Jordan King crossed the plate in the bottom of the 6th inning to break a 2-2 tie and give Manheim Central a lead it would not relinquish, as the Barons defeated the visiting Warwick Warriors in the first round of the PIAA District 3 5A playoffs at Thompson Field in North Manheim.
Before King scored the deciding run, Warwick scored in the first inning and held a 1-0 advantage for most of the contest. In the top of the first, Jon Poole Jr. singled and courtesy runner Brigham Martin stole second base. Martin advanced to third on a fielders choice ground out and cored on an infield single. That would be the extent of the scoring for most of the game as starting pitchers Nick Carson (Warwick) and Colin Connelly (Manheim Central) kept the offenses in check.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, Gavin Compton and Tyler Grimm drew back to back walks with no one out. The two were sacrificed to 2nd and 3rd by Chase Book before Clint Groff singled both runners home to give the Barons a short-lived lead. Warwick responded in the top of the 6th inning as Jon Poole Jr. reached on an infield error and courtesy runner Brigham Martin moved to third on another Manheim Central error. Josiah Smucker’s line drive to center field, caught by a diving Cody Hess, was enough to score Martin and tie the game. In the bottom of the 6th, Carter Kyle singled up the middle to put a lead off runner aboard for the Barons. Jordan King, running for Kyle, advanced to second base and then reached third on Cody Hess’ sacrifice fly to center. With two outs, Tyler Grimm drew a walk to put runners on the corners for Chase Book; however, King was able to score on a passed ball during Book’s at bat to give the Barons a run run edge that would hold up for the winning run.
Keeping the Warwick offense in check was senior Colin Connelly. Pitching at home, in front of his adoring legion, Connelly was outstanding. He allowed an earned run in the first and an unearned run in the sixth en route to a victory on the mound. He walked no one, hit one batter, and struck out five. Connelly allowed three hits to the first seven batters; he did not allow a hit to the final 18 batters he faced. He collected 21 outs in an efficient 85 pitches. When Nick Carson’s fly ball landed securely in Cody Hess’ glove for the game’s final out, all of Manheim exhaled collectively in quiet satisfaction.
Manheim Central is 14-8 on the Season and 8-2 in Section Play.
May 7, 2026: Manheim Township 2, Manheim Central 0
The 53rd edition of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Playoffs kicked off on a splendid afternoon for baseball at Manheim Township’s historic Westfield Insurance Park.
The Blue Streaks struck early and pushed across two runs in the top of the 1st inning. Jacob Carrasco walked and advanced to third on Alex Derderian’s single to center. The next batter, Jack Kenneff, grounded a ball to shortstop. Instead of a force out or double play, however, the ball ricocheted off the statuesque base umpire to load the bases with Blue Streaks without an out. The Barons’ misfortune turned into two Manheim Township runs, as Lincoln Stotlzfus’ sacrifice fly to right scored Carrasco and Rocco Billiard’s triple to right-center scored Keneff.
After four of the first five Blue Streak batters reached safely, Barons’ starter Tanner Travitz settled in for the remaining five innings of Pitching & Defense. Four of the Blue Streaks next 17 batters reached safely. Travitz worked around a two-on, no-out jam in the 3rd inning and innings in the 5th and 6th where Manheim Township had runners aboard.
Travitz pitched commendably. Despite only two strikeouts, he allowed six hits, one walk and zero hit batsmen.
The Baron offense was stifled again. The best opportunity came in the top of the 7th. Carter Kyle drew a lead off walk. Jordan King entered to run for Kyle and advanced to third on Cody Hess’ single to right field. Gavin Compton followed, and was hit by a pitch, to load the bases for Central with no one out. Unfortunately, the game ended with the bases loaded as two strikeouts and an infield pop up ended Manheim Central’s League Tournament.
Manheim Central is 13-8 on the Season and 8-2 in Section Play.
May 4, 2026: Donegal 4, Manheim Central 1
Caleb Rupp’s three-run home run, in the top of the 7th, put an exclamation mark on the 2026 Section 3 Championship for the Donegal Braves.
In what would be a “winner take all” game for the 2026 Section 3 Title, with Donegal and Manheim Central both 8-1 in the Section, seniors Colin Connelly (Manheim Central) and Caleb Rupp (Donegal) took to the mound with Championship aspirations. The Barons’ created a run from nothing in the 2nd inning. A lead off walk to Colin Connelly turned into a run when Jordan King, running for Connelly, stole second base. With one out, he advanced to third on Cody Hess’ sacrifice fly to right and scored a few pitches later on a passed ball to a one-legged catcher.
