GFS exorcises Devils on the way to semifinal tourney loss

by ANDREW LAZOR

The Tigers of Germantown Friends School (18-2) legitimized their status as one of the area’s best baseball teams with an 8-6 thriller over Chestnut Hill Academy May 26. GFS earned a sizeable lead early by taking advantage of weak pitching, repeating the same formula that earned them a 9-1 win at home over the Blue Devils back on April 8. The victory sent the two-time Friends Schools League champions to Perkiomen the next day to face Mercersburg in the semifinals of the Independent School Baseball Tournament.

GFS scored two runs at the top of the first inning. Speedy junior Brett DiFelice responded in style for the Blue Devils, stealing second base after he was walked by Tigers starter Aaron Sommer. The next CHA at-bat had DiFelice trying for third. Junior GFS catcher Nate Gemberling-Johnson’s throw was unsuccessful, giving DiFelice home and putting CHA on the board 2-1.

The Tigers’ bats stood at attention in the third. Sophomore DH Marek Loder sparked the onslaught by tapping a looper to center off junior CHA pitcher Cordiff Broderick. The Blue Devils watched as the patient Tigers hitters took up residence at each of the bases. Senior John Sharrar successfully drove in three runs thanks to a wayward double play ball thrown by CHA sophomore Anthony Cafagna, putting GFS up 5-1. CHA brought in sophomore pitcher Steve Smerecki, whose formidable fastballs were neutralized by the bats of senior second baseman Nick Malinowski and junior shortstop Marc Schwartz. The Tigers left the plate ahead six runs at the bottom of the third.

The Tigers were a dangerous offensive threat this season. “The biggest thing that set our team apart [this year] is our bats,” said head coach Dean Graham. The GFS squad hit close to .390 as a team this year.

CHA put on a hitting display on their own in the bottom of the seventh. With his team trailing 8-3, Broderick stretched a single to a double on a bad throw, and made his way to home plate on a base hit from Cafagna. Senior GFS reliever Jesse Weinstein-Gould loaded the bases, then gave up hits to CHA seniors Kristopher Kimball and Scott Redpath, pulling CHA two runs closer, 8-6. Weinstein-Gould managed to survive the late scoring binge by the Blue Devils and cemented the win for GFS.

Senior pitcher/rightfielder Sommer, one of the Friends League’s most complete players, was the deciding factor for the Tigers. Sommer started on the mound for GFS, held the Blue Devils to two runs and struck out five before leaving the game in the sixth inning. Graham feels that the two-time team MVP deserves an All-City selection for his performance this season. Sommer will play for Tufts University in Boston next year.

Although the Tigers lost 8-2 in the semifinals to eventual champion Mercersburg, the team’s win column reflects this year’s most notable accomplishment- their 18 victories tied the school record for most in a season. Graham’s players gained valuable experience participating in the Independent School tourney prior to this year. “[Playing in the tournament] allows us to measure our kids against teams we don’t face a lot,” he said.

While GFS will lose several key players to graduation, Graham sees the turnover as an opportunity for younger players to shoulder added responsibility. “I had a lot of seniors and they’ve been great leaders, but one of the things I did see in the tournament was my future leaders really stepping up,” he said. Upcoming seniors Sam Biddle, Gemberling-Johnson and Schwartz will take over captain’s duties in 2006.