June 3, 2015: Pennsbury 2, Hempfield 0
Logan Buell and Jon Peterson locked into a pitchers duel that saw both starters throw complete games and turn in commendable performances in the first round of the PIAA State Tournament in overcast Fredericksburg. It was Buell on the receiving end of two runs, one scored in the 3rd inning and the other scored in the 6th inning, which would stand for the winning tallies. In the 3rd, the Pennsbury Falcons scored when Pat Lawrence walked to start the inning and was sacrificed to second on a bunt from Billy Bethel. After Zach Szumigala flew out to center field, DJ Endler lined the first pitch he saw to the gap in left-center for an RBI double. In the 6th inning the Falcons scored after their first two hitters reached on singles and were both advanced 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt. Freddie Schrandt flew out to center field to bring home Endler, who started the inning with an infield single.
The Black Knights offense was stymied by Buell, who mixed speeds and hit locations en route to allowing 3 hits, walking none, and allowing one batter to reach via hit by pitch. Hempfield did not have a runner advance past second base.
Hempfield's 2015 season comes to a close with a 23-4 overall record. The 2015 Black Knights were Section One Champions for the 12th time in school history and were PIAA District 3 Champions for the 2nd time in school history. Hempfield eclipsed 20 wins for only the 6th time in school history. 23 wins is the 2nd most wins ever by a Hempfield baseball team, and the overall record of 23-4 validates the 2015 team as the winningest team ever at Hempfield based on winning percentage.
May 28, 2015: Hempfield 6, Chambersburg 5
For only the second time in 61 years of Baseball at Hempfield High School, the Black Knights struck District 3 gold by surviving the Chambersburg Trojans, 6-5, at Santander Bank Stadium on a beautiful afternoon in York, PA.
The Black Knights jumped out to a 6 run lead by pushing across 5 runs in the first inning and another score in the second. Grant Oberholtzer singled and stole second before Jon Peterson was hit by a pitch. With runners at first and second, Derek Manning walked to load the bases. Jon Beck's sacrifice fly to left field plated Oberholtzer and Peterson and Ryan Drager (courtesy running for Manning) advanced a base. Chase Gilbert doubled to left-center to score the two runners to stretch the lead to 3-0. Tim Gailor laid down a bunt base hit advancing Gilbert to third, and he (Gailor) advanced to second on Ben Lukawski's ground out to third base. With two runners in scoring position and two outs, Andrew Corso shot a hard ground ball through the right side of the infield to score Gilbert and Gailor, pushing the lead to 5-0. In the second inning, Derek Manning's two out single turned into a run as Drager (running for the pitcher) stole second base and then scored when Chambersburg short stop Carlin Christian made an errant throw to first base on a ground ball hit by Jon Beck. Despite having multiple opportunities in the 3rd and 4th innings to add runs, Chambersburg starting pitcher Austin Suders kept the Black Knight's offense off the board for the remainder of the game.
Derek Manning fought through 4 and 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits, walking one, and hitting one batter by a pitch. Manning was victimized for four runs in the third inning, all coming with 2 outs and no one on base. All four runs were unearned after an infield error breathed life into Chambersburg's inning. Alec Miller came in relief of Manning with 2 outs and 2 on in the 5th - Miller needed one pitch to retire the batter on a come-backer to the mound and end the Trojans' threat. Chambersburg would put two more runners on base in the 6th inning due to a one out walk and a two out single; Kyle Arganbright came on for Miller and struck out Bryce Fiegel to end the inning. And, in the 7th, Austin Suders led off with a single to center for his 4th hit of the game. Another infield error put runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs. Arganbright got Trent Ebersole to pop up a sacrifice bunt for the first out and nearly retired Carlin Christian on a 5-4-3 double play; Christian was called safe at first base. Matt Stonesifer was retired for the 3rd out on a come-backer to the mound; Arganbright flipped the ball to the first baseman Jon Peterson and the Knights celebrated their first District 3 Championship since 2004.
The win is the 743rd for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
May 26, 2015: Hempfield 3, Governor Mifflin 2
For the second consecutive year, Jon Peterson authored a complete game in a District 3 Semi-Final; in 2014 he was the winning pitcher of record vs. Red Land and in 2015 he was the winning pitcher of record vs. Governor Mifflin. Peterson allowed 9 hits and 2 walks with 1 hit batter while striking out 5. The Mustang offense put runners on base in each of their 7 offensive innings; Hempfield used two double plays to end potential rallies and effectively bent but did not break on defense.
