Mike Vukovcan HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP– The Hopewell Vikings hosted the Blackhawk Cougars this afternoon in a game that was meaningful in many different ways.
Let’s start with, it was Senior Day, which meant that seven members of the Vikings program were playing their last game at Joe Coella Field.
Hopewell softball and youth baseball is sponsored by Lisa McCoy, your neighborhood State Farm agent.
Tip of the cap to Hopewell seniors Kingston Krotec, Charlie Smetana, Logan Triscila, Ben McDonald, James Gill, Payton Korker and Drew Donovan. Those gentlemen have meant a ton to the Vikings program both on the field and the culture they’ve created for the younger players.
The game had more meaning than just the emotional aspect of Senior Day because this was a very important game in the standings.
Hopewell entered today trailing first place Blackhawk and Beaver by just one game in the standings. Although they’ve already clinched a playoff berth, playoff seeding was on the line as they could still finish anywhere from first to fourth place.
Right-hander Kingston Krotec got the start and as he’s done all season in section competition, Krotec came up with a clutch performance as Hopewell pulled out a late-inning 3-2 win.
For the sixth time in six section starts, Krotec went the distance, pitching 7 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. In all six section starts, Krotec gave up 2 earned runs or less.
The game was tied at 2 going to the bottom of the sixth inning, when Hopewell scored an unearned run to take the lead.
Offensively, Gill led the way for Hopewell with 2 hits, while McDonald, Donovan, Krotec and James Armstrong picked up a hit apiece.
HOPEWELL/BLACKHAWK GAME RECAP-
*Top of 1st: With a runner at first and 1 out, the Vikings defense turned a twin killing as the Cougars hitter grounded back to Krotec, who turned a 1-6-3 DP
*Bottom of 1st: Hopewell got on the scoreboard first as Armstrong and Krotec led off the game with singles and Armstrong scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Smetana, Hopewell led 1-0.
*Top of 2nd: Blackhawk tied the game at 1 and were threatening to get more but Krotec ended the inning with a strikeout with 2 runners on.
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*Top 4th: Blackhawk scored a run in the third inning to go up 2-1 and their leadoff hitter started the 4th inning with a double. After a sacrifice bunt, Blackhawk had a runner at 3rd with 1 out, but Krotec was tough as he recorded a strikeout and an inning ending groundball to second baseman Collin Davis.
*Bottom of 4th: Hopewell tied in the game in the bottom of the frame. Donovan led off with a single and advanced to second on an error. Following a Gill single with 2 outs, Ben McDonald came through with a clutch RBI single to center.
*Top of 5th: Once again, Blackhawk got a runner in scoring position with less than 2 outs but once again, Krotec didn’t blink as he induced a groundball to Donovan at short and a line drive to Korker at third base.
*Top of 6th: Blackhawk’s leadoff hitter reached via a single but was quickly erased as Hopewell turned another double play, Davis to Donovan to Triscila. Game stayed tied at 2.
*Bottom of 6th: Hopewell was able to break the tie in this inning, but it wasn’t easy. Gill led off the inning with a line drive single to center, followed by a walk to McDonald. Then with runners at 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs, pinch-runner Javion Lindsey came in to score on a passed ball. Hopewell led 3-2!
*Top of 7th: Krotec, who was very efficient with his pitch count, came back out for the final inning, needing just 3 outs. If anyone thought that Krotec wasn’t going to deliver, they didn’t see him pitch all season. He wasn’t going to blow this lead and this opportunity.
The Blackhawk hitter swung at the first pitch and grounded out to Davis at second- 1 out. 3 pitches later, out #2 came on a fly ball to Jake Knobloch in right field. The game ended as the Blackhawk batter swung at the second pitch and flew out to Armstrong in left field.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 3 BLACKHAWK 2
WINNING IS FUN!!
Hopewell’s work isn’t done as tomorrow’s last section game is another big one. Hopewell and Blackhawk are now tied for second place and trail first place Beaver by one game.
If Hopewell wins, they will clinch at least second place. If they lose, they will finish in 3rd place. However, if Hopewell wins and Beaver loses to North Catholic, the Vikings will finish the season tied for 1st place.
