Hopewell Titans Impress

undefined :applause: The Titans of Hopewell H.S. traveled to Providence today for a scrimmage doubleheader. In the first game versus JM Robinson (3A) they used 3 pitchers (Oliver, Richardson and Smith) who held the Bulldogs mostly in check. The offense was keep on all cylinders by Wesley Dozier who went yard and Brett Richardson and Matt Cochran. Final score Hopewell 14 Robinson 6. In the second game versus Providence they but their big lefty on the mound Dusty White who pitched effectively and was supported big time by Richardson, Vaughn, Oliver, and of course Dusty himself who went yard with a wicked line drive over the right field fence and added a double later in the game. These young Titans surprised me with their very strong offense. They do, however, have to improve defensively and learn where and when to throw the baseball and to be more assertive in the field when going after balls. I think this team might surprise a lot of people. They did it to me today. Final Score: Hopewell 18 Providence 7

 

Hopewell will be a strong opponent for anyone this season. The have a load of great players over there. They may be a bit on the young side, but those "diaper dandies" are going to be dangerous, particularly at the end of the season when the youngen's have had a chance to mature at bit.

 

Congrats to Ttans

Thats two impressive wins! congrats to a great bunch of players and parents! :applause:

 

In Attendance

I was in attendance for these games and Hopewell looked extremely impressive.
Great job guys keep working hard and good things will happen.

 

Just to add a little to the Hopewell scrimmage results, in the first game vs. JM Robinson, (Jr) Wesly Dozier went deep. Also, alot of the real young players at Hopewell got time in the field in the later innings as Coach Billings emptied his bench and even gave some of his outfielders a chance in the infield.

In the second game, as was stated before, (Sr) Dusty White was strong on the mound with a number of K's (don't know exactly how many as I wasn't paying as close attention as I should as it was a georgeous day for baseball) besides going deep. Dusty hit stong all day long and was supported on the mound in the Providence game by (Jr) lefty Brandon Harper, a transfer in from Wedington, who pitched three strong innings and changed speeds and spotted the ball really well. The very good hitting was spread around as (Sr) Brett Richardson hit the ball hard, and alot, both games to all fields as did Wesly Dozier and (So) Michael Vaughn, who pitched in with a HR and double against Providence. Also don't want to leave out (Jr) Matt Cochran who performed extremely well behind the plate. Hopewell prevailed big but in all fairness to Providence and taking nothing away from Hopewell, in the last inning, a couple of errors helped expand the lead. At times, the fielding and throwing for both teams looked a little rough around the edges, but that is to be expected this early in the season.

Unfortunately I cann't say a lot about Providence's players as I am not really familiar with them. But they had one pitcher, pitched in the 3rd and 4th innings that looked real strong. Several of their players could also pound the ball. Perhaps a Providence parent can fill in some.

Like I said before, it was a great early season day for HS baseball.

 

Hopewell v Providence Scrimmage

I have to say something about the Hopewell/Providence Scrimmage. Hopewell has an awesome offense and did jump on Providence 4-0 in the top of the first. Providence came storming back in the bottom of the first when Keith Mauney drilled a line drive over the Centerfield fence to plate two. I believe David Scism and Cory Dunning also hit Home Runs for Providence. If my memory is correct, Providence took a 7-6 lead into the 6th. Hopewell jumped all over Providence in the last inning when Coach Hignight tried out two pitchers who are NOT going to pitch this year. I'm not taking anything away from Hopewell. They have an excellent offensive team, but to just post a final score of 18-7 instead of reporting the game as to how well and close it was played, is an injustice. My best to both Hopewell and Providence this year. They have excellent teams and should compete favorably in their respective conferences.

 

Hopewell/Providence Scrimmage

gbacks21.....I in no way was trying to demean the Providence Team. I just reported the score and had no idea of the pitchers who were used since no programs were provided. I respect Providence their players and their program and I apologize for any misunderstanding.