Germantown Academy competes in the Boys Inter-Academic League. This league was founded in 1887 and is the oldest high school athletic league in the country. The league currently includes Germantown Academy, Chestnut Hill Academy, Episcopal Academy, Haverford School, Malvern Preparatory School, and William Penn Charter. As a member of the Inter-Ac League, Germantown Academy has earned the league championship a total of 34 times, including back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, the Patriots had a 32-2 record, won the Pennsylvania Independent Schools State Championship and was ranked by Collegiate Baseball as the 6th best team in the country. GA won the league title in 2006, earning the Patriots three Championships in four years. In 2008 and 2010, the Patriots once again won the Pennsylvania Independent Schools State Championship.
The Schedule
Annually, the Patriots boast one of the most competitive baseball schedules in the region. The baseball program is committed to the ideals of the Germantown Academy Athletic Statement of Purpose and Practice, which includes scheduling a high level of competition. Each year, the schedule includes more than 30 games and primarily consists of teams from the fierce Inter-Academic League, the top eight to ten teams from the Philadelphia Catholic League and several teams from the Suburban One American Conference. Further, the schedule includes some of the best Prep Schools in the country, whom the Patriots face during its annual spring break trip to Florida. The season ends by competing in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools State Tournament. In addition, every season several All-League players from Germantown Academy are selected to participate in the prestigious Carpenter Cup High School All-Star Classic to showcase their talents for College and Professional scouts. The Patriots sent a record number eight players and their coaches to the Carpenter Cup in 2004.
The Baseball Facilities
Construction has begun! Germantown Academy is building a new Outdoor Athletics Complex during the summer of 2010. Twelve tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, five grass multi-purpose fields, and three artificial turf fields are included in the plans, while a new stadium with artificial turf, state of the art track surface, spectator seating, training rooms, and concesssion stand highlights the new construction along Morris Road. In addition, 200+ parking spaces will be available when the project is complete.
Look for more information soon!
GA Players Achieve High Honors
Players at Germantown Academy have reached high honors. Since 1977, the Philadelphia Daily News has been honoring the top players in Philadelphia. Mark Steffens ’88, Rick Welsh ‘94 and Sean Grieve '04 were named the Philadelphia Daily News Player of the Year, during their respective senior seasons. Grieve was also named Player of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Intelligencer, The Times Herald and the Scholastic Play-By-Play Network for his pitching and hitting efforts during the 2004 Nationally ranked season. Joe Bruderek ’96 and Joe Matteo '04 were named the Philadelphia Daily News City Pitcher of the Year driving their senior seasons.
The Philadelphia Daily News has recognized the following players on its First Team All-City Team: Craig Shumock '78 (INF) 1978, Mark Steffens '88 (CF) 1987-1988, Mike Sharkey '92 (CF/LHP)1992, Rick Welsh '94 (SS) 1994, Bud Brennan '96 (2B) 1996, Joe Bruderek '96 (RHP/SS) 1996, Matt Bruderek '04 (INF/RHP) 2003; Sean Grieve '04 (CF/LHP) 2003-2004, Joe Matteo '04 (RHP) 2004, Tyler Stampone '05 (2B) 2005 and John Barr '07 (CF) 2006 .
Also, Germantown Academy has honored several individuals, who participated in baseball and other sports while at GA, by inducting them into the GA Athletic Hall of Fame. The prestigious Hall of Fame members include former GA baseball players: William Beuhler '44, Ted Lagdon ‘46, J. Francis (Reds) Bagnell ’47, Richard Lassen '53, Robert Lassen '53, Jack Turner ‘56, Robert Murray ’59, Ken Twiford ’58, Bernie Dallas ’61, Bill Armstrong ’68, Gardy Kahoe ’68, Thomas Kehan ’69, Bill Straub ’69, David Lawson '70, Dan Roberts ’72, Tim Lewis ’72, Jim Turner ’83, Mark Steffens ’88, Michael "Pup" Turner ’91, Mark Nori ’92 and Brian Burke '98. Also, the 1972 team was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the fall of 2006.
