Mike Vukovcan BEAVER FALLS- For a variety of reasons, the Hopewell Pony League squad (Team Hoffman) have had a hard time playing consistent baseball.
As we enter the back half of the season, the Vikings need to string together some wins or they’ll be on the outside looking in of the Pony League playoffs.
Tonight, Hopewell traveled to Beaver Falls, in a game they needed to find a way to win.
Things didn’t look good as they trailed 4-1 late but were able to squeak out a 5-4 win. It certainly wasn’t pretty but a win is a win.
Hopewell actually took a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning as Luke Vukovcan led off the game with a double and scored on an RBI single by Ryan Gaguzis.
Beaver Falls then scored the next 4 runs, 3 of which came in the 1st inning.
Vukovcan entered in the 2nd inning and pitched the next 2 innings, recording all six of his outs via strikeouts.
Gaguzis entered in the 4th inning and needed to keep Beaver Falls off the scoreboard and that’s exactly what Gags did.
In the 4th inning, Gaguzis got two ground ball outs, one to 2nd baseman David Johnson and the other to 3rd baseman Noah Honess.
Hopewell’s offense finally got going in the top of the 5th inning as they scored 3 runs to tie the game.
Anthony Ventresca led off with a walk, followed by back to back singles by Vukovcan and Mason Santamaria. With the bases loaded and 0 outs, Gaguzis grounded out which scored Ventresca. Hoffman then reached on an error, which scored Vukovcan. Hopewell then tied the game at 4 on an RBI double by Ryder Kostrick.
More good Gaguzis pitching and Hopewell defense in the 5th inning. The first out came courtesy a groundout to Honess, who played solid defense at third. After a strikeout, the inning ended on a pop up to Vukovcan at short.
With the game tied going to the final inning, Ventresca led off and reached out on error and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Vukovcan then collected his 3rd hit of the game but Ventresca was thrown out at 3rd. However, Vukovcan advanced to second on the throw to third.
Hopewell then took advantage of wild Beaver Falls pitching as Vukovcan advanced to third on a wild pitch and also scored on one. Hopewell led 5-4.
Gaguzis stayed on to close thjngs and he got the job done by striking out the first two batters and the game ended on a groundout to Johnson at second.
FINAL: Hopewell 5 Beaver Falls 4
Hopewell will return to action tomorrow when they travel to Blackhawk.
