Mike Vukovcan Although the scoreboard counted it as a loss, the Hopewell Junior High Softball team have a lot to be proud of and encouraged by with their performance this afternoon.
Hopewell went on the road to take on a solid Blackhawk team and battled to the last batter but came up one-run short, 17-16.
Give credit to Blackhawk too as they showed guts and a no-quit attitude as they scored 6 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, all of which came with 2 outs.
The big hit was a grand slam by Ava Elich, who finished the game with 6 RBIs.
Despite the loss, Hopewell has plenty to be encourage md by such as the Vikings hitters out-hitting Blackhawk, 20-15. They also only struck out 7 times in 47 plate appearances.
Leading the way at the late were Lillian Otto , who went 4-for-5 with 3 RBI and Abby Babinsack who also collected 4 hits and 1 RBI.
Other Viking standouts were Brooke Otto, who was 3-4, with 3 runs, 1 walk and 1 RBI, Sam Holsinger who banged out 2 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 walks, Gianni Rossi with 2 hits , 3 runs and Izzy Mutkus with 2 hits, 2 runs and 3 RBI. Left fielder Lilly Enders collected 2 RBI, 1 hit and 1 walk.
Hopewell’s record is now 2-2-1 and will return to game action on Wednesday as they host Beaver.
