Mike Vukovcan NESHANNOCK– The Hopewell Softball team realized that their task on Opening Day wasn’t going to be easy.
This 2026 Hopewell team is extremely young meaning they’ll be going through plenty of growing pains this season. That plus the fact that they were on the road against one of the best programs in the WPIAL made it an extremely difficult assignment.
Unfortunately, it was a tough start as Neshannock jumped out to a 5-0 lead after 2 innings and went on to defeat Hopewell, 7-1.
A&S Federal Credit Union are proud sponsors of Hopewell Boys and Girls High School, Junior High and Youth Sports.
A couple bright spots for the Vikings were the fact that their pitchers held Neshannock to only 2 runs in the last 4 innings of the game, along with Claire Sarkis collecting 2 hits from the leadoff spot and Abby Babinsack reaching base twice (1 hit and 1 walk).
Senior Allison Ramaley got the start for Hopewell and gave up 3 earned runs in 1.1 innings. Ramaley was relieved by Babinsack who pitched 2 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 earned run and struck out 2. Isabella Cipolla closed out the game going 2.2 innings, allowing only 2 hits, 0 runs and struck out 2 batters. Hopewell gave up 3 unearned runs.
Hopewell (0-1) will have a couple days off before returning to action on Friday when they travel to Ellwood City.
