HOPEWELL TWP– It was a big day for this young Hopewell HS Softball team as they picked up their first win of the season.
After being on the wrong end of the scoreboard for their first 4 games of the season, the Lady Vikings received great pitching, played solid defense and got timely hitting enroute to a 4-2 win over Ellwood City.
Freshman Isabella Cipolla got the start and turned in an outstanding performance as she went five innings, allowing only 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks and struck out 3 batters. In 5 innings, Cipolla threw 74 pitches, 48 for strikes.
Cipolla was in complete command on the mound as she picked up her first varsity victory.
Senior Allison Ramaley took over in the 6th inning and pitched two scoreless innings to record the save.
At the plate, freshman Lillian Otto had a career-high 3 hits, going 3-for-3 with 1 run and 1 RBI. Ramaley went 2-for-3 with 2 runs and 1 RBI. Also, junior Kamryn Roche delivered a big 2-run single which gave Hopewell the early lead.
“Before the game even started, we felt the energy,” said Hopewell HC Ronda Koblek. “There was never a dull moment in the dugout or on the field. The momentum stayed high, even when things weren’t going our way. These girls realize how good they can be if they put their mind to it. The coaching staff is very proud.”
HOPEWEL/ELLWOOD CITY RECAP:
Top 1st: With an EC runner at 1st and 1 out, Kamryn Roche caught a fly ball to right field and then quickly, threw to first to double off the runner.  0-0
Top 2nd: With 2 runners on and 2 out, Cipolla came up big with a strikeout looking to end EC’s threat. 0-0.
Top 3rd: With a runner at 2nd and 2 out, Cipolla once again held EC scoreless thanks to a line out to Ramaley at short. 0-0.
Top 4th: An easy 1-2-3 inning as Teagan Scully, Hazel McCowin and Marina Pinchotti all caught fly balls. 0-0.
Bottom 4th: Hopewell got on the scoreboard in the 4th. With 1 out, Ramaley and Otto connected on back-to-back singles. Then after McCowin walked with 2 outs, Roche came through with a clutch 2-run single to left field, scoring Ramaley and Otto. Hopewell led 2-0.
Top 5th: After her teammates got her the lead, Cipolla went out in the 5th and did her job, setting EC down 1-2-3. The first out came on a flyout to Pinchotti in CF, out #2 on ground out to Ramaley at SS and Cipolla got the final out herself with a strikeout.
Bottom 5th: Hopewell tacked on two important runs in the fifth. Scully led off with a single to left. Then with 2 outs, Ramaley hit a line drive double to left, scoring Sarkis. Next up, Otto delivered an opposite field single to right, scoring Ramaley. Hopewell now led 4-0.
**ALL 4 OF HOPEWELL’S RUNS WERE SCORED WITH 2 OUTS
Top 7th: Ellwood City cut the deficit to 4-2 in the 6th; Ramaley needed just 3 outs to save the game and secure the Vikings first win of the season.
The first EC batter popped up to Ramaley for out #1, which was followed by a Ramaley strikeout. EC didn’t quit as the next two batters singled, so the tying runner was at 1st base. However, the game ended when Roche caught a fly ball out to right field.
Vikings Win!! Winning is Fun!!
FINAL: HOPEWELL 4 ELLWOOD CITY 2
“From the moment we got there, this group had a different kind of focus and intensity,” said Hopewell assistant coach Riley Lewis. “The energy was constant in every inning, and they kept bringing it no matter the situation. When things got challenging, they didn’t back off- they leaned on each other and kept competing. They’re starting to see what they’re capable of, and that’s been great to watch. We’re really proud of them”
Hopewell will get the weekend off before returning to action on Monday when they travel to Avonworth. The team returns home next Wednesday when they’ll host Beaver Falls.