Two local youth sluggers reach finals of Phillies HR Derby

Posted: August 29th 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Two youth sluggers from Middle Township will soon get a chance to show off their hitting talents at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

EMMA GOTWALS

Emma Gotwals, 13, and Harrison Fritsch, 8, have each qualified for the championship round of the Phillies Home Run Derby. The event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 10, at Citizens Bank Park, prior to the Phillies’ home game against the Florida Marlins at 1:35 p.m.

Gotwals won the 11- and 12-year-old division for softball, while Fristch took top honors in the ages 7-8 division for baseball.

Gotwals and Fritsch began their journey at a local Phillies Home Run Derby held in Middle Township over Memorial Day weekend. The top three place winners in each age group from that event advanced to the regional competition. Gotwals, who recently turned 13 but still qualifies for the 11-12 age group, placed second while Fritsch finished first at that local competition.

HARRISON FRITSCH

The pair then competed last week in Millville at the regional championships, from which only the winners of each age group qualified for the championship round at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies Home Run Derby is a hitting competition in which participants receive a certain number of points based on how far they hit each of the pitches tossed to them through a pitching machine.

Gotwals, about to enter the eighth grade at Middle Township Middle School, plays softball for her school team and was an all-star for the Middle Township Little League team this summer. She also plays travel softball for the South Jersey Ospreys.

Fritsch, about to enter third grade at Middle Township Elementary School No. 2, plays baseball in the Middle Township Little League and also for the South Jersey Ospreys travel baseball team.