Ben Kulp-Wilson

Paul Roberts — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 16:29:56 +0000

Wilson squared off with Exeter in a Division 1 matchup at Reiffton on Wednesday afternoon. The Bulldogs hadn’t played since last Thursday when they were blanked 1-0 in twelve innings at Muhlenberg. Wilson’s bats came alive early against Kamren Martin. The 6’3 junior entered the day with a (3-0) record and a 0.98 ERA. After Ryan Marmolejos was hit by a pitch, Christo Hunsicker launched a triple to center field in the top of the 1st. Ben Kulp followed with a RBI groundout and the Bulldogs were quickly on top 2-0. The (10-3) Eagles got one run back in the bottom half of the frame. Sophomore catcher Brandon Weller ripped a 2-out RBI triple to center. That would end up being one of only two hits allowed by Kulp in a 6-1 victory. The 6’2, 215-pound junior threw 97 pitches over 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts and three walks. Kulp turned to his curveball after struggling with the slider. “It was an all right day out on the mound, not everything was working,” he said. Kulp (3-1, 0.81) has been much better than just all right this spring. He’s only given up 13 hits while piling up 34 strikeouts in 26 innings. The right-hander, who also plays water polo, got himself in better shape during the offseason. “I did a lot of explosive work and a lot of sprinting to train your body to move faster,” he explained. “I try to stay away from carbs, definitely high protein intake,” added Kulp. He helped himself by going 2-for-4 with a RBI. “I love swinging the bat,” he replied. Wilson went in front 3-1 in the 3rd when courtesy runner Colby Kostelac scored following two wild pitches by Martin. Kulp, who bats from the left side, led off that inning with a double down the right field line. Exeter stranded runners on third base in the first, fourth, and fifth innings. Kulp stopped each of those threats with a strikeout. The (7-3) Bulldogs broke it open with three runs in the 6th. Marmolejos provided a 2-run triple to left-center. The talented sophomore second baseman was 1-for-2 with two runs scored. He’s hitting .333 this year. Hunsicker knocked in Marmolejos with another triple to center field. “Breathing room is nice because then you’re not stressing every pitch,” said Kulp. Hunsicker leads the team with six extra-base hits. The Millersville commit has three doubles and three triples through ten games. He had two of Wilson’s nine hits off of Martin. The tall righty allowed six runs over 5.1 innings. He struck out four, walked two, and hit three batters. Senior Kaden Ballas got the final four outs for the Bulldogs without giving up a hit. Wilson ended its scoring drought and snapped the Eagles’ six-game winning streak. The Bulldogs claimed their 13th Berks League championship in 2024. On Wednesday, they showed that they’re a contender again this spring.

Ben Kulp-Wilson

Paul Roberts — Sun, 12 May 2024 11:53:00 +0000

With a trip to the BCIAA Championship on the line, Wilson turned to sophomore Ben Kulp and he delivered. The 6’1, 215-pound righty allowed just three hits over 5.1 innings in a 6-3 victory over Twin Valley at Owls Field. “The curveball was working early in counts. The splitter and slider were working later in counts,” explained Kulp. He gave up three runs, two earned, with five strikeouts and only one walk. “My goal was to get ahead of batters early and then keep them off balance,” said Kulp. He’s (5-1) with 41K in 35.2IP. The third-seeded Bulldogs gave him some early support with three runs on one hit in the second inning. After two errors and a walk, freshman Ryan Marmolejos ripped a single to left field. C.J. Fernandez’s grounder to second produced another run. A sacrifice fly to right by sophomore Jack Gabel made it 3-0. The second-seeded Raiders got on the board in the 2nd thanks to Jon Oxendine‘s groundout with the bases loaded. Kulp struck out Kooper Zdimal with men on second and third to limit the damage. A two-out RBI double to right field by Paul Colombo got Twin Valley within 3-2 in the third inning. Colombo had three of the Raiders’ four hits. He’s headed to Division II Anderson University in South Carolina. Owen Rhoads, an Elizabethtown commit, left after five frames and 98 pitches. He was charged with three unearned runs on five hits and two walks. Rhoads finished with a handful of strikeouts. Zdimal took over and allowed a two-out, two-run double to left-center by Christo Hunsicker. Penn State commit Matt VanOstenbridge replaced Kulp in the bottom of 6th with one out and a runner on second base. Kevin Eden greeted the southpaw with a RBI double to right. Fernandez added a bloop RBI single in the 7th for the final margin. Marmolejos and Fernandez each went 2-for-3. They hit eighth and ninth respectively for Wilson. The (15-6) Bulldogs had eight hits on Saturday. VanOstenbridge had a pair of strikeouts to surpass 200 for his career. He permitted just one hit while throwing 25 pitches. “He’s a great guy on the bench, great teammate. He’ll take you under his wing and show you his stuff,” noted Kulp. VanOstenbridge is expected to be on the hill Monday evening at FirstEnergy Stadium. Wilson meets rival Gov. Mifflin for the Berks County title at 6:05pm. The Mustangs defeated the Bulldogs 6-3 in last year’s championship game. “We want redemption,” stated Kulp.

Kulp – Berks Sports Report

Ben Kulp-Wilson

Ben Kulp-Wilson