PA – Central Athletic League | Archive | April, 2014

Haverford’s Nate Frank claimed a forfeit victory in the third-place final at the Central League Singles Tournament Saturday at the Healthplex.

Frank suffered a 6-1, 6-4 loss to eventual champion Brian Grodecki of Conestoga in his semifinal match. Grodecki cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Lower Merion’s Simon Vernier in the title match.

Vernier survived a tough match with Grodecki’s Conestoga teammate, Eric Yen, in the semfinals. Vernier won, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6.

Upper Darby’s Brett Caban took fifth place with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Strath Haven’s Nick Ringle. Caban had defeated Ringle’s teammate, Xandy Hammitt, 7-5, 6-3, in the consolation semifinals while Ringle topped Radnor’s Will Frigerio, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the fifth-place match.

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SPRINGFIELD — Whoever expected a low-scoring contest between two of the best softball programs in Delaware County had another thing coming.

Maybe on a more spring-like Friday afternoon, Springfield and Cardinal O’Hara would have struggled for hits and runs.

This was no ordinary day at Veterans Memorial Park on Saxer & Powell.

Springfield starting pitcher Tori DePietro crushed a two-run homer and Emily Crockarell blasted a grand slam as the Cougars kept their undefeated record alive by handing O’Hara its first loss of the season. Springfield defeated O’Hara, 16-8.

It was a slugfest. The teams combined for 24 runs on 24 hits. Four home runs were hit. Every starter reached base at least one time, and not once was a side retired in order.

There were errors, outstanding defensive plays, double steals and plenty of balls that travelled well. For DePietro, who battled through 5 1/3 innings for the win, and All-Delco Molly Rafferty, Friday was just one of those days that a pitcher goes through.

“It was cold and the ball could get wet sometimes, which could be a problem,” said DePietro, the slugging sophomore who has done nothing but produce since the start of her freshman year. “It could be tough to pitch in, I guess. If it gets too cold, it can (also) be hard to hit.”

Well, the weather was perfect for hitting.

O’Hara and Springfield aren’t two teams that have to scrap and sacrifice bunt to squeeze out a few runs. Offensively, O’Hara and Springfield are the real deals. And they put on a clinic against each other.

“I don’t think the score of this game portrays how we can play overall as a team, or how I pitch. The umpire was squeezing both pitchers, so we were forced to pitch over the plate. … ” said the senior Rafferty, who uncharacteristically allowed nine earned runs and nine walks over six innings. “(First baseman) Grace (Boston) comes up to me and says, ‘Throw it down the middle of the plate and we’ll defend it for you. That’s all you can do.’ Somehow we got out of every inning.

Springfield is a great team, so I am not going to take anything away from them. They played great.”
The Cougars (6-0), who are the No. 1 team in the Super 7, showed they might be the most lethal-hitting team in the county.

“That today, one through nine, was the best hitting performance that I’ve ever had,” Springfield coach Todd Odgers said. “You always have years that you might have your one through five (produce), but one through nine, there were smart at-bats all day long. It really was impressive. They were smart, making the pitcher work and throw strikes, and they were hitting the ball hard.”

To read the remainder of the article click here. http://www.gametimepa.com/delaware-archives-softball/ci_25499106/softball-hot-bats-abound-cold-day-springfield-beats

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CONCORD — The season opener for Garnet Valley and Haverford High Thursday was predictably sloppy at times.

It was freezing.

One team, however, came out smelling like a rose.

Fords All-Delco pitcher Bridget Newman had trouble gripping her pitches and threw more to contact. Good thing Newman had junior Sammi Donato behind her at third base, picking everything that came her way.

Offensively, the Fords were able to pounce on the Jaguars early on the way to an impressive victory. Haverford, the defending co-champion of the Central League, defeated Garnet Valley in six innings, 10-0.

Donato, who collected two hits, two walks, two runs scored, two diving stops, two awesome throws to first, a couple of “great jobs’ by her coaches and one RBI, didn’t worry about fielding so much as the other part of the equation.

“I just have to work on my throw,” Donato said.

The 6-1 Newman, probably the most feared player in Delaware County, gave Donato a friendly shove.

“No you don’t,” Newman said to her.

