Mike Vukovcan The Hopewell Vikings HS softball team finished up section play with arguably their most impressive win of the season.
The Lady Vikings went on the road and defeated Ellwood City, 6-1, with a balanced performance both offensively and defensively.
Hopewell didn’t commit an error in the field, got strong pitching from sophomore Alana Covalt and production from the middle of their order, in particular Victoria Mann and Isabella Katkich.
Courtesy Hopewell Softball
Hopewell’s record now stands at 8-7 overall and 5-5 in Class 3A/Section 2. That record has them finishing in 4th place, behind Mohawk (9-1), Avonworth (6-3) and Ellwood City (6-3). That 4th place finish has cliched a spot in the playoffs for Hopewell.
GAME RECAP-
Bottom of the 2nd: Ellwood City scored a run in the bottom of the first inning and after that, Covalt completely shut them down and blanked them the rest of the way. With runners at 1st and 2nd with 2 outs, Covalt got out of this jam with ending the inning on a ground ball to Kara Barkovich at third base. Ellwood City 1-0.
Bottom of the 3rd: Covalt struck out the first two batters and the third out on a fly ball to Marina Pinchotti in left field.
Top of the 4th: Hopewell looked to get on the board as Katkich doubled and Barkovich walked with 1 out. However, credit Ellwood City for getting out of this situation and remained in front 1-0.
Bottom of the 4th: Because her team still trailed, Covalt needed to stay strong, and she did just that with another strong inning. The inning started with a groundout to Katkich at shortstop. Following a walk, Covalt ended the inning with consecutive strikeouts.
Top of the 5th: The Lady Vikings finally got on the board by putting up a crooked number. Pinchotti started the inning by reaching on an error and advanced to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt by Teagan Scully. Next up, Covalt laid down a bunt single, which brought in Pinchotti. The game was now tied at 1. The big hit of the inning and the game then took place with 2 outs as Mann blasted a home run to center field, scoring Covalt. Hopewell led 3-1. Next up, Katkich did the same thing as she smacked a solo HR to center. Hopewell led 4-1.
Bottom of the 5th: That 3 run lead was more than enough for Covalt. In this frame, good Vikings defense ended a potential threat. With a runner on first and no outs, Covalt fielded a ground ball and threw out the runner at first to Dakota Roche, who then fired a strike to Barkovich at third getting the runner attempting to advance on the groundout.
Top of the 6th: Hopewell added 2 more runs to pad their lead. Covalt doubled to center with 1 out. Following a walk to Mann, Katkich delivered again, this time with a double down the third base line, which scored Covalt. Hopewell led 5-1. Hopewell would add another run on a passed ball to take a 6-1 lead.
Bottom of the 6th: Ellwood City got a 1-out double but that runner was stranded as Covalt struck out the next two batters. Hopewell led 6-1.
Bottom of the 7th: Ellwood City had one more chance to tie the game but that didn’t happen. Covalt struck out the first batter of the inning, followed by a pop up to Allison Ramaley at second base. Following a 2-out single, the game ended on a line out to Ramaley at second.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 6 ELLWOOD CITY 1
WINNING IS FUN!!!
Statistics:
*Covalt pitched the best game of her young career going 7 innings, allowing 7 hits, 1 run, 3 walks and struck out 9.
*Katkich: 3 for 4, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2 doubles and a HR.
*Mann: 1-3, 2 RBI, Walk, Homerun
*Covalt: 2 for 4, 2 runs, 1 RBI
Hopewell will be back in action this afternoon as they travel to Gateway. Then next week, they close out the regular season with 3 non-section games against Riverside, Moon and Sewickley Academy.
