Mike Vukovcan ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP– Following a tough 3-2 loss on Monday at New Brighton, Coach Daley’s Hopewell Coaches Pitch team were on the road again tonight as they traveled to Rochester.
Despite the outcome against New Brighton, Hopewell played their most complete game of the season. Tonight, they followed that up with another outstanding performance and were rewarded with a 13-8 victory, their first road win of the season.
Hopewell played another solid game in the field and were led tonight by Harper Lavia, who made 5 putouts and was awarded the Game Ball. That was a tough decision for Coach Daley because he had some many candidates to choose from.
Hopewell’s Harper Lavia
At the plate, the Vikings banged out 23 hits, with Harper Lavia and Will Vukovcan leading the way with 4 hits apiece. Vukovcan went 4-for-4 and collected a team-high 3 RBI.
Hopewell’s Will Vukovcan
Hopewell’s other big offensive contributors were Hudson Lavia (3-for-4 with 3 runs), Brady Daley (3-for-4 with 3 runs, 1 RBI), Cam Baker (3-for-4 with 1 RBI) and Max Kokan (2-for-3 with 2 RBI). Other hit getters for Hopewell were Adley Faust, Brady Lopez, Grayson Oblinger and Cillian Dames, who each collected 1 hit.
GAME RECAP:
Top of the 1st: After 2 outs, Hopewell received some clutch hitting as Daley and Harper Lavia both singled, which was followed by an RBI double to right field by Vukovcan to bring in Daley. Hopewell led 1-0. Next up, Baker singled to shortstop, scoring Lavia. Hopewell led 2-0.
Bottom of the 2nd: The first out of the second came following a grounder back to Oblinger at pitcher, who threw over to Harper Lavia at 1st. The second out happened as Lavia fielded a ground ball to first and ran to the bag. The inning ended as Hudson Lavia hooked up with Daley for a beautiful fielder’s choice at second base. Hopewell led 2-1 after two innings.
Top of the 3rd: Hopewell put up a 4 spot in the third and once again it happened with 2 outs. With Hudson Lavia at first, Daley came thru with a line drive single to third. With 2 on and 2 out, Harper Lavia singled to right field, scoring her brother and Hopewell led 3-1. With a runner at third, Vukovcan hit a ball in the hole between first and second, the first baseman fielded it, but Will beat him in a foot race to the bag. Daley scored on the play and Hopewell led 4-1. Two batters later, Lopez singled to right field scoring Lavia and Vukovcan, Hopewell led 6-1.
Bottom of the 3rd: Rochester loaded the bases with 0 outs, but solid Hopewell defense prevented the Rams from having a big inning. With the bases full, Harper fielded a tough ground ball at SS and ran to the bag for the force out. A runner scored but Hopewell got an out. The second out came on a heads up play by Hudson Lavia, who tagged a runner, who over ran the 3rd base bag. The inning ended on a nice force out play at second by Adley Faust. Rochester scored 3 runs but Hopewell still led 6-4.
Top of the 4th: Dames led off with a single to shortstop and with 1 out, Hudson Lavia hit a line drive double to center field. With Hopewell runners at 2nd and 3rd and only 1 out, Faust hit a sharp single past third base, which brought in Dames and Lavia. Hopewell led 8-4.
Top of the 5th: Hopewell tacked on 3 more runs. Harper Lavia, Vukovcan and Cam Baker all singled to start the inning. With the bases loaded and 1 out, Oblinger singled to shortstop, bringing in Lavia. Hopewell led 9-6. Next up, Kokan singled to right field scoring Vukovcan and Baker. Hopewell led 11-6.
Bottom of the 5th: Rochester was threatening to get back in it was they had the bases loaded with 2 outs. First baseman Hudson Lavia made a heads up play as the batter hit a ball in the hole. As his momentum was taking him towards second, Hudson just tagged the runner going from first. Hopewell didn’t allow a run to score.
Top of the 6th: Hopewell added 2 more runs for insurance. Hudson Lavia laced a triple to left field to lead off the inning. Then with 1 out, Daley doubled Hudson in, Hopewell led 12-6. Two batters later, Vukovcan stroked a singled to right field, scoring Daley, Hopewell led 13-6.
Bottom of the 6th: Rochester scored 2 runs in the last inning but the game ended as Daley fielded a ball at the pitchers mound and fired it to Harper Lavia at 1st base.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 13 ROCHESTER 8
WINNING IS FUN!!
After the game, Vikings Sports Now was able to get Coach Daley’s comments to his players following the win.
