Muhls can’t slow down Wildcats, head to playback round
2024 Berks baseball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Muhlenberg twice built three-run leads but never found a way to slow down Mechanicsburg’s bats, falling 9-6 in a District 3 Class 5A quarterfinal Monday at Mechanicsburg Memorial Park.
The seventh-seeded Muhls (14-8) head to the playback round where they’ll need to win two straight to claim a spot in the PIAA Tournament. The Muhls get a home game Thursday when they face No. 14 Lower Dauphin in an elimination game. The Falcons lost to Shippensburg 11-8.
The second-seeded Wildcats (18-3-1) had been slumping heading into the postseason, losing three of their last four games. They scored just nine runs in that span.
Jeff Lougee homered and drove in two runs and Jager Nailor and Landon Mark each had two hits and two RBIs as part of Mechanicsburg’s 12-hit attack. Muhlenberg pitchers combined for just two strikeouts.
Aaden Lopez homered and drove in three runs for the Muhls, who scored three times in the top of the first, led 5-2 in the second and 6-5 in the fourth. Cam Burr went 3-for-4, scored twice and stole a base.
James Markowitz was a difference-maker for the Wildcats. He picked up the win by pitching the final 4 1/3 innings, allowing just one run.
Ethan Weiler started and went three innings for Muhlenberg, allowing eight hits and five runs, all earned.
Muhlenberg opened the tournament with a 6-5, walk-off win over Manheim Central but did not have Burr, it’s No. 1 pitcher, available to throw. He will be eligible to throw again on Thursday.
Mechanicsburg opened the season with 14 wins and a tie in its first 15 games; it did not lose until falling to Northern York 5-4 on May 3. The Wildcats won the Mid-Penn Conference Keystone Division.
