May 23, 2016: Red Land 4, Hempfield 1
Jake Rollman's solo shot to left field staked Red Land to a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th inning. It was Red Land's first hit of the game, as runners reached base only on an infield error and two out walk in the previous inning. In the visitor's half of the sixth inning, Noah Keister singled to right-center field and was advanced to second on a perfect sacrifice bunt by Josh Snyder. Snyder's bunt would go for a hit and as the throw to first was wild, Keister wound up on third base. Joe DeMarco singled to left to plate Keister and push the score to 2-0; with runners and first and second pitcher Brayden Coe's sacrifice bunt moved the runners up 90 feet. Jared Payne grounded into an RBI fielders choice when his swing produced a ball chopped over the pitcher. Knights shortstop Tim Gailor induced a run down to get the runner advancing from second to third; on the play Payne advanced to second base. Jake Rollman got his second RBI of the game on a pop single to left field before a ground out to third base retired the side.
For the Red Land Patriots, pitcher Brayden Coe took a no hitter into the sixth inning. Only two Hempfield runners would reach base in the first five innings - a walk in the third and a strike three passed ball in the fifth. Reilly Workman led off the sixth with a single to center. Two batters later, Brenden Keller shot a single to left. Angel Colon then grounded to second base where Keller was forced out; Colon beat the relay throw to first. Nick Boulanger, running for Workman, came around to score from second base on the double play attempt. With a runner at first and two outs, Greg Gambler lined a single to right to put two men aboard; however, the inning would end on Andrew Corso's hard ground ball to third base.
With the loss, Hempfield is eliminated from the District 3 Tournament for 2016 and the Black Knights season comes to an end. Hempfield says goodbye and thank you to its seven seniors: Tim Gailor, Brenden Keller, Andrew Corso, Chase Gilbert, Jeremy Noel, Alec Miller and Reilly Workman.
The Black Knights finish the 2016 season with a mark of 17-4.
May 16, 2016: ELCO 6, Hempfield 5
ELCO (Eastern Lebanon County) used 12 hits and four walks, scoring runs in the second, fifth and sixth innings to defeat Hempfield in the first round of the 2016 Lancaster-Lebanon League Playoff Tournament.
In the second inning ELCO connected for five consecutive hits – four singles and a home run – to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Hempfield would answer with five runs in the bottom half of the inning when Andrew Corso and Chase Gilbert walked and Jeremy Noel flipped a single to left field to load the bases. Alec Miller and Reilly Workman followed with singles before Tim Gailor drew a walk. Brenden Keller and Angel Colon followed with hits to push the score to 5-3 before Greg Gambler and Andrew Corso were retired to end the inning.
The Black Knights would threaten in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings by putting runners in scoring position but were unable to produce additional runs.
ELCO tied the game in the top of the fifth inning. Kyle Rosengrant walked on four straight balls and Hunter Witters reached on a ball hit off of Knights’ starter Alec Miller. A sacrifice bunt advanced both runners before Rosengrant scored on a passed ball; Travis Zimmerman’s single to right field scored Witters to tie the game. In the sixth inning, ELCO scored the deciding run when Cody Good doubled to right field and Joe Ginder singled to centerfield on an 0-2 pitch. Cole Blatt’s fielders’ choice ground out to shortstop plated Good for ELCO’s sixth run.
With the loss Hempfield drops to 17-3 on the season.
May 11, 2016: Hempfield 4, Penn Manor 2
Hempfield erased a two run deficit with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and held on in the top of the seventh to defeat the visiting Penn Manor Comets by a score of 4-2.
Penn Manor threatened to score in the first two innings, leaving two men on base in each frame, before touching Hempfield starter Eric Sipling with a run in the top of the third inning. Colin Whiteside singled and Grant Gale delivered Whiteside to third thanks to an outfield error; with Whiteside at third and Gale at second, center fielder Jeremy Burkholder singled to right field to drive home the game's first run. Sipling would retire the next two hitters on a ground out to third base and a fly out to right field. Jeremy Noel came on in relief of Sipling and had two 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and sixth; however, Penn Manor scored their second run of the game when Whiteside doubled to left-center field and Burkholder doubled to right field.
