Mike Vukovcan Hopewell’s two Pony League teams completed a long week of baseball on Friday night as Team Hoffman’s squad took on Riverside while Team Dunn went up against a team from Blackhawk.
All in all, it was a good night was Team Hoffman remained undefeated as they defeated Riverside, 14-7; while Team Dunn came back to tie Blackhawk 9-9.
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TEAM HOFFMAN/RIVERSIDE RECAP:
Team Hoffman (5-0) put up their best offensive performance of the 2026 season as they piled up 21 hits and allowed only 7.
Leading the way were Vin Smetana (3 for 5 and 3 runs), Tyler Hoffman (3-4, 3 runs and 5 RBI) and Liam Rankin (3-for-3 and 3 RBI).
Five Vikings also collected 2 hits apiece- Connor Reed (2-for-4 and 2 RBI), Kruz Krotec (2-for-5, 1 RBI), Austin Gallagher (2-for-4), Rhett Rankin (2-for-3, 3 runs) and Channing Yesionek (2-for-4 and 3 RBI).
Hopewell hitters picked up six extra base hits- Rhett Rankin (2), Reed, Liam Rankin, Hoffman and Smetana.
The Vikings put this game away early as they jumped out to an 11-2 lead after 3 innings.
The beneficiaries of this offensive outburst were pitchers Connor Reed and Liam Rankin.
Reed started and pitched 4 innings, allowing 4 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 4 walks and 6 strikeouts.
Rankin closed things out by going 3 innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 2 walks and 8 strikeouts.
If you want a pitcher to watch out for in the future for the Hopewell HS baseball program, keep an eye out for Liam Rankin over the upcoming seasons. Big-time potential.
TEAM DUNN/BLACKHAWK RECAP:
This game was a back and forth contest the entire way. Blackhawk grabbed the lead late with single runs in the top of the 6th and 7th, but Team Dunn came back to pick up a run in the final inning to earn the tie.
Hopewell (0-3-2) collected 9 hits and were paced by Wade Enders, Ryder Kostrick and Noah Honess, each with 2 hits apiece.
RBI getters for the Vikings were Enders (2), Kostrick (2), Honess (2), Elliot Mancos (1) and David Johnson (1).
On the mound, Henry Dunn got the start and went 3 innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs (2 earned) and struck out 5. Enders pitched the 4th inning, giving up 2 hits, 2 earned runs and struck out 2. Honess closed the game out by going 3 innings, allowing 6 hits, 4 runs (2 earned) and struck out 3.
After having a jam-packed schedule, these two teams have a much-deserved weekend off.
Next week, Team Dunn will return to action on Monday against Ambridge, while Team Hoffman hosts New Brighton on Tuesday.