Hempfield could only muster 4 hits on offense but 3 went for extra bases. Two runs scored in the first inning when Grant Oberholtzer and Jon Peterson doubled and tripled. Courtesy runner Ryan Drager scored the game's second run on Jon Beck's ground out to short stop. In the 3rd inning, Grant Oberholtzer drew a one out walk and scored on Derek Manning's two out, two strike double to left field.
Defensive dramatics were in order in the 7th inning when Zach Sczepkowski led off the inning with a single to center field. Jon Catchmark's sacrifice bunt moved Sczepkowski to second base with one out. Peterson struck out Niko Hulsizer for out number two, bringing up PSU-bound Eric Mock. Mock struck a hard ground ball to the left of second baseman Jeremy Noel, who's diving effort to stop the ball proved fruitful and effective as he threw out Mock from his knees to end the game and send Hempfield to the PIAA District 3 Championship Game for the second year in a row.
The win is the 742nd for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
May 21, 2015: Hempfield 3, Cedar Cliff 2 (8 Innings)
Derek Manning spun a masterpiece for the ages and added a game tying RBI single in the 7th inning to help propel Hempfield over Cedar Cliff in an extra-inning District 3 Playoff Game against the dreaded Colts of Cedar Cliff. Manning threw 99 pitches over 8 innings, allowed 4 Colt hits, walked 1 and struck out 5 as he mixed speeds and locations and allowed his defense to work behind him. At one point he retired 10 consecutive batters before a runner reached in the 8th with 1 out.
Offensively, Hempfield wrapped out 10 hits, including 3 doubles, but could not find their way to multiple runs in an inning as the Black Knights frustratingly stranded 8 runners through 7 innings, most of whom were in scoring position as the innings ended. Hempfield scored a lone run in the 3rd inning as Derek Manning and Jon Beck hit back-to-back doubles to left field. Down 2-1 in the bottom of the 7th, Grant Oberholtzer led off the inning with a double to left and advanced to third base on a ground out from Jon Peterson. With the infield drawn in and 1 out, Manning lined his second hit of the night to right field to score Oberholtzer and send the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the 8th, Ben Lukawski singled and Tim Gailor walked. Cedar Cliff failed to register an out on a sacrifice bunt by Chase Gilbert and the bases were loaded. Pinch hitter Angel Colon struck out to set the stage for Reilly Workman. Workman's ground ball up the middle was sensationally fielded by Colts short stop Zach LaFaver, who flipped to second to force Gilbert out; however, the throw to first base was not in time and the celebration was on: the Black Knights advance to the District 3 Semi-Final in back-to-back years!
The win is the 741st for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
May 18, 2015: Hempfield 5, Hershey 4
Hempfield started the 2015 District Tournament with offensive fanfare as 5 of the first 6 Black Knight hitters reached base safely to score 4 runs before Hershey could record a second out. However, Hershey's mound corps of Gavin Hellman and Blake Smith would keep Hempfield off the score board until the bottom of the 6th inning when Jon Peterson doubled to score Brenden Keller with the eventual winning run.
The Trojans of Hershey took advantage of 4 Hempfield errors in scoring 2 runs in the 2nd inning and another run in the 5th inning. Hershey would then tie the game in the 6th inning when Ryan LaCoe bunted for a single and he made his way to 3rd base on two fielder's choice ground outs. He then scored on a 2 out RBI single by Micah Seiwert.
Jon Peterson pitched around disaster brought on by the Hempfield defense as he struck out 9 and walked 1 in 5 innings of work. He allowed only 3 hits. Derek Manning recorded the final six outs to pick up the win for Hempfield.
The win is the 740th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
May 12, 2015: Ephrata 14, Hempfield 2
The Ephrata Mountaineers scored runs in the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th runs to run away with the victory in the Semi-Final game of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championship Tournament.
