(image of Haverford School’s Gabe Danisi via Shelby Kauffman/DBN)

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA — Episcopal won both of the regular season meetings between these two teams, but when it mattered the most, it was The Haverford School who came out on top.

The Fords used three pitchers to combine for nine shutout innings with 13 K’s to defeat Episcopal 2-0. With the win, Haverford advances to the PAISAA semifinals where they will take on Malvern Prep at Malvern Prep on Thursday at 4:00.

Gabe Danisi threw the first three innings, allowing just two hits with two strikeouts. Jacob Horwitz was next, recording all five of his outs via the strikeouts.

Owen Murphy threw the final 4.1 innings, and that was the best that I have ever seen him look. The towering sophomore threw 4.1 innings with just one hit allowed, striking out six in the process. Less than a month ago, he let up five runs in 2.1 innings on this same field, so the growth is remarkable.

Michael Schaffer was also dominant in the loss for Episcopal. The sophomore threw eight shutout innings, allowing five hits with five strikeouts. He was a monster all season both on the mound and at the plate and will be a huge part of this team for the next two years.

Charlie Smith came on in the top of the ninth for the Churchmen, and he walked Zack Lawler to lead off the inning. Thomas Lawler singled to follow that up, and they both advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch.

That set the stage for Braydon Scanlan, who pulled something out of his bag of tricks that you don’t see too often anymore. Scanlan squared for a squeeze bunt, pulled it back, and then ripped a single up the middle to score pinch runner Aidan Zwilling and Thomas Lawler for the game’s first runs.

Haverford did not put any more runs on the board, but Owen Murphy struck out all three Episcopal hitters that he faced in the bottom of the ninth to close out an excellent win for Haverford.

Thomas Lawler led the way with two hits, while Scanlan, Danny Getz, Nicky Vanni and Harrison Bongiovanni also had hits for the Fords. Spencer Schuh, JD Amoroso, and Michael Schaffer had hits in the loss for EA.

The Haverford School is still the last team to beat Malvern Prep in a playoff game, when Jac Campbell threw a gem to beat the Friars in the 2022 PAISAA State Championship. Malvern is seeking their fourth straight state title.

I would guess that Collin Romanczuk would get the ball for Malvern with Jack Herbein throwing on Monday, but you never know since teams also have to plan for the state title the next morning at 11 AM. Gabe Danisi and Jacob Horwitz both threw under 50 pitches, so they should be good to go Thursday. Murphy threw 60 pitches, so it’s more likely we would see him on Friday should Haverford advance.

For Episcopal, it was a great season that ends with a sour taste in their mouths. They finish their season at 20-9 overall.