Donegal tied the game in the 4th inning when Chase Cornelius doubled to left field. With one out, walks to Christian Miller and Tristan Albert loaded the bases. Manheim Central tried to turn a double play on Carter Stough’s ground ball to shortstop, but the throw to first base was late and Cornelius scored to tie the game 1-1.
Manheim Central was unable to find offense with only one hit on the afternoon. With the game, and the Section Title, in the balance, it was Donegal who capitalized on it’s opportunity. Two walks to the Indians put runners on first and second with no outs. After a strike out, Caleb Rupp hit the first pitch of his at bat over the centerfield fence to give Donegal the lead and the win, as Manheim Central was unable to create an opportunity for runs in the bottom of the 7th.
Donegal wins the Section Three Title for the 3rd year in a row and will enter the Lancaster-Lebanon League playoffs as the 1-seed in Section Three. Manheim Central enters the playoffs as the 2-seed for the 3rd consecutive year.
Manheim Central is 13-7 on the Season and 8-2 in Section Play.
April 27, 2026: Manheim Central 11, Octorara 2
On a beautiful spring afternoon in Chester County, Manheim Central’s bats prevailed over the host Octorara Braves.
The Barons jumped on Octorara from the first inning, as Tyler Grimm and friends started the offense in a big way. Grimm’s single to right center was followed by a walk to Chase Book. Clint Groff doubled to score Grimm and Book and later scored on a dropped fly ball off the bat of Colin Connelly. Jordan King, on to run for Connelly, scored the inning’s 4th run when Carter Kyle singled to center.
Manheim Central plated another run in the 3rd inning. With one out, Tanner Travitz drew a walk and was advanced to third when Lincoln Nye doubled to center field. Colin Connelly’s line drive single to left field scored Travitz and opened up a 5-1 lead for Manheim Central. The Barons plated two runs in the 4th inning with two outs and no one on base. Clint Groff walked, Tanner Travitz singled and Lincoln Nye was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Colin Connelly, who doubled to left to score Groff and Travitz. Then in the 5th inning, McCoy Nye reached on a one out walk and moved to second on a passed ball. Tyler Grimm’s infield single put runners on the corners for Chase Book, whose single to left scored Nye and advanced Grimm to second. A walk to Clint Groff loaded the bases with Barons before Tanner Travitz’s single to left field scored Grimm and extended the Barons’ lead to 9-1. Lincoln Nye’s single to left scored Groff for the Barons’ 10th run. Jeremy Myer singled in the 7th with two outs and no one on base, and was followed by a single off the bat of Collin Connelly. A walk to Carter Kyle again loaded the bases for Manheim Central. This time it was Cody Hess singling to left field to score Myer for run number 11.
The beneficiary of Manheim’s offensive output was veteran righthander Collin Connelly. Pitching on the road, but still in front of his adoring legion, Connelly cruised through the Octorara line up with an seldom seen efficiency in high school baseball. His complete game effort, on 82 pitches (63 for strikes), belied the fact that he allowed seven hits as the Braves put runners on the bases in six of their seven offensive innings. Connelly struck out nine and walked none, allowing a lone earned run in the first inning when Octorara connected for a double and a single, consecutively.
With the win, Manheim Central is 13-4 on the Season and 8-0 in Section Play.
April 24, 2026: Lampeter-Strasburg 3, Manheim Central 1
Lampeter-Strasburg used two first inning runs, and added a third run late, to defeat the visiting Manheim Central Barons on a perfect evening for baseball in Lampeter.
The Pioneers struck quickly in the top of the first, as five of their first six batters reached base. Chase Messinger lead of the contest with a walk; after stealing second base, he scored on Brady Scranton’s double to left center. One out walks to James Wall and Cooper Williams loaded the bases; Brayden Hart was hit by a pitch to bring in the second run for the Pioneers. It looked like doom was imminent. However, starting pitcher McCoy Nye coaxed Brady Messinger into a 6-4-3 double play to limit the inning’s damage to two runs. Unfortunately, what turned out to be the game’s winning run crossed the plate in the first inning.
