Published: July 03, 2008 08:58 am         

Hawkeyes improve to 4-0

Staff Report

The Cooperstown Hawkeyes pony league team improved to 4-0 on the season with a 7-1 win against previously undefeated Worcester Monday night in Worcester.

Jarrett Hotaling pitched a complete game, striking out 10, and also went 4-for-4 at the plate with a triple and two runs batted in for Cooperstown. Ethan Bliss was 3- for-4 with five runs batted in and Sawyer Haney was 2-for-2. ``Worcester was a decent team and that was a good win for us because it puts us in first place by ourselves,’’ said Hawkeyes assistant coach Dave Bliss.

Cooperstown began the season with an 8-2 win at Schenevus, as winning pitcher Ryon Bennett struck out six batters in four innings. Hotaling was 4-for-4 with a double and Derek Liner added two hits. Bliss had three strikeouts in one inning pitched, and Hotaling pitched the final two innings, striking out three.

Bennett also picked up the pitching win in an 8-5 win at Cherry Valley last week. Bennett pitched a complete game, striking out 12 and allowing six hits. Hotaling again added offensive support, going 3-for-4, while Bliss and Sam Bowen added two hits each and Darren VanDeusen added a double.

Last Thursday, Cooperstown picked up a 12-3 win over Milford at Doubleday Field as Hotaling pitched five plus innings, striking out nine, to pick up the win, and went 4-for-5 with a double, triple and five RBIs at the plate. Liner was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, Bennett had a double, and Nico Knull and Tony Pacherille were each 2-for-2.

Cooperstown plays at Schenevus on Monday.