Including Donato, the Fords have a strong defense behind their dominant pitcher. Newman will improve on her season debut, which is a scary thought for the rest of the Central League.

“I felt pretty good, actually, considering I haven’t thrown the ball outside in a while,” said Newman, who is bound for Kutztown in the fall. “I felt pretty confident. My hands get dry a lot. I’ll pick up dirt when I’m out there and wear gloves in between innings. I just see what I can throw, what comes off my hand right (when it’s cold). I do what I can.”

Eight of the nine Haverford starters got on base at least once. Newman slammed an RBI double to the left-center field gap in the first inning after Donato worked a one-out walk. Haverford churned out 11 hits and scored four runs in each of the first two frames. Junior Tyler Beccari, the Fords’ cleanup hitter and Newman’s batterymate, and designated player Janelle Corliss both reached three times and contributed RBI singles. Kelsey Moran was the best hitter of the day, going 3-for-4 with three ribbies.

To read the remainder of the article click here. http://www.gametimepa.com/delaware-archives-softball/ci_25436351/softball-donato-helps-haverford-cruise-past-garnet-valley

Haverford second baseman Lauren Vanstone stretches for a wide throw as Garnet Valley's Ellie Oruska bears down on her in an attempt to steal second. Vanstone and the Fords rolled to a 10-0 victory. (Robert J Gurecki)

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NEWTOWN SQUARE — Arguably the most important play in Radnor’s 8-5 win over Marple Newtown Tuesday is nowhere to be found in the boxscore. It was a play, though, that typified the Raiders’ approach in picking up a key Central League win.

With one on and one out in the fourth inning of a tie game, Garrett McGurl hit a comebacker to the mound for what looked to be a tailor-made double play. But Ben Cohen’s hard slide into second base took out shortstop Nick Giordano and prevented him from turning the twin *******.

The inning extended, Andrew Austen and Connor Wilson delivered RBI singles to make it 4-2, and by the middle of the fifth, the Radnor advantage was 8-2, too much for the host Tigers to overcome.

Cohen may not have showed up in the boxscore for his heady play, but there were plenty of other examples from Radnor that did.

Whether it was the 12 hits — all singles — or the balance of eight players crossing the plate, or the economical pitching of starter Sean Corelli working into the seventh inning, the win had the earmarks of the style Radnor’s youthful roster will dictate this season.

“Everything in baseball counts,” Wilson said. “You never know if one thing is going to lead to another thing, and in this case it did. The take-out slide by Ben led to that rally.”

Despite being down two before it had gotten two outs, Radnor (1-1, 1-1) rallied quickly. Tom Austen dunked a single into center field in the third inning that drove in two runs — including Wilson, who reached on an error. The two-spot posted in the fourth relied on Radnor forcing its way into an extra out. And a pair of mistakes by Marple (1-0, 1-0) in the fifth threw fuel on the fire.

Radnor’s batters were willing to capitalize on the openings they were given. With the bases loaded in the fifth, pinch hitter John Lord leaned into a pitch to drive in a run and chase Marple starter Matt Young after four-plus innings. The next batter, Terrance Quinn, worked the first walk of the day for either side to plate another run.

To read the remainder of the article click here. http://www.gametimepa.com/delaware-archives-baseball/ci_25471641/baseball-radnor-makes-every-play-count-win-over

Radnor's Connor Wilson dives back to first safely on a pick-off play during Tuesday's Central League game against Marple Newtown. (Robert J Gurecki)

Marple Newtown's Seth Bower knocks in the first run for the Tigers in Tuesday's game against Radnor. (Robert J Gurecki)

Radnor's Terrance Quinn slides home as Marple Newtown catcher Jack Shevlin fields the ball. (Robert J Gurecki)

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CONCORD — Joey Sweeney stepped into the box to lead off the seventh inning Wednesday without a hit to his name on the season. His Garnet Valley team hadn’t hit safely in six innings against Penncrest’s Rob Brown.

In one decisive swing, both droughts were rectified. Four batters later, so too was the Jags’ deficit.

Sweeney and Tom Everly led off the bottom of the seventh with singles to curtail Brown’s no-hit bid, and both came around to score when Andrew Bechtold’s hot shot to third was mishandled, giving the Jags a walk-off 2-1 win in a Central League clash.

