In terms of pure chaos, this was definitely one of the more chaotic days that we have had in the area this season.
From walk-off wins to ferocious rallies, this slate of 12 games had a ton of action to recap with the majority of teams fighting for their playoff lives.
Let’s dive into it:
Garnet Valley 5, Springfield 4
By: Jonah Casel:
Today saw a wealth of great Central League games, and Garnet Valley against Springfield did not disappoint. In one of the longer games someone can witness, Garnet Valley stole the win in the bottom of the tenth inning on a Zach Gordon walkoff double.
Springfield surged early, scoring all four of their runs in the first three innings. Ryan McGhee started for Garnet Valley and pounded the strike zone while giving up two earned runs, two unearned runs, and seven hits in six innings. Despite a shaky start, McGhee’s efficiency and ability to stay in the game for the long haul gave Garnet Valley an advantage.
Jack Rae took the mound for Springfield and performed well, allowing two runs in four innings of work. When Rae was taken out of the game, Garnet Valley found their chance to strike.
Entering the bottom of the sixth, the Jaguars had a two-run deficit, but they did not skip a beat. With two outs and no one on, Garnet Valley strung together four great plate appearances. Zach Gordon walked, Kyle Klein was hit by a pitch, Brandon Capone walked, and Garret Hosterman capitalized on the two-out rally by lining a two-run single into center field to tie the game.
Tied at four, the scoring stalled in the seventh, and the game entered extra innings. No team could put up a run on the board until the bottom of the tenth, when Zach Gordon drove in Ashton Yau on a double to give Garnet Valley the comeback victory.
Not often you see a 10-inning thriller in high school baseball!
Garnet Valley inches closer to a playoff spot as they are now 7-4 in the Central League. Next up for them will be a date with first place Haverford at home on Wednesday.
As for Springfield, they have built themselves up some breathing room as they fall to 7-4. They will head to Marple Newtown on Wednesday looking to get back on track.
Ridley 8, Strath Haven 7
By: Blake Karabin:
A perfect day for baseball set the stage for this Central League battle between Strath Haven and Ridley. In walkoff fashion, Ridley took home the win in a great fight against Haven.
Today for the Raiders, Jake Mansfield and Brendan Soper led the offensive charge. Mansfield went 3-4 including three hits, two RBI’s, and one run scored. Soper went 1-2 on the day with single, two RBI’s, and a run scored.
In the bottom of the third, Jayden Davis walked with the bases loaded to get the scoring started for Ridley. After that, Ridley went on to score six unanswered runs before Haven tied it up once again in the sixth.
The knock that sent the Ridley fans home happy occurred in the bottom of the seventh with one out. Nick Pollag singled home Mansfield for the walkoff win.
As for the Ridley pitching staff, it was Jake Mansfield, Brendan Soper, Ariol Cocaj, and Jayden Davis.
Mansfield started the day by going two innings, allowing one run to score on three hits and one walk. Following Mansfield came Soper. Soper also pitched two innings, but allowed four runs on two hits and two walks. Next it was Cocaj with 1.2 innings of work.
He was solid and only allowed one run on three hits and three walks. Finally, Davis pitched the final 1.1 innings and was awarded the win. He allowed no hits or runs, struck out two, and walked one. There was a run that scored, but not at Davis’ expense.
For Haven today, it was Patrick O’Connor and Patrick Burke. O’Connor went 2-3 with two hits, a walk, and run scored. Burke went 1-2 with a single, walk, run scored, and RBI.
Patrick Tolson got the bats going early for the Panthers in the top of the second. He grounded into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded and got the runner home.
On the mound, Jasper Hals, Travis McDonough, and Quinn Kell each made appearances. Hals started by going 2.1 innings. Hals allowed four runs, four hits, walked three, and struck out four. In relief, McDonough pitched a solid inning. He didn’t allow anyone to score, but he walked one and allowed two hits. Next, Kell pitched three 3 innings. He pitched well but was ultimately handed the loss in the game. Kell allowed two runs (one earned), allowed one walk, and allowed three Raiders to reach base via a knock.
It was a great late season battle, but in the end Ridley took the game on a seventh inning walkoff base hit.