Hempfield's offense was limited through five innings thanks to the pitching brilliance of Jeff Taylor. The Black Knights had one hit and one walk in their first 15 outs. In the top of the sixth inning Reilly Workman doubled to right field; a Tim Gailor single put runners on the corners for Brenden Keller, who slashed a single to left field to put Hempfield on the board. A walk to Angel Colon loaded the bases before Greg Gambler was hit by a pitch to bring in the second run. Hempfield scored two more runs on fielders' choice ground outs.
In the seventh inning Andrew Corso came on to relieve Noel in an attempt to get the game's final three outs. Corso's first pitch hit Comet lead off hitter Nate Brown. Two pitches later, Jeff Taylor lined to left for the first out and Colin Whiteside grounded into a fielder's choice for the second out. Corso hit clean-up hitter Grant Gale to put the tying run aboard with two outs but hot hitting Jeremy Burkholder was retired on a ground out to short stop and a terrific short hop pick at first base by Nick Boulanger.
The win clinched the 13th Section One Championship for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights were victors by a score of 4-1 and improve to 9-8 on the season.
Hempfield is 17-2 and finishes League Play with a 14-2 record.
The win is the 760th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
May 10, 2016: Hempfield 6, Manheim Township 2
Hempfield scored four runs in the top half of the first inning, without a hit, and then added single runs in the fourth and the seventh to prevail over the Manheim Township Blue Streaks.
Chase Gilbert allowed two earned runs in the home half of the first inning as Hunter McClintock and Juan Rosario reached on back-to-back singles and were plated on Justin Kilpatrick's double to right field. Gilbert struck out three, walked one, and allowed five hits - only two coming after the first inning.
The JV Black Knights fell by a score of 4-1 and are now 8-8 on the season.
Hempfield is 16-2 on the season and 13-2 in League Play.
The win is the 759th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
May 9, 2016: Hempfield 3, Warwick 2
Brenden Keller scored two runs and Hempfield's offense was led by hits from Greg Gambler, Chase Gilbert, Jeremy Noel, Tim Gailor and Keller himself as Hempfield opened up a 3-1 lead and hung on to defeat the visiting Warwick Warriors 3-2.
Hempfield reached the scoreboard first on Greg Gambler's RBI single to right center field. Warwick answered with a run of their own in the top of the second inning. Zach Peter's, on base with a lead-off walk, came around to score on an RBI single to left field. Hempfield added two runs in the home half of the second inning as Jeremy Noel, Tim Gailor and Brenden Keller all registered hits.
Warwick pushed a run across in the seventh inning on two walks, a single and a sacrifice bunt. Hempfield's Angel Colon turned a line drive into a double play to end the game with the bases loaded.
The JV Black Knights fell by a score of 5-1 and are 8-7.
Hempfield is 15-2 with a 12-2 record in League play.
The win is the 758th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
May 5, 2016: Hempfield 16, J.P. McCaskey 2
After a six day layoff Hempfield hosted J.P. McCaskey in a game where the visiting Red Tornado were the home team on the score board due to prolonged unplayable field conditions in Lancaster. Chase Gilbert, Jeremy Noel and Tanner Seitz connected with five innings on the mound. The Landisville trio allowed a combined four hits, struck out six and walked one.
Nine different Black Knights reached base with a hit. Tim Gailor, Owen Snyder, Brenden Keller, Nick Boulanger, Andrew Corso and Jeremy Noel each scored multiple runs for Hempfield; Noel, Angel Colon and C.J. Saylor drove in a combined eight runs.
Due to field conditions the JV Black Knights were postponed.
Hempfield is 14-2 on the season and 11-2 in League play.