The Barons struggled to reach L-S starting pitcher Cooper Williams, who allowed just one hit over five innings pitched. Manheim Central had opportunities – runner on 3rd base in the 1st inning, runners at 1st and 2nd, no one out in the 2nd inning, runners at 2nd and 3rd, no one out in the 3rd inning, but could only push one run across the plate. In the top of the 3rd, Tyler Grimm worked a lead off walk and advanced to third when Chase Book doubled to left. Grimm and Book advanced 90 feet on a balk, but the Barons stranded Book at 3rd and the once promising inning yielded only a lone run. The Barons would only enjoy one base runner over the next four innings – a two out double in the 6th inning off the bat of Lincoln Nye.
After a turbulent 1st inning, Baron starter McCoy Nye seemed to find a rhythm. Devin Campos worked a walk to lead off the Pioneer 2nd inning. After stealing second base, Campos scored on consecutive infield ground balls for the 3rd L-S run. Nye retired 12 of the next 15 batters, allowing only one single and two hit batsmen. Over five innings of work, Nye allowed three earned runs, two hits, struck out three, walked four and hit three batters. Jordan King relieved Nye in the 6th inning and worked around a lead off walk, allowing no runs and no hits.
Manheim Central is 11-4 on the Season and 7-0 in Section Play.
April 22, 2026: Manheim Central 3, Cocalico 1
Manheim Central did just enough, relying on pitching and defense, to squeak by an opportunistic Cocalico team on a perfect evening for baseball at Thompson Field in North Manheim.
Tanner Travitz took the mound for the Barons and, in a word, was outstanding. The junior righthander retired the first ten Eagle batters he faced before allowing a single in the fourth inning. Travitz did not allow another base runner until the 7th inning.
The Barons scored two unlikely runs in the 1st inning. With two outs and the bases empty, Clint Groff drew a four pitch walk. Tanner Travitz reached on an error, and Groff advanced to third. Jordan King, running for Travitz, advanced to second base. With Lincoln Nye at the plate, Groff scored on a wild pitch and King advanced to third; King then scored on another Cocalico error. The unearned runs would be pivotal for the Baron offense, as offense, and runs, were at a premium on the evening.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Chase Book singled to left. Clint Groff followed with a single, and the Barons had runners at the corners with no outs. A walk to Tanner Travitz loaded the bases. Lincoln Nye’s infield groundout scored Book. Colin Connelly followed, and was hit by a pitch, to again load the bases. Unfortunately, back to back strike outs ended the inning and the opportunity for the Barons.
Holding a three run lead in the 7th inning, Connor Horning’s reached with Cocalico’s second hit of the evening with a one out infield hit to third base. Noah Zimmerman followed with a single to right field to bring the tying run to the plate in the ominous presence of Aiden Davis. Travitz retired Davis on strikes for Barons’ 20th out. Unfortunately, an infield error allowed Horning to score and put the trying run on first base. Needing one final exclamation point on his evening, Travitz coaxed a foul pop fly to first base for the 21st out. With the ball secure in Lincoln Nye’s glove, all of Manheim rejoiced momentarily.
With the win, Manheim Central is 12-3 on the Season and 7-0 in Section Play.
April 20, 2026: Manheim Central 11, Garden Spot 4
Colin Connelly and Jordan King battled through a pesky Garden Spot line up, and difficult weather conditions, to lead Manheim Central over the host Garden Spot Spartans on a cold, blustery day in Leola.
Tyler Grimm and friends started the Baron offense in the 1st inning. Grimm patiently worked a walk and was followed by Chase Book, who singled to left. The bases were loaded when Clint Groff was hit by a pitch. Tanner Travitz’s sacrifice fly scored Grimm, and Book crossed for the second run on Lincoln Nye’s fielders’ choice ground ball. In the 2nd inning, Cody Hess drew a lead off walk and Cole Niebel reached on an outfield error. Tyler Grimm singled home Hess, and a walk to Chase Book loaded the bases with Barons. Clint Groff’s walk brough home Niebel for the Baron’s fourth run. Tanner Travitz singled to left to score Grimm, and the inning’s final run was scored when Lincoln Nye’s sacrifice fly plated Chase Book.
Garden Spot did not surrender and in fact, connected for four consecutive hits – defying statistical probabilities – with no one out. This spelled trouble for Connelly and the Baron defense, as three Spartan runs scored before order could be restored. After the temporary turbulence, Connelly retired 14 of the next 16 Spartan batters before yielding to late inning healer Jordan King for the 7th inning.
In the middle innings, the Barons pushed single runs across in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings. In the top of the 7th inning, Chase Book singled to left and Clint Groff lived on an infield error. A single by Tanner Travitz loaded the bases for Barons. Lincoln Nye’s single to left scored Book, and Jordan King’s sacrifice fly scored Groff, giving the Barons’ their 10th and 11th run of the contest.