In the 2nd inning, with 2 outs and no one on base, Ephrata scored on an infield single, two walks, and an RBI single to center field. In the 4th, a hit batter, walk, and an RBI single plated two more runs. In the 5th inning, six runs crossed the plate on only three hits; however, Ephrata capitalized on 4 walks in the inning. In the 6th inning, four runs scored on a walk, hit batter, single, and a 3 run home run. In 6 innings, Ephrata pounded out 10 hits and were the beneficiaries of 9 walks and 3 hit batters.
Tim Gailor reached base all three times at the plate, drawing a walk and adding two singles while scoring a run. Grant Oberholtzer, Derek Manning and Ben Lukawski also added hits, while Dustin Walter added an RBI and Andrew Corso scored a run.
May 9, 2015: Hempfield 6, Annville-Cleona 5
The Little Dutchmen from Annville-Cleona wrapped out 11 hits and scoring 5 runs off of Hempfield starter and reliever Derek Manning and Jon Peterson. Annville-Cleona took advantage of 3 Hempfield errors in the 2nd inning and added 2 hits to score 2 runs; they added 2 more in the 4th when Colton and Hunter Long each singled and the Hempfield pitching staff walked three consecutive batters to plate 2 additional runs. Annville-Cleona was not finished as they scored another run in the 5th when Alec Barr bunted for a hit and was brought around the bases on a single from Colton Long.
Hempfield was led offensively by Grant Oberholtzer who scored 2 runs and added 2 hits; Jon Beck and Derek Manning each had 3 RBI.
The win is the 739th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
May 5, 2015: Hempfield 9, Hershey 7
Hempfield survived a offensive onslaught by the Hershey hitters to hang on to an improbable victory in Chocolate Town. Despite being outhit and committing one more error than their opponent, Hempfield managed to win by stringing together 3 3-Run innings in the 3rd, 4th and 7th; in the other 4 offensive innings the Black Knights went 12 up and 12 down.
Wyatt Miller was the game's starter and was betrayed by the defense when the lead off batter of the 4th inning reached on a passed ball after the batter had struck out. The extra out would haunt Hempfield as Hershey then banged out three hits and drew a walk before Miller was relieved by Kyle Arganbright. Arganbright struck out the next two hitters to get out of the jam and restore order. In the 7th inning, Hershey scored three times, reaching on an infield error followed by consecutive singles. After a 2 out double from Micah Seiwart plated the inning's 3rd run, Derek Manning came on in relief of Chad Wiggins to record the 21st out with the tying run at the plate.
Grant Oberholtzer, Jon Beck, Tim Gailor and Jeremy Noel each had two hits on the evening. Beck added 4 RBI on two bases loaded singles and Ben Lukawski scored twice after reaching on two walks.
Hempfield finished the regular season with an 18-2 overall record with a 15-1 mark in L-L League play. The Black Knights now turn their attention to the post-season. The win is the 738th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights fell to the JV Trojans by a score of 12-6. The JV team is now 15-2 on the year.
May 4, 2015: Hempfield 14, Warwick 1
Alec Miller and Andrew Corso combined to limit the potent Warwick offense to one run on seven hits on a beautiful, sunny day in Lititz. Miller struck out two, walked one and Corso surrendered an unearned run in the 4th inning as Hempfield's offense provided support early and often.
In the 1st inning Grant Oberholtzer started the party by singling and then scoring on a hit by Jon Peterson. Ben Lukawski doubled in the 2nd inning and came around to score several pitches later. In the 3rd inning, Jon Peterson, Derek Manning and Jon Beck all doubled to post 3 runs in the frame; two innings later Derek Manning connected on a Grand Slam Home Run as the Black Knights tallied 5 runs in the inning.
The Hempfield offense posted 14 runs on 12 hits - 5 were extra base hits. Derek Manning's 8 RBI in one game sets a Hempfield Baseball record. Jon Peterson, Manning, and Beck all had multi-hit, multi-RBI days at the plate while Grant Oberholtzer, Andrew Corso, Reilly Workman and Ben Lukawski also chipped in with hits.
Hempfield moves to 17-2 overall and wraps up L-L League play with a 15-1 record. The win is the 737th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights defeated the JV Warriros by a score of 6-5. The JV team is now 15-1 on the year.