The win is the 757th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 29, 2016: Hempfield 10, Cedar Crest 2
In a game featuring Section One's top two teams from 1998 and 1999, Hempfield pushed runs across in the first, second, third, sixth and seventh innings to turn back the Cedar Crest Falcons 10-2 at Derek Fisher Field on the Bill Dissinger Baseball Complex. Hempfield used nine hits, six walks and seven hit batters to put pressure on the Falcons' defense throughout the game.
Chase Gilbert pitched five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out five. Ty Vaughn completed the sixth inning before Tanner Seitz closed out the seventh.
Due to field conditions the JV Black Knights were postponed.
Hempfield is 13-2 on the season and 10-2 in League play.
The win is the 756th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 27, 2016: Hempfield 2, Elizabethtown 0
In the third inning, Greg Gambler led off with a walk and was followed by singles from Angel Colon and Andrew Corso. After a sacrifice bunt and a strike out, Alec Miller's single to deep short stop plated the inning's second run. It was all that Hempfield would get on the day as Elizabethtown's Logan Yohn allowed runners in every inning but the second; however, Hempfield's base runners generously gave him three outs back on poor base running during the contest.
Eric Sipling pitched into the sixth inning before Andrew Corso got out of a bases loaded, one out jam. Corso would convert the save in the seventh inning to send the Black Knights out victorious on a rare trip to Dean Kroesen Field at the Gene Garber Baseball Complex on the Campus of Elizabethtown High School.
The JV Knights fell by a score of 1-0 and are now 8-6 on the season.
Hempfield is 12-2 on the season and 9-2 in League play.
The win is the 755th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 25, 2016: Solanco 3, Hempfield 2
Solanco made a three run second inning stand up as Colin Ewaka threw a complete game to lead the visiting Mules over Hempfield, 3-2. Bailey Keys led off with a single and Hempfield failed to take an out on a sacrifice bunt attempt from the next hitter. Derek Lavin then walked to load the bases before Dawson Gote's bloop single to center field brought home two runs. A Hempfield error in the outfield allowed the third Solanco run to score before Hempfield starter Alec Miller would record the last two outs of the inning. Miller battled through five innings, walking three and allowing four hits - three of which came in the span of four batters in the second inning.
Hempfield put runners on base in every inning except the fourth and the seventh as the offense struggled to produce with runners on base. Greg Gambler and Brenden Keller had multi-hit days at the plate for Hempfield.
The JV Black Knights were winners by a score of 4-1. Their record is now 8-5.
Hempfield falls to 11-2 on the season and is 8-2 in League play.
April 22, 2016: Hempfield 6, Ephrata 3
Hempfield scored five runs in the third inning and added a single run in the seventh to turn back the Ephrata Mountaineers, 6-3. Alec Miller, Tim Gailor and Brenden Keller all singled to lead off the inning. With the bases loaded Greg Gambler’s RBI single scored two runs and put two runners in scoring position for Angel Colon, who homered to left field. Hempfield scored their sixth run when Tim Gailor doubled to lead off the seventh inning and was sacrificed to third base. Greg Gambler then singled him home.
Jeremy Noel and Alec Miller combined forces on the mound to limit the potent Ephrata line up to three runs on seven hits.
The JV Black Knights were winners by a score of 4-1 and improve their record to 7-5.
With the win, Hempfield is now 11-1 overall and 8-1 in League play.
The win is the 754th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 20, 2016: Hempfield 3, Lampeter-Strasburg 1
Chase Gilbert battled through six innings on the mound and Andrew Corso came on in the 7th inning to convert the save as Hempfield grinded out a 3-1 win over the visiting Pioneers from Lampeter-Strasburg. Gilbert struck out seven, walked one and allowed seven hits. Corso allowed a lead off single before inducing the rarely seen 7-6-3 double play and game ending strike out.
