Mike Vukovcan HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP- The Hopewell 11-Year-Old All-Star team started their final baseball tournament of the summer as they get to finish things out at the Kane Road Complex by hosting the Hopewell All-Star Tournament.
The Vikings opened up play this morning and got off to a great start by overwhelming Blackhawk, 17-3 in just 4 innings.
When you score 17 runs in a game, obviously a lot of players contribute, but Declan Lavia stood out in this game as he batted leadoff and went 3-for-3, 3 runs, 1 walk and 5 RBIs. Nice game Dec!!
Other top performers this morning were CF Michael Ambrose, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Zac Seech continued her outstanding hitting this summer by collecting 2 hits and 3 RBIs, while Gannon McNally went 2-for-2 with 3 RBI and 1 walk. Gannon also started the game for Hopewell on pitched 2 innings, allowing just 1 hit and 1 run. Also, wanted to mention Jaxson Heppner who picked up 3 RBIs.
This game was tied at 1 after the first inning but then Hopewell exploded for 16 runs over the next 3 innings.
SCORING RECAP:
Top of 2nd: Ambrose led off the inning with a line drive single to right, which was followed by a walk to Leo Yannessa. After those two players advanced on a stolen base, they both scored on a 2-run RBI single by Heppner, Hopewell led 3-1. After Hunter Prenatt was hit by a pitch and stole second, Lavia drove him in with an RBI single, Hopewell led 4-1.
Top of 3rd: After both Connor Eiler and Owen McGovern reached base to start the inning, Ambrose came through with an RBI single to plate Eiler, Hopewell led 5-1. With the bases loaded, Bryce Croner drew a walk to bring in McGovern, Hopewell led 6-1.
The Vikings then came through with clutch 2-out hitting to put the game out of reach. First it was Lavia with an RBI single to score Ambrose. Next up, Seech with a 2-run single to score Yannessa and Croner. Finally, McNally stepped to the plate and put a ball down in left field to score both Lavia and Seech, Hopewell led 11-1.
Top of 4th: Hopewell wasn’t done hitting for the game as they added 6 more runs in the 4th inning. Heppner brought in the first run with a bases loaded walk. Then with 2 outs and the bases loaded, Lavia came through again, this time with a bases clearing double to right field, scoring Ambrose, Yannessa and Heppner, Hopewell led 15-2. Lavia then scored on a line drive double by Seech. The final run of the game then scored as McNally drove in Seech with a single to center field, Hopewell led 17-2.
Bottom of 4th: Reagan Haring pitched the 4th inning and did the job. First out came on a strikeout, followed by a groundout to McGovern at 3rd base. The final out of the game came as Hunter Prenatt threw out a runner trying to advance to second base.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 17 BLACKHAWK 3
Next up: Hopewell would have another game this afternoon against Beaver.
