HAVERTOWN, PA – Fresh off a victory in an extra-innings thriller against Boyertown, the Souderton Indians are taking a trip to Delco to face off against the Haverford High Fords.

After winning their first playoff game since 2009 last year against Pennridge, the Fords are back in the 6A bracket this year as the one seed following a historic season. They are looking to continue their impressive Central League play, where they went 15-1 and were co-champions with Radnor (settle down, Instagram comments), into the playoffs.

Taking the mound for Haverford will likely be junior Jimmy Boyle. The Jefferson commit is the ace of this staff, impressively having averaged double-digit strikeouts in league play this year. Overall he has a 1.50 ERA on the year in 46.2 innings pitched and a staggering 82 strikeouts compared to just 13 walks.

After Boyle, we will likely see senior Gavin McClafferty. McClafferty has thrown well both as a starter and as a reliever with an ERA of 1.58 in 40 innings pitched. Because this game was moved up a day, the Haverford pitchers will have one extra day of rest if they win against Souderton. This additional day would be perfect for Coach Miller to send McClafferty out to close this game if needed, and still be able to start on Friday.

While unclear, Souderton will likely give the rock to senior and Stevenson recruit Tyler Deery. Deery has also made a noticeable impact in the Indians’ lineup as their third baseman.

Haverford will rely on a strong veteran lineup to score runs. Fellow Jefferson commit Ryan Cassidy has been a problem for opposing teams at the leadoff spot, and junior Shane Durkan has provided some pop alongside senior Nick Elvanian.

The only underclassman who lives in the Fords’ starting lineup is Cam McCormack. The No. 11 ranked first baseman in the 2027 class has been mashing baseballs all year, holding a .315 average and a .952 OPS thus far.

Catcher Connor Klock has been a weapon for Souderton both offensively and defensively. Klock had four caught-stealings in two games against CB West, and the senior is committed to NJIT.

Also, look out for centerfielder Charlie Hunsicker. Hunsicker is the Indians’ centerfielder, and he has hit well in the leadoff spot from the left side.

The Fords will be riding on Boyle’s arm in search of a victory. Their offense, while solid, has not been overwhelming for opposing teams. A lot of their wins come in pitchers’ duels rather than slugfests.

This round two game at Haverford at 4 PM will certainly be exciting. The winner will play the winner of the eighth-seed North Penn and the 24th-seed Council Rock South.

(cover photo of Jack Maholick via Gabe Encarnacion)

WEST CHESTER, PA – The Marple Newtown Tigers are traveling eleven miles west to take on the West Chester Rustin Golden Knights as they look to defend their 5A District 1 title from last year.

Last year, the Tigers entered the tournament as the eight seed. After their round one win versus Phoenixville, they continued their run by beating three Delco teams in a row. First, they beat Chichester, then Strath Haven, and finally, Radnor in the championship.

Rustin, however, did not qualify for the tournament last year. Their last appearance was in 2023, where they beat Hatboro-Horsham and Chichester in the first two rounds before falling to Strath Haven, the eventual champions, in the semifinals.

Every Monday this year, Marple Newtown has sent out Kevin Wigo to pitch. The sophomore is coming off a strong outing against Strath Haven, throwing seven innings and only allowing one run. The state tournament will be a big step-up from the Central League for the young arm, and it is exciting to see.

As well, do not be surprised if you see senior and Catholic University commit Jack Maholick enter the game on the mound. Although he has thrown during the middle of the week mostly this season, the Tigers are going to need strong and poised veterans to perform during high-pressure situations.

Expect the Golden Knights to give the rock to junior AJ Calio. The Vanderbilt commit was up to 92 mph in his outing against Bishop Shanahan a few weeks ago. Along with the powerful fastball, Calio wields a slider and a change-up, both sitting in the low 80s.

Oh, and he also has eight homers at the plate as well.

Two notables in the Rustin lineup aside Calio are junior shortstop Jackson Roche and senior designated hitter David McClain. McClain is committed to play at the revitalized La Salle University baseball program, and Roche is currently uncommitted.