L-S scored a run in the second inning on singles sandwiched around a walk and an outfield throwing error. With runners at second and third and one out, Andrew Hay grounded to second baseman Jeremy Noel with the infield drawn up. Gilbert struck out Kris Pirozzi to end the inning. The Black Knights answered with two runs in the second inning. Chase Gilbert and Andrew Corso both walked before Jeremy Noel singled to load the bases. Corso scored on a passed ball and T.J. Biondolillo – courtesy running for the catcher – scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Alec Miller. Hempfield added a run the next inning after Brenden Keller walked and made his way around the bases, Chase Gilbert’s ground out brought the run home.
The JV Black Knights were winners by a score of 6-3 and improve their record to 6-5.
With the win, Hempfield is now 10-1 overall and 7-1 in League play.
The win is the 753rd for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 18, 2016: Hempfield 9, Garden Spot 5
Hempfield survived the New Holland Home Run Derby on a pleasant, sunny spring day at beautiful J.D. Stern Field at Garden Spot High School. The Spartans and Black Knights combined for three home runs, 19 hits, and a combined 33 base runners.
Alec Miller worked through four and two thirds innings on Everest-like mound conditions and Houdini-like strike zone conditions before handing the ball to Andrew Corso. Corso got the final seven outs for his fourth save of the year.
Garden Spot reached the score board first. Logan Eby's two-out double to center field scored two runs and gave the Spartans a 2-0 lead. Hempfield responded immediately, however, when Andrew Corso lead off the second inning with a double. Back to back walks to Reilly Workman and Jeremy Noel loaded the bases and Corso scored on Alec Miller's sacrifice fly to left field. Tim Gailor's single to right field plated two runs. Brenden Keller followed with a single before Greg Gambler's three run home run to left center field cleared the bases.
Garden Spot added a single run in the bottom of the 4th inning and added two more in the bottom of the 5th. With runners at 1st and 3rd and a 7-5 score, Andrew Corso came in to get the last out of the 5th inning. Hempfield would add two runs in the 7th inning to expand the lead to 9-5.
The JV Knights were winners by a score of 12-2 and improve to 5-5 on the season.
With the win, Hempfield is 9-1 overall and 6-1 in League play.
The win is the 752nd for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 16, 2016: Hempfield 14, Wilson 0
Hempfield scored early and often on a sun-soaked Saturday morning in East Landisville, pounding out seven runs in the first inning en-route to a 14-0 win stopped after four and a half innings due to the 10-run rule. Angel Colon’s RBI ground out to score Tim Gailor staked Hempfield to a 1-0 lead with two outs in the first. The Black Knights would then send eight batters to the plate and push across six more runs, all with two outs, before the first inning ended. In the second inning Hempfield added two more runs from RBI singles from Andrew Corso and Alec Miller. Chase Gilbert’s home run to right field brought in three runs in a five run third inning.
On the mound, Chase Gilbert pitched the first three innings before Ty Vaughn took over for the fourth and fifth. The two Hempfield pitchers held the Wilson Bulldogs to one hit and one walk over five innings.
The JV Knights lost by a score of 7-4, dropping to 4-5 on the season.
With the win, Hempfield moves to 8-1 overall and remains 5-1 in League play.
The win is the 751st for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 15, 2016: Hempfield 6, Conestoga Valley 3
Hempfield broke open a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single to center field off the bat of Reilly Workman. With runners at first and second and one out, Workman’s line drive to center plated Mark Peterson. Andrew Corso, running at first base, drew an errant throw to third base as he went first-to-third on the play, and he scored when the throw eluded the Conestoga Valley third baseman. A two-strike ground out from Alec Miller would plate Hempfield’s sixth run. Tim Gailor, Angel Colon, Reilly Workman and Jeremy Noel all had mulit-hit days at the plate for the Black Knights.
Eric Sipling got the start on the mound and lasted six innings, allowing seven hits and three runs – all earned. Andrew Corso worked the seventh inning for his third save of the season.
The JV Knights lost in extra innings by a score of 7-6, evening their record at 4-4 on the season.
With the win, Hempfield moves to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in League play.
