(cover photo of Shane Durkan via Alex Geibel)
HAVERTOWN, PA — Haverford is 19-1 this season. In order for them to not make the state tournament, they would have to lose two consecutive games.
The Fords have the chance to become the first Delco team to make the 6A district semifinals since this class was introduced back in 2017. Garnet Valley has made the quarterfinals a few times, but no one has been able to get over that hump.
That could change today at 4:00 at Haverford.
Standing in their way is an always good North Penn team from the Suburban One conference, who blew out Council Rock South 12-0 in the second round to get here.
Haverford took down Souderton 6-3 in the second round after a first round bye to get to this spot.
Haverford made the gutsy decision to not start ace Jimmy Boyle in their first game, hoping that Gavin McClafferty (who has been excellent himself), Lucas Rothstein and Rocco Kelleher could get them there.
That decision paid off, as Boyle now has a chance to send the Fords to the district semifinals on Tuesday as well as the state tournament. The loser of this game is not out, they will also play on Tuesday against another quarterfinal loser for the right to get one of the last state berths.
Boyle has been nothing short of spectacular on the mound this year as he has a 1.50 ERA in 46.2 innings. He absolutely pounds the zone, as evident by his 82 K – 13 BB ratio.
He is also hitting a solid .340 as well.
Ryan Cassidy has been a force at the top of the lineup for Haverford all year. He is hitting .421 with a team-leading 1.266 OPS.
Sophomore Cam McCormack leads the team with 3 HR and has a .339 average to go along with a 1.004 OPS. He blasted a three-run shot to right center in Tuesday’s Sweet 16 game to get the game going in the first.
Nick Elvanian (.385 average/1.007 OPS) and Shane Durkan (.367 average/.993 OPS) have also been outstanding. This is an extremely deep lineup with no escape, as Sam Sturman and Ben Ishmael can get you from the bottom of the order as well.
As for North Penn, their stats aren’t public (lame) but we think that there is a good chance Alabama recruit Brighton Fontaine starts this game for the Knights. Bloomsburg recruit Trevor Lugara started their last game and only threw 63 pitches, meaning he could be available in relief today as well.
There is a chance Fontaine is not eligible to pitch because he transferred from La Salle, so we’ll keep an eye on that.
Catcher Chase Jones, a West Chester recruit, is a big part of the offense for the Knights. Mason Coyne, a first baseman who will someday play college ball at Jefferson with Jimmy Boyle and Ryan Cassidy, will hit cleanup and play first. Shortstop Kevin Brace (DeSales) sets the tone at the top of the order.
Uncommitted outfielder Christian Barnes had three RBI in the Knights’ first round win as well.
Don’t let the seeds of the teams fool you, this is an extremely even game on paper. Every 6A team that had a bye won their first game, so we are truly getting the best eight rosters left and this one should be a great game.