GA Starts a Baseball Program in the late 1880's
GA won three Inter-Academic League Championships in its first three years of having a program from 1888-1890. The first coach in GA history was George Deacon. The football field is currently named after Mr. Deacon.
In addition, the baseball field is currently named after Abraham S. Valentine, who was a catcher on that first team that won the championship in 1888. Mr. Valentine design what we now know as the catcher’s mitt. Following his GA career, Mr. Valentine went to a tryout for the Philadelphia Athletics. During the tryout, the club’s owner/manager, Cornelius McGillicuddy (also known as Connie Mack) spotted Valentine’s catching talent and offered him a job. Valentine must have been flattered, but he declined, choosing to instead follow a career in industry.
In order to honor Mr. Valentine, his family underwrote the construction of the varsity baseball field when GA moved to its current Fort Washington campus in the 1960's.
Turn of the Century
From 1990-1939, the Patriots won five Inter-Academic League championships. S. Charles White '29 was a two-time captain.
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Jr. '32 was also a two-time captain. He was the son of the legendary Cornelius McGillicuddy (also known as Connie Mack). Connie Mack's life spanned nearly a century (1862-1956). Mack was a player of merit and he had a very successful career as a manager. His name and that of his proud Philadelphia Athletics are inseparable from 1910 until 1950. During this time, he amassed two fortunes. The first was lost after 1913, even though his team had won the World Series in 1910, 1911, and 1913. To make ends meet, he sold three great players: Frank “Home Run” Baker, Dave Bancroft, and Eddie Collins. Later, in a reversal of fortune, in 1929, 1930, and 1931 the A’s won three pennants and two more World Series titles. Later in his career, he coaches legends Mickey Cochrane, Lefty Grove, Jimmy Foxx, and Al Simmons and all four were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
It was during this second ascent that Mack’s son and namesake Cornelius McGillicuddy, Jr. '32 attended Germantown Academy (1925-1932). On his own merits, young Mack made quite a name for himself at GA. His height was his advantage as a pitcher and as a basketball player. He also played football and ran track. After his graduation, he attended Duke University. Further, Connie Mack's grandson, Connie Mack III, was a United States senator from Florida.
The Best of the 1940's
Bill Buehler '44 led GA to the Inter-Academic League championship in 1944. After graduation from GA, he entered the Navy and later played baseball in the 14th Naval District at Pearl Harbor with many major league players who were also in the service. After World War II, Bill attended Gettysburg College. He pitched for four years and never lost a game. Bill Buehler was inducted into the GA Hall of Fame.
Kenneth Giles, Jr. '45, a former team captain, was on the League Championship team during his junior and senior season. The following year, GA completed the three-peat by again winning the championship in 1946. Ted Langdon '46 was the captain in 1946 and hit .750 for the season. He is in the GA Hall of Fame.
Super Stars in the 1950's
GA won three Inter-Academic League championships in the 1950's. Following the 1951 championship season, brothers Richard Lassen '53 and Robert Lassen '53 served as co-captains of the 1953 League Champions. Richard Lassen and Robert Lassen shared the Robert A. Hoover Memorial Trophy to honor the top baseball player at GA. Following graduation, Richard Lassen was invited to spring training with the Philadelphia Athletics and Robert Lassen played football and baseball for the U.S. Army. They are both in the GA Hall of Fame.
One of the most prestigious players and coaches in GA history is Jack Turner '56. Following his GA career, where he played football, basketball, baseball and ran track, he was a three-time letter winner in baseball and football for the University of Delaware. Jack Turner was honored as a two-time All-American in baseball and football and was inducted into the University of Delaware's Athletic Hall of Fame. He became the GA Athletic Director from 1964-1986 and he coached varsity football and varsity baseball. As the football coach, Jack Turner won more games than any other football coach in GA history. Jack Turner is in the GA Hall of Fame.