May 1, 2015: Hempfield 12, Manheim Township 1
Jon Beck tripled in 3 runs in a pivotal 3rd inning as Hempfield scored 10 times on 8 hits in the inning to rally past Manheim Township in front of a typically sparse and hushed crowd in Landisville. After only one batter reached safely in the first two offensive innings, Jeremy Noel started the 3rd inning with a single to left field. Dustin Walter reached after beating out a sacrifice bunt attempt and Grant Oberholtzer walked to load the bases. After an RBI fielder's choice ground out from Jon Peterson, Derek Manning reached on an infield single and Reilly Workman walked setting the stage for Beck's big blow to the furthest caverns of J.K. Mechanical Field. The next five hitters would reach safely via 4 hits and 1 hit by pitch. In all, the Black Knights sent 14 batters to the plate in the 3rd inning. In the 4th inning Hempfield scored 2 additional runs on hits from Tim Gailor, Ben Lukawski and Andrew Corso.
Kyle Arganbright and Chad Wiggins combined forces on the mound to limit the visiting Blue Streaks to two hits and surrendered only one walk.
Hempfield moves to 16-2 overall (14-1 in League play). The victory secured the 12th Section One Championship for the Hempfield Baseball Program. The win is the 736th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights defeated the JV Blue Streaks in extra innings by a score of 7-6. The JV team is now 14-1 on the year.
April 29, 2015: Hempfield 2, Penn Manor 1
Jon Peterson struck out 10, walked two, and scattered 5 hits in a complete game effort in front of a standing room only crowd at Comet Field in Millersville. Penn Manor scored their run in the bottom of the 3rd when Collin Whiteside blooped a single to shallow right center field. Peterson surrendered two-out walks to Anthony Knight and Collin Groff before Cameron Dickerson plated Whiteside with an infield single to short stop.
Hempfield's offense was held in check all day by Jeff Taylor, who threw six dominant innings before yielding to Grant Gale in the 7th. Taylor allowed only three hits while striking out 5. The Black Knights pushed two runs across in the top of the 4th inning when Derek Manning singled to center and then took second base on a wild pitch. He scored on Jon Beck's RBI single. Ryan Drager came in to courtesy run for Beck and took second base on another wild pitch. Tim Gailor's RBI single to center plated Drager, and that run would hold as the game decider as the Hempfield defense put up zeroes in the final four frames.
Hempfield moves to 15-2 overall (13-1 in League play). The win is the 735th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights turned back the JV Comets by a score of 5-3. The JV team is now 13-1 on the year.
April 27, 2015: Hempfield 13, J.P. McCaskey 0
Alec Miller and Chad Wiggins combined on a 5 inning one-hitter as the Black Knights supported their pitchers by scoring runs in each of their four offensive innings. Miller cruised through the first 3 innings allowing only one base runner on a walk. Wiggins was equally in command as he retired six Red Tornado hitters to end the contest, allowing only an infield hit to lead off the 5th inning.
Celebrating "Senior Recognition" night at J.K. Mechanical Field, the stoic Hempfield faithful were treated to an offensive display by the equally stoic seniors: Grant Oberholtzer, Ben Lukawski, Jon Peterson, Jon Beck, Derek Manning, Zach Kelley and Dustin Walter. Hempfield struck for 3 runs in the first inning when Jon Peterson tripled, Reilly Workman singled him home and then scored himself on Jon Beck's double to left-center. Ryan Drager, running for the catcher, scored on Tim Gailor's double to stake the Knights to a lead they would not relinquish. Hempfield added three more in the 2nd inning when Jeremy Noel and Dustin Walter both reached base and Grant Oberholtzer singled to center field. Oberholtzer would come around to score the game's 6th run before the inning would end. In the 3rd inning, Ben Lukawski sent a fastball deep to the seats in left field for his first career Varsity home run. Jeremy Noel would single and later score on a sacrifice fly from Jon Peterson. The Knight's final offensive frame saw hits from Peterson, Gailor, and Lukawski as Hempfield pushed across 5 additional runs.
Hempfield moves to 14-2 overall (12-1 in League play). The win is the 734th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights turned back the JV Red Tornado by a score of 7-1. The JV team is now 12-1 on the year.
