BABE RUTH 13-YEAR-OLDS
By: Tim Falls
The Hopewell 13-year-old Babe Ruth team is on its way to the Middle Atlantic Regional Championship tournament.
First, however, Hopewell will play in the Southern New Jersey 13-year-old state championship tonight (Thursday) in Washington Township.
Win or lose, Hopewell has already secured a berth in the regional tournament.
Medford, a team Hopewell defeated Tuesday night in the winner’s bracket final, 11-1, is hosting the Middle Atlantic Regional Tournament. While Hopewell obviously secured a spot as either the Southern New Jersey Tournament champions or runners-up, they actually secured their trip to the regional tournament two days earlier. With Medford gaining an automatic bid as host, Hopewell clinched their trip regional tournament by reaching the winner’s bracket final and guaranteeing at least a third-place finish with a 6-5 win over Marlton on Sunday.
Hopewell and Medford went into the winner’s bracket final undefeated.
John Croak pitched all six innings, throwing a three-hitter and allowing no walks with 72 pitches in the Hopewell’s 11-1 victory.
Dylan Yuska and Don Giordano had two RBIs each, while Alex Rhoads had a sacrifice fly for an RBI.
"They have a good chance to win this tournament," said Hopewell manager, Jim Patnick. "They’re pursing the Southern New Jersey flag."
Hopewell opened the tournament with a 10-6 victory over the host team, Washington Township.
Hopewell quickly learned they would have to handle a tricky field.
"The field is hard and bumpy, infield and outfield," said Patnick. "In the game against Washington Township, we got caught three or four times on in-between hops."
Patnick said his fielders have been especially careful to read where the ball will wind up.
"It’s a hitter’s field," said Patnick. "The kids have been playing good baseball all year and they’ve learned to pay particular attention when the ball is coming to make sure it’s coming to them. It’s made all the difference in the last two games, defensively."
Solid defense and being prepared for odd hops proved crucial as Hopewell edged Martlon by a run.
With Hopewell ahead 6-4 in the final inning, Marlton hit a one-hopper into left field that let one run score. Brooks Backinoff, in centerfield handled the ball and threw home to stop Marlton from scoring another and tying the game. Catcher Evan Miller made the catch at home and chased the Marlton runner back toward third. Miller threw to third baseman Nick Gies, who made the tag for the final to send Hopewell to the winner’s bracket final.
Hopewell shut out Millville, 11-0, on Saturday, after learning how to handle the field on Friday night.
"They really concentrated on the long or short hops," said Patnick. "It really helped our defense."
Miller homered and went 3-for-3 with four RBIs in the win, while Rhoads had a pinch-hit double for two RBIs. Nick Geis threw a five-inning, three-hit shutout.
In Hopewell’s opening win against Washington Township, Mike Hartel went 3-for-5 with five RBIs, Miller, Croak, Jason Patnick and Drew Crivelli all scored twice. Patnick got the win, while Crivelli recorded the save.
Hopewell will play the winner of the loser’s bracket final between Medford and Cherry Hill, tonight. If Hopewell loses, the ‘if necessary’ game would follow immediately afterwards. Regardless of what happens in the SNJ final, Hopewell will move on to play in the regional tournament, which begins Aug. 3 in Medford.

