(cover photo via Andy Marchese/Delco Baseball Now)

WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester Rustin (15-6) shut down the defending champion Marple Newtown (8-13) 2-0 in a PIAA 5A District 1 first-round battle at West Chester Bayard Rustin High School on Monday, advancing to the quarterfinals behind a masterful performance from junior ace AJ Calio.

Calio, a Vanderbilt commit, was untouchable, tossing a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts, walking only 4, and catcher Dan Giordano supported his battery mate by throwing out two of those walked batters. Calio fanned two batters to start the game, setting the tone, and struck out the side in the fourth and fifth, stifling Marple Newtown’s offense. The Tigers, who upset Strath Haven 4-1 on May 12, couldn’t solve Calio’s 92 mph fastball or his low-80s slider and changeup, managing just four baserunners across seven innings.

Marple Newtown’s Jack Maholick, a Catholic University commit, kept the game scoreless through five innings, allowing just three hits with four punchouts. But Maholick’s control wavered, with two walks and two hit-by-pitches–three of which were in the fifth inning–and Rustin broke through in the sixth against reliever Jake Gorman. 

Giordano reached on a Tigers error, McClain and Calio bunted for singles to third, and a wild pitch scored Giordano. Nate Lewis’ sacrifice fly plated McClain, giving Rustin a 2-0 lead. Calio sealed the win in the seventh, striking out two to end it, using 110 pitches to do so.

That’s one of the best postseason pitching performances you’ll ever see at any level.

Rustin, the 5-seed, advances to face Upper Dublin, the 4-seed, riding Calio’s arm and timely small ball in the sixth. Marple Newtown, the 12-seed, finishes at 8-13, their title defense cut short despite a gritty effort from Maholick. Last year’s champions–who beat Phoenixville, Chichester, Strath Haven, and Radnor to claim the 5A crown–couldn’t replicate their 2024 magic, but their experience on the mound made this a hard-fought battle for Rustin on their home turf.