Field – Berks Sports Report

Bulldogs Shut Down the Muhls

Paul Roberts — Sat, 03 May 2025 18:52:11 +0000

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.

Berks County High School Baseball Showcase

Paul Roberts — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 19:23:39 +0000

The Berks County High School Baseball Showcase begins later this month. The event includes 14 teams from the Berks League. The showcase runs from Wednesday, April 30th to Saturday, May 3rd at Owls Field in West Lawn. Thursday, May 1st is a scheduled rain date. Admission each day is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Wilson will hold its Senior Night ceremony on May 2nd. Here’s the slate of seven games.

April 30:

Berks Catholic vs. Wyomissing at 4:15pm

Gov. Mifflin vs. Daniel Boone at 7pm

May 2:

Kutztown vs. Antietam at 4:15pm

Wilson vs. Muhlenberg at 7pm

May 3:

Hamburg vs. Tulpehocken at noon

Twin Valley vs. Conrad Weiser at 3pm

Oley Valley vs. Brandywine Heights at 6:30pm

Derek Macrina-Wyomissing

Paul Roberts — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 15:28:36 +0000

Derek Macrina still remembers being a ball boy for Wyomissing’s football team. The 5’11, 165-pound senior is now starting at halfback and safety for the Spartans. Wyomissing has claimed twelve District 3 championships including five in a row. Bob Wolfrum picked up win #365 on Saturday afternoon. The field is named after the head coach who’s in his 38th season at the helm. He guided the Spartans to a state title in 2012. There’s plenty of tradition in the small borough, and Macrina is thrilled to be part of one of the top programs in Pennsylvania. He got his first two touchdowns of the year in a 42-0 rout of Northern Lebanon. “It felt great. I have to give credit to my linemen and my backs because I was untouched both times. They did a great job,” emphasized Macrina. He finished with 53 yards on five carries. Macrina scored from 15 yards out on a sweep to the left to put Wyomissing on top 21-0 with 9:25 left in the second quarter. That 34-yard drive was set up by an interception from sophomore Justice Hardy. The (3-1, 1-0) Spartans found the end zone on their first four possessions. Chase Eisenhower rumbled for 91 yards and 2 TD on nine carries. The 215-pound junior fullback broke four tackles on a 39-yard score with five minutes remaining in the first half. “I probably should’ve kept blocking. I kind of stood and watched in awe. I’m like ‘Holy Cow’ this kid just doesn’t go down,” said Macrina. The third quarter began with junior linebacker Tyler Niedrowski forcing a fumble that was recovered by 255-pound defensive end Keaton Piacine. Danny Fleischood, a 190-pound junior, capped a quick 24-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run up the middle. That score started the running clock with 9:07 to go in the third period. Hardy chipped in with 56 yards on five carries. Macrina likes the balance that Wyomissing has in the backfield. “It’s kind of pick your poison. Move your guys in the middle, we’re gonna go outside. You put them on the outside, we’re gonna go inside. It’s a one-two punch,” he replied. Sophomore Brady Ryan returned an interception to the Spartans’ 20-yard line late in the third quarter, but Wyomissing held. An interception by Wayne Reason in the end zone kept the (1-3, 0-1) Vikings off the board. Tymere Brooks-Gray provided the finishing touch with a 10-yard TD run. The Spartans are ranked #5 in the state in Class 4A by PennLive. They visit ELCO on Friday night.

Bob Wolfrum-Wyomissing

Paul Roberts — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 12:09:00 +0000

Bob Wolfrum is an institution in Wyomissing. He spent 33 years as a teacher and Dean of Students. Wolfrum has been an integral part of the football program for more than 50 years. This is his 37th season as the Spartans’ head coach. Wolfrum’s record improved to (357-88-1) after a 35-14 victory over Conrad Weiser on Saturday afternoon. Following the game, the football field was officially named after the longtime coach. Wolfrum led Wyomissing to the Class 2A state championship in 2012 when the Spartans defeated perennial powerhouse Aliquippa. Wyomissing earned PIAA-3A silver medals in 2020 and 2021. Wolfrum has won eleven District 3 titles including four in a row. He’s an eye-popping (18-0) in home playoff games. Only Southern Columbia’s Jim Roth has more all-time wins among active high school coaches in Pennsylvania. Wolfrum has only had one losing season in nearly four decades as head coach. His teams have been a model of consistency. The Spartans went (49-4) over the previous four years.

Despite all of his accomplishments, Wolfrum is a man of few words. During Saturday’s dedication ceremony, he spoke for nearly 14 minutes. Wolfrum talked about the support he has received from his wife, family, assistant coaches, administrators, and players. As usual, he focused on the Wyomissing community as a whole and not himself. Here is his speech in its entirety.

Berks Baseball Showcase

Paul Roberts — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:58:00 +0000

13 teams will participate in the Berks County High School Baseball Showcase at Owls Field in West Lawn this week. Seven games will take place between Wednesday and Saturday at Ted Palka Park. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students which allows you to see all of the games on that day. No food or beverages are permitted into Owls Field. The concession stand will be open during the showcase. Here’s the schedule:

Wednesday:

Exeter vs. Wilson at 4:15pm

Gov. Mifflin vs. Muhlenberg at 7:30pm (The Mustangs and Muhls are tied for first place in Division 1 of the Berks League)

Thursday:

Oley Valley vs. Wyomissing at 4:15pm (The Lynx are in first place in Division 3)

Brandywine Heights vs. Antietam at 7:30pm (The Bullets sit atop Division 4)

Saturday:

Kutztown vs. Schuylkill Valley at noon

Conrad Weiser vs. Fleetwood at 3:30pm

Daniel Boone vs. Wilson at 7pm