Next for both teams, the Strath Haven Panthers (5-5 in CL) will take on Radnor on the road on Wednesday. They will look to complete two games as they resume their early season game in extra innings before starting the second game.
Also on Wednesday, Ridley (5-6 in CL) will once again be the host of a Central League matchup as they welcome in Upper Darby.
Haverford 6, Marple Newtown 3
By: Jonah Casel:
Haverford’s five-run bottom of the sixth narrowly pushed them over Marple Newtown today in a thrilling Central League Matchup.
Marple Newtown struck in the top of the first thanks to a single by Seth Pancoast. Sean MacGillivray started for the Fords, and he was able to bounce back to get out of the inning with limited damage after the early scare.
In the bottom of the second, Haverford fought back and scored a run of their own via a single by Andrew Brown that scored Gavin Andrewson. Carter Patterson started for Marple Newtown and walked seven, but was able to escape, allowing only that run in 2.1 innings.
In the top of the fifth, the Tigers broke the tie and took a 3-1 lead. A hit by pitch and a double set up Kevin Agger to knock in two runners on a single. Marple Newtown was in a good spot entering the sixth inning with a two-run lead, but the Fords wouldn’t go down easily.
Bobby Menear cut the lead to one with one out in the inning, then he was driven in by Shane Durkan along with Owen Klick, who walked. With their newly gained lead, the Fords kept their foot on the gas pedal. Sam Sturman lined a two-run double to left field to set the Fords’ lead in stone.
Entering the game in relief, Rocco Kelleher shut down Marple Newtown and earned the win. The righty retired every single batter he faced and struck out five. The Tigers gave the Fords a scare on their own field, but Haverford walked out with the victory.
Haverford improves to 11-0 in the Central League and are two wins away from clinching at least a share of the Central League title. Next up for them is a road game with Garnet Valley on Wednesday.
As for Marple Newtown, they fall to 4-7 in the Central League and will host Springfield on Wednesday for their next game.
Radnor 3, Conestoga 2
By: Bryson Ungar:
Wow, what a showing with 13 strikeouts for the reigning Delco Baseball Now MVP and Cy Young winner Austin Havertine.
It was yet another game defined by outstanding pitching on both sides this afternoon.
A single by Caden Szychulski put Radnor on the board first in the top of the second. Remarkably, no one scored again until the top of the seventh. Blake Havertine reached on an error, and Daniel Kellis followed with a walk. Hayden Goldenberg then delivered the big blow, driving a double deep to center field to bring home two runs.
Conestoga, down to their final three outs, didn’t go quietly. Landon Jones sparked the rally with a double to left, and Luke Hunter reached on an error. Brendan Soura then scorched a double to deep center, driving in two and bringing the game within reach with a runner aboard and no outs.
But Blake Havertine shut the door, recording three straight outs to earn the save.
Nolan Campbell started the game for the Pioneers. He went 2.0 IP and struck out four on two hits and one earned run. Liam Scheffer pitched 4.0 innings in relief and only allowed two hits and struck out two.
We saw both the Heck brothers today for Lower Merion, and guess what, we saw both the Havertine’s.
Austin began the game and as mentioned before struck out 13 batters, and allowed four hits and one earned run all over 6.0 IP. Blake Havertine was efficient in his lone inning of work, getting the save while only throwing 7 pitches.
Jack Ertel had two stolen bases for the Raptors, and Szychulski, Austin Havertine, Goldenberg, Quigley, and Mutschler each had a base knock. Josh Lee led the way for the Pioneers with two hits.
Next up for Conestoga (4-7 in CL) is a game against Lower Merion on Wednesday who they will look to beat for the second time this season. For the Raptors (7-3), they will host Strath Haven. It’s important to note that both those teams still have to resume their early season nine inning game that is still tied 1-1.
Lower Merion 3, Harriton 1
By: Bryson Ungar:
It was a community- wide event at South Ardmore Park today as district rivals met for their yearly showing. I think it’s safe to say both these teams had this game circled on their calendar.
Last year Lower Merion crushed the Rams in a 10-1 game highlighted by a Toby Myers two home run game and a Brian Heck elite shove day. Unfortunately this year the Rams could still not get the job done even with their ace, Sam Bohnenkamp, on the bump.
