Episcopal Academy Breaks 11 Year Losing Streak Against Malvern Prep
NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA- Raw emotion of youth flooded Episcopal Academy’s spacious baseball field. What had just occurred seconds earlier on Wednesday afternoon unleashed a torrent of teenagers racing to the outfield, a feel-good story for everyone except the losing team.
With the tying run on second base, Malvern senior Jake Mullan drilled a fastball to straightaway centerfield. Positioned perfectly, Episcopal senior AJ Lotsis corralled the line drive like a protective father shielding a new-born infant.
Episcopal Academy 6, Malvern Prep 5.
EA Pitcher Kyle Virbitsky talks about EA's approach to winning
“It was an awesome team win,” said junior winning pitcher Kyle Virbitsky, who allowed two runs in five gutsy innings. “You can't ask for any more than that. Winning a one-run ball game against a team like that is awesome.”
Winning Pitcher Kyle Virbitsky talks about the monumental victory
Malvern entered the game with a sparkling 17-1 overall record and a 4-0 mark in the Inter-Ac. The Churchmen were one game behind in the Inter-Ac standings at 3-1, but a loss basically would have assured Malvern of winning the league title for the sixth straight year.
The last time an Episcopal team had a reason to celebrate after playing Malvern was on April 22, 2005. Since that victory, the Churchmen had dropped 21 consecutive attempts at exorcising the Friars.
When the Churchmen, supported by senior Will Phillips’ two RBI, two runs scored by both Lotsis (two stolen bases) and freshman Jack O’Reilly, and an RBI/run scored by senior Alex Burman, built a stunning 6-2 lead heading into the sixth inning, an upset bid was officially on the table as Episcopal was only six outs away from finding itself atop the Inter-Ac at the midway point of the season for the first time since 2000.
Seven batters later, reality struck – Malvern scored three runs and was within 6-5, and the heart of its lineup was slated to bat in the seventh. In the nerve-wracking final frame, sophomore Isaiah Payton surrendered a one-out hit before striking out mighty Malvern slugger Shane Muntz and retiring Mullan, thus igniting an impromptu team party.
“Just try to stay with it,” said Virbitsky, answering what he was thinking in the seventh. “Honestly, I'm like, ‘Hit me the ball.’ I want to be the one to get us out of this.”
Malvern puts tying run in scoring position in 7th inning
At 4-1, Episcopal has secured more league wins since a 5-5 finish in 2003. The Churchmen’s last winning season occurred in 2002 (6-4); in both 2000 and 2001, EA went 7-3, the former strong enough to forge a league-crown tie with Haverford School.
The current Churchmen – four seniors surrounded by a plethora of youth – understand their not-so-shiny recent history. Several players, however, insist that the past is the past.
“I think everyone's buying into what coach (Mike Hickey) has been saying,” said the aforementioned Lotsis. “Our motto is, ‘Find any way to win.’ We can score a bunch of runs or play small ball as well . . . whatever it takes to win. We have bought into that.”
Virbitsky steadfastly stamped his approval on that “motto.”
“There are a lot of young guys,” said Virbitsky. “I think everyone is starting to come together. The difference between this year and other years is that I think everyone's bought in. We all have a common goal and that is to win the league.”
EA coach Mike Hickey analyzes his team's progress
Hickey wasn’t surprised by his squad’s positivity.
“I think that we've played at a real high level of competition and so, as a result, I think they feel like they can be on the field with anybody and compete,” said Hickey. “They are kind of believing in themselves. As a result, they play a better brand of baseball.
“They’re highly coachable ... they’re an enthusiastic, excited bunch who just kind of believe in themselves right now. That’s the most important thing you can do on a baseball field.”
As the Friars meticulously inched back and turned its deficit from 6-2 to 6-5, among those who weren’t surprised was sophomore catcher Will Park.
“Malvern (scores many runs) every time I've ever seen them play,” said Park. “I think they've won something like 15 walk-offs in my two years of high school. I knew they had it in them, (but) I knew we could bear down and get the job done.”
EA's Will Park talks about the mix of youth and experience on his team
EA senior Alex Burman is proud of his team
EA's AJ Lotsis on catching the final out
Last out - A line drive to AJ Lotsis
The Churchmen and Friars face each other in the regular-season finale, May 13, at Malvern Prep. If both win their respective four preceding games, an outright Inter-Academic League title would be at stake.
Raise your hand if you truly thought that possible a month ago.
Didn’t think so.
LOOKING AHEAD: At the halfway point of the season, Episcopal and Malvern are tied for first place at 4-1 in the Inter-Academic League; Germantown Academy, Springside-Chestnut Hill, and Haverford School are at 2-3, and Penn Charter comes in at 1-4 . . . On Friday, Episcopal visits Penn Charter while Malvern plays host to Haverford School. Germantown Academy is at Springside-Chestnut Hill.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)