Muhls’ Dalton Follweiler didn’t need electric stuff to earn Pitcher of the Year
Dalton Follweiler doesn’t have electric stuff – that will come soon enough. All he does is throw strikes, get outs and win games – more than any pitcher in the Berks League this season.
“I knew I wasn’t gonna beat anyone with my fastball,” said the Muhlenberg right-hander, who throws in the low 80’s, “so I had to pitch to contact and trust my defense.”
That led to an 8-2 record, a 1.48 ERA and the MikeDragoSports.com Pitcher of the Year, an award sponsored by Utilities Employees Credit Union.
“UECU would like to congratulate Dalton,” said Greg Cosgrove, marketing manager for UECU. “The baseball talent and competition in our region is strong. We admire Dalton’s commitment and the hard work required to stand out within this region and receive this award.”
Finalists for the award included Carson Renner, Brandywine Heights; Deven Sheerin, Exeter; Bryce Detwiler, Gov. Mifflin; Ethan Grim, Gov. Mifflin; and Matt VanOstenbridge, Wilson.
Gov. Mifflin’s Alexander Velez was the inaugural winner last season.
Follweiler was the Muhls’ closer as a junior; he saved five games for the Berks League champs. He entered this season unsure of how he would be utilized. When he pitched a two-hit shutout in the third game of the season, a 7-0 win at Exeter, he set the tone for a breakout season.
“OK, we’ve got something here,” thought Muhls coach Brian Kopetsky after that defining performance.
Kopetsky handed Follweiler the ball a week later against Berks I rival Wilson and saw him allow just three hits and one earned run over six innings in a 9-2 victory.
Follweiler continued to turn in solid outing after solid outing. He never struck out more than eight batters in a game but was the league’s most consistent pitcher. He threw six complete games, including three shutouts, and walked just 18 in 13 appearances.
He was even better in the postseason when he went 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA, including three wins in the districts playoffs. That included a five-inning shutout in the opening round against defending champ Manheim Central and a two-hitter in a state-qualifying 5-2 win against Shippensburg in which he wasn’t charged with an earned run.
“He trusts his teammates,” Kopetsky said. “He trusts his stuff and he just goes out there and pounds the zone to get the results that he needs.
“What he did this season was kind of special. You don’t see that (with a guy who’s throwing low 80’s). (If) you’re throwing 90, 93, yeah, you can throw the ball by half the lineup. He’s doing it at 83 (mph). It was a special kind of season for him.”
Follweiler admits he didn’t see any of this coming. With the Muhls needing to replace All-Berks lefty Brad Cooley, Follweiler was willing to pitch in any role needed. Turns out he ended up as the staff ace and the league’s most reliable pitcher.
His only regular season loss came to eventual BCIAA champ Gov. Mifflin, 3-1 at midseason. His other loss came in the PIAA Tournament opener against Shaler.
“He put me in as a starter, I dominated, and he kept (using) me that way,” Follweiler said. “He put me out there, and I kind of went along for the ride. I was proud of myself, and just glad I could help the team out in that kind way.”
Follweiler led the league in wins and ERA (among pitchers with 30 or more innings) and was second in innings pitched. And he did it against the best competition: His wins came against District 3 qualifiers Exeter, Wilson, Fleetwood, Manheim Central, Lampeter-Strasburg, Shippensburg and Daniel Boone (twice).
His 42 strikeouts weren’t among the league’s Top 10 pitchers but that’s not his forte. He commands the zone with a four-seam fastball, throws a slider, uses a two-seam fastball that runs in on right-handed batters or sinks and pitches to contact.
“You find out real fast which (batters) can adjust their eyes in and out, up and down,” Kopetsky said. “He was fantastic at doing that.
“He was super-efficient, didn’t waste pitches. He fit into the ‘smart pitcher’ mode. He embraced that (role); he excelled at it. He’s just steady. He does his job, he works quickly, hits his spots and the kids play with incredible confidence behind him.”
Follweiler doesn’t plan to pitch in college. He attended Berks Career & Technology Center the past two years and studied electrical technology. He plans to pursue a career as an electrician.
Follweiler was Utilities Employees Credit Union named Pitcher of the Week once this season, in late May after winning a pair of District 3 playoff games. Six other pitchers were named at least once. VanOstenbridge was named three times and Sheerin twice.
Utilities Employees Credit Union Pitchers of the Week this season:
- April 3: Deven Sheerin, Exeter
- April 10: Matt VanOstenbridge, Wilson
- April 17: Ethan Grim, Gov. Mifflin
- April 24: Carson Renner, Brandywine Heights
- May 1: Matt VanOstenbridge, Wilson
- May 8: Chase Kegerise, Oley Valley
- May 15: Matt VanOstenbridge, Wilson
- May 22: Deven Sheerin, Exeter
- May 29: Bryce Shafer, Kutztown
- June 5: Dalton Follweiler, Muhlenberg