Brian Heck got the start for the second year in a row setting the stage for a true pitchers duel. He even became the school’s all time strikeout leader with 125 strikeouts and counting. What a career for him. With two very sharp guys on the mound, the offense for both sides was slow for the first two and a half innings. With two outs, the Aces began to rally as Nicholas Dragut singled to right. Charlie Parsons followed with a walk, and Justin Heck came through with a single to center to bring in the first run. A bad throw allowed another runner to score, giving the Aces a spark.
Down 2-0, Harriton needed an answer and it wasn’t going to be easy with the other Heck brother, Justin Heck, in for relief. Luckily they got one from their catcher Gaven Bowman who smashed a homer deep over the left field fence narrowing the lead to one.
Things stayed quiet again until the bottom of the fifth, when Charlie Parsons sparked the offense with a single. Justin Heck came up once again and lined a single to right, bringing in another run which was again aided by a throwing error. Harriton could not put anything else together to try and rally late.
Eli Bloch had the other lone hit for the Rams, aside from Bowman’s dinger. It’s clear if Harriton wants to compete in any type of postseason play, they need the offense to wake up right about now with the season running out. Justin Heck and Dragut each collected two hits for the Aces.
As expected, the pitching was the main storyline for both sides. For the Aces, Brian Heck 2.2 IP and only allowed one hit and struck out four. Justin Heck went 3.0 IP and only allowed one hit as well, also striking out four. Peyton Spiegler earned the save. Bohnenkamp went 4.1 IP, gave up two earned runs and fanned six. Nate Swalley in 1.2 IP of relief struck out four batters on one hit.
This was a very good win for the Aces (5-6 in CL), as they try to keep tacking on late season wins. They seek revenge as they take on Conestoga this Wednesday who they lost to 8-6 on March 19th. The Rams (3-8) will face Penncrest also on Wednesday who they shocked early in the season with a 13-3 win.
Penncrest 13, Upper Darby 1
By: Brendan Ricciardi:
Penncrest took full control of this game with nine runs in the top of the second and never looked back.
The Lions continued a resurgent 2026 season with a 13-1 win over Upper Darby. With two more Central League games this week, they did a good job at saving their arms:
Jeremy Schneider: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K
Andrew Luber-Solic: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K
Sergio Hernandez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER
Jonas Punzo: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K
On the offensive side of the ball, Jeremy Schneider also homered and drove in two runs. Sander Robinson and Braden Davis both drove in two runs as well, with Davis’ coming on a triple.
Gavin Bell had two hits including a double and was hit by a pitch. He drove in a run, as did Sergio Hernandez, Michael Simone, Henry Murphy and Austin Younger.
Tommy Chung had the lone hit in the loss for the Royals. Jack Trask threw two scoreless innings of relief as well.
Penncrest improves to 7-4 in the Central League, virutally a win away from officially clinching a playoff spot. They will take on Harriton on Wednesday on the road and look to get some revenge after a mercy rule opening day loss.
Upper Darby falls to 0-11 in the Central League and will head to Ridley on Wednesday for their next game.
Bonner 13, Carroll 7:
By: Brendan Ricciardi:
With their season hanging on by a thread, Bonner needed their offense to truly wake up in order to survive.
They did.
Trailing 7-1 in this one in the bottom of the fifth, Bonner would score 12 unanswered runs to take down Carroll and give themselves a massive boost in their PCL playoff odds.
Duke recruit Bennett Bishop had the Bonner hitters off balance for three innings, but the Friar bats woke up against the bullpen.
Cole Romano homered and drove in four in the win for Bonner. Sean Erickson, Jack Brown and Gavin DiRita all drove in two runs. Coleman, DiRita, Erickson and Luke Albarano all had two hits as well.
Jack Coleman and Owen Lockhart both threw well. Coleman allowed three earned runs over four innings with two strikeouts and Lockhart allowed three earned runs over three innings to get the win on the mound.
For Carroll, Gavin Moore homered and drove in two runs. Dan McNally and Shane Panichi also drove in two runs while McNally and Nick Gilroy had two hits.
There’s really no sugar coating this one and how much it stings for Carroll. They scored six in the top of the fifth to go up 7-1 just to give it right back in a game that they really needed.
