Township ends regular season on a high in 7-0 shutout of Central

In their final game of the regular season, the Manheim Township Blue Streaks hosted the Section III-champion Manheim Central Barons in a non-section matchup prior to the start of the League playoffs this weekend.

Following each of their four losses this season, the Blue Streaks have bounced back with resounding wins and after losing on Monday at Warwick, Township looked to end the regular season with another bang. Central put two runners on in the top of the first on a single and walk off Township starter Ben Shenosky, however the game remained scoreless through 1. Another single and walk in the 2nd for the Barons put more pressure on Shenosky, but the Blue Streaks were the first to strike in the bottom half. A leadoff single off the recently hot bat of Fisher Druck, a walk for Shenosky, and a SAC bunt from Tyler Mulholland put two MT runners in scoring position with only 1 out. After loading the bases on a walk to Ryan Brader, Jack Armstrong singled home two runners to give the home team the early 2-0 lead.

Michael Heckman walked as the first batter in the bottom of the 3rd before stealing both 2nd and 3rd on his way to scoring on an error by the MC catcher. Druck and Shenosky both reached base again on walks and Mulholland looped a single to right to make it 4-0 Township. Still threatening with two runners on, Brader cleared the bases with a double to left to blow open the lead, 6-0. In the bottom of the 4th, Township’s centerfielder JT Weaver walked and successfully stole his 24th base on the season to set a new single-season steal mark for the Blue Streaks. Rob Blomeier and Bob Voss set the previous record of 23 steals in 1998 and 1977 respectively. Shenosky continued to roll on the mound going a full 5 innings on 98 pitches and giving up only 4 hits with 9 Ks. The Blue Streaks’ final run on the day came in the 5th after Mulholland and Armstrong once again drew up singles to give Township a commanding 7-0 lead. 

Druck was tasked with pitching the final two innings and continuing to hold the Barons scoreless. He used 4 Ks over his 6 outs to seal the 7-0 Township victory, Shenosky’s team-leading 6th on the year. The Blue Streaks will finish the 2022 regular season at 16-4 and will await official release of playoff brackets to see where and when their season will continue!