The win is the 750th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 13, 2016: Warwick 9, Hempfield 3
Tim Griest and Tommy Elliott combined forces on the mound to lead the Warwick Warriors over the visiting Hempfield Black Knights. Griest commanded Hempfield's offense over five innings before Elliott closed the door on the last two innings. Together they combined to allow three hits and four walks and were able to pitch out of potential jams when Hempfield put runners on base.
Warwick used 13 hits through six innings to plate nine runs, with a second inning bases loaded triple by Justin Smith highlighting a four run second inning.
The JV Knights fell by a score of 5-2 and are now 4-3 on the season.
Hempfield is now 6-1 overall and 4-1 in League play.
April 11, 2016: Hempfield 4, Manheim Township 0
Alec Miller’s complete game shut out helped lead the Hempfield Black Knights to victory over the visiting Manheim Township Blue Streaks. Miller allowed three baserunners – two singles in the first inning and a single in the second inning – and was perfect the rest of the way as he retired 17 straight Blue Streak batters. He did not allow a base runner to reach third base. He finished the game with six strikeouts, zero walks, and three hits allowed.
Hempfield scored two runs in the first inning as Tim Gailor and Greg Gambler reached base on singles and scored later in the inning. The Black Knights added a run in the second inning and another single run in the third when Jeremy Noel’s single to right field plated Chase Gilbert who had reached base earlier in the inning. Hempfield’s offense was limited by the Township pitching combination of Nate Vukovich, Aiden Zimmerman and Cole Hoffman, who left 10 runners on base in their six innings of work.
The JV Knights fell by a score of 2-1 and are now 4-2 on the season.
With the win, Hempfield improves to 6-0 overall and is 4-0 in League play.
The win is the 749th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 8, 2016: Hempfield 2, Penn Manor 1
Reilly Workman’s sixth inning sacrifice fly to center field scored Angel Colon and gave the Black Knights a lead they would hold on to for the final two innings of baseball. Playing in cold and very windy conditions at Zander Park at Penn Manor’s Comet Field, Hempfield struck first on the score board with a run in the first inning. Tim Gailor and Brenden Keller reached base and Hempfield was poised for an offensive rally, but Comet left fielder Jeff Taylor made two excellent plays – one with his arm, the other a diving catch – to stop a potential big inning. Keller would score the game’s first run on a base hit to center field from Angel Colon. Hempfield would put runners on base in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings but would not push a run across until the 6th.
Eric Sipling made his varsity debut on the mound and completed five innings of work before passing the ball to Andrew Corso for the sixth and the seventh. Sipling allowed five hits, one earned run, struck out three and walked none as he kept the Penn Manor hitters in check with his variety of curvey pitches. Andrew Corso came on for the sixth and seventh innings and anchored down to let his defense work behind him. He was good for a 1-2-3 6th and 7th as he notched his second save of the season.
The JV Knights fell by a score of 3-0 and are now 4-1 on the season.
With the win, Hempfield improves to 5-0 overall and is 3-0 in League play.
The win is the 748th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 6, 2016: Hempfield 16, J.P. McCaskey 1
Angel Colon drove in four runs and Alec Miller added three RBI to help lead Hempfield's offense over the Red Tornado of J.P. McCaskey. In the first inning, Hempfield's first four batters reached safely and Alec Miller's bases clearing line drive to left field helped establish a big inning for the Black Knights. In the beginning and end of the inning, Angel Colon contributed with a double and a single. In the third inning Hempfield added to their lead while taking advantage of a McCaskey error, two walks, and hits from Andrew Corso, Alec Miller, Jeremy Noel and Mark Peterson. Hempfield collected 10 hits on the day.
Jeremy Noel took the mound and earned his second win on the season, facing 12 McCaskey batters and yielding two hits. Noel put his defense to work as he did not walk a batter nor did he strike anyone out.
The JV Knights were victors by a score of 10-5, improving to 4-0 on the season.
With the win, Hempfield's record improves to 4-0 on the season and 2-0 in League play.