Bonner improves to 4-5 in the PCL and will take on Judge at home for their next game. As for Carroll, they fall to 3-7 and will host Frankford on Friday for a non-conference game.
Sun Valley 15, Unionville 7
By: Brendan Ricciardi:
This one surely feels good for the Vanguards.
Sun Valley snapped an eleven game losing streak with this win, and they did it by scoring ten runs in the top of the fourth against Unionville, the second time this season that they scored more than ten runs in an inning against Unionville.
Daniel Miller led the way on offense as he had four hits and drove in two runs.
It’s a pretty long list of Vanguard hitters who drove in multiple runs:
Jaden Comisiak: 2
Jaeden Larch: 2
Austin Mai: 2
Cole Pamore: 3
Matt Digan: 2
On the mound, Austin Miazza allowed just six hits and three earned runs across 4.1 innings with six strikeouts.
Ryan Comisiak and Logan Coleman finished it off on the mound.
Sun Valley’s win improves them to 2-11 in the Ches-Mont, and they will host West Chester East on Wednesday for their next game.
St. Joe’s Prep 5, O’Hara 0
By: Brendan Ricciardi:
University of Miami recruit Chris Grasso is one of the best pitchers in the area for St. Joe’s Prep, and he was feeling it in this one.
Grasso struck out 11 over 6.2 innings with just one hit allowed and three walks. Colin Thomas had the lone hit on the day for O’Hara and was also hit by two pitches to reach base three times.
Jack Quinn threw well in the loss for O’Hara, allowing two earned runs over five innings with four strikeouts.
O’Hara is hanging on for dear life as they fall to 3-7 in the PCL. Next up for them is a home game against Roman Catholic which is virtually a must win game.
Dock Mennonite 6, Interboro 5
By: Brendan Ricciardi:
It’s hard to find a bigger gut punch than what happened to Interboro today.
Leading 5-2 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, it looked like the Bucs had this one wrapped up. But Dock got a walk, a single, and then Brayden Kratz launched a three-run homer to left field to tie it up just like that.
And, yes, that is the son of former Phillies catcher Erik Kratz, who is the Head Coach of this team.
Dock would go on to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth to take home the win.
Anthony Gentile had two hits and drove in two runs for Interboro in the loss. Kaiden Whalen also had two hits and drove in a run. Austin Dean had two hits while Joel Sheridan had a hit and drove in a run.
Jaxson Munro pitched well in the loss for the Bucs, allowing four earned runs on six hits over 6.2 innings with five strikeouts.
The bright side here for Interboro is that this was not a conference game, so it does not affect their playoff odds. Still, it sucks, no doubt about it.
Interboro falls to 10-5 and will look to rebound on Thursday when they host Chester.
Westtown 10, Delco Christian 0
By: Brendan Ricciardi:
This game was closer than the score indicated as Westtown pulled away with two in the sixth and five in the seventh, not that it makes it any better for Delco Christian.
Nathan Burd, Gabe DiGregorio, Josiah Lyren and Micah Dutton had hits in the loss for Delco Christian.
Defense plagued the Knights in this one as they allowed ten runs but only four were earned. Maden Longley allowed just two earned runs over 5.2 innings with two strikeouts. Andrew Dell allowed two earned runs and two hits over 1.1 innings with a strikeout.
Delco Christian falls to 6-7 with the loss, but this was not a conference game so it does not affect their playoff odds. They will host Plumstead Christian on Wednesday for their next game.
Neumann-Goretti 10, Devon Prep 0
By: Brendan Ricciardi:
Devon Prep had some momentum coming off a 2-0 week where they took down Bonner and Judge, but this one was all Neumann-Goretti.
The Saints scored two in the first, three in the third, fourth in the fourth and one in the fifth to win this one in mercy rule fashion.
Joe Gabrielle had the lone hit on the day for the Tide as he has emerged as nice middle of the order piece for them. The Tide made five errors on the day, with five of the ten runs allowed being unearned.
Devon Prep is still in the race as they sit at 3-6 in the PCL, but this one definitely stings. They’ll look to move past it when they host Lansdale Catholic on Monday in a must-win game.