Tommy Hunsicker-Wilson

One big inning and a dominant pitching performance propelled Wilson to the District 3-6A semifinals. The fourth-seeded Bulldogs beat fifth-seeded Manheim Township 4-1 on Monday in a matchup of league champions. Matt VanOstenbridge tossed a 3-hitter with ten strikeouts. The Penn State commit improved to (5-1) with a 1.03 ERA. “I think it’s his arsenal of pitches and how he’s able to change speeds. They weren’t really able to touch his off-speed, especially his changeup,” said Tommy Hunsicker. VanOstenbridge has allowed just 24 hits in 47.2 innings this season with 67 strikeouts. Wilson got all four of its runs in the second frame. Designed hitter Ben Kulp drew a leadoff walk. VanOstenbridge followed with a single. Freshman Ryan Marmolejos beat out a bunt to load the bases. C.J. Fernandez and Hunsicker ripped consecutive RBI singles to center. Jack Gabel walked with the bases loaded to make it 3-0. Nick Fiorini added a sacrifice fly to left field. Hunsicker, who’s headed to Millersville for football, went 3-for-3 with a walk. “I was feeling balanced, staying back more and adjusting to whatever pitches they were throwing,” he explained. The senior third baseman raised his batting average to .375. The (17-6) Bulldogs didn’t commit an error. “Our coaches gave us a good scouting report. They put us in the right spots,” noted Hunsicker. Trey Eckman entered the day with a 1.58 ERA for the Blue Streaks. The senior righty had only given up 26 hits and 17 walks over 40 innings. Eckman was charged with four runs on five hits and five walks in three innings. Sophomore Tyler Shirk limited the Berks County champs to one hit over three frames. Wilson left eight runners on base. Manheim Township finished (18-7). The Blue Streaks lost 4-2 to the Bulldogs in the District 3 semifinals a season ago. Wilson will host ninth-seeded Ephrata on Thursday at 4:30pm. The (17-7) Mounts upset top-seeded Cedar Cliff 6-5 in ten innings on Monday. The Bulldogs are trying to reach the District 3 championship game for the second straight year. “This is where we wanted to be, expected to be all year,” said Hunsicker.