April 24, 2015: Hempfield 9, Cedar Crest 0
Kyle Arganbright followed up Wyatt Miller's Wednesday complete game shut out with a command performance of his own two days later. Arganbright mixed pitches effectively and carried a no-hitter into the 6th inning as the excited Landisville crowd became more boisterous with each out recorded. Arganbright recorded 16 outs before Joseph Carpenter blooped a single to right field, ending the no-hit bid. Arganbright struck out 13 batters on the day and at one point struck out 5 consecutive Falcon batters.
Hempfield was led offensively by Jon Peterson, who notched 3 hits, 3 RBI and 2 stolen bases. Angel Colon also contributed 2 RBI, and other runs were driven in by Ben Lukawski, Ryan Drager, TIm Gailor and Jeremy Noel. The Black Knights opened up the game in the 5th inning when Grant Oberholtzer and Ben Lukawski doubled on consecutive pitches. Reilly Workman, Chase Gilbert and Jon Peterson all reached base and would score in the inning.
Hempfield moves to 13-2 overall (11-1 in League play). The win is the 733rd for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights triumphed over the JV Falcons 6-3. The JV team is now 11-1 on the year.
April 22, 2015: Hempfield 1, Elizabethtown 0
Wyatt Miller pitched a complete game shut out, economically using only 80 pitches to record 21 outs against the visiting Bears of Elizabethtown on a chilly, breezy afternoon in Landisville. Mixing speeds and working quickly, Miller allowed only three hits in 7 innings and did not issue a walk. Miller retired the final 11 outs in order and only faced two more batter than the minimum (21). Elizabethtown's Jeremy Sabathne was equal to Miller, also allowing only three hits on the day.
Jeremy Noel brought home Ben Lukawski in the 4th inning to plate the game's only run.
Hempfield moves to 12-2 overall (10-1 in League play). The win is the 732nd for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights fell by a score of 6-1. The JV team is now 10-1 on the season.
April 21, 2015: Hempfield 5, Solanco 3
Alec Miller grinded through 6 innings and Chad Wiggins relieved Wyatt Miller with two runners on base and no outs in the 7th to hold down the victory for Hempfield and earn his first Varsity save. Alec Miller struck out 5 and walked 3 while allowing 5 hits.
Tim Gailor went 3 for 4 at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base. Hempfield scored 4 runs in the 3rd inning thanks to hits from Angel Colon, Tim Gailor and Ben Lukawski.
Chad Wiggins came on in the 7th inning with no outs, one run in and runners at second and third. Wiggins retired two batters on ground balls before recording the 21st out of the game on a pop fly to shallow left field.
Hempfield moves to 11-2 overall (9-1 in League play). The win is the 731st for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights kept rolling with a score of 12-1. The JV team is now 10-0 on the season.
April 17, 2015: Hempfield 9, Ephrata 4
Andrew Corso shone brightly as he took the mound and competed for 4 solid innings and contributed at the plate with 3 RBI, going 2-2 with a single and a triple. Making his first career Varsity start on the mound, Corso found trouble in the first inning due to two walks, a single, and an error that allowed 3 Ephrata runs to score before the Black Knights had a turn at bat.
Hempfield scored 6 in the 2nd inning and 3 in the 3rd inning to increase their margin to 9-3. Wyatt Miller came on in relief of Corso and worked through the 5th and 6th inning before turning the game over to Alec Miller in the 7th. With the bases loaded and the tying run on deck, Miller struck out two Mountaineer hitters before getting the 21st out on a ground ball to second baseman Jeremy Noel.
Hempfield moves to 10-2 overall (8-1 in League play) and remains tied with Penn Manor for the lead in Section One. The win is the 730th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
Link to article from LNP's Ed Gruver: http://lancasteronline.com/sports/highschool/baseball/corso-hempfield-handle-ephrata-in-baseball-crossover/article_ae4a0b5a-e567-11e4-9dbe-57b6eeab81f5.html
The JV Black Knights continued their march and found a way to win by a score of 4-3. The JV team is now 9-0 on the season.
April 15, 2015: Hempfield 4, Lampeter Strasburg 2
Derek Manning took the ball and pitched a complete game to lead the Black Knights to victory in front of a great crowd on a beautiful evening in Lampeter. Manning's counterpart Cameron Enck was every bit his equal as the two right handers matched each other pitch for pitch, both going the distance for their respective teams. Manning scattered 7 hits, struck out 5 and allowed only 1 walk in earning his team leading 3rd victory on the mound.
