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Hopewell HS Baseball

Hopewell Scores Season High Runs in 17-3 Pasting of Shenango

by Mike Vukovcan
written by Mike Vukovcan 2 minutes read

SHENANGO HS– The Hopewell HS baseball team entered this week with a bye week, in the event they needed to make up any section games from earlier this season.

Since that wasn’t needed, HC Morgan Singletary didn’t want his players to have an entire week off and decided to challenge them with a couple of solid non-section games.

On Wednesday, they defeated Shaler, 7-2, and keep in mind, Shaler had won 2 of the last 3 WPIAL championships in 5A.

This afternoon, the Vikings traveled to take on a Shenango team that was 9-2 and tied for first place in Class 2A with a record of 5-1.

It didn’t end up being much of a game as Hopewell smacked Shenango, 17-3 (in 6 innings). This is the fourth time in their last six games that Hopewell has scored 10+ runs in a game.

Another impressive number is that this marks the 9th time in their 11 games this season that the Hopewell pitched have held the opposition to 3 runs or less.

The 17 runs were Hopewell’s highest run total this season and most in a game since a 19-0 win over Freedom back in 2019.

The victory was Hopewell’s 7th in a row and improves their record to 8-3.  In case you were wondering, the 7-game win streak is Hopewell’s longest since the 2023 season, the year in which they won the WPIAL championship.

When your team scored 17 runs, you start the game recap by talking about the offense and today Hopewell banged out 15 hits.

The star at the plate was senior centerfielder Ben McDonald, who went 3-4, including a 3-run home run to right field. That was McDonald’s 3rd HR of the season and his second straight game with a homer. Ben scored 4 runs, drove in 3 runs and also walked.

Four Hopewell hits collected 2 hits apiece- Drew Donovan, Charlie Smetana, James Gill and Jake Knobloch. Collin Davis, Brody McCullough, Kingston Krotec and Jayvion Lindsey also collected a hit.

RBI getters for Hopewell were- McDonald (3), Knobloch (2), Krotec (2), Donovan (2), McCullough (1), Smetana (1), Gill (1) and Lindsey (1).

The beneficiary of this offensive support was Donovan, who picked up his first win of the season. With McDonald, Krotec and Payton Korker not able to pitch today, Donovan stepped up big-time for his team, going 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 earned runs and striking out 3 batters. Singletary called upon Knobloch to pitch the last inning as he closed out the Hopewell win.

This team will get the weekend off before starting a very important 2-game section series on Monday at home against Hampton.

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Hopewell Colt League Baseball

Hopewell Colt Team Bombs South Side, 17-7

by Mike Vukovcan
written by Mike Vukovcan 1 minutes read

South Side- In their next to last game before the All-Star break, the Hopewell Colt Baseball team had the bats going as they defeated South Side 17-7 (6 innings).

The Vikings batters collected a season-high 16 hits, including 4 extra-base hits.

Owen Ackerman and Jake Knobloch led the way with 3 hits apiece, while 4 Hopewell players had 2 hits apiece- Jayvion Lindsey, Payton Korker, Parker Hoth and Cam Hoth.

Gunner Reese and Parker Hoth both had 3 RBIs, while Chris Shiel had 2 and Ackerman and Korker each had 1.

Hopewell plated 3 runs in the 1st inning and South Side answered with 4 in the bottom of the inning. But, Hopewell went on to score 10 runs in the next two innings to ice the game.

Scoring Summary-

*Top of 1st: With 2 on and 1 out, Parker Hoth drove in Knobloch and Korker with an RBI single. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, Reese drew a bases loaded walk to bring in P. Hoth.  Hopewell led 3-0.

*Top of 2nd: Lindsey and Knobloch singled to start the 2nd inning. Next up, Korker then hit a line drive double to left scoring Lindsey. After Knobloch scored on a wild pitch, Parker Hoth drove in Korker with an RBI single. Hopewell would go on to score two more runs, including a sacrifice fly to center by Ackerman. Hopewell led 8-4.

*Top of 3rd: Hopewell would score 5 more runs with the big hits being an RBI single to left by Ackerman and a 2-run 2B to left by Reese. Hopewell led 13-5.

*Top of 6th: After scoring 2 unearned runs in the 4th, the Vikings added their final 2 in the 6th inning. Knobloch and Korker were hit to start the inning, which was followed by a walk to Parker Hoth. With the bases loaded, Shiel grounded into a force out to score Knobloch. That was followed by a double to right field by Ackerman.

Final Score: Hopewell 17 South Side 7

Next up for Hopewell is a matchup on Tuesday at home against undefeated Weirton (8-0).

 

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Hopewell Colt League Baseball

Hopewell Shuts Out Beaver Falls in Colt League Opener

by Mike Vukovcan
written by Mike Vukovcan 2 minutes read

BEAVER FALLS- The 2025 Colt League Baseball season began for the Hopewell Vikings as they traveled to Beaver Falls.