Ken Twiford '58 attained All-Inter-Ac League status in baseball 1957 and 1958. He was the captain in both 1957 and 1958. Following his GA career, he attended Bucknell University, where he became a star in both baseball and football. Ken Twiford was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics of Major League Baseball, but his pro baseball career was derailed when he was drafted into the United States Military. From 1963 to 1989, Ken was the Head Baseball coach at Franklin & Marshall College. Robert Murray '59 lettered his sophomore, junior and senior years in baseball and was captain and first team All Inter-Ac League his senior year. In 1959, he led GA to the League Championship. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Robert Murray was All-Ivy League, All-East and Captain his senior year. During the 1963 and 1964 seasons, he played in the Phillies minor league system for Spartanburg, South Carolina. Robert Murray was the head baseball coach (1966-1970) at the University of Pennsylvania. He was inducted into Penn's Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.
Hall of Famers in the 1960's
Some of the greatest athletes in the history of the school played for the baseball program in the 1960's. The team won two championships while captained in 1966 by Richard Clark '66 and in 1968 by Nicholas Cinquanto. Jr. '68, The 1960's showcased five players who became GA Hall of Famers, namely Bernie Dallas '61, Bill Armstrong '68, Gardy Kahoe '68, Thomas Kehan '69 and Bill Straub '69.
In addition, Mike Gold, the former athletic director at GA, coached the squad from 1964-1968. His successor was James Buckley, who was inducted into the GA Hall of Fame for his achievements as the GA Girls Basketball Coach.
Professional Baseball Pitchers and Top Players from the 1970's
David Lawson '70 was named All Inter-Academic League from 1967-1970. He starred on the team along with captain William Brooks '70. After David Lawson graduated from GA, he went on to Washington & Lee University where he continued playing baseball. He was a Fourth Round Draft Choice by the New York Yankees, where he played for five seasons in their minor league farm system. After leaving the Yankees organization, David Lawson played in the Dominican Republic League. His team won the Dominican Championship in 1976.
GA baseball hired one of its most prestigious coaches in 1971, as Robin Roberts coached from 1971 through 1975. Robin Roberts pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies for fourteen seasons. From 1948 through 1961, he established himself as one of the most prominent heroes in Philadelphia sports history. He won twenty or more games six times, was selected to seven All-Star games and led the famed "Whiz Kids" to the Phillies first ever World Series in 1950. His number 36 is currently retired by the Philadelphia Phillies and he is commonly known as the best right-handed pitcher in Phillies History. He is enshrined in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Robin Roberts coached GA's 1972 undefeated Inter-Academic League championship team. Tim Lewis '72 was the top pitcher on the 1972 team, which had a league record of 10-0 and an overall record of 22-1. Both Tim Lewis and Brad Tanner '72 had a 5-0 pitching record. Lewis, Tanner and Jim Morrison '74 combined to average 13 strikeouts per seven innings pitched and the pitching staff had an earned run average of 0.85.
Coach Robin Roberts and his assistant John Turner '62 also had a potent lineup in 1972. GA averaged over nine runs per game. The "Whiz Kids" Dan Roberts '72 and Tom Simmons '72 combined to bat over .500 in league play. Also, captain S. Charles Faris '72 helped lead the way to the title. The big game was a 2-1 win over Episcopal Academy when Greg Ade '72 stole home to clinch the victory. Five GA players went on to play for Division I schools. The 1972 team was ranked number one in Southeastern, Pennsylvania. This historic season was honored, as the 1972 baseball team was inducted into the Germantown Academy Hall of Fame in 2006.
Following graduation from GA in 1972, Tim Lewis became the top left-handed pitcher in the history of the University of South Carolina. As of 2006, Tim Lewis still had the most career decisions in South Carolina history. Further, he holds an all-time record of 36-6. Tim Lewis had five shutouts and 332 strikeouts in his career. Tim Lewis also pitched in the College World Series in 1975. He graduated the NCAA career leader in games started (51), which is a record that stood for at least 20 years and may still stand. He was the winning pitcher in the regional final game in the 1975 College World Series game against Arizona State.
Tim Lewis won a Gold Medal in the 1975 World Games. He led Team USA in wins, which was highlighted by a fifteen strikeout win over Mexico and a win over runner-up Japan. Tim Lewis signed with the New York Yankees in 1976 and spent 5 ½ years in the New York Yankees' minor league system. He held the Carolina League record for 20 strikeouts against the Winston Salem Red Sox. Tim Lewis' overall minor league career record was 48 wins, 36 losses and 16 saves.
