Mike Vukovcan Today was one of those games that the Hopewell Softball team will look back and believe they should have one but didn’t.
The Lady Vikings entered this afternoon’s contest against Deer Lakes with a record of 2-1, while Deer Lakes was 1-5. After squaring the game up at 2 early, Hopewell gave up 3 runs late to drop at 5-2 decision.
Freshman Alana Covalt relieved starter Kara Barkovich in the first inning and gave Hopewell a nice effort by pitching the remainder of the game. Covalt went 5 innings allowing 3 hits, 3 runs (0 earned runs), while striking out 5 batters.
Offensively Hopewell was led by junior Allison Ramaley, who collected 3 hits and 1 RBI. Other hit collectors for Hopewell were Isabella Katkich, Dakota Roche and Tallulah Showrank.
With the game tied at 2, Hopewell’s best chance to take the lead was in the top of the 4th as they loaded the bases with 2 outs but were unable to bring anyone home.
In the top of the 5th, Ramaley reached 2nd base with just 1 out but was stranded.
Covalt did a great job of keeping Hopewell in the game and got out of a jam in the 5th inning. Deer Lakes put runners and 2nd and 3rd with 1 out but Alana kept them off the board with a fielders choice and ending the inning with a strikeout.
Unfortunately, Deer Lakes broke through in the bottom of the 6th inning as they scored 3 unearned runs with 2 outs.
Aside from a Ramaley 1-out single in the 7th inning, Hopewell couldn’t get anything else going in their final at-bats.
FINAL SCORE: DEER LAKES 5 HOPEWELL 2
Hopewell returns to action tomorrow afternoon as they’re on the road again, this time traveling to Central Valley.