In the 7th, Jordan King retired the first Spartan he faced via strike out. After a triple and single plated Garden Spot’s fourth run, an infield ground out was the 20th out for the Barons. But, an infield error and hit batsman loaded the bases for Garden Spot. King’s 20th pitch was a called third strike. Secured in Carter Kyle’s mitt for the 21st out, all of Manheim rejoiced momentarily.
With the win, Manheim Central is 11-3 on the Season and 6-0 in Section Play.
April 17, 2026: Manheim Central 7, Palmyra 2
Behind the arm, and bat, of McCoy Nye, the visiting Manheim Central Barons were able to prevail over the host Palmyra Cougars on a beautiful April afternoon in Lebanon.
After conceding a run in the first inning, the Baron offense was able to score two runs in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings. In the 2nd inning, Lincoln Nye worked a lead off walk and advanced to third when Colin Connelly doubled to right. With one out, McCoy Nye singled to center to score the first two Manheim Central runs. Chase Book led off the 3rd inning with a single to left and advanced to third base on Tanner Travitz’s single to deep shortstop. Carter Kyle’s sacrifice fly to right scored Book and, with two outs, Lincoln Nye tripled to left center to score Travitz for the Barons’ fourth run of the game.
Manheim Central gave a run back in the home half of the 3rd inning. In the top of the 4th, Cody Hess reached on an infield error and McCoy Nye drew a walk. Both runners advanced 90’ during Tyler Grimm’s at bat before Grimm’s sacrifice fly to center, scoring Hess. With two outs, Jordan King, running for Nye, scored on Clint Groff’s infield single to extend the Baron lead to 6-2. The visitors scraped across another run in the 7th inning when Clint Groff worked a lead off walk and moved to second on Tanner Travitz’s single. A fielders choice ground out moved Groff and Travitz’ to third and second, respectively, when Lincoln Nye lofted a sacrifice fly to left to score Groff and give the Barons a 7-2 lead.
On the mound for Manheim Central was McCoy Nye. The young right-hander worked around hazards over the first four innings of defense, surrendering two earned runs as Palmyra used four hits, two hit batsmen and a walk to put pressure on the Baron defense. Nye escaped significant damage over the early innings, limiting the Cougars to single runs in the 1st and 3rd frames. After escaping from a serious problem in the 4th inning – runners on first and second with no outs, due to a hit batsman and a walk – Nye retired ten Palmyra batters in a row before issuing a two-out walk in the 7th. It took 14 pitches to record six outs over the 5th and 6th innings for the Baron defense. Nye’s last pitch of the game – his 95th – was swung on and missed, secured in the mitt of Carter Kyle. With the 21st out secured, all of Manheim rejoiced momentarily.
With the win, Manheim Central is 10-3 on the Season and 5-0 in Section Play.
April 15, 2026: Manheim Central 2, Donegal 1
Runs were at a premium at historic Melhorn Field on a warm, sunny afternoon in Marietta. Manheim Central took advantage of two unearned runs, crossing the plate in the 2nd and 5th innings to defeat the host Donegal Braves.
With one out in the 2nd inning, Lincoln Nye drew a walk and advanced to third when Colin Connelly singled to right. With runners at the corners, an errant throw allowed Connelly to score the game’s first run. Donegal would tie the game in the 3rd after Brady Cornelius reached and advanced to second on an infield error. After a sacrifice, Evan Niehaus’ single to right scored Cornelius to tie the game. In the 5th inning, Tyler Grimm and friends did just enough to push across the deciding margin. Back to back singles by Grimm and Chase Book put runners aboard for the Barons. With one out, Tanner Travitz’s fielders choice ground out scored Grimm on an errant throw to first, giving the Barons a 2-1 lead.
Two runs would be all that Barons starting pitcher, and ending pitcher, Tanner Travitz required. While Donegal put traffic on the bases in all innings except the 7th, Travitz and the Barons defense worked around trouble and minimized Donegal’s opportunities. The Baron defense made a commendable effort, highlighted by Gavin Compton’s diving catch in left field for the Barons’ 16th out of the game in the top of the 6th inning. Travitz allowed six hits, walked one, struck out four and allowed one unearned run. His 94th pitch was a called third strike - when it was secured in the mitt of catcher Carter Kyle, all of Manheim exhaled and rejoiced.
With the win, Manheim Central is 9-3 on the Season and 5-0 in Section Play.