Also, Dan Roberts '72, son of Robin Roberts, graduated from GA in 1972. He was a four year starter at shortstop for GA. He then played baseball at Gulf Coast Junior College in Florida, leading the team to the Junior College World Series. He continued his career at Jacksonville University and played in the NCAA tournament twice. He was the Head Baseball Coach at Army, a Division I college program, for fourteen years, where he retired with more wins than any baseball coach in the history of Army. After he retired from coaching at Army, Dan Roberts became a coach for the Phillies single A minor league Clearwater franchise. At Clearwater, he was on the coaching staff with former Phillies players Greg Legg and Greg Gross.
GA won League Championship in 1974, 1976 and in 1979. The 1976 championship team (13-4; 8-2 League) was led by Eric Hitlebeitel '76, Tom Telford '77 and shortstop Craig Shumock '78. GA won the 1976 title behind the strong pitching performance of Hitlebeitel. He threw a complete game seven inning shutout performance, which included allowing only two hits and he had seven strikeouts to defeat Malvern 4-0. Coach Lampe said, after its team stole seven bases in route to the title, "anytime we've won big this year, we have been able to run."
MVP's from the 1980's
In the 1980's, GA displayed some quality baseball players, including Richard Howden '80, Jim Turner '83, Joe Petko '86 and David Ciambella '87. However, the feature player from the 1980's was clearly Mark Steffens '88. In fact, Mark Steffens is considered one of the best baseball players in the history of Germantown Academy. He was named team MVP for three consecutive years, First Team All Inter-Academic League for four consecutive seasons and Inter-Academic Player of the Year in 1987 and 1988. He was named to the First All-City Team in 1987 and 1988 and was named Philadelphia Daily News City Player of the Year in 1988. Mark Steffens was a three-time participant in the Carpenter Cup All-Star Classic. The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Mark Steffens and he played in the organization for three and a half years.
The year after Mark Steffens graduated, shortstop Jon Cross '89 hit over .400 and he earned the Robin Roberts Award Team MVP. Jon Cross was a First Team All Inter-Academic League selection and played in the Carpenter Cup All-Star Classic.
Of historic note, James Connor 1760 was named Head Baseball Coach in 1986. He stepped down from his coaching duties prior to the 1990 season because he was named Head of School, a position that he has held for well over 15 years.
Champions from the 1990's
The 1990 and 1991 Inter-Academic League Championship teams were led by dominating pitching from the righty-lefty combination of Mark Nori ’92 and Mike Sharkey ’92. Other stars from the 1990 Championship team were James Washington ’90 and Michael Gerber ’90. The following also played on both the 1990 and 1991 Championship teams: Michael "Pup" Turner ’91, Andy Kriebel ’91, Thomas Hendrie ’91, Brian Clemson ’91 and Roy DeCaro ‘92. Also, Rick Welsh ‘94 was a member of the 1991 Championship team. The Head Coach of both teams was Ross Grieve '77.
In 1994, Rick Welsh '94 was named the Philadelphia Daily News Player to the Year. The shortstop was drafted in the Eighth Round by the Baltimore Orioles of the Major League Baseball Draft. He earned a scholarship to Villanova University and finished as the Wildcats' second All-Time career homerun hitter.
The Championship team from 1996 was known as the best fundamental defensive team in the area. The killer B’s, namely Joe Bruderek ’96, Bud Brennan ’96, Brian DiCurcio ’97 and Brian Burke ’98, provided the strong defensive infield support. Bruderek, Burke and Jay Jordan ’97 were stellar on the mound, while pitching to catcher Pat Wade '97. Bruderek was named League MVP and was named Philadelphia Daily News City Pitcher of the Year. Further, Tim Kepner ’96 and Jake Williams ’96 were also key participants for the 1996 Championship team. The team was coached by Calvin Jones, Jon Cross '89 and Billy Sewell.
