Emmaus built an early three run lead against Wilson on Saturday afternoon at Church Lane Park, but that would be all the offense the Hornets could muster as the visiting Bulldogs rallied for an 8-3 win.
Wilson, the pre-season favorite to win Berks County, broke a 3-3 tie with five runs in the top of the seventh inning to pick up their second straight win over Emmaus. The Bulldogs also defeated the Hornets a year ago, 6-5 in 11 innings in West Lawn.
The victory was the third straight for Wilson which improved to 4-3 on the season. Meanwhile, Emmaus had their three-game win streak snapped as they dropped to 4-3.
Head coach Jeremy Haas’ squad got the scoring started early in this one scoring a pair of runs in the first inning courtesy of senior first baseman Chase Simmons who delivered a two-out, RBI single to right field scoring both senior Ryan Hummel and junior Josh Diaz who had both singled.
The lead grew to 3-0 in the second as Hummel delivered an RBI single scoring junior Jackson Burton who had walked and stole second base.
That, unfortunately, was all the scoring Emmaus did on the day as they watched Wilson score eight unanswered runs to secure the win.
Hummel and Simmons each wound up 2-for-3 in the game for the Hornets who had eight hits in the game.
Starter Jaden Betz worked out of jams thru the first three innings to keep the lead at 3-0 before giving way to Robbie Barnes who came in the fourth. Connor Horwath wound up suffering the loss after giving up six runs on six hits in three innings.
Wilson was led by shortstop Jack Gabel, a West Chester University commit, who was 3-for-4. Designated hitter Matt Mallis had a pair of hits and drove in two runs, while center fielder Tim Engle also had two hits and three RBI.
Staff ace Ben Kulp, another West Chester signee, gave up three runs early but settled down the rest of the way to keep Emmaus off the scoreboard and earn his third win of the season. The right-hander went six innings, scattering eight hits and striking out 10. Reliever Logan Pettit tossed a scoreless seventh inning.
Emmaus will return to league action on Monday at 4 p.m. as they travel to Dieruff.
Wilson 8, Emmaus 3
Wil – 000 030 5 – 8-9-2
Em – 210 000 0 – 3-8-0
Wil – Ben Kulp, Logan Pettit (7) and Gabe Spohn; Em – Jaden Betz, Robbie Barnes (4), Connor Horwath (5) and Drayce Schmidt. WP – Kulp (3-1), LP – Horwath (0-1)
Listen to a replay of the game: https://easternpasportsnet1.mixlr.com/recordings/3085262