellwood City scored a run in the bottom of the 2nd but Hopewell got it right back. Peck hit a line drive triple to right field and would score on a sacrifice fly by Honess. Hopewell led 7-1.
Bottom of 3rd Inning- Ackerman was on the mound and made quick work of EC as he struck out the first two batters and got the final out on a ground out to Benson at shortstop. Hopewell 7-1.
Top of 4th Inning- Hopewell added two more runs in this inning, one of them coming on a clutch 2-out, 2-run single by Michael Kurta, which brought in and Quinn Zappas and DJ Towler, Hopewell 10-1.
Top of 5th Inning-Ellwood City scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 4th to get within 3 but Hopewell was able to tack on one in the 5th. Honess recorded his second double of the game and would score on a double by Ackerman. Hopewell led 11-7.
Top of 6th Inning– Ellwood once again got within 3 runs but Hopewell continued to put up runs. Quinn Zappas led off the inning with a single and 1 out later, Beron hit a 2-run HR to right field. Hopewell 13-8.
Bottom of 6th Inning– Those 2 runs were important because Ellwood City cut the Vikings lead to just 2 and had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. Hopewell made a pitching change and brought in Honess to try and close it and he did just that by getting a ground out to Peck at second base.
FINAL SCORE- HOPEWELL 13 ELLWOOD CITY 11
This 9-year-old team will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 PM when they take on Blackhawk.
