By Rich Fisher, Packet Media Group
The Hopewell Valley 8U team rolled to the Cal Ripken District One championship, going 4-0 and defeating Upper Freehold 10-1 in the championship game.
The Bulldogs used great base running, pitching and defense to beat the host Upper Freehold team. John Michael Vlasac, Andrew Halko and George Franklin combined to hold the Redbirds to one run over six innings.
Great defense also played a part. Catcher Dean Mantuano blocked numerous pitches and held down Freehold’s running game, while Grayson Vlasac made a spectacular 8-4 put out from centerfield. Halko added a double play by instinctively grabing a ball that dropped short of the mound and beat the runner home before tossing to Jacob Trupin to complete a double play.
Franklin retired the first two batters in the 6th before JM Vlasac squeezed the last out of the game.
JM Vlasac scored twice as did George Franklin. Mantuano, Halko and Antonio Destribats added key RBI.
