|
Senior Tristin Vega sat in the infield with his eyes towards Center field- the place where he had enjoyed being part of so many positive memories this past year. How he would miss not going deeper into the season with his teammates and coaches. Assistant Coach David Hock came and sat down next to him to console him, and they sat there for several minutes. What a positive picture.
Just 24 hours earlier, Vega and his teammates had been part of a spectacular 7-6 come from behind victory over Tabb High School in the quarterfinals of the State 3A Baseball bracket. For the season, he had helped his team with a .326 batting average, (16-49), while providing stellar defense in centerfield.
On this night though, his team would run into one of the state’s premier pitchers in Junior Brady Isaksen from Lafayette ( Williamsburg) who fired an impressive two hitter while striking out 8 and not issuing a walk. With pitching statistics posted through 18 games, he had led his team’s staff with a 1.02 “Earned Run Average.” Entering the game with an 11-11 record, Lafayette had been part of a group of top 10 Class 3 teams that had taken turns beating each other: Grafton -#4-( Yorktown), Tabb- #6- ( Yorktown), York- #7- ( Yorktown), and while this #8 ranked Lafayette team had lost twice to #3 New Kent, they had won when it counted in the quarterfinals of the playoffs 4-2 .
Hopewell had entered the week ranked 31st in that Class 3 listing of teams before knocking off Tabb last night. While the Blue Devils had the momentum from that dramatic Tuesday night victory, Lafayette had had a four day rest after their win over New Kent - awaiting the Hopewell-Tabb winner through their two rain postponements on Friday and Monday of Memorial Day Weekend.
For this Wednesday game at the Hopewell field, Sophomore Luke Kuhns pitched into the fifth inning. While he didn’t have his best stuff, he did break up Lafayette’s no hitter with a solid single with two outs in the fourth inning. Fellow Sophomore Brian Moore produced their other hit with his sharp single in the sixth inning. Senior Matt Misgades was named the Woodlawn Presbyterian Church Player of the Game. He pitched three innings of relief giving up only 1 run, and made a nifty snag at third base of a slowly hit ball to get a runner at first. From his leadoff spot, he finished the season hitting .333, with 19 hits, and led the team with 16 walks and fewest strikeouts with 4.
While a defeat like this is agonizing, especially after Hopewell’s four sixth inning runs the night before propelled them to that thrilling victory, the Hopewell baseball team continues its resurgence under Head Coach Adam Capps. Over the last three years, their season has improved from 8-12, to 11- 11, and now to 13-9. They do need to say goodbye to valuable Seniors like Vega, Misgades, Jake Irby, Blaine Bell, and Jordan Creel. Their leadership helped produce the camaraderie and the chemistry this team excelled in - teamwork, mutual support, and the great rapport they had with their three coaches Capps, Hock, and John Duncan, who provided great inspiration and guidance.
Hopewell’s future is in good hands as it returns 6 starters. Providing Senior leadership next year will be pitching ace Demetrius Sims, who also was very efficient at shortstop, and at the plate hit at a .286 clip. Colsen McCumber excelled defensively behind the plate while hitting .310. Designated hitter Josh Gorkiewicz for most of the season led the team in hitting. Returning for their Junior years will be Kuhns, who led the team in hitting in each of the last two years.( .403 this year) and plays second base when not pitching. Moore finished with a solid. 285 average, and very steady defense at first base. There is yet another bright spot for Hopewell, and it involves a rising Sophomore, who was the most versatile defensive player Coach Capps had this year. Ethan McCumber played each of the infield positions except catcher and first base. He also batted .317 ( 19-60) for the year while in the Tabb game going 2-4 with a double and three runs batted in.
“The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” is more than a television slogan. It hits to the core of players like these, and every competitive person. Yes, there was sadness that resonated after Wednesday night’s loss. Yet in the midst of it, though temporarily submerged, is the joy that has come from this team’s efforts, and from the high school careers that have now ended- a joy that is profound and deep - treasuring the friendships formed and strengthened, along with the knowledge that their winning and losing helps prepare them for their next experience in life. Finally, perhaps an inner thankfulness for their giftedness by God to play this amazing game of baseball.
I want to thank our radio sponsors for helping to bring most of the games to you over WHAP Radio Am 1340 and 96.9 FM: Hopewell City Schools, Strosnider Chevrolet, Sands Anderson Law Firm, and Woodlawn Presbyterian Church.
Our radio station plans to cover more Hopewell Sports in the fall with Friday night Varsity Football.
| 
