Bulldogs Shut Down the Muhls

On Senior Night, it was a junior who stole the show at Owls Field in the Berks County High School Baseball Showcase. Ben Kulp allowed just three hits over five innings as Wilson defeated Muhlenberg 6-0 on Friday. The 6’2, 215-pound righty racked up nine strikeouts. “Kulp had a lively fastball, was throwing his curveball for a strike, and then coming back with a nice split,” explained head coach Bill Underwood. Kulp (4-2) walked just two while throwing 81 pitches. He entered the day with a 0.93 ERA. It was a different story for Muhls’ senior Aaden Lopez. He gave up five runs on five hits and four walks. Lopez (1-3) only lasted two innings. He has issued 36 walks in 21.1 innings this season. The (13-6) Bulldogs got a pair of runs in the 1st on RBI singles by Alex Ernesto and Nick Herron. Ernesto went 1-for-1 with two walks and a run. Herron provided two of Wilson’s seven hits. The Bulldogs added three runs in the 2nd to go up 5-0. After a bunt base hit by Colby Kostelac, Tyler Herbein followed with a bloop single down the right field line. The throw into second base got away and rolled all the way to the fence on the left field line. The throwing error put Wilson in front 3-0. An RBI single to left by leadoff hitter Jack Gabel made it 4-0. He would later come around to score on a wild pitch by Lopez. Gabel, a junior shortstop who’s committed to West Chester, knocked in another run in the 3rd on a groundout to third base. Sophomore Ryan Rosenberry hit three batters and walked another in that inning. Kaden Ballas pitched the last two frames for the Bulldogs. The senior limited the (11-8) Muhls to one hit. Ballas had two strikeouts and one walk. “With a six run lead, Ballas did what he needed and that was to throw strikes,” said Underwood. Cole Moody and Eli Keller had two hits apiece for Muhlenberg, which was playing its fifth game in six days. The Muhls are likely out of contention for the BCIAA playoffs. Meanwhile, Wilson is headed to the Berks County playoffs after finishing second in Division 1. The Bulldogs are the defending county champions. The BCIAA quarterfinals are on Thursday, May 8th with doubleheaders at Owls Field and Muhlenberg.