Laying the Groundwork for a Nationally Ranked Program in 2002
The 2002 team restored the GA winning tradition. In the quarter-finals of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools State Tournament, GA defeated the number one seeded team behind the efforts of Matt Bruderek '04 and Pete Vernon '04, who combined to pitch a no-hitter. The team received a lot of newspaper coverage, especially due to the efforts of center fielder/pitcher Sean Grieve '04, who finished the year in top five in the area in hits and runs scored. Grieve also led the area in stolen bases and, as a pitcher, he was in the top five in the area in strikeouts and in earned run average. The Times Herald named Craig Conlin the 2002 Baseball Coach of the Year. He was assisted by Jon Cross '89 and Toby Fisher, who later moved on to coach at Temple University and LaSalle University.
Youth wins 2003 Inter-Academic League title
The 2003 season brought home to GA its 32nd Inter-Academic League Baseball Championship. The title also played a large part in GA clinching the Heyward Cup, which is awarded to the most successful Inter-Academic League athletic program during the school year. The team had only two seniors, namely Ivan Alber '03 and Jeff Delong '03 and featured a pitching rotation of four junior pitchers, Matt Bruderek '04, Sean Grieve '04, Joe Matteo '04 and Pete Vernon '04. These four future Division I college pitchers, under the direction of Germantown Academy's pitching coach Tyler Green, a former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, made up the “best pitching staff around,” according to the Times Herald. The impressive performances by this pitching staff included back-to-back no-hitters early in the season. Late in the season, the staff recorded a shutout to clinch a share of the Inter-Academic League title and then recorded another shutout to claim the Inter-Academic League title outright. The Patriots finished the season with a record of 25-6 overall and 9-1 in the Inter-Academic League. GA was ranked fourth in Southeastern Pennsylvania by the Philadelphia Inquirer and GA was ranked first by the Montgomery County Record/Intelligencer.
From the 2003 team, seven players, namely Bruderek, Grieve, Matteo, Vernon, Alex Kaplan '04, Matt Brown '05 and Danny Overcash '05 earned First or Second team All-Inter-Ac League honors and each of them starred at the Carpenter Cup All-Star Classic at Veterans Stadium. The team also relied heavily on starters such as Kevin Gordon '04, First Team All-League in 2002 and Tyler Stampone '05, Honorable Mention All-League in 2003.
Sean Grieve was voted the 2003 Inter-Academic League MVP. He also was named First Team Philadelphia Inquirer, First Team Philadelphia Daily News All-City, First Team Times Herald, First Team Montgomery County Record/Intelligencer. Matt Bruderek was also selected First Team Philadelphia Daily News All-City and First Team Times Herald. Alex Kaplan and Pete Vernon earned Third Team Philadelphia Daily News All-City. Pete Vernon also earned First Team Montgomery County Record/Intelligencer and Joe Matteo made First Team Times Herald.
For the second consecutive year, the Times Herald named Craig Conlin the Baseball Coach of the Year, as he was assisted by Tyler Green, Jon Cross '89 and Chalie McGeehan, during the 2003 Championship season.
Back-to-Back League Titles and National Rankings Earned in 2004
Germantown Academy had its greatest baseball season unquestionably in 2004. The Patriots completed the season with a record of 32-2 and a perfect 10-0 record in the Inter-Academic League. Their League accomplishments helped the GA Athletic Department win the second consecutive Heyward Cup, given to the top Athletic Department in the League.
GA clinched the Inter-Ac League title against Malvern Prep in a game that was tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, Malvern intentionally walked Sean Grieve '04 to load the bases because Grieve was already was 2-for-2 with two doubles and two walks on the day. Up to bat came another future Division I player in Kevin Gordon '04. Gordon sent a 1-2 fast ball, from Malvern's Division-I signee ace, deep into the left-centerfield gap to plate three runs. The lead was enough for Grieve to remain undefeated on the year, as he picked up the complete game win with a three hitter and seven strikeouts.
The very next day, GA traveled to Penn Charter on a mission to earn the league title outright for the second straight year. Matt Bruderek '04 took the hill for his last league start in his stellar four year GