Mike Vukovcan ERIE– The Hopewell High School baseball team played one of their most complete games of the season as they soundly defeated District 10 Champion General McLane, 9-1, in the 1st Round of the PIAA Playoffs.
With Kingston Krotec on the mound, you felt confident about Hopewell’s chances, but what the real story of the game was the Vikings offensive production up and down their lineup.
Hopewell softball and youth baseball is sponsored by Lisa McCoy, your neighborhood State Farm agent.
The Hopewell hitters pounded out 11 hits, including 5 extra-base hits, which were key to victory.
Hopewell’s 4-5-6 hitters, Logan Triscila, James Gill and Ben McDonald went a combined 7-for-12 (2 doubles and 2 triples) along with 4 runs and 8 RBIs.
The most impressive part of that trio’s day was their ability to produce under pressure as all 8 of their runs drive in came with 2 outs.
Also, a huge tip of the cap to sophomore Colin Davis who blasted a solo HR in the 6th inning, which was his first varsity home run.
It was good to see James Armstrong producing from the leadoff spot as he went 2-for-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
The beneficiary of all this offense was Krotec, who once again was outstanding on the mound. Krotec pitched another complete game, going 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.
General McLane never truly threatened expect for the 3rd inning when they loaded the bases with 2 outs, but the inning ended on a fly ball to McDonald in center.
HOPEWELL GAME SUMMARY
Top 1st: Armstrong led off the game with a single and then with 2 outs, Triscila hit a line drive double to center, scoring Armstrong. Next up, Gill whacked a 0-1 pitch to center to bring in Triscila. Next batter, McDonald swung at the first pitch and replaced Gill one 3rd as he also tripled to center. Hopewell led 3-0.
Bottom of 2nd: Krotec with a 1-2-3 inning, striking out 2 batters.
Bottom of 3rd: General McLane loads the bases, but the inning ends on a fly ball to McDonald in center, Hopewell 3-0.
Bottom of 4th: Another easy inning for Krotec as he allows a hit but strikes out 2 batters.
Top of 5th: Davis leads off the inning with a walk, followed by a line drive single to center by Armstrong. Following a 2 out walk to Charlie Smetana which loaded the bases, Triscila doubles to center field to bring in Davis and Krotec. Then on a 1-2 pitch, Gill hits a line drive single to center, bringing in Triscila. Then to cap things off, McDonald hits a long double to center, scoring Gill. Hopewell now leads 8-0.
Top of 6th: With 1 out, Davis clubs a 2-1 pitch to left field and everyone celebrated with CD in the dugout. Hopewell 9-1
Bottom of 6th: A 1-2-3 inning for Kinger, as he struck the first batter out, followed by two groundballs to shortstop Payton Korker.
Bottom of 7th: General McLane led off the inning with a single but that was quickly erased as the next batter grounds into a 6-4-3 DP (Korker to Davis to Triscila). The final out of the game came on a pop up to Krotec on the mound.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 9 GENERAL MCLANE 1
WINNING IS FUN!!!Â
UP NEXT: HOPEWELL WILL TAKE ON WPIAL CLASS 4A champion Indiana on Thursday. Gametime and location to be announced.