Hempfield struck first by scoring two runs in the first inning. Grant Oberholtzer doubled and Chase Gilbert walked. Both advanced on a wild pitch. With runners at second and third and no outs, Derek Manning's line drive was knocked down by Pioneer third baseman Colin Eckman who regrouped, found the ball, and threw a strike to the plate to get Oberholtzer trying to score. Later in the inning, Jon Beck's 2 out, 2 RBI single scored Gilbert and courtesy runner Ryan Drager to stake the Black Knights to a 2-0 lead. L-S scored their first run in the 2nd inning thanks to an RBI single by David Greenwood and added a run in the 4th when Colin Eckman doubled to right center field to bring home Devon Weiant.
Grant Oberholtzer walked to start the 5th inning and made it to 2nd base safely. He advanced to 3rd on a fielders choice ground out and then scored on a wild pitch. Oberholtzer scored an insurance run in the 7th after reaching first base safely after a dropped third strike. He scored on a fielders choice to give Manning a 2 run cushion.
Hempfield moves to 9-2 overall (7-1 in League play) and remains tied with Penn Manor for the lead in Section One. The win is the 729th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights continued their streak and were winners by a score of 6-4. They move to 8-0 on the season.
April 13, 2015: Hempfield 3, Garden Spot 2 (10 Innings)
Wyatt Miller pitched 5 and 1/3 innings of hit-less relief to earn his second win of the season and help Hempfield hold off a very persistent Spartan team from Garden Spot. Taking over with two outs and the bases loaded in the 5th, Miller induced a fly ball to centerfield from Freddy Urena to retire the side and restore order. Miller maintained order by putting up zeros on the scoreboard in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th inning and allowed only one runner to reach base - a lead off walk in the 8th inning. Wyatt Miller took over for Alec Miller, who was touched for 7 hits and walked 3 in 4 and 2/3 innings. Garden Spot scored their two runs in the 5th inning without a hit. The Spartans took advantage of 3 walks, a hit batter, and 2 Hempfield errors.
The Black Knights stranded 14 base runners on the afternoon but found a way to plate the winning run in the 10th inning. Pinch-hitter Angel Colon led off the inning with a line drive single to center field. Dustin Walter followed with a single and Chase Gilbert was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Grant Oberholtzer walked off with the win for Hempfield when he lined a base hit to right field to send the Hempfield fans home happy. Oberholtzer was 4 for 4 on the day and reached base safely all 6 times at bat.
Hempfield moves to 8-2 overall (6-1 in League play) and remains tied with Penn Manor for the lead in Section One. The win is the 728th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
News article from LNP's Ed Gruver: http://lancasteronline.com/sports/highschool/baseball/hempfield-outlasts-garden-spot-in-first-place-baseball-matchup/article_65b64e18-e24b-11e4-8ceb-e7d11e84d112.html
L-L Sports Video from Mr. Glenn Bentley: http://llleaguesportsvideos.com/?p=9512
The JV Black Knights were winners as well by a score of 8-4. They move to 7-0 on the season.
April 10, 2015: Hempfield 12, Conestoga Valley 2
Kyle Arganbright pitched through a turbulent 5 innings, scattering 3 hits while walking 6 batters and hitting another 2 by a pitched ball to defeat the Conestoga Valley Buckskins in front of a raucous and spirited crowd in Smoketown. The defense held behind Arganbright, limiting Conestoga Valley to only 1 run through 5 defensive innings. Derek Manning pitched the last 2 innings to secure the victory for the Black Knights. Arganbright earned his first victory on the mound as a Black Knight.
Hempfield scored at least one run in each of their 7 offensive innings as each starting player reached base safely at least twice on the afternoon. The offensive attack was led by Derek Manning and Jon Beck who had multi-hit games and 3 RBI each. After scoring 2 runs in each of the first two innings, Jon Beck connected in the 3rd on a line drive sent deep to the seats in left center field. The ball was thrown back on to the field by the Buckskin faithful. Chase Gilbert, Derek Manning, Reilly Workman, Jon Beck and Ben Lukawski had mutli-hit days for the Black Knights as their offense churned out 13 hits overall.
