Mike Vukovcan A day after one of their more disappointing games of the season, the Hopewell HS baseball team looked to rebound before a break for Easter as they traveled to Laurel Highlands.
Junior Ben McDonald got the start and pitched one of the best games of his high school career. The left-hander pitched a complete game- 7 innings, allowing only 4 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Hopewell softball and youth baseball is sponsored by Lisa McCoy, your neighborhood State Farm agent.
The key for McDonald was his control and throwing strikes. In 7 innings, McDonald threw 76 pitches, 53 of which were strikes.
This was actually a pitchers duel as the game remained scoreless through 6 innings before Hopewell put up 3 runs in the top of the seventh.
The game was scoreless thanks to some good Hopewell defense early in the game.
In the bottom of the first, the Mustangs had runners at 1st and 3rd with 1 out but McDonald escaped thanks to an unassisted double play turned by shortstop Drew Donovan.
In the bottom of the second, Laurel Highlands had 1 on with 1 out and another Hopewell double play as this time it was the 6-4-3 variety- Donovan to Collin Davis to Logan Triscila.
The 3rd, 4th and 5th innings were the 1-2-3 variety as McDonald struck out two batters in the 4th.
McDonald was breezing but just needed some offensive support and he got it by helping himself out.
In the Top of the 7th, McDonald led off the inning with a leadoff triple to right field.
Next up, HC Morgan Singletary called up James Gill to pinch-hit and he delivered with an RBI single to center. Hopewell took a 1-0 lead.
Hopewell’s James Gill
Following a walk to Donovan, a costly error by Laurel Highlands on a bunt from Jake Knobloch allowed both Gill and Donovan to score. The lead increases to 3-0.
It’s only fitting that the game ended with the way that or started.
Laurel Highlands scored a run in the 7th and had a runner at first with 1 out, but the game ended on another unassisted double play turned by Donovan.
Hopewell beats Laurel Highlands 3-1.
Following Easter, Hopewell returns for a huge 2-game series against Hampton. In all likelihood, the Vikings need to win both games if they have any hopes of making the playoffs.
