SPRINGFIELD, PA — Two days, two no-hitters.
That’s the reality for the two-time defending Central League Champion Strath Haven Panthers, who played 14 innings over the last two days and did not allow a single hit in either of them.
Tuesday it was a 4-1 home win over Harriton led by Rob Mattai and Caden Shuster, Wednesday it was a 6-0 win over Springfield led by Luke D’Ancona and Jasper Hals.
D’Ancona, a Boston College recruit and the 2024 leader in strikeouts in Delco, threw the first five innings of the game while striking out eight, and junior Jasper Hals tossed the final two with two strikeouts.
The Panthers scored in each of the first four innings to support the pitching staff. After Eli Price doubled in the top of the first, he advanced to third on a deep fly ball from Alex Selverian, which was big time because he would score on a wild pitch in the next at bat.
In the second innings, Luke D’Ancona would single with one out, and after walks by Quinn Kell and Caden Shuster, Ben Milligan was hit by a pitch to make it 2-0.
Strath Haven really opened it up in the top of the third, when Will Taylor and Quinn Kell had back-to-back RBI singles to make it 4-0.
All the extra run support was appreciated, but not necessarily needed. An RBI double by Selverian where he would later score on a wild pitch capped off the scoring for the day.
After five perfect innings from Luke D’Ancona, Jasper Hals came into finish off the game. D’Ancona was only at 65 pitches and while he most certainly would have loved the chance to go for perfection, thinking long term about keeping him fresh for a full season takes priority.
Springfield got their first baserunner of the game in the top of the sixth on a Connor Manuel walk, but Hals would not allow any more baserunners until a walk to TJ Valletti in the seventh.
The no-hit bid certainly got a scare on its final out when Jake Lehman ripped a line drive to right field, but Caden Shuster was able to get there in time for the final out.
Strath Haven improves to 2-1 in the Central League and will head to Penncrest (1-2) for their next game on Monday.
As for Springfield (0-3), it has not been the start that they were looking for in 2025 with a young team. According to their schedule, it appears they are off until next Wednesday where they will travel to Harriton (1-2).