Mercury All-Area: Dylan Broderick provides total package with complete-game pitching, consistent hitting for PIAA quarterfinalist Spring-Ford

If there’s one thing Dylan Broderick emphasizes, it’s showing up.

To be available, efficient and go the distance is the mark of an ace. And on the mound this season, Broderick checked off every box.

During Spring-Ford’s run through the postseason, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound righthander threw three consecutive complete games in postseason wins over Lower Merion, Plymouth Whitemarsh and Central to propel the Rams into the PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals.

With an 8-1 record on the bump coupled with his big bat and .480 average and sure-handed play at third base, Broderick was the main piston of an engine that went 22-5 on the season, the Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division title in hand while riding the No. 1 seed through the District 1-6A tournament, finishing as the runner-up.

That dependability to further his squad’s season and make every effort to keep the show going for Spring-Ford paid off, making Broderick the Mercury All-Area baseball player of the year.

“You can put in all the work – obviously that’s important, the offseason work and preparation – but if you don’t come out here with the mentality that you’re going to play good, the work means nothing if you can’t put it to good use, come out here and compete,” Broderick said.

The PA Rebels product closed out his final varsity campaign with a 1.821 ERA. Broderick struck out 88 batters against 38 hits and 10 walks over 57 2/3 innings this spring.

Broderick set himself apart on many occasions this spring, notably on April 24 when he threw a complete-game no-hitter at reigning PAC champion Owen J. Roberts, striking out 13 with a pair of hits at the plate himself for good measure in a 3-1 win for the Rams.

Having sat 83 mph on his fastball, Broderick averages between 80-82 with a 66-68 changeup and 70-71 curveball in his toolbelt, per Prep Baseball Report. But what can’t be measured with a radar gun is his approach and discipline every time he has the start for his club.

“It’s all about consistency,” Broderick said. “The same preparation for every game, doing the same thing.”

FINAL — No. 1 Spring-Ford 6, No. 5 Plymouth Whitemarsh 1

Rams are heading to Villanova after yet another complete game from Dylan Broderick.

Spring-Ford will take No. 14 Central Bucks West in the District 1-6A Championship on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/YEvOzOONDJ

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) May 30, 2023

Pitching complete games and going deep into games throughout the season allowed for fresh arms among the Rams’ pitching staff. That staff included Mike deHaan behind Broderick, as well as Sean Crawford, Garrett Wible, Austin Ludwig, Andrew Eross and PJ Pozniak.

All were ready to go when called upon, their ace allowing for them to remain well rested for much of the season.

“That’s huge in the postseason because it’s one or two games a week,” Spring-Ford coach Rick Harrison said. “If you have two hot pitchers who are throwing strikes and doing a good job, you can generally ride them out.

“(Broderick) wanted the ball, he didn’t want to come out of games. And we gave him the ball, and he did a good job with it.”

While his prowess on the mound slingshot the Rams through their postseason, Broderick’s batting was just as valuable for Spring-Ford. Consistently batting fourth in Spring-Ford’s order, Broderick finished his senior year with a .480 batting average, .554 OBP and .707 SLG.

Broderick was devastating with runners on base, hitting. 647 with runners in scoring position.

With the bat in his hands, Broderick has demonstrated a max exit velocity of 89.9 mph while averaging 82.1 on his swing (per PBR). He recorded 36 hits, nine extra base hits (four doubles, three home runs, two triples) and drove in 39 runs while scoring 18 himself.

On a team that prides itself on aggressive baserunning and awareness on the bags, Broderick also displayed his speed — a 7.47 60-yard dash time — with 11 stolen bases, being caught stealing just once.

A two-way player at the high school level, Broderick fully intends on carrying both ends of his game at Chestnut Hill College, where he’ll be pitching and hitting at the Division II level.

“His offensive numbers speak for themselves,” Harrison said. “It’s going to be hard not to put him on the field at the next level. And of course on the mound, he’s kind of like a throwback where he gets the ball and wants to finish the game.

“He’s physical, sturdy and I think he can eat up innings, pitch and play defense and offense. He did a good job of that this year for us.”

Broderick’s only loss came in the PAC Final Four semifinals. Fresh off of defeating Phoenixville just five days prior, the Rams were ousted by the Phantoms — ironically by the same 5-4 score — while Phoenixville went on to win the PAC championship in Spring-Ford’s house, Ram Stadium.

To Broderick, picking up after defeat and forging on ahead is as equally important as any winning approach.

“Obviously, you’re going to fail. But how you deal with it and the process, you focus on the process and the journey, you should be happy with the outcome,” Broderick said. “That’s really important in this world, learning how to deal with failure.”

Against Phoenixville in the PAC semifinals, Broderick struck out six with eight hits and five runs allowed, four earned.

He responded with his complete-game efforts against Lower Merion (three-hitter in 12-3 win) and Plymouth-Whitemarsh (6-1 win) in the district tournament but the Rams were on the receiving end of a powerhouse pitching effort against Central Bucks West in a 4-0 loss in the District 1 final.

“It was hard to deal with that, but you just have to take it on the chin,” Broderick said of the PAC semifinal loss to Phoenixville. “The district championship, too. Those were tough. It’s hard to put it behind you, but it’s something you just have to do. You have to tell yourself, ‘I’m going to do it’ and just focus on the next one.”

Mid 2 | Dylan Broderick strikes out the order, he’s up to 28 pitches.

Broderick holds a 2.01 ERA on the season. pic.twitter.com/CAvJ2ARhm9

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) May 30, 2023

Broderick was the main man again in the PIAA 6A first round, a 3-1 win over Central where he got his complete game on the final batter before hitting his pitch limit.

Despite that dogged will to finish what he starts on the mound or his methodical approach at the plate, at heart, Broderick still has fun. And he means business.

He carries it all well, but Broderick has always walked the line between seriousness and fun. Keeping the focus on doing his job and winning games, but never losing sight of simply playing high school baseball with his friends.

Broderick is at his best not only when he plays his game, but does so with that same raw, genuine enthusiasm deeply rooted from little league. He balances on the tightrope of both, and often does so without stumbling.

“You have to have the balance,” Broderick said. “Obviously when you get to the playoffs, it’s a big deal, but you have to not think about it and just have fun. That’s what helps me throw the best.”

His advice to those coming up behind him was much of the same tune.

“Keep putting in the work, and do it when no one is watching,” Broderick said. “Be available, be present. Just keep going.”

Keep showing up, everyday.