April 13, 2026: Manheim Central 10, ELCO 0
Gradually, then suddenly. Manheim scored three runs in the 4th inning, and added seven more in the 5th inning to defeat the visiting ELCO Raiders on a beautiful spring evening at Thompson Field in North Manheim.
Colin Connelly was the starting pitcher for the Barons and turned in a commendable, workmanlike performance. The senior right hander allowed three hits over 5 innings, striking out six and walking one. He did not allow a Raider to advance beyond second base in earning the win for Manheim Central. The Barons remain undefeated when not allowing a run.
Offensively, the Barons were held in check for three innings and unable to muster much activity. In the 4th inning, Chase Book patiently waited out a walk and moved to second when Clint Groff singled to left. With one out, Lincoln Nye’s sacrifice fly to center scored Book and moved Groff to third, where he later scored on a wild pitch. Colin Connelly and Carter Kyle drew back to back walks to put two Barons aboard for Cody Hess, whose single to left plated Jordan King, who was running for Connelly.
With a three run lead in the 5th, Tyler Grimm and friends began the fun. Grimm singled to center and was later sacrificed to third by the unselfish Chase Book. The Barons then loaded the bases with one out when Clint Groff was hit by a pitch and Tanner Travitz walked. A walk to Lincoln Nye plated Grimm and kept the bases loaded — the runners advanced on a wild pitch which plated the Barons’ 5th run — and Carter Kyle’s second walk re-loaded the bases with Barons for Cody Hess. Hess’ single to left scored Travitz and kept the bases loaded. Cole Niebel’s lofted shot into shallow left found open spaces and scored both Lincoln and McCoy Nye (the latter was running for Kyle). Tyler Grimm ended the inning, and the game, with a base hit to right field. Cody Hess scored for the 9th run and Cole Niebel crossed for the 10th - when Niebel’s foot safety struck home plate, all of Manheim rejoiced momentarily.
With the win, Manheim Central is 8-3 on the Season and 4-0 in Section Play.
April 10, 2026: Manheim Central 10, Warwick 3
McCoy Nye battled through 5 innings, scattering five hits and surrendering three runs, to pitch the visiting Barons past the host Warwick Warriors on a perfect spring afternoon for baseball in Lititz. Nye faced 23 Warrior hitters over his 5 innings, striking out eight and walking two. He ended his outing with an exclamation mark in the 5th, striking out Connor Meck with the bases loaded to quell a Warwick rally that had already plated their second and third runs. Late inning healer Tyler Grimm came on for the 6th and 7th innings for Manheim Central. Grimm worked around lead off batters on base in both innings but did not allow a Warrior to cross the plate in nailing down the final six outs. Grimm’s last pitch of the afternoon was popped up to the foul side of third base; all of Manheim rejoiced when it landed securely in the glove of Clint Groff.
The Barons scored six runs in the 2nd inning: walks to Tanner Travitz and McCoy Nye put two aboard; the bases were loaded with no one out when Carter Kyle reached on an error. Cody Hess singled to left to score Travitz, and a walk to Cole Niebel loaded the bases for Tyler Grimm, who smacked a double to left center and cleared the bases to give Manheim Central a 4-0 lead. Back to back singles from Chase Book and Clint Groff extended the lead to 6-0.
After surrendering an unearned run in the bottom of the 3rd. In the 5th, Chase Book led off the inning with a walk. Clint Groff singled to put runners on the corners; with one out, Tanner Travitz was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Book scored on a balk; unfortunately, Manheim squandered an opportunity for more and left the bases loaded. When Warwick scored two runs to shrink the lead to 7-3, Cole Niebel led off the 6th inning with a solo home run to left field for the Baron’s 8th run. With one out, Chase Book singled and was followed by a double from Clint Groff. With two outs, Tanner Travitz’s single to right scored Book and Groff to extend the lead to 10-3.
With the win, Manheim Central is 7-3 on the Season and 3-0 in Section Play.
April 8, 2026: Manheim Central 4, Octorara 1
One day after earning a save, Manheim Central’s Tanner Travitz authored a complete game for the host Barons, as Manheim Central used its resources to defeat the visiting Octorara Braves on a pleasant spring evening at Thompson Field in North Manheim.
Travitz pitched brilliantly through all 7 innings, allowing four hits while striking out nine Octorara batters. After allowing three singles to Octorara’s first nine hitters, Travitz allowed only three Braves to reach base in the next 17 hitters. An unearned run was allowed in the 6th inning, gifted by the Baron defense.