This team is coached by Hopewell HS Head Coach Morgan Singletary and made up of players on Hopewell’s varsity team as well as a few 8th graders.

In tonight’s season opener, Coach Singletary went with junior Payton Korker, who was outstanding as Hopewell shutout Beaver Falls, 11-0 in 5 innings.

Hopewell’s Payton Korker

The right-hander went 3 innings, allowing only 3 hits, 0 walks and 4 strikeouts. Freshman Owen Ackerman pitched the final two innings, giving up only 1 hits, 1 walk and struck out two batters.

Hopewell struck for 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning. Collin Davis and Jayvion Lindsey led off the game with back-to-back walks. Then with 2 on, Jake Knobloch singled to bring in Davis, Hopewell led 1-0.

Then with 1 out, Josh Gill dumped a single down the right field line to bring in Lindsey and Knobloch, Hopewell led 3-0.

Korker had an easy bottom of the first inning with a nice play coming from shortstop Jake Knobloch, who charged in to field a ball and Vukovcan made a nice stretch at first to get the runner. Korker then struck out the next two batters.

Hopewell added 3 more runs in the 2nd inning. Two runs scored on a ground ball fielders choice by David Villanueva and an error by the Beaver Falls infield.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Korker recorded two more strikeouts along with a groundout to Vukovcan at first.

Three more Hopewell runs in the 3rd inning. Lindsey led off with a walk, followed by a Knobloch single and a walk to Vukovcan. Then with the bases loaded, Gill drew a walk to score Lindsey, Hopewell led 7-0.

Then with 1 out and the bases loaded, Parker Hoth was hit by a pitch to make it 8-0. The final run of the inning crossed the plate when Vukovcan scored on a wild pitch.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Beaver Falls has their only threat as two runners reached with 2 outs. However, Korker stranded both runners with a pop up to Vukovcan at first.

Ackerman entered in the bottom of the 4th inning and made quick work of BF as he got two groundouts to Knobloch and a pop up to Davis at 2nd base.

Hopewell added two unearned runs in the top of the 5th to stretch the lead to 11-0. By having a 10-+ lead in the 5th inning, Hopewell just needed to not allow two runs in the bottom of the 5th and the game would be over.

Ackerman allowed the first two runners to reach but Owen came back to strike out the next two batters. Then with two outs, the game ended on a nice catch by Davis in short right field.

Final Score: Hopewell 11 Beaver Falls 0.

Next Game: Hopewell travels to Central Valley on Thursday.

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Hopewell HS Baseball

Hopewell Falls to Montour in Non-Section Game

by Mike Vukovcan
written by Mike Vukovcan 1 minutes read

The Hopewell High School Baseball team has a break from section games until after Easter but that doesn’t mean they won’t be playing.

The Vikings have 3 non-section games scheduled starting yesterday against Montour. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Hopewell but was moved to Montour due to field conditions.

Montour jumped out up a 4-0 lead but Hopewell came back to tie things up in the 4th inning. But the Spartans produced a 5-run 5th inning enroute to a 10-4 victory.

A key stat in the game was Montour outhitting Hopewell, 10-5.

Taking a look at that 4 run fourth inning, Charlie Smetana led off with a walk, followed by Logan Triscila getting hit by a pitch. Followed by a walk to Brody McCullough, Ben McDonald came through with a 2-run single, scoring Smetana and Triscila.

Then with 2 outs, Jake Knobloch came through with a clutch 2-out double which tied the game at 4.

Hopewell’s Jake Knobloch

Taking a look at the Hopewell boxscore, freshman James Armstrong continues to hit well out of the two spot, going 2-4. McDonald went 2-3, while Smetana drew two walks.

Junior right-hander Drew Donovan got the start and went 3 innings allowing 4 earned runs, while striking out 5 batters.

Hopewell returns to the field next week as they have games against Serra Catholic on Wednesday and Laurel Highlands on Thursday.

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Hopewell HS Baseball

Struggles Continue, Hopewell Loses to Ambridge, 7-1

by Mike Vukovcan
written by Mike Vukovcan 1 minutes read

No one would’ve predicted that the Hopewell HS Baseball’s record to start the season would be 0-5 but that’s where they find themselves following this afternoon’s 7-1 loss to Ambridge.

Unfortunately the storyline today continues what the trend all season and that’s been a lack of offensive production.

Trust me, this isn’t due to a lack of effort, focus or work as these kids and coaches are working hard at it six days a week.

Unfortunately they just haven’t been able to produce the results they’ve worked hard for.

In today’s game, Hopewell managed only 4 hits and 3 of those came in the last 2 innings when the game was out of reach.

Prior to this game, in their last 4 games, Hopewell managed only 4 hits against Beaver, 4 hits against Beaver, 1 hit against Riverside and 3 hits against Shenango.

Credit Ambridge starter Joe Leseiko who pitched 6 innings, allowing only 3 hits, 1 run and striking out 12 batters.

