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.
Established in 1986, family owned and serving the Beaver County community for over 40 years. Serving breakfast favorites and lunch specials.
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.