The game plan for Marple Newtown is clear: get AJ Calio out of the game. If the Tigers are able to work counts and force the future Commodore to throw a lot of pitches, they could see the bullpen earlier than the Golden Knights hope.

While Marple Newtown lost a lot of that core that won them the title last year, they still have a ton of guys with experience and know how to win. Don’t let the 6-10 record fool you, this is a tough draw for Rustin for the 12 seed.

The game will be played at 4 PM at West Chester Bayard Rustin High School. It will undoubtedly be a fun one.

(cover photo of Lucas Lancaster via Gabe Encarnacion)

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA – The lights at Marple Newtown’s field were turned on for one last time this season as Delaware County Christian came in to face the Tigers. With both teams entering the PIAA District 1 tournament next week, 5A Marple Newtown got the win over the 2A Knights.

Senior and Catholic University commit Jack Maholick started on the mound for the Tigers, only throwing one inning in what appears to be preparation for their first-round matchup on Monday at Rustin. Maholick threw just seven pitches (all strikes) to send the Knights down 1-2-3.

Delco Christian also appeared to pitch in preparation for next week, with Beau Lyren, Porter Roberts, and Sam Dixon all throwing quick stints for the Knights. They will host Calvary Christian on Tuesday.

Marple Newtown quickly applied pressure in the top of the first after Aiden Doney doubled and Chase Evans walked. Both would score via wild pitches, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

After Maholick came Lucas Lancaster. The righty held Delco Christian scoreless until the top of the fourth, when a Justin Ma flyball scored Gabe Digregorio.

After a scoreless half-inning from both teams, Aiden Doney scored on an RBI single from Chase Evans to extend Marple Newtown’s lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth.

The Knights would not go down so easily. Gabe Digregorio led off the inning with a double, and Nathan Burd walked to set up runners on first and second. Then, Gabe Digregorio reached third base, and Justin Ma reached first on Ma’s fielder’s choice. A few pitches later, some mayhem on the basepaths allowed Digregorio to score, and Ma to reach third safely. Petros Nelson then smacked a single to center, allowing Ma to score. Just like that, Delco Christian tied the game at three apiece.

Marple Newtown was set up perfectly to untie the game in the bottom of the sixth, following a Sonny Amoroso single and stolen base, plus a walk from Dayton Fasbinder. With pinch runner Joe Dwyer in for Amoroso, he and Fasbinder pulled off a successful double steal. Following a strikeout, the Knights’ defense caught Dwyer trying to score on a ground ball, keeping the score where it was with two outs, and allowing Lucas Lancaster to reach first. Then, Mike Murray walked, loading the bases. With a 1-1 count, Fasbinder scored on a wild ball two to make the score 4-3, Marple Newtown. A pop out would keep the score there going into the last frame.

Sonny Amoroso went out for the save and recorded two quick outs. Sam Dixon would then walk and steal second for Delco Christian, putting the tying run in scoring position. Dixon attempted to steal third but was caught in the act by catcher Mike Murray for the final out of the game. Final score: Marple Newtown 4, Delco Christian 3.

Marple Newtown enters the District 1 5A tournament as the 12-seed. They will be on the road Tuesday to face the 5-seeded West Chester Rustin Golden Knights, likely matching up with Vanderbilt commit AJ Calio who has hit 93 MPH and also has 8 HR this season.

Delco Christian is the second seed in the 2A bracket. They will play at home against Calvary Christian, and the Knights look to bounce back from a 6-5 loss handed to them by the Cougars just two days ago.

BRYN MAWR, PA – The Shipley School and Friends Central School faced off in the Friends League championship for the second year in a row. After losing 7-2 last May, Shipley snapped the Phoenix’s four-year streak as Friends’ League champions at home today with a 4-2 victory.

