Tristan Baer throws another gem in Hamburg’s league opener

Not even the rain can stop Tristan Baer right now.

While the rest of the teams in the Berks League were shut down because of the weather Wednesday the Hamburg right-hander unfurled another dominant effort. He threw a one-hitter as the Hawks opened Berks League Division III play with a 7-0 win over visiting Wyomissing.

The Hawks (4-0), who play on an artificial turf infield surface, were the only Berks team able to host a game Wednesday, which was the original opening day for league games. Five other games were postponed by rain.

Baer flirted with a no-hitter in throwing his third consecutive complete game. He didn’t give up a hit until the sixth when pinch-hitter Birkley Ziegler looped a ball just over the pitcher’s head. The ball didn’t leave the infield but the Hawks couldn’t make a play on it.

Baer struck out 11, walked three and finished the job on 90 pitches. He has opened the season with 21 scoreless innings. He has allowed five hits and struck out 31. He beat Annville-Cleona 3-0 and Fleetwood 2-0.

The senior has been able to start three of Hamburg’s first four games.

“I sure as heck like our chances when he’s out there,” said Hawks coach Nick Evangelista.

Baer won’t be able to pitch in Hamburg’s next two scheduled games, Friday against Berks Catholic and Saturday at Columbia, due to the PIAA’s pitching limitation rule.

Baer also reached base three times Wednesday and capped Hamburg’s three-run second inning with an RBI single that made it 4-0. Conner Licklider pushed a run across when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Luke Bensinger plated a run with a bases-loaded walk.

Licklider, who went 2-for-3 with a triple, had a two-run single in the fifth, making it 6-0.Brayden Kamp’s RBI groundout completed the scoring in the sixth.

Only one other league game has been played: Gov. Mifflin beat Wilson 3-1 Tuesday in a Berks I game. That was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was moved up a day due to the threat of rain.

League play is scheduled to continue Friday, with eight games, but those could be in jeopardy because of more rain in the forecast.

Wyomissing (1-3) is the defending Berks III champ but was picked to finish behind Hamburg in the preseason after graduating most of its starting lineup. The Hawks were the preseason pick to win their first division title since 2019.

The Hawks and Spartans split a pair of games last season, each winning on its home field.

Hamburg has outscored its first four opponents 18-3 and was one of only two unbeaten Class 4A schools in District 3 entering play Wednesday. East Pennsboro was the other.