Thursday night's Berks County baseball action delivered some thrilling performances, with Reading High's Frandy Ruiz leading the charge in a dominant victory over Wilson.
Ruiz was unstoppable at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored, and two RBIs as the Red Knights blanked Wilson 11-0 in five innings at Owl's Field. The win was powered by a stellar pitching performance from Janser Paredes, who tossed five scoreless innings, striking out four while scattering seven hits.
Reading High (8-9, 5-6 Division 1) got contributions up and down the lineup. Samir Diaz Batista went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Frank Adames added two hits and two RBIs. Joset Pagan also chipped in with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI.
For Wilson (13-5, 9-2 Division 1), Jack Gabel had two hits including a double. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs still hold the top spot in Division 1, though they've now dropped two straight games—both ending via the mercy rule. Earlier this week, Gov. Mifflin handed them a 12-1 defeat.
Speaking of the Mustangs, they kept rolling with a 10-1 win over Daniel Boone. Evan Glucksnis and Aden Reiter combined on a five-hitter, with Glucksnis going five innings and striking out eight on 92 pitches. Reiter closed things out with two scoreless innings, fanning five. Charlie Ainge led the offense, going 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Ryan added a double and drove in two runs. Gov. Mifflin improves to 9-10, 6-5 in Division 1.
In other action, Hamburg shut out Schuylkill Valley 7-0 behind Aaron Rodriguez's 3-for-4 performance. Bryce Schmeck (2-for-4, RBI, two runs) and Luke Gottschall (2-for-2, run) also contributed. Hamburg is now 10-9, 4-7 in Division 3, while Schuylkill Valley falls to 7-10, 4-7.
Exeter made quick work of J.P. McCaskey, winning 12-0 in five innings. Liam Porter struck out four and allowed just two hits as the Eagles improved to 13-6.
Tulpehocken exploded for a 20-0 victory over Antietam in just three innings. Grant Gehman went deep, while Landen Hoffert was a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBIs. Tulpehocken is 5-10, 4-7 in Division 3, while Antietam drops to 4-11, 1-9 in Division 4.
Brandywine Heights topped Conestoga Christian 12-4, powered by Brady Lieb's two-home run game. Lieb went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and three RBIs. Brandywine moves to 4-11.
Berks Catholic outslugged Wyomissing 16-6 in six innings. Mason Mace was the star, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs, while Henry Pflomm added two hits including a double and three RBIs. Berks Catholic improves to 11-4, 10-1 in Division 3, while Wyomissing falls to 10-8, 8-4.
Finally, Oley Valley edged Kutztown 5-4 in a nine-inning thriller. Russell Leach went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Timmy Fries pitched 7.2 innings, striking out four and allowing seven hits. Luke Manwiller contributed two hits including a double. For Kutztown, Kaden Kerecz went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Oley Valley is now 13-5, 8-2 in Division 4, while Kutztown slips to 12-5, 7-3.