The Gators’ offense was consistent, having not scored multiple runs in any inning. In the first, Jimmy Amplo scored Danny Braslow on a single to right field. In the third, Braslow scored again after Brady Chase reached on an error with two outs. In the fourth, Thomas Humphreys scored after Braslow was caught in a run-down, distracting the FCS defense enough to allow both runners to advance safely. Their final run came in the fifth when Xavier Mahrt scored on a ground ball from Humphreys.

The first five innings were all Hudson Novodor. The lefty had eight punchouts on the day while only allowing four hits. 

However, the Phoenix offense would finally show some life in the top of the sixth. After Gavin Yeager singled and Luke Makuen forced a walk, Oliver Lederman smoked a one-out, two-run double to score 4-2. 

After a walk from Vaughn Jones, Nikhil McCormick came in to relieve Novodor. McCormick recorded two strikeouts, killing all of the FCS momentum.

Gavin Yeager took the loss for the Phoenix. The sophomore showed some great stuff, recording six strikeouts on the day to only one walk. Michael Mamaluy was moved from first base to the mound, where he recorded the final out in the fifth inning and threw a shutout sixth.

To lead off the top of the seventh, Lafayette commit Caleb Bachman reignited the spark for FCS by taking a hit-by-pitch. This proved futile, as McCormick blew out the flame with a fielder’s choice, ground out, and strikeout to end the game.

It has been a while since anyone other than Friends’ Central has been able to call themselves the champions of the Friends’ League, and Shipley now holds that title.

The Gators look to keep their momentum going into the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association tournament. They have earned the fourth seed and a first-round bye. On Tuesday, they will take on the winner of Germantown Academy and Germantown Friends at home.

As for Friends Central, they are the seventh seed in the PAISAA tournament. They face the Haverford School Fords at home on Friday, who look to recover from the 16-6 loss handed to them by the Phoenix on Delco Baseball’s opening day back in March.

BERWYN, PA – Both Conestoga and Upper Darby entered this game looking to end Central League play on a high note, and Conestoga got it done playing at home. With the win, it appears that Conestoga will be heading to the postseason for the first time since 2021.

Sophomore Luke Hunter toed the mound for the Pioneers. The 6’6’’ righty would go five innings, striking out eight, allowing one hit and one run.

That one hit set Upper Darby up to get on the board first. Albert MacMichael tripled and scored later that inning when he stole home on an errant throw on a stolen base attempt at second.

The Royals held that lead until the bottom of the fourth, when Conestoga’s Chase Cherny singled and advanced on a passed ball to bring him to second. An error by the Upper Darby defense would allow him to score after he attempted to steal third.

Conestoga would add more run support in the fifth when Josh Lee scored on Penn State Harrisburg commit James Quici’s double, one of three hits on the day, and Quici scored on another Upper Darby error.

Patrick Callahan got the start for the Royals, and his five innings of solid work with three strikeouts kept Upper Darby in the game for most of it.

However, the Pioneers’ offense spread the game wide open in the bottom of the sixth. After York College commit Chase Ranatanen and senior Aidan Bakker reached on an error and a hit by pitch, respectively, Angelo Bertolotti doubled to left field. Rantanen scored, and Bakker was left at third. After a punchout, JP Tinneny singled to score them both, and he would score on a Tim Regan sacrifice fly following a stolen base and a wild pitch.

Neumann commit Max Brown threw the final two innings for Conestoga, allowing zero runs, hits, and walks in only nineteen pitches with an impressive 84% strike clip. Brown forced a popout to end the game, giving us a final score of Conestoga: 7, Upper Darby: 1.

With that, the 2025 Upper Darby’s (1-15) baseball season is over. Look for some young guys to step up next year, as the Royals are graduating ten seniors.

This final Central League win for Conestoga (9-7) appears to have been just what the Pioneers needed to remain among the top 24 teams in the PIAA District 1 6A pool and hopefully earn a playoff spot. The rankings formula is a bit complex, but if nothing changes, Conestoga would be the #22 seed and travel to #11 Avon Grove in the first round.