Jack Hopko sits atop D-I in RBIs in Record-Breaking Season
KINGSTON, RI (WIVT/WBGH) – At the D-I level, it's a competitive atmosphere, but one local we've covered quite a bit since the season opened continues to light it up.
Maine-Endwell product Jack Hopko's incredible season continues as the Rhode Island Rams inch their way toward the A-10 conference tournament. As the season has progressed, he has continued to impress and bring in the accolades.
'Obviously, stats are something you try not to think about, but when you see it all over the place, it's kind of hard not to, said Hopko on how he leads D-I in RBIs. 'So, I mean, yeah, it's obviously a great stat to have. It's just a credit to the guys in front of me that are getting on base.'
Hopko leads not only the Rams and the conference but the entirety of Division I in runs batted in, currently sitting at 69, and he has one less game than the man he sits atop the list with.
'The game just becomes easier,' he said. 'When there's guys on base, it changes from you're trying to create something to just producing runs and getting the guys in.'
Hopko is currently batting a team best .367. The Rams currently sit atop the Atlantic-10 conference, with it being a close race at the top of the standings where 1st and 5th are separated by a game and a half. The Rams in 1st at 14-6, and 5th is Davidson at 13-8.
In Rhode Island's most recent game, Hopko went 4/6 with 7 RBIs and 3 home runs in a win against George Mason, who currently sits 3rd in the conference at 13-7. Despite going 1-2 in that weekend series, it's about how you bounce back.
'Getting that last win was kind of just a bounce back for us and showed us what we're capable of,' said Hopko. 'I mean, our offense kind of exploded in that last game, and our pitching staff threw well too.'
Next up, Hopko and the Rams face off against UConn, where there is a chance he could stand across from an old high school rival and former U-E Tiger, Jude Abbadessa, who could be on the mound when he steps to the plate. That game gets underway at 6 pm and can be watched on UConn+.
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