Sweeney got things started, stinging a 1-2 pitch up the middle for the Jaguars’ first hit off Brown. The breakthrough in the hits column came with a swing in the momentum category.

“I just feel like it pumps everybody up, it gets them alive,’ the center fielder said. “We were kind of dead going into that inning, down 1-0 without a hit. It just pumped everyone up and got them into the game. … I wasn’t even going up there trying to get a hit. I was just trying to get on base. Obviously I was looking to take a pitch, be a good leadoff hitter.’

Anyone who wasn’t awake on the Garnet Valley bench got to their feet when Troy Everly’s bunt attempt wasn’t dealt with, turning into an infield hit.

Michael Bechtold followed with a successful sacrifice, and Steve Palis was intentionally walked to load the bases. That’s when the elder Bechtold stepped up and hit a hotshot two-hopper that handcuffed third baseman Steve Moppert and dribbled down the left-field line, allowing Everly to stroll home with a crucial league win for the Jags (4-0, 3-0).

“We just battled,’ Andrew Bechtold said. “Their pitcher threw really well. We didn’t have a hit until that last inning, but we’re never going to give up, and we’re just going to do whatever we can. We had two big bunts that inning, Sweeney had a good hit and I got lucky and put one past the third baseman.’

To read the remainder of the article click here. http://www.gametimepa.com/delaware-archives-baseball/ci_25480691/baseball-bechtold-caps-garnet-valley-rally-seventh

Ganret Valley's Andrew Bechtold takes aim at a pitch for a walk-off hit that scored Joey Sweeney and Troy Everly in the bottom half of the seventh inning against Penncrest Wednesday. (Times Staff / JULIA WILKINSON) (Julia Wilkinson)

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RADNOR — Weeks before their first game, players from the Radnor boys lacrosse team would walk into their home locker room and be greeted by a piece of paper that had been tacked onto the wall.

The paper listed the predicted top teams of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

“And we weren’t on it,” said Jack Fischer, one of the Raiders’ seniors who admittedly traced his finger up and down the sheet of paper in search of his school’s name. “In fact, we were the sixth or seventh team listed as honorable mention.”

Call it disrespectful, for a program with a pedigree of winning? Fischer isn’t taking the bait.

“We don’t want respect given to us. We want to earn it,” he said.

Radnor is welcoming the underdog role with open arms, with Thursday’s 16-1 rout of visiting Haverford being another notch in the Raiders’ belt as they attempt to return to regional respect.

Twelve Raiders logged at least a point in the lopsided Central League game, and eight different guys found the back of the net for Radnor, which has won seven of its first eight games despite losing 17 seniors from last year’s team to graduation.

To read the remainder of the article click here. http://www.gametimepa.com/delaware/ci_25542275/boys-lacrosse-happy-underdog-radnor-routs-haverford

Radnor's Dario Falcone, left, tries to keep Haverford's Ryan Hughes from getting to the ball during the Raiders' 16-1 victory in a Central League game Thursday. (Robert J Gurecki)

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On a cool fall evening last Oct. 3 during Radnor High School’s boys’ soccer match under the lights at Strath Haven, Red Raider junior Jack Norton went up for a header. Little did he know it was to be a life-changing event.

He collided in mid-air with a Strath Haven player, became unconscious even before he dropped onto the field, and stopped breathing. His mother, Radnor girls’ tennis coach Fiona Norton, was at the game. She ran onto the field and applied CPR, as her son was starting to turn blue.

“It seemed like forever [that he wasn’t breathing],’ said Fiona.

Jack woke up and was transported by long board and immobilizers to nearby Chester-Crozer Hospital, where he received a cat scan.

“I only have vague memories of the ambulance ride to Chester-Crozer and of the cat scan I got that same night,’ said Jack.

At Chester-Crozer, it was discovered Jack had a bleed in his brain from a depressed skull fracture, and a severe concussion and that he might need emergency surgery. Jack was transported to AI Dupont Hospital in Wilmington, Del., where he stabilized and the surgery was put on hold. For eight days, Jack lay in a dark room without any stimulation with round the clock medical care. He stabilized enough to go home, where he remained stimulus-free for five more weeks, missing school as well as all other outside activities.

