Steady dose of offense propels Blue Streaks to second consecutive opening day victory over Cocalico, 11-1

After months of preparation and waiting, the Manheim Township Blue Streaks kicked off their 2022 season with a showdown at home against the Cocalico Eagles on Saturday afternoon. With a freshly raked infield, cleanly manicured outfield, and unfortunately cool game time temperature of 46 degrees after weeks of Spring-like weather, we were underway with the new season.

Senior Ben Shenosky (5-1, 1.96 ERA, 45 K in 2021) got the start on the mound for the Blue Streaks and picked up right where he left off last season. Accruing 3 fly outs in the top of the 1st and 3 strikeouts in the 2nd, Shenosky was rolling early. JT Weaver and Michael Heckman both started hot at the plate to start their senior season with Weaver lining a ball over the head of the left fielder on the first pitch he saw before Heckman picked up a single to shallow left. A Ryan Flury walk loaded the bases before Fisher Druck forced a fielder’s choice and Weaver scored to make it 1-0 MT. A walk for Ty Jenkins two batters later loaded the bases again for Shenosky to help his own cause with a 2-RBI single past the third baseman and lock in a 3-0 Township lead.

In the bottom of the 2nd, hits from the Weaver/Heckman combo again plated a run for the Blue Streaks to make it 4-0 after 2. Cocalico tagged Shenosky for a run in the top of the 3rd off a Spangler single, Sturtevant walk, and Flinton SAC fly, however Township remained unfazed and went back to work at the plate in the bottom half. Ryan Brader and Jenkins each reached base with no outs before Trey Eckman powered a 2-out double off the fence in right field to make it 6-1 MT.

With little activity on offense for either side in the 4th and 5th innings, the Blue Streaks held onto a 5-run lead as Shenosky’s day was wrapped after 5. Weaver took the mound and provided a single inning of relief in the top of the 6th before Township’s offense forced this game to an early end. Eckman kickstarted the offense in the bottom of the 6th with his second towering double on the afternoon before Weaver collected his third hit with a bunt that hugged the third base line. Jesus Perez, pinch running for Eckman, scored on a passed ball before Flury hammered a 3-run dinger over the fence in left-center field. Leading 10-1, still with no outs in the inning, singles from Druck and Ryan Peipher set up Nick Tomlinson to walk off the game on a fielder’s choice.

With the 11-1 victory, Manheim Township begins their season at 1-0. With a few days off, the Blue Streaks will prepare to host J.P. McCaskey on Wednesday afternoon at home as both teams begin their 2022 Section 1 schedule.