Hempfield moves to 7-2 overall (5-1 in League play) and stays tied with Penn Manor for the lead in Section One. The win is the 727th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights were victors by a margin of 12-0 and move to 6-0 on the season.
April 9, 2015: Warwick 9, Hempfield 3
The Warwick Warriors came in to Landisville on a mission and left with a share of first place in Section One, pouncing on Hempfield for 5 runs in the first inning and never looking back. Hempfield's defense committed 8 errors in helping the Warriors cross the plate 9 times. Jon Peterson, Wyatt Miller and Chad Wiggins took the mound for Hempfield. The three hurlers allowed 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. Only 1 of Warwick's 9 runs were earned.
Jon Beck reached base safely all three times at the plate, going 2-2 with a double and 2 RBI. Hempfield's best chance to get back in the game appeared to be in the 3rd inning, when Derek Manning reached on an infield single, circled the bases and scored on three successive wild pitches, and Reilly Workman and Jon Beck both walked. Warwick pitcher Tommy Elliot coaxed an inning ending, momentum killing double play to escape further damage.
Hempfield drops to 6-2 overall (4-1 in League play). Hempfield is in a three way tie for first place in Section One with Penn Manor and Warwick, who each sit at 4-1 in League play.
The JV Black Knights were postponed due to field conditions.
April 6, 2015: Hempfield 11, Manheim Township 8 (8 innings)
Derek Manning doubled three times, driving in 4 runs and pitched 1.1 innings of relief to lead the Black Knighs over the Manheim Township Blue Streaks in extra innings. Manning led an offense that generated 10 hits, 8 RBI, 5 doubles, and reached base in every inning but the 2nd.
Alec Miller pitched around trouble all game as the Manheim Township offense plated three earned runs, scratched out 5 hits, and drew 5 walks off of Miller in 6 innings. In the 7th, the Blue Streaks capitalized on several timely 2-out hits to rally and tie the game, sending the contest into extra innings.
In the 8th, Chase Gilbert led off with a walk and Grant Oberholtzer's sacrifice bunt turned into a base hit when he beat the throw to first. Manning's third double of the game plated two runs to break the tie. Manning later scored on Tim Gailor's single to center field to increase the margin to three runs. Manning recorded three outs around a 2 out walk in the 8th to secure the win.
Hempfield sits at 6-1 overall (4-0 in League play). The win is the 726th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights prevailed 9-6, improving their record to 5-0.
April 2, 2015: Hempfield 6, Penn Manor 4
The Penn Manor Comets and Hempfield Black Knights traded blows in the 5th inning as all 10 runs of the contest were scored in this single frame. In the top of the 5th, the Comets chased Jon Peterson with a series of unfortunate events. Nate Brown led off the inning with a single and Colin Whiteside's sacrifice bunt attempt made good when it laid fair on the first base chalk line. An infield error loaded the bases with no outs, and singles from Collin Groff, Cameron Dickerson and Grant Gale plated 4 runs in the inning.
Hempfield traded a punch of their own. With one out, the Black Knights had 7 batters safely reach base on 5 hits and two walks. Derek Manning broke the inning open with a bases loaded, 3 RBI double to right field to score Hempfield's 4th, 5th and 6th run.
Penn Manor threatened in the 6th and 7th innings by loading the bases with the help of two Hempfield errors, a hit batter, a walk and two infield singles.
Hempfield sits at 5-1 overall (3-0 in League play). The win is the 725th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights continued to stay hot, improving their record to 4-0 as they posted a 3-2 win against the JV Comets from Penn Manor.
April 1, 2015: Hempfield 9, J.P. McCaskey 4
Hempfield scored runs in 5 of their 7 offensive innings to turn back a persistent offensive attack from the J.P. McCaskey Red Tornado. Kyle Arganbright and Derek Manning combined on the mound to limit McCaskey to one 4 run inning on the day. Arganbright completed three innings and Manning went the rest of the way to close it out for Hempfield.
The Black Knights offense was a threat throughout the game with runners reaching base in each inning except the 3rd. Jon Beck, Tim Gailor, Reilly Workman, Andrew Corso and Ben Lukawski all had multi-hit games; Jon Peterson added to the effort by launching his first home run of the season into the upper deck in right field.
With the win, Hempfield moves to 4-1 overall (2-0 in League play). The win is the 724th for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights moved to a 3-0 record as they posted a 7-2 win against the JV Red Tornado.