Fortunately, this story has a happy ending.

“Because he was so diligent about not texting, getting on the computer, not turning on the TV, not entertaining friends and generally being in a dark quiet room for so long – he has recovered 100 percent,’ said Fiona.

How did Jack remain so disciplined for those five weeks of isolation?

Jack replied, “I had a lot of support from my friends and family, as well as the Radnor community as a whole that helped me stay sane throughout the whole recovery process, where I had to stay isolated.’

This spring, Norton has been a key force for the Radnor High School varsity boys’ lacrosse team, scoring 17 goals and five assists as Radnor got off to a 6-1 start.

To read the remainder of the article click here. http://www.gametimepa.com/delaware/ci_25529589/boys-lacrosse-radnor-midfielder-jack-norton-is-main

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Frances Resweber, Strath Haven: Resweber had an impressive postseason, cutting almost five seconds in the 200 free to 1:52.80, earning third at the District One Championships. She finished 17th in the event at the PIAA Championships. In the 500, Resweber took second in districts at 5:00.90, a reduction of 14 seconds from her regular-season best. The sophomore placed 10th at states, getting under the vaunted five-minute barrier to 4:58.37, the top time in the county by seven seconds. Resweber also guided Haven’s 200 and 400 free relays to B finals at states.

Maddie Hart, Haverford: The sophomore two-time All-Delco again lit up the postseason, winning two individual states medals. Hart won the 100 fly at districts with a time of 55.47 seconds; she was faster at states in 55.37, good for second. Her 100 backstroke time of 56.47 earned silver at districts. At states, she was again precisely a tenth faster at 56.37, earning fifth place in a very deep field. Hart’s lead-off leg on the Fords’ medley relay helped them to a District One title and fourth place at states. Hart’s times in the 100 fly and 100 back were the second-fastest in the county, trailing only Seiberlich.

Gab Rudy, Ridley: The star among a deep freshman class in the public school ranks, Rudy set the fastest individual medley time in the county at 2:07.80 and was Delco’s second-fastest breaststroker behind Street at 1:05.26. She finished third in the latter event at the District One Championships and 14th at states. That was her second finals swim of the PIAA Championships, following a 16th-place showing in the 200 IM.

Connor Hart, Haverford: The senior two-time All-Delco solidified his position as Delco’s best all-around freestyler, posting top-six times in the four freestyle races from 50 to 500 yards. Hart clocked a 1:42.34 in the 200 free, good for fourth at districts; he then garnered 14th at states for the second straight year. Hart finished fourth at districts in the 500 in 4:37.43 before taking 15th at states. Both times were second only to Haigh. More than just a distance specialist, Hart’s split of 22.17 seconds to start the Fords’ 200 free relay at districts was sixth-best in Delco, while his 47.60 leadoff 100 was third-quickest. Hart is mulling several Division I swimming offers.

Ryan Freedman, Radnor: The senior delivered the fastest boys swim in the county, according to NISCA Power Points, in the 100 back at 50.93 seconds. After battling injuries from the soccer season, the goalkeeper hit his stride in the postseason, finishing fifth at districts in 52.45. At the PIAA Championships, he went 50.97 in prelims to sneak into the A final, then sped up to 50.93 to claim eighth. Freedman was the only A finalist among the Delco boys contingent. The Johns Hopkins signee swam three relays at districts, helping pilot Radnor’s medley and 200 free relays to states and lead the former to a district title.

Mitch Gartland, Radnor: The senior set the fastest time in the county in the 100 ******, clocking a 57.89 at states. Gartland booked his states spot by going 58.37, good for sixth in District One. At Bucknell, he went 58.49 in prelims to qualify for finals, then sped up to 57.89 to claim 12th place. Gartland, who will walk on at the University of Michigan, finished 12th at districts in the 200 IM. He also participated on Radnor’s District One title-winning medley relay.

Haverford's Maddie Hart won two medals in the PIAA Class AAA swimming championships this season. (Times file)

Radnor's Mitch Gartland swam a county-best 57.89 in the 100 breaststroke at states this season. (Robert J. Gurecki)

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First Team
Frances Resweber, Strath Haven, So.
Maddie Hart, Haverford, So.
Gab Rudy, Ridley, Fr.
Connor Hart, Haverford, Sr.
Ryan Freedman, Radnor, Sr.
Mitch Gartland, Radnor, Sr.