The Baron offense, AWOL on the evening, was led by Chase Book, Carter Kyle and Cole Niebel, who each reached base multiple times on the evening. With the bats missing, the Barons waited out ten walks. Carter Kyle’s solo home run in the 4th inning gave the Barons their fourth run.
With the win, Manheim Central is 6-3 on the Season and 3-0 in Section Play.
April 7, 2026: Manheim Central 3, Cocalico 1
After spotting the home team Cocalico Eagles with a gift run in the 1st inning, the Manheim Central Barons scratched and clawed their way to 3 runs across 7 innings, and held on to prevail 3-1 on a blustery and bright afternoon in Denver.
Colin Connelly answered the bell for the Barons and seemed to settle in after a turbulent beginning. After the first two Cocalico batters reached safely, and the Barons committed two errors on defense in the span of ten pitches, Connelly then retired 17 Eagles in a row on 71 pitches.
Tanner Travitz’s base hit to right field, followed by a double off the bat of Carter Kyle, plated Manheim’s first run and tied the contest at one. The Barons squandered more opportunities in the 2nd and 3rd innings. Carter Kyle and Cody Hess drew walks to start the 4th inning; Hess scored the Barons’ second run on an infield error. Tyler Grimm and friends arrived to the game in the 6th inning. Better late than never. With two outs and no runners aboard, Grimm doubled to right field and scored when Chase Book singled to left, giving the Barons their 3rd and final run on the afternoon.
Holding on to a precarious two-run lead in the 7th, Connelly ran out of pitches. With one out, Logan Horning singled to right and Jaxon Keffer drew a walk to put the tying runs aboard. With tension mounting and the game in the balance, the Barons were in need of The Iceman — but Andrew Blough was nowhere to be found. Instead, it was late inning healer Tanner Travitz being summoned to bail the Barons out. Travitz faced pinch hitter Matthew Butz, whose successful sacrifice moved both Eagle runners into scoring position. Travitz’s final offer was grounded into the capable hands of Clint Groff, who threw to Lincoln Nye for the 21st out. With the out safely secured in Nye’s glove, all of Manheim rejoiced.
With the win, Manheim Central is 5-3 on the Season and 2-0 in Section Play.
April 2, 2026: Manheim Central 13, J.P. McCaskey 2
Manheim Central rolled with the punches, persevering through wet and cold conditions to outlast the visiting J.P. McCaskey Red Tornado on a rainy and overcast afternoon at Thompson Field in North Manheim.
Tanner Travitz lasted six innings on the mound for the Barons, who were the visitors on the scoreboard on this day. Pitching at home in front of his adoring legion, the junior righthander scattered six hits and walked two Red Tornado batters. He struck out three and allowed two runs. Travitz was relieved by the steady hand of Jordan King in the 7th inning. King was able to secure the game’s final three outs. All of Manheim rejoiced together when Chase Book’s flip to McCoy Nye converted the 21st out and cemented a Barons’ victory.
The Barons got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Tyler Grimm and friends gave the Barons a two run lead after Grimm lead off the game with a walk and later reached third on Clint Groff’s single to left. A walk to Lincoln Nye loaded the bases before two runs crossed the plate on a fielders choice force out.
J.P. McCaskey tied the game in the bottom of the 4th inning. With one out, Josh Reyes and Niko Bergeron singled and each advanced 90 feet, to second and third base, on a passed ball. The defensive gift put two runners in scoring position for Andrew Carlisle, who doubled to deep left field.
Manheim Central went into a springtime hibernation, much to the dismay of their coaches, over the middle innings. Eleven of the Barons’ twelve batters were retired in order between the second and fifth innings until Chase Book heeded a friendly WAKE UP call. Book’s double set the stage for Clint Groff, who connected on a single to score Book and give the Barons a precarious one-run lead. In the 6th inning, Tyler Grimm opened up the 4-2 Barons lead with a single to centerfield, scoring Cody Hess and Gavin Compton, to stretch the lead to 6-2. The Barons would add seven runs in the final inning without a hit as the Red Tornado pitching staff struggled to find the strike zone.
With the win, Manheim Central is 4-3 on the Season and 1-0 in Section Play.
April 1, 2026: Manheim Central 10, Garden Spot 0
Tyler Grimm’s single to right field plated Jordan King, scoring Manheim Central’s 10th run in the bottom of the 6th inning, and concluding a significant day of baseball on a beautiful early spring day at Thompson Field in North Manheim.
