Manager: Dan Singley (10th season)

2024 Record: 12-7-1

2024 Del Val League record: 12-0

2024 Playoff Results: Lost to Marple Newtown, 7-0, in the second round of the District 1 5A playoffs.

Key Departures: Josh Claycomb, Troy Neff

Key Returners: Cole Sanford, Trevor Goschler, Alex Kester, Gavin Derrickson, Zach Murray

Del-Val baseball is back for another season on the diamond. Chichester is looking to continue its league dominance by chasing its sixth-straight Del-Val title.

In 2024, Chichester captured its fifth consecutive Del-Val title while going undefeated (12-0) in league play and 12-7-1 overall. The Eagles are riding a 51-game conference win streak with their last loss coming in 2019.

Chichester is looking to replicate exactly what it has done for the last five seasons.

With a young roster, many players were experiencing their first season of varsity baseball. Chichester’s season ended in the second round of the 5A playoffs with a 7-0 loss to Marple Newtown after they had a bye in the first round.

For head coach Dan Singley, he sees last season as a learning experience to make noise in the upcoming 2025 season, especially in non-conference play.

“I went over their heads last year with that [non-conference] schedule,” Singley said. “They were really young, but I think this year we’ll be even more competitive this year against those teams.”

Chichester lost the production of Josh Claycomb and Troy Neff to graduation.

Claycomb was named to the All-Delco First-Team as a corner infielder last season, averaging .484 at the plate while picking up 30 hits and 34 RBI’s in 62 at bats. As for Neff, an All-Delco honorable mention, spent a majority of last season as the Eagles’ designated hitter, batting .280. He picked up two home runs – which is rare since Chichester’s home diamond has no fence.

Now Chichester will have some new names gracing the lineup card including the talented junior Cole Sanford who is returning for his third season on the varsity team. Sanford pitched a team-high 31.2 innings last season for the Eagles, posting a 3-5 record.

While he did have an ERA of 6.41, he was only a sophomore. There is a lot left for Sanford to hone in on with two seasons left playing high school baseball. He also was terrific at the plate, batting .337 while seeing the second-most at bats on the team.

Sanford will be a key piece to Chichester’s run in the Del-Val.

Coach Singley also expects senior Trevor Goschler to step up this season, especially at the plate. Last season, he batted .340 and with 17 RBI. 

The Eagles will face a very similar non-league schedule compared to last year. 

Chichester kicked off their season on Friday, March 14, against Unionville. The Eagles fell to the Longhorns, 9-0. 

The Eagles will take on Great Valley on March 17th before they begin a streak of six-straight Del-Val games.

With a brand new weight room and facilities, this offseason has been a strong one for the Eagles. Players are invested in putting a winning product on the field.

“Once the facilities were ready to go in late October, I offered the kids to volunteer to do weightlifting and stuff,” Singley said. “A lot of kids were showing up, which typically doesn’t happen, but they saw the weight room and how much improved it is.”

Chichester has the potential to do damage after returning a group of young players who have now matured. 

“It is going to be special, I think, this year,” Singley said. “I just see a good thing they have the family knit, they are working out, they are taking care of each other and pushing each other. I think it’s going to change here. I see great things from us.”