The Bridgers offensive collected 9 hits, including 3 home runs: 2 by Carter Mason and 1 from Liam Baker.

Two small bright spots for Hopewell were freshman James Armstrong who went 2-4, including a double and Jake Knobloch who relieved starter David Medich and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, striking out 3.

Hopewell returns to action tomorrow as they once again take on Ambridge. A win is crucial because an 0-4 section start would be nearly impossible to dig out of.

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Hopewell HS Baseball

Hopewell’s Jake Knobloch Looking to Grab His Opportunity and Run with It

by Mike Vukovcan
written by Mike Vukovcan 4 minutes read

Former Florida Gators great and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow once said, ““Honestly, I’m just trying to do the best I can with every opportunity I’m given, and when I’m given the opportunities make the most of them.”

That’s the exact way that Jake Knobloch is looking at the upcoming Hopewell High School baseball season. After having a minor role with the team as a freshman last year, opportunities exist for him this season and he’s doing everything he can to grab ahold of his chances and run with them.

With players graduating and moving on, Knobloch is in line for the starting job at second base as well as trying to carve out a role with the Vikings talent pitching staff.

Hopewell’s Jake Knobloch

As is the case with most freshman in any sport, Knobloch did a lot of practicing but not much playing in 2024. However, that doesn’t mean that he didn’t get anything out of his first season in varsity baseball.

“I’m really excited. This year is different from last year because I’ll have the opportunity to have a role on the team.,” Knobloch. “Last year was nice though because I was able to watch and learn from the older players, watch their routine, how they address high school baseball in practices and especially in games. I’m very excited for the upcoming season.”

“I definitely paid attention to our hitters approaches at the plate, how they went about practices and their mindset in games but really the way they practiced every day.  I saw and they showed every day and are showing again this year, how much they want to win. These guys really want to win and we’re not settling for just making it to the playoffs. Our entire mindset during the offseason has been to work towards playing more than just one game in the offseason.”

Starting with the 2025 team workouts and actually going back to baseball in the fall, the Hopewell coaches had a couple of spots in mind for Knobloch which he was happy about. Jake loves baseball and is excited every time he practices and plays but knowing he had an opportunity for a prominent role really got the juices flowing.

“Starting in the Fall during practices and games, coaches talked to me about playing second and possibly getting time at third base and shortstop,” said Knobloch. “Their big focus to me was that they believe that I’m someone with the ability to move around and play multiple positions. When I found out about that, it was really exciting because getting an opportunity to play is really a big deal.”

“I’m not sure that changed my mindset too much because my mindset and goal was to work to earn a spot on the field and play. But having that opportunity placed in front of me, it definitely lit a fire, but I’ve always had the mindset and desire to get on the field this year.”

Growing up, Knobloch has always played second base for third base, so this won’t be any sort of transition for him. As far as a hitter. Jake tells Vikings Sports Now that he’s someone that hits for contact and occasionally displays some power. Although he’d hit anywhere the coaches place in the lineup, he believes hitting 6th or 7th would be perfect for him.

Hopewell’s Jake Knoblach

Second base isn’t the position that Knobloch will be at for the Vikings this season as he should get the opportunity on the pitching mound. Whether it’s as a starter or reliever, that’s still to be determined, but once again, all Knobloch is looking for is an opportunity and he’ll be getting that.

“I think having the opportunity to start whenever Coach Singletary needs me and being able to provide good depth for my team in relief will be a good an important thing,” said Knobloch. “I definitely feel good. A big focus for me this year will be getting ahead in the count and staying ahead in counts.”

“I wouldn’t say that I will be a big strikeout guy, but I’ll be good at getting weak contact. I believe I’m pretty good at placing my pitches and finding my spots. During the offseason, I took a deep dive into trying to learn hitters’ swings. I watched a lot of videos on pitch development, how to get proper movement with the ball. The more spin on the ball creates more movement and that’s what I want in order to try and create swings and misses. I want to be able to provide good depth for the team, so if Coach Singletary needs 2 or 3 innings from a reliever that I can be that guy for him.”

All, Knobloch has put in the work to become a better player and someone that can help the Vikings win this season which has gotten the attention of his head coach.

“Jake has put in a lot of work this off season,” said Head Coach Morgan Singletary. “He is physically bigger and stronger than he was last season. We are excited to see how that transfers to his at bats and his defense.”

Hopewell’s Jake Knobloch

“He had a few opportunities to pitch last season and did well with them. He will be getting more this year as well as a lot of opportunities at the plate and on defense. Not only has he prepared himself physically for the season, but he has put in extra time completing the leadership program we began this year. He was the only underclassman to do so.  Jake is still young but has a lot of upside and puts in the work needed to make big jumps.

Knobloch and the Vikings will take part in a scrimmage this Saturday at South Fayette before starting the season on the road against Shenango on March 14th with their Home Opener taking place on March 18th against Riverside.

 

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