The Hopkins softball team had a really good day at the Ionia Invitational, winning all three contests to claim the first place trophy. It was Hopkins’ second straight tourney trophy after it won the hardware the week before at Thornapple Kellogg.
The Lady Vikings took out St. Johns 7-3, then handled Ionia 15-5 and edged Greenville 7-6 in the finals.
Hannah Brinks took the victory on the mound, hurling all seven innings, giving up nine hits, all six runs, walking two and striking out eight.
Hopkins had to come back twice to subdue the Yellow Jackets. The Vikings took the lead, 4-2, in the second inning when Madison Schwartz, Ava Vanderkolk and Cami Hibma drove in all four runs.
They came back again in the fifth when Madison Schwartz drove in the tying run and two frames later she stole second and went to third on a passed ball and then came home after an errant throw by the catcher.
Hibma, Vanderkolk, Rhi Brefke and Jessi Spray each had two hits.
Vanderkolk had a monster game offensively for the Vikings in game two against Ionia. She clouted a grand slam homer, doubled in two other runs and finished seven runs batted in.
Lyla Reynolds and Schwartz each had three hits and Hibma and Madison Washburn added two.
Starting pitcher Hannah Brinks gave up two runs and Gracie Stallard finished up with three innings of work.
Brinks went the distance on the mound for Hopkins in the opening game win over St. Johns, surrendering eight hits and three runs, walking four and striking out nine.
Brinks and Reynolds led the offensive attack.
The Lady Vikings are now 7-1 in O-K Conference standings, tied with Calvin Christian for the top spot. They will take an overall record of 17-6 into a Silver doubleheader on their home field against Comstock Park Monday.
COVER PHOTO: Ava Vanderkolk had the offensive highlight of the day with a grand slam homer.
