Recap

In their 2nd matchup of the 2022 season, the Manheim Township Blue Streaks hosted the Hempfield Black Knights under the lights on Friday night as MT honored their local Manheim Township Police Department on Salute to Law Enforcement night at the ballpark. The Black Knights defeated the Blue Streaks 5-2 a month ago in Landisville.

Senior Ben Shenosky got the nod for the Blue Streaks and started strong on the mound in the 1st. With a pop out, fly out, and out on the base paths, Hempfield was retired quickly in the top of the 1st. The Blue Streaks offense came ready to play and put up 2 runs in their first frame. A JT Weaver leadoff single, Ryan Flury walk, and Fisher Druck RBI-single led to the first MT run. A bases-loaded HBP to Ty Jenkins forced the second run across. Trailing 2-0, the Black Knights put a man in scoring position with a double from Katch in the 2nd, but Shenosky got out of the inning unharmed.

Hempfield would use a Constein single and Fiore walk in the top of the 3rd to put pressure on the Streaks. Dunlap tripled to clear the bases and later scored on a wild pitch to give the Black Knights their first (and only) lead of the game – 3-2 Hempfield through 2 1/2. And that is where the fun started. Druck collected his 2nd hit of the game in his 2nd AB before Ryan Brader walked behind him in the bottom of the 3rd. Shenosky helped his own cause with an RBI single down the line in left to tie the game at 3-3 with only 1 out. Later, with 2 outs, Tyler Mulholland and Jack Armstrong both walked to force the tie-breaking run across the plate. Weaver then sent a single to left to plate 2 more before Michael Heckman sent a pitch deep into the night sky over left field for a 3-run HR to break this game open, 9-3 Township.

Both teams went quietly in the 4th before Hempfield closed the gap in the 5th. Back-to-back walks to start the 5th ended Shenosky’s night and brought Weaver on in relief. A 3rd straight walk loaded the bases for the Black Knights before an out was recorded in the inning and before being retired, Hempfield would plate 3 to reel in the score to 9-6 MT.

Between the top and bottom of the 5th inning, the Manheim Township Baseball teams of 1971 and 1972 were honored on the field for their 50th reunions and anniversaries of back-to-back Section titles. While Township’s offense was out of gas, Weaver got the job done on the mound in the 6th and 7th innings, striking out the side in the later, to preserve the 3-run victory for the Blue Streaks. Shenosky was credited with the W while Weaver picked up a 3-inning save.