One more day of rest had little to no effect on Jaden Betz delivering a performance on the mound that helped moved his team one step closer to a berth in the post-season.
Not even gusty 20-30 mph winds could slow down the Emmaus right-hander on delivering one of his best efforts of the season.
After having his fifth start delayed due to weather-related issues on Saturday, the junior shined one day later as he tossed six strong innings in leading the Hornets to an 8-2 win over Berks County foe Muhlenberg on Senior Day at Church Lane Park on Sunday afternoon.
Betz’s outing, which included allowing just three hits, two unearned runs and four strikeouts, came less than 24 hours after classmate Cole Moreau tossed a two-hitter in the team’s 6-1 win over Allen on Friday night at Community Park.
For his efforts, Betz was named the Player of the Game on the LIVE broadcast on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network.
The back-to-back victories by Emmaus improved their overall record to 9-8 on the season and with three games remaining, the Hornets now need just one win to clinch a berth in the District XI Class 6A playoffs.
Betz, who entered the game with just a 1-3 record but a very respectable 2.69 ERA, gave up a first inning run but then settled down the rest of the way in earning the victory.
His teammates also backed him with plenty of run support — which was a welcome surprise.
Emmaus, which earlier in the win was coming off a pair of one-run losses to Whitehall and Central Catholic, respectively, did all the scoring they would need against the Muhls in the first inning as they loaded the bases with two outs against starter Aaden Lopez, a Coppin St. commit.
Senior shortstop Aaron Fleetwood the delivered the key hit in the inning with a three-run double giving the Hornets a 3-1 lead.
Emmaus then tacked on four more runs in the fifth inning to put the game away.
Fleetwood drove in a career-high four RBI to lead the offense. Senior first baseman Drew McGeehan reached base three times and was 1-for-2 with three runs scored, while classmate right fielder Logan Ravier scored a pair of runs. Junior third baseman Ryan Hummell was 1-for-2 with an RBI single
Muhlenberg, which entered on a two-game win streak, was led by junior center fielder Gavin Moody was 1-for-3 with an RBI single in the first inning and senior right fielder Kaleb Mendoza drove in the other run with an RBI single in the sixth. The Muhls dropped to 8-7 on the season.
Prior to the game, Emmaus honored its six seniors for their contributions to the program: Drew McGeehan, Aaron Fleetwood, Logan Ravier, Bryan Kain, Andrew Lee and Owen Haas.
Emmaus will return to action at 4 p.m. on Tuesday with an opportunity to clinch a berth in districts as they travel to Dieruff.
To stay up to date with Emmaus sports, follow @Emmaussports.com on ‘X’ and like Emmaus sports on facebook.
Emmaus 8, Muhlenberg 2
Muhl – 100 001 0 – 2-5-3
Em – 300 041 – 8-6-3
Aaden Lopez, Anthony Hatt (4), Ryan Kemp (5), John Martin (6) and Cooper Burr; Jaden Betz, Andrew Lee (7) and Bryan Kain. W- Betz (2-3), L – Lopez