(cover photo of Austin Havertine via Shelby Kauffman/DBN)
RADNOR, PA – The Radnor Raptors, fresh off a 2-1 walk-off win over Upper Dublin to claim the PIAA District 1 5A championship, host the Elizabethtown Bears in the PIAA 5A state playoff first round at Radnor High School. The 2nd-seeded Raptors (20-3) face the District 3 Bears (14-10), who advanced with a 4-0 shutout by Isaiah Shayter against Conestoga Valley. The winner moves to the state quarterfinals.
Radnor co-won the Central League title and clinched their second district championship, driven by junior ace Austin Havertine’s nine strikeouts and Teddy Monahan’s walk-off single against Upper Dublin. Elizabethtown, of the Lancaster-Lebanon League, upset Lower Dauphin 2-1 in District 3 behind Justin Borger’s four-inning, one-run start and Shayter’s perfect relief outing.
Elizabethtown then fell to Lampeter-Strasburg in the semis but rebounded with a win over Conestoga Valley to get the third spot out of District 3.
Radnor is likely to start Havertine, the Lehigh recruit, with Radnor having plenty of rest since last Tuesday. Havertine has an insane 106 K – 19 BB ratio this season and will pound the zone at all times with a low 90’s fastball. In relief, we expect to see either Penn recruit Daniel Kellis or Kenyon College recruit Ryan McWIlliams, who have both been stellar this year.
Kellis could also get the start as well, but it will likely be him or Havertine.
Monahan, Matt Szychulski, Zach Fein and Evan Hartman fuel the offense with speed and power. Elizabethtown will likely start senior Isaiah Shayter, a Penn State recruit whose shutout last week showcased his command.
Justin Borger could relive. Dalton Fink, Brandon Andrews, Shatter, and Mason Ridilla lead the Bears’ contact-heavy lineup.
Radnor aims to use Monahan’s speed to pressure Elizabethtown’s infield, while Kellis sets the tone. The Bears will work counts and rely on Fink and Andrews to spark rallies. Radnor’s momentum gives them an edge, but Elizabethtown’s pitching makes them dangerous. First pitch is at 4 PM on June 2, 2025, at Radnor High School.
The winner will take on the winner of Palmyra and Pittston Area on Thursday, date and time TBD.