DiFebbo's two homers key Malvern Prep's comeback over Haverford School
Lately, Malvern Prep's baseball team seems most comfortable in comeback mode. On Saturday, in winning the 34th annual Tom Heinkel Memorial Tournament in South Jersey, it overcame deficits of 8-0 and 12-5 to stun St. Augustine Prep, 13-12, in the semifinals.
Lately, Malvern Prep's baseball team seems most comfortable in comeback mode.
On Saturday, in winning the 34th annual Tom Heinkel Memorial Tournament in South Jersey, it overcame deficits of 8-0 and 12-5 to stun St. Augustine Prep, 13-12, in the semifinals.
They rallied from down two two-run deficits to surprise host Bishop Eustace, 7-5, in the final.
Returning to Inter-Ac League action Tuesday afternoon, the visiting Friars trailed Haverford School, 4-0, through four innings. They rallied with seven runs in their last three at-bats to emerge with a thrilling, 7-6 triumph.
"It's something we'd like to avoid, but I guess we're playing well when we're behind," Malvern junior outfielder Chance DiFebbo said.
DiFebbo played a huge role in the latest come-from-behind win, delivering a three-run home run to left field in the fourth and a deciding two-run shot to center in the seventh.
"The first was a fastball inside, and I just turned on it," said the 6-foot-1, 160-pounder from Kimberton, Chester County. "On the second, I was able to get hold of a low fastball."
Against the Fords, who opened the door for DiFebbo's first homer at the bandbox turf field with a pair of errors, the Friars (14-5 overall, 3-1 league) went in front, 5-4, in the sixth on Chris Butera's RBI double down the third-place line.
After DiFebbo's second career blast made it 7-4, Haverford (13-3, 2-2) closed the gap to one on Nick Greco's RBI single.
With basrerunners at first and second and two out, Malvern brought in freshman righthander Billy Corcoran. The rookie sealed the win by inducing a fly ball to shallow left that was handled by shortstop David Rodgers.
"That was [pitching coach] E.J. Moyer's decision," Friars skipper Freddy Hilliard said. "He had a lot of confidence in Billy. He felt it was the right move, and it was."
DiFebbo is in his first year as a varsity starter. Also a basketball player, he has been clocked at 6.6 seconds over 60 yards. "He's a little streaky with his hitting, but he always gives you good at-bats," Hilliard said.
In the Fords' three-run third, Frank Cresta (2 for 3, two runs) drilled a two-run homer to center and Bryan Hyland followed with a solo shot to right-center.
Malvern Prep 000 041 2 - 7 10 1
Haverford School 103 000 2 - 6 11 3
WP: Matt Daller. LP: Mike Warnick. 2B: MP-Matt Pantalone, Chris Butera; HS-Kevin McGowan. HR: MP-Chance DiFebbo 2; HS-Frank Cresta, Bryan Hyland
@ozoneinq