HAVERFORD, Pa. – Haverford College assured itself of a seat at the table of the Centennial Conference postseason baseball tournament with Friday afternoon's 12-5 league win over visiting Franklin & Marshall College, and in clinching their playoff berth, the Fords were also able to reach several significant milestones.
With three games still remaining on the schedule, Haverford (27-6, 12-4 CC) has already equaled the program mark for most wins in a season after taking down the Diplomats (19-14, 11-5), who entered the game tied with the Fords for second place in the conference standings.
Two Centennial games remain for the Fords, who travel to Gettysburg College Saturday afternoon for a conference doubleheader. Friday's victory gives Haverford the edge over Franklin & Marshall in the chase to host a first-round playoff game.
Another milestone achieved Friday was the exorcising of some home field demons against F&M who last lost to the Fords at Class of '16 Field in 1999. The win was also the first at home against the Dips for head coach Dave Beccaria.
A 6-1 lead—a lot of breathing room with the way Fords starting pitcher Bryan Henrick was throwing through the first five innings—turned into a one-run advantage after F&M finally found a way to get to Henrick in the seventh, scoring four runs from just three singles. Two base on balls and one hit batter aided the F&M rally which finally ended with reliever Patrick Falkoff on the mound.
The Fords answered with three runs in the home half of the inning, getting a key hit from Justin Coulter whose two-out single through the left side scored Jeff Butera and Mike Galetta for the second and third runs of the inning. The initial run scored when, with the bases loaded, Bobby Bailey drew an RBI walk to push Louis DeRosa home.
Ahead by five, the Fords gave Falkoff some insurance with two more runs in the eighth scoring first on an RBI ground out from Butera, and once more on a wild pitch with Charlie Carluccio at third.
DeRosa and Galetta seemed as if they were always on base for the Fords, both scoring three runs apiece in the victory. DeRosa single-handedly scored the team's third run of the game.
After getting hit by F&M starting pitcher Rob Anderson, DeRosa stole second on the next pitch, stole third on the next one, and raced home on Anderson's next offering, a wild pitch.
Jake Chaplin, Butera and Jeremy Zoll had multi-hit games for the Fords, each scoring at least one of the team's 12 runs.
On the mound, Henrick (7-1) was nearly unhittable through five, allowing just one hit in the first, second, third and fourth innings. Not until back-to-back doubles scored the Diplomats' first run of the game in the sixth, did Henrick allow a runner to even reach second base.
Falkoff was superb in his relief of Henrick over the final 2.1 innings surrendering just one hit and a walk while striking out one to close out the victory and earn the save.
The win by Henrick also ties the junior with six others for most wins in a single season by a Fords pitcher.
Anderson (0-1) took the loss for F&M allowing six runs on four hits. He also hit three batters which all turned into runs for Haverford.
So the Fords enter the final day of conference competition (they are scheduled to host Widener University Tuesday afternoon) Saturday at Gettysburg assured of a playoff spot and with the knowledge that hosting at least a first-round tournament game is in their own hands.
First place in the league standings is not out of reach as the team is just one game behind leader Johns Hopkins University. If the Blue Jays falter twice at home Saturday against Muhlenberg College, Haverford could be right there to take over the leader's role.