Main Line roundup: Friends’ Central baseball, softball teams win FSL titles

On consecutive days, the Friends’ Central School baseball and softball teams captured a Friends’ School League title. The Friends’ Central softball squad defeated Shipley, 7-2, in extra innings in the championship final May 13; and the following day the Phoenix baseball team captured its second consecutive FSL title with a 12-0 five-inning win against Shipley in the championship final.

In the FSL baseball championship final, senior John Fitzpatrick hurled a two hit shutout, and the Phoenix got off to a fast start, scoring three runs in the first inning. FCS senior Dylan Posencheg doubled home junior Darius Adkins, then senior Derek Francis followed with an RBI single which plated senior Sam Burman, then Posencheg scored on a wild pitch.

Friends’ Central plated three more runs in the third highlighted by another RBI single from Francis (2-for-3 with two RBIs). FCS wrapped up the scoring in the fourth with six runs, which included Burman’s 108th career RBI – he is the school’s all-time RBI leader. Posencheg (2-for-2, three runs scored) punctuated his fine day with a towering three run homer. Sophomore third baseman Brendan Aiken also contributed meaningfully on offense with two singles, an RBI and two runs scored.

The Friends’ Central baseball squad, which has won 21 consecutive FSL games, has seven seniors that have committed to play in college next year – Sam Burman (Hofstra), Luke Buscaglia (UMBC), Caden Carlin (Monmouth), John Fitzpatrick (West Chester), Jon Aman (Widener), Derek Francis (Alvernia) and Dylan Posencheg (Dickinson).

For the Friends’ Central softball squad, this was its first FSL title since 2014 and their eighth FSL title overall, tying the George School with most softball titles won. 

Leading the Phoenix on the mound was sophomore pitcher, Brianna Keenan with seven strikeouts, bringing her career total to 167. In the championship final, Keenan reached base four times with two walks, a double and an error, and scored three runs.

In the top of the eighth inning, two Shipley errors put runners on first and second and then singles from Maria Morsa, Bella Lederman and Oona Stocavaz scored four runs. Aminah Alwyn tallied an insurance run.

 

 

In other Main Line high school sports action (this local roundup is compiled from game summaries sent to badams@mainlinemedianews.com):

 

Boys’ lacrosse

Episcopal Academy defeated Springside Chestnut Hill, 15-7, May 11. EA was led by Dylan Jaszcz (six goals), Charlie Maier (three goals), Charlie Kraftson (two goals, two assists), Lucas Slate (two goals), TJ Lamb (four assists) and Nash Womack (14 saves).

Haverford School defeated Episcopal Academy, 14-8, May 13. The Fords were led by Chuck Cacciutti (seven saves), Ben McCarthy (eight ground balls), Ryan DiRocco (four assists, one goal), Teddy Malone (three goals), Aydan DiRocco (two goals, one assist) and Colin Zeller (two goals). Tristan Whitaker scored two goals for EA.

 

Girls’ lacrosse

Agnes Irwin defeated Baldwin, 20-5, May 10. Elle Brady scored four goals for the Owls, Marissa White had a hat trick and goalie Maggie Mullen had nine saves and caused two turnovers.

Conestoga, champions of the Central League, defeated Harriton 14-3 May 10. The Pioneers were led by Kate Galica (three goals, two assists, two draw controls), Keating Hopkins (two goals, three ground balls) and Kiki Liebeziet (two goals, four draw controls).

 

Baseball

Haverford School (12-9-1, 2-6) prevailed over the Crusaders 4-3 on its Michael Tallarida Scholarship Fundraiser Event May 14, rallying for four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kevin Reavey earned the win while Brendan Touey, Colby McNeely, and Mark Quatrani each had a pair of hits. Fred Jordan came on to pitch the final two innings for the save.  Connor Scanlan delivered a clutch bases loaded single for the Fords.

One day earlier, Colby McNeely’s complete game propelled the Fords to a dramatic come-from-behind 6-4 victory against Episcopal Academy. Jake LaRocca’s double knocked in Will Ferris to tie the game and pinch hitter Sean Dougherty delivered with an RBI double to plate LaRocca with the go ahead run while the Fords picked up an insurance run on a misplay for the final tally. McNeely also chipped in with a two-run home run.

 

Softball

Episcopal Academy defeated Agnes Irwin, 4-2, May 13. Rylie Spor hit a two-run homer, and Hanna Mae Legaspi and Karen Xiao helped with big hits as well. 

One day earlier, EA defeated Cardinal O’Hara, 2-1. Spor made several run-saving catches in center field, while pitchers Alyssa Sterner and Anna Gallagher limited O’Hara to just four hits.

Villa Maria Academy defeated Gwynedd Mercy, 4-2, May 10. Villa pitcher Ariana Butler allowed just two hits in six innings and Alex Kilpatrick hit a three-run home run.

 

Boys’ tennis

Episcopal Academy defeated Springside Chestnut Hill, 5-2, May 13, persevering through a 2 ½ hour rain delay. John Bishop won at first singles, and Niki Lavu prevailed at second singles.

One day earlier, EA defeated Malvern Prep, 6-1. Niki Lavu won at second singles, 6-0, 6-0; and Gavin Schmidt prevailed at third singles, 6-0, 6-0. Malvern Hayden Fisher won at first singles.

Haverford School defeated Episcopal Academy, 5-2, May 10. The Fords’ Jay Crowther won at first singles, while EA’s Niki Lavu and Gavin Schmidt prevailed at second and third singles, respectively.

 

Track & field

Radnor runners Amelia Dole, Zoe Margolies, Courtney Kearns, and Lucy Henkel teamed up to clock a season best 9:46.52 in the 3200 meter relay at the CAL Last Chance meet May 14 at Strath Haven. The time qualifies the quartet for the District 1 championships.

Raptor sophomore Sophia Hill captured the gold medal in the pole vault at the Central League Track & Field Championships May 11, clearing 11 feet. Margolies placed second in the 3200 meter run with a personal best clocking of 11:39.6.