By: John Knebels
MALVERN, PA – In terms of must wins, this was a prime example.
Malvern Prep entered its April 16 contest against visiting Springside Chestnut Hill Academy winless in two Inter-Academic League games. Then the Friars fell behind by 3-0 before they even came to bat.
“We knew dropping those first two, we were stuck in a corner,” said senior centerfielder Chris Newell. “Coach (Freddy Hilliard) always talks about how we’re dangerous when we are in a corner backed up against the wall. That’s when we fight our hardest.”
Although it wasn’t pretty and required some pitching heroics by junior Jarod Wade in the final inning, Malvern upended the Blue Devils, 7-5. Now at 1-2 in the Inter-Academic League, the defending champion Friars are back in the race.
A third straight loss would have basically rendered an Inter-Ac title a pipedream. But with 70 percent of the season still remaining and every team with at least one defeat, the league is shaping up to ultimately go down to the wire.
“We had to do whatever it takes,” said Newell, who walked, singled, scored a run, and knocked in two of Malvern’s six third-inning runs that turned a 3-1 deficit into a 7-3 advantage. “We knew we had to answer back. Coach always talks about getting the next guy up, getting the next 90 feet. I feel like we did a good job with that by working quality at bats. And we got the pitching behind us to keep us in front.”
Trailing by 7-3 in the seventh, Springside Chestnut Hill (0-2 league) employed an error, walk, and two singles to decrease its deficit to 7-4 with the bases loaded and no outs. Hilliard then summoned Wade to put out the blaze.
A strikeout, run-scoring grounder to third, and fly out to Newell preserved the victory.
“I just want to come in and throw strikes,” said Wade about his reliever status. “Get the team out of a jam.”
Newell said the Friars are accustomed to other teams viewing them as a perennial power.
“We see everybody’s ace every game,” said Newell. “We know coming in that everybody wants to beat us. It’s their World Series, but we always just to try to turn it into positive energy for us knowing that we are seeing their best, and if we can beat their best, we can beat anybody.”
Penn Charter was in a sort-of similar position as Malvern when the Quakers hosted Haverford School.
Malvern Prep vs. Springside Chestnut Hill Highlights by John Knebels
Jarod Wade talks about getting the last three outs vs. SCH:
MP's Chris Newell assesses the importance of the Friar's victory:
Malvern Prep vs. SCHA Photos by John Knebels
Malvern Prep vs. SCHA Photos by John Knebels
The Quakers had already lost to Episcopal Academy and had its game at Springside Chestnut Hill postponed because of weather. Haverford, meanwhile, was a league-best 3-0 behind outstanding pitching to the tune of four runs allowed.
With sophomore starter Danny Will and sophomore reliever Colin Lewandowski holding Haverford’s offense to only four hits and two third-inning runs, the Quakers’ bats broke loose for an 8-2 victory – the first home win on Penn Charter’s brand new turf field.
“The win was huge,” said senior Sammy Siani. “The game was a must win for us. We needed the young guys to step up and they did just that.”
Sophomore Dean Bergmann, freshman Colin Schumm, and sophomore Jake Siani contributed extra base hits for the Quakers, who scored three runs in the third and four in the fourth and never looked back.
“That win definitely gave us some momentum,” said the elder Siani. “We’re right back in the race.”
Haverford School vs. Penn Charter - Photos by Zamani Feelings
Haverford School vs. Penn Charter - Photos by Zamani Feelings
For one Haverford School player, the loss was an anomaly.
After helping the varsity basketball team finish a perfect 30-0, junior Patrick Toal was three-tenths of the way of aiding the baseball team to a similar fate.
“Losing did feel a little weird,” said Toal.
In Haverford’s previous win, 9-2 over visiting Episcopal Academy, Toal threw 5 1/3 innings and surrendered one earned run while striking out six before handing the ball to freshman Ryan Reed for the final five outs.
Senior Luke Kania went 4-4; senior Cal Costner and junior Connor Brala ripped home runs.
“I felt great on the mound and was really comfortable,” said Toal. “I have so much confidence in this team. When we pitch well, we’re an extremely hard team to beat. My main goal was to throw strikes and give my team a chance to win.”
Episcopal Academy rebounded after the loss to defeat Germantown Academy, 4-2, and raised its record to 2-1. Senior pitcher Jack O’Reilly scattered four hits and knocked in a run. The Churchmen scored two runs in the fifth to sever a 2-2 deadlock.
“We were just doing a really good job defensively as a team and pitching to contact,” said O’Reilly. “Getting ahead of hitters worked well for us as we were able to have some quick innings and keep the pitch count down.”
(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)