PENNSBURG, PA – When the battle for Inter-Academic League supremacy came down to eventual co-champions Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and Malvern Prep, sitting in the dark was Haverford School.
Finishing a distant fifth with a 4-6 record, the Fords had one chance at redemption – the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) state tournament.
“We were a good team that hit a rough spot in the Inter-Ac,” said junior Tommy Toal. “We were a lot better than our record showed.”
Make that a WHOLE lot better.
On Saturday night at Upper Perkiomen High School, third-seed Haverford School defeated top-seed and two-time defending champ Malvern Prep, 3-0, and captured the 12-team, PAISAA title. Each of Haverford’s three victories necessitated extra innings, including eight against the Friars.
Haverford poses with the PAISAA trophy - photo courtesy of Michael Nance
Adding particularly sweetness was a 3-2, eight-inning win over Springside Chestnut Hill in the second round, thus giving the Fords major bragging rights since they toppled both Inter-Ac co-champs. The other triumph, 7-4 over Perkiomen School, took nine innings.
“It was the culmination of everything coming together at the right time,” said Toal, a first-team, All-Inter-Ac second baseman. “We knew we were a good team and we could get it done.”
Tremendous pitching, timely hitting, and a stingy defense combined to help the Fords snare their first state title since 2013 and third in six years. The Fords finished with a sensational 24-8 overall record.
Against Malvern, the tournament record holder with five titles, junior Tyler Dunbar hurled the game of his life at the season’s most important juncture. His three-hit, complete-game shutout allowed the offense more than enough time to find its collective stroke.
In the top of the eighth inning, first-team, All-Inter-Ac senior catcher James McConnon singled home what proved to be the game-winner.
This championship marked Haverford's third PAISAA title - photo courtesy of Michael Nance
PAISAA Champions
2016 Haverford School
2015 Malvern Prep
2014 Malvern Prep
2013 Haverford School
2012 Malvern Prep
2011 Haverford School
2010 Germantown Academy
2009 Malvern Prep
2008 Germantown Academy
2007 Mercersburg Academy
2006 Malvern Prep
2005 Mercersburg Academy
2004 Germantown Academy
2003 No Champion-Rain out
2002 William Penn Charter School
2001 Mercersburg Academy
2000 The Perkiomen School
1999 The Hill School
1998 Mercersburg Academy
1997 The Hill School
1996 The Hill School
1995 The Hill School
1994 The Hill School
1993 Chestnut Hill Academy
Haverford's coaching staff takes their turn with the PAISAA trophy - photo courtesy of Michael Nance
The Last Out - video courtesy of a Haverford parent
Sophomore Justin Meyer and junior Bryan Hyland both added RBI singles, and all that was left was for Dunbar to experience a career first.
“I threw one seven-inning game last year, but I had never thrown eight,” said Dunbar. “The eighth inning was something that I've always dreamt of – to get the last three outs and have my team win a championship.
“This is no doubt the highlight of my high school career. This is everything my team and I have worked for, and to win the championship means the world.”
Dunbar walked six and struck out two, including the last out of the tournament.
“It seemed like they were threatening every inning,” he said. “I was getting tired, especially because it was such a long day. But in these circumstances, I had to ignore everything else around me and just focus on doing my job.
“My defense and catcher (McConnon) made it so easy for me to keep going because they played a flawless game. My defense made was insane. They were perfect. Best defense in the state.”
A few hours earlier, Haverford School completed the semifinal win over Perkiomen, a contest that did not lack drama.
In the top of the ninth, junior David Hogarth lifted a sacrifice fly to give the Fords a 5-4 lead. McConnon them drove home two runs with a double, making a winner out of Justin Meyer, who pitched the final three innings.
Choosing a state tourney Most Valuable Player would be easy. In addition to the two-run double against Perkiomen and the tie-breaking single against Malvern, McConnon – Haverford’s team captain – stunned Springside Chestnut Hill with a game-winning home run over the left-center field fence in the bottom of the eighth. Second-team All-Inter-Ac senior Cameron Miller’s outstanding, complete-game pitching helped put McConnon in position to notch his first walk-off.
“It felt good, but I didn't think it was gone,” said McConnon. “I saw my first base coach (Tom) McNeely celebrating, so that's when I knew it was out.”
McConnon admitted that beating the two Inter-Ac co-champions was particularly special.
“It feels good to get some revenge against both of them,” said McConnon. “Both teams are really good, but I think it reflects our league about how good it is and any day anyone can beat anyone.
“It's hard to describe right now. The feeling is still settling in, but it’s definitely a great way to go out as a senior.”
McConnon lauded Haverford’s pitching, especially Dunbar.
“He was great,” he said. “He mixed his fastball and curveball well and had good command all night, and we found a good rhythm. He pitched to contact and let his defense make all the plays.”
Toal was asked which would have been better – winning the Inter-Ac title or the state tournament.
His answer suggested that he might have a future career in politics.
“Right now I have to say the state championship,” said Toal. “But if you ask me that question next April, chances are I say the Inter Ac-title.”
Smart man.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)