But before the ending, it was Tyler Grimm and friends getting the Barons on the board in the first inning. After drawing a lead off walk, Grimm would score the contest’s first run later in the inning on Clint Groff’s sacrifice fly to centerfield. In the 2nd inning, Tanner Travitz drew a one out walk and Carter Kyle followed with a single, helping the Barons increase the lead to two runs. One inning later, Tyler Grimm and Chase Book set the table for Lincoln Nye, who singled to right, scoring Grimm. A one out walk to Colin Connelly loaded the bases for Tanner Travitz, who brought home two runs with a single to center, increasing Manheim Central’s lead to 6-0. Jordan King was hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth inning before Tyler Grimm reached on a walk. Chase Book’s sacrifice fly plated King, and Clint Groff’s one out triple scored Grimm. Lincoln Nye’s RBI ground out scored Groff from third, pushing the Barons’ lead to 9-0.
Colin Connelly secured the win on the mound for Manheim Central. The senior righthander completed six innings. He struck out five Spartan batters, walked three, and did not allow a hit. He retired the last eight batters that he faced.
With the win, Manheim Central is 3-3 on the Season and 1-0 in Section Play.
March 27, 2026: Cedar Crest 4, Manheim Central 0
Manheim Central was unable to reach the scoreboard for the second time in a row against a Section One opponent. The result was a 4-0 loss to the visiting Cedar Crest Falcons on another cold, frigid night for baseball at the friendly confines of Thompson Field in North Manheim.
Cedar Crest scored the game's winning run in the top of the 2nd inning. With two outs and runners at first and second base, Landon Yeingst doubled to left center to give the Falcon a one run lead. In the 6th inning, Isaac Kreider's single to center turned into a run after a sacrifice bunt, passed ball, and sacrifice fly to right field. The Falcons added two more runs in the top of the 7th inning on base hits from Landon Yeingst, Lucas Schreier and Carson DiBiaso.
Manheim Central's Tanner Travitz pitched well, but without any run support, the junior right hander's fate was inevitable. He allowed five hits, one walk and struck out four Falcons.
Manheim Central is 2-3 on the Season and 0-0 in Section Play.
March 25, 2026: Manheim Central 9, Conestoga Valley 5
Colin Connelly and Jordan King combined forces on the mound to lead Manheim Central past the visiting Conestoga Valley Buckskins on a crisp, frigid evening for baseball at the friendly confines of Thompson Field in North Manheim.
The Barons allowed no runs in the first inning despite a significant amount of traffic on the bases. In the bottom of the 1st, Chase Book and Tanner Travitz each singled with one out. A fielders choice ground out placed runners on the corners in the form of Book and Cole Niebel, and a walk to Carter Kyle loaded the bases with Barons. Lincoln Nye’s single to center scored Book and Niebel to give the Barons an early lead. Conestoga Valley tied the game with two unearned runs in the top of the 2nd inning, and expanded their lead to 4-2 with two more unearned runs in the top of the 3rd. The normally sure handed Barons committed four errors in the span of nine Buckskin batters in the 2nd and 3rd innings, much to the dismay of their coaches.
The Barons battled back to tie the game in the 3rd. A leadoff walk to Carter Kyle resulted in a run when Jeremy Myer, running for Kyle, scored on Clint Groff’s single to left. Groff was retired on the bases on Cody Hess’ fielders choice ground out. A walk to Jordan King and a single by Tyler Grimm loaded the bases for Chase Book, who patiently worked a walk to score Hess, the game in a 4-4 tie.
In the top of the 5th, the Buckskins would score their first earned run of the contest. With one out, Cordell Bair singled to left and was followed by a double to right center off the bat of Toby Shaub. With a runner on second base, Sawyer Esbenshade walked and ended Connelly’s night on the mound. In need of a late inning healer, the Barons turned to Jordan King. King’s first pitch yielded the relief that was needed - as a ground ball to Clint Groff turned into a double play to end the inning. In the bottom of the 5th, King reached base with a two out single, and scored a mere seven pitches later on a wild pitch to Chase Book. With the game tied in the bottom of the 6th, the Baron line up would finally break through. Carter Kyle singled with one out. Lincoln Nye and Clint Groff followed with back to back triples — an incredibly rare statistical anomaly — to open up a two-run advantage for Manheim. Cody Hess was hit by a pitch; he advanced to second on a wild pitch which also scored Groff. Back to back walks to Jordan King and Tyler Grimm loaded the bases; Cody Hess scored the the last run of the game scored on a fielders choice ground ball.