March 31, 2015: Hempfield 1, Wilson 0
For the second time in consecutive days, the Black Knights battled through winter like conditions and attempted to play baseball amid cold, windy and blustery weather. The chill in Sinking Spring rivaled the cold and wind the day prior in Cornwall. Chase Gilbert battled through the first two innings and Wyatt Miller provided calm, steady and stable long relief to notch his first career Varsity win. Gilbert stranded 5 Bulldog runners in the first two innings and maneuvered his way around damage. Miller came on to go 5 strong innings, allowing just four base runners.
Hempfield plated their lone run on a sacrifice fly from Derek Manning in the 4th inning. Wyatt Miller was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Courtesy runner Ryan Drager found his way to third base in only a few pitches and then scored on Manning's line drive to left field. Hempfield threatened in the 7th by loading the bases with 1 out but were unable to push across any additional runs.
With the win, Hempfield moves to 3-1 overall (1-0 in League play). The win is the 723rd for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights were winners again, winning by a score of 5-4 and move to 2-0 in the young season.
March 30, 2015: Hempfield 5, Cedar Crest 1
Alec Miller, Derek Manning and Wyatt Miller combined for the win on a cold, bitter and blustery day in Lebanon. Alec Miller pitched through 5 innings and was relieved by Manning, who came on to start the 6th. Wyatt Miller closed down the 7th. The pitching staff combined to allow 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 8 Falcon hitters. Cedar Crest pushed their lone run across in the 7th when John Easter reached first on an infield single and advanced to second on an errant throw. Easter came around to score on Nick Gonzalez's 2 out bloop single to right field.
Hempfield scored 2 runs in the 2nd inning when Tim Gailor doubled with one out and was followed by a Grant Oberholtzer walk. After moving to third and second on a fielders choice ground out, Gailor scored on a wild pitch and Oberholtzer was plated on a clutch 2 out, 2 strike single off the bat of Reilly Workman. The Black Knights scored 2 more in the 5th inning. Workman, Chase Gilbert, Ben Lukawski and Derek Manning all singled in succession and the Knights were rolling. In the 6th, Oberholtzer walked to lead off the inning and quickly moved himself around the bases, eventually scoring on a wild pitch.
Hempfield starts the L-L League Season Opener with a win, starting 1-0 in League play and 2-1 overall. The win is the 722nd for the Hempfield Baseball Program.
The JV Black Knights started their own season with an 18-1 win over the JV Falcons. The JV team begins their season 1-0.
March 26, 2015: Governor Mifflin 3, Hempfield 1
Governor Mifflin opened their season on the positive side of the score board by plating 3 runs in the 5th inning to get past Hempfield in a tightly contested early season match up. Evan Pollock started the 5th with a lead off single and A.J. Szcepkowski was hit by a pitch while trying to sacrifice bunt. Zach Weidner then laid down a sacrifice bunt and runners and advanced and Weidner reached on a throwing error. A sacrifice fly from Zach Szcepkowski and a single by Evan Kochel plated two more Mustang runners.
Hempfield answered with a run of their own in the bottom part of the 5th inning. Grant Oberholtzer and Andrew Corso singled and later advanced to 2nd and 3rd. Chase Gilbert plated the run with an RBI ground out. The Black Knights were victimized by stranding two runners in the 3rd, 5th and 6th innings.
With the loss, Hempfield drops to 1-1 on the season.
March 25, 2015: Hempfield 2, Lancaster Catholic 0
Jon Peterson went 6.2 innings on opening day, striking out 9 Crusader batters and allowing 2 walks and scattering 2 hits. Peterson was relieved by Kyle Arganbright in the 7th. Arganbright retired the only batter he faced to pick up his first save in his first appearance as a Black Knight.
Hempfield scored a single run in each of the 4th and 5th innings. In the 4th, Ben Lukawski singled to lead off and then stole second base. Derek Manning walked, and both runners advanced to second and third, respectively, on Jon Peterson's fielders choice ground out. Lukawski scored on a sacrifice fly by Jon Beck. In the 5th inning, Grant Oberholtzer singled and later scored on an RBI ground out by Dustin Walter.
Hempfield starts the season 1-0 and notches Program win 721.