Mifflin tops Muhlenberg again, takes over sole possession of first in Berks I

Tyler Minick and two relievers combined on a four-hitter as Gov. Mifflin beat Muhlenberg 3-1 Wednesday night to take over sole possession of first place in Division I of the Berks League.

The Mustangs (7-1, 11-3) scored twice in the sixth on Travis Jenkins’ triple to snap a 1-1 tie in the Berks County Showcase at Owls Field. The only extra-base hit of the game followed leadoff singles by Bryce Detwiler and Alexander Velez.

The win was Mifflin’s second over the Muhls (6-2, 8-4) this season; the Mustangs won 15-3 at Laureldale on April 3. Mifflin has a one-game lead with four to play.

The Muhls have lost six straight in the series; their last win over the Mustangs came in 2019.

The Mustangs won the Berks I title last season; the Muhls, who won Berks II, went on to win the league championship. They entered this season as the favorites to meet for the Berks title.

Unlike the first meeting, when the Mustangs put it away with eight second-inning runs, this one developed into a pitcher’s duel.

The Muhls took the lead with a run in the third on Shane Rosenberry’s bases-load sacrifice fly. Minick retired the next two batters to avoid a big inning.

The Mustangs tied it in the fourth on Darien Troche’s RBI single, which scored Velez.

Minick went the first four innings, allowing two hits and a one run; he struck out three. Matt Novotny pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three, and earned the win. Ethan Grim struck out two in a perfect ninth to earn the save.

Dalton Follweiler, who entered with a team-leading 0.91 ERA, allowed five hits and three runs over five innings. He struck out four.

Velez went 2-for-3, stole a base and scored twice for Mifflin; Derek Wilson went 2-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base for Muhlenberg.

Mifflin has won two straight after 6-3 losses to Wilson and Manheim Central last week.

Muhlenberg had won eight of its previous nine after an 0-2 start.