Bryce Detwiler of Gov. Mifflin is first UECU Player of the Week of 2023
(Story was corrected to show home run came against Pottsville.)
Veteran pitchers know most hitters get themselves out by swinging at pitches outside the strike zone or in locations they can’t handle.
Plate discipline can be a batter’s best weapon, and Bryce Detwiler showed that throughout his freshman season at Gov. Mifflin. He struck out just three times in 59 at-bats (while walking 16 times).
“Bryce is a patient hitter and has a great eye,” said Mustangs coach Chris Hole. “He’s very disciplined at the plate, and that leads to a high on-base average.”
Detwiler showed that last week when he reached base six times in three games and scored six runs to earn the season’s inaugural Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week honors.
He homered and pitched 3 1/3 shutout innings to earn the decision in an 11-1, five-inning victory over Pottsville. He allowed two hits and struck out two.
Detwiler led the way with the bat next time out in a 12-0 win over Conrad Weiser when he went 3-for-3 with a single, double and triple.
“They all went to the opposite field,” said Hole of Detwiler’s three extra-base hits. “Bryce has a lot of power that way. He’s a big, strong young man. The biggest thing that makes him the hitter he has become is that he takes the ball well to all fields. You can tell he’s on his game (when) he’s able to take it to the opposite field.”
Detwiler is off to another good start with a .357 batting average, .786 slugging percentage and 1.223 OPS in Mifflin’s first five games.
He generally plays third base but slides over to shortstop when Berks Player of the Year Tyler Minick is on the mound. He’ll likely take over that spot next season after Minick graduates. He also will see time at second base this season.
Detwiler will also see more time on the mound this season. He threw just six innings last season (striking out 10) but is currently filling the No. 3 slot in Mifflin’s rotation, behind Pitcher of the Year Alexander Velez and Ethan Grim.
Detwiler earned all-division honors as a freshman when he batted .339 with a .461 on-base percentage, a .441 slugging average and a .902 on-base percentage. He drove in 16 runs and scored 16 runs in 22 games.
This is Detwiler’s first Player of the Week selection. Minick was selected twice last season. Players considered for Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.
Also considered for Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week:
- Michael Bradley, Berks Catholic
- Dylan Schueler, Daniel Boone
- Chase Cupitt, Exeter
- Conner Licklider, Hamburg
- Dom Pizzelanti, Kutztown
- Shane Rosenberry, Muhlenberg
- Sean Hoffman, Oley Valley
- Aidan Schwalm, Tulpehocken
- Kooper Zdimal, Twin Valley
Selected as Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week last season:
- April 4: Kevin Lawlor, Berks Catholic
- April 11: Conner Licklider, Hamburg
- April 18: Luke Weller, Exeter
- April 25: Tyler Minick, Gov. Mifflin
- May 2: Tyler Minick, Gov. Mifflin
- May 9: Luke Weller, Exeter
- May 16: Kenay Rodriguez, Muhlenberg
- May 23: Cam Burr, Muhlenberg
