Wilson’s reign as district champ ends at Manheim Township

Manheim Township broke through with a pair of sixth-inning runs to edge Wilson 3-1 Thursday in a District 3 Class 6A quarterfinal at Neffsville, ending the Bulldogs’ season.

The 12th-seeded Bulldogs (11-11) had the bases loaded in the seventh inning but could not break through against Josh Weaver, who held on for his second save.

Wilson had runners on second and third with one out in the sixth, the game still tied 1-1, before winner Ben Shenosky (7-1) escaped. Shenosky struck out nine over six innings and allowed just three hits.

The loss snaps the Bulldogs’ eight-game district winning streak. They won district titles in 2021 and 2020.

Township advances to play at top-seeded Gov. Mifflin, a 12-2 winner over Hempfield, Tuesday at 4:30; the winner clinches a PIAA Tournament berth.

Rueben Livingston went the first 5 1/3 innings for Wilson, allowing four hits and three runs, two earned. He also walked six.

The Lancaster-Lebanon League champion Blue Streaks (19-4) took advantage of a wild pitch and three walks to score twice in the sixth to take the lead. Courtesy runner Ben Connors scored from third on a wild pitch. Tyler Mulholland, who reached on a single, scored on a bases-loaded walk.

Mulholland gave Township a 1-0 lead in the fourth, scoring on Ty Jenkins’ single.

Wilson tied it in the fifth, Charlie Frantz scoring from third on a throwing error.

The Bulldogs finished with four hits, all singles.

Wilson, with just one returning starter in the field, started slowly this season, losing its first four games. It beat Boytertown 4-2 on the final day of the regular season to move from No. 13 in the power ratings to No. 12, securing the final spot in the field.