Connelly battled the elements and the strike zone into the 5th inning, striking out four, walking four, and allowing five hits. Jordan King secured the last seven outs in a very efficient 24 pitches, allowing one hit and striking out one.
With the win, Manheim Central is 2-2 on the season and 0-0 in Section Play.
March 23, 2026: Manheim Township 10, Manheim Central 0
Manheim Township used ten hits and eight walks enroute to scoring runs in six of their seven offensive innings to win by a ten-run margin over the host Manheim Central Barons. The offensive onslaught was overwhelming as the Blue Streaks sent 38 batters to the plate during the contest. Township’s Brett Kirchoff (three) and Jacob Carrasco (two) led the Blue Streak offense, accounting for half of their ten hits.
Manheim Central could muster only one base hit on the evening as Township starting pitcher Nolan Peters worked effectively through the Barons’ lineup - the left hander walked three and struck out ten.
Manheim Central is 1-2 on the season and 0-0 in Section Play.
March 21, 2026: Ephrata 3, Manheim Central 2
Ephrata’s Camryn Simes and Manheim Central’s Tanner Travitz matched each other pitch for pitch on an evening where runs were at a premium and the pitchers seemed to be ahead of the hitters. For the Mountaineers, Simes completed five innings and surrendered two hits and one run while striking out seven Barons - he walked one hitter. Travitz, for Manheim Central, finished six innings and allowed five hits and three runs while striking out seven Mountaineers - he walked two batters. Both pitchers did a commendable job in the contest. Ethan Gockley closed the game for Ephrata and earned the save.
The Barons reached the scoreboard in the first inning when Tyler Grimm drew a walk before Chase Book singled to right field. Grimm scored the Barons run on a passed ball - Book was stranded on third base when the inning’s third out was recorded. Ephrata answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame. With two outs and the bases empty, Landry Weidner singled to right and moved to second when Camryn Simes walked. Chase Prange’s single to right scored Weidner. Ephrata left two runners on base when Brendan Morrell struck out to end the inning.
The teams traded zeros on the scoreboard until the bottom of the 6th inning. A leadoff walk to Camryn Simes gave the Mountaineers a runner on base with no outs. With one out and runners on the corners, Hayden Mietelski’s single scored Ephrata’s second run; their third run crossed the plate on an infield ground out. In the top of the 7th, Tanner Travitz was hit by a pitch and Colin Connelly drew a walk to put the tying runs on base. After Carter Kyle sacrificed the runners to second and third, Clint Groff’s infield singled scored Travitz from third. Ephrata would secure the 20th and 21st out on a hard hit double play ball to end the contest.
Manheim Central is 1-1 on the season and 0-0 in Section Play.
March 18, 2026: Manheim Central 4, Daniel Boone 1
In the Beginning …
Manheim Central’s 2026 season began on a cold, crisp but sun splashed afternoon at the friendly confines of Thompson Field in North Manheim. Central’s Colin Connelly faced off against Daniel Boone’s Ian Jacob, and the right handers treated the bundled up patrons to many innings of well pitched baseball.
The Barons loaded the bases in the 2nd inning but had nothing to show for it. Then in the home 4th inning, Manheim Central was able to reach the scoreboard. Carter Kyle singled to center to start the inning. One out later Lincoln Nye singled to center before Cody Hess walked to load the bases. With two outs and the bases still loaded, Tyler Grimm drew a walk to plate the first run of the game and stake the Barons to a narrow one run lead. Daniel Boone tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the 5th inning. In the Barons’ 5th, Tanner Travitz started the inning with a walk. He advanced to third during teammate Colin Connelly’s plate appearance and scored when Carter Kyle lined a single past the drawn in infield. With two outs and Kyle at first, Lincoln Nye’s double to left field scored Kyle and opened up a two-run lead for the Barons. Manheim plated its final run in the bottom of the 6th. With one out, Tyler Grimm and Chase Book reached on consecutive singles. Grimm scored on Tanner Travitz’s “sacrifice.”
Colin Connelly’s first start of the season for the Barons was simply superb. The senior righthander struck out seven, walked one, scattered seven hits and allowed the aforementioned one unearned run. He began, and ended, the contest with a strike out. All of Manheim rejoiced when his final pitch landed securely in Carter Kyle’s mitt. Connelly worked through the Daniel Boone line up with excellent efficiency and accuracy - in only one inning did he throw 15 pitches or more.
With the win, Manheim Central is 1-0 on the season and 0-0 in Section Play.