The win is the 747th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
April 4, 2016: Hempfield 8, Cedar Crest 3
Andrew Corso and Brenden Keller had multi-hit days at the plate while Tim Gailor, Reilly Workman, and Mark Peterson joined Corso in driving in runs to lead Hempfield past Cedar Crest on a cold, wet day at J.K. Mechanical Field. The weather conditions were not enough to keep away the several people who attend Hempfield baseball games, however, and those loyal patrons were treated to an Alec Miller complete game. Miller went the distance for the Black Knights, striking out 9, allowing 4 walks, and only giving up two hits until the Falcons touched him for three runs in the 7th.
The first six Black Knight hitters reached base safely en route to putting up two runs for the home team. Hempfield would load the bases in the 2nd inning and put two runners on in the 3rd inning without being able to show anything for their efforts on the scoreboard. In the pivotal 5th inning, back-to-back-to-back singles from Reilly Workman, Chase Gilbert and Andrew Corso loaded the bases for Jeremy Noel and Mark Peterson, who both brought in runs. Tim Gailor's line single to center field scored Corso and Noel, giving Hempfield a lead it would not relinquish.
The JV Knights prevailed by a score of 13-3. The JV team is 3-0 on the young season.
With the win, Hempfield's record is 3-0 overall with a 1-0 record in League play.
The win is the 746th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
March 30, 2016: Hempfield 3, Lancaster Catholic 2
Chase Gilbert and Andrew Corso's RBI singles broke open a 1-1 tie in the top of the 9th inning, helping to lead Hempfield to a hard fought win over Lancaster Catholic. Hempfield would plate a run in the top of the first inning as Tim Gailor and Greg Gambler reached base. Gailor scored on an RBI ground out from Angel Colon. The Black Knights would struggle to find a rhythm on offense in the seven innings between the 1st and the 9th, kept off balance by an outstanding pitching performance from the Crusaders' Dillon Marsh.
Lancaster Catholic scored in the 4th inning after Brayden Clair doubled to score Mitch Eck.
Jeremy Noel made his pitching debut for Hempfield and completed 8 innings of work. Noel started the 9th and, after allowing back-to-back doubles to Tyler Peters and Dillon Marsh, turned to Andrew Corso to record the final three outs. Pitching in relief for the second day in a row, Corso recorded a strike out and got the game's final two outs, fittingly, on a line drive double play to Jeremy Noel.
Hempfield was led offensively by Tim Gailor and Greg Gambler who each had two hits.
The JV Knights were victorious as well, winning by a final score of 12-6.
With the win, Hempfield moves to 2-0 on the young season.
The win is the 745th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
March 29, 2016: Hempfield 4, Governor Mifflin 3
Behind the right arms of Alec Miller and Andrew Corso, and using a balanced, persistent offensive attack, the Hempfield Black Knights survived the Governor Mifflin Mustangs to record their first victory of the 2016 campaign.
Alec Miller pitched six complete innings before ceding to Corso, who pitched a 1-2-3 7th inning. Miller allowed seven hits, struck out four and walked two. Corso struck out one in his one inning. Neither pitcher allowed an earned run.
The Mustangs got on the board first by taking advantage of two Hempfield errors in the 2nd inning and added their 3rd run in the 4th - again, on a Hempfield error. The Knights and Miller would bend but not break - Mifflin had runners on base in 5 of their first 6 innings and left 6 runners on base.
Hempfield also put runners on the bases early but hit into two double plays to end the 2nd and 3rd innings. In the 4th, the Black Knights pushed across their first run when Greg Gambler doubled to left-center and Reilly Workman laced a two-out RBI single to center field. In the 6th, Hempfield would cut the deficit to 3-2 when Brenden Keller scored on Reilly Workman's ground ball to third base. Then in the 7th, Jeremy Noel, Nick Boulanger and Tim Gailor made good on consecutive singles to load the bases. Noel would score the tying run on Brenden Keller's infield single and Boulanger the winning run when Angel Colon's line drive deflected off pitcher Noah Weber's leg and into deep short stop.
The JV Black Knights were victors by a score of 6-2.
The win is the 744th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.