Second Team
Summer Martin, Strath Haven, Fr.
Tatyana Smolyansky, Radnor, Sr.
Camille Jablonski, Strath Haven, Fr.
Andrew Woerth, Garnet Valley, Jr.
Clay Resweber, Strath Haven, Sr.
Eli Avart, Radnor, Jr.
Joe Vannucci, Ridley, Sr.
Ivan Michalovic, Garnet Valley, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Garnet Valley: Skyler Berrardi, Nikki Cannon, Morgan Kovatch, Ashley Kovatch, Lauren Minford, Jordan Stansfield; Dean Allred, John McGrogan, Joe Sacht

Haverford: Taylor Hart, Annie O’Brien, Elizabeth Verzella, Emily Wolfe, Ilira Zherka; Steve Cassel, Rob Keehn, Dan Lawrey, Brendan Ryan, Steve Szathmary, James Turley.

Marple Newtown: Mariah Kozub; Julian Farrer, Ron Feinberg, Johnny Truax.

Penncrest: MaryKate Boylan, Rachel Cotton; Liam Nawn, Philip Nawn, Daniel Rosenberger.

Radnor: Evie Cai, Nicole Cohen, Heather McShea, Laura Packer, Sasha Smolyansky; Clayton Bowes, Tim Caulfield, Stefan Floeter, Steve Giannella, Brian McKeon, Richard Patten, Jeremy Pedersen.

Ridley: Allison Cardow, Gab Louden, Kiera Wadsworth; Quinton Beck, Gene Gibbons, Donnie Taziole, Ricky Van Vladricken.

Springfield: Georgia Apostolu, Kylene Ronayne, Brian Layden, Wil Seifried, Dan Stewart.

Strath Haven: Megan Burns, Eleni Pappas, Katie Willis; Tom Platt, Ben Wolters.

Upper Darby: Samantha Campbell, Meggie Leitz, Alison McDonough, Siobhan McDonough; Tom Brennan, Andrew Karsh, Mekhi Nurse.

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First Team
Name, School, Yr., Weight, Record
Anthony Petril, Upper Darby, Sr., 106, 33-7
Austin Petril, Upper Darby, Sr,. 113, 32-3
Michael Marino, Garnet Valley, Sr,. 120, 39-10
Pat Callaghan, Marple Newtown, Sr., 126, 35-4
Dennis Charamella, Springfield, Sr., 138, 34-5
Sean Lyons, Garnet Valley, Sr., 145, 28-11
Tom Meyers, Radnor, Jr., 160, 31-3
Johnny Dambro, Garnet Valley, Sr., 170, 41-6
Liam Frank, Penncrest, So., 182, 32-7

Second Team
Nate Frantz, Strath Haven, Sr., 106, 32-6
Matt Marino, Garnet Valley, Fr., 113, 23-11
Donte McCarthy, Ridley, Sr., 120, 29-7
Ben Tuohey, Garnet Valley So., 126, 23-12
Gary Pizzuto, Garnet Valley, So., 132, 28-6
Pat Kane, Upper Darby, Jr., 145, 24-13
Ryan Dougherty, Penncrest, Sr., 152, 37-5
Lawrence Alkins, Ridley, Jr., 182, 20-7
Joshua Yeboah-Gyasi, Upper Darby, Jr., 195, 25-5
Austin Jacque, Penncrest, Sr., 195, 33-6
Justin Fremont, Strath Haven, Jr., 285, 29-6

Honorable Mention
Nick Puliti, Garnet Valley, Fr., 106, 27-13
Colin Cronin, Upper Darby, Fr., 126, 27-10
Pat Rowe, Garnet Valley, Jr., 145, 29-10
Joey Sciarrino, Springfield, Jr., 160, 30-9
Matt Bloxton, Haverford, Jr., 170, 28-10
Mark Morey, Garnet Valley, Sr., 182, 25-13
Markos Katrakazis, Marple Newtown, Sr., 195, 25-9
Bob Long, Penncrest, Sr., 220, 24-11
James Hong, Radnor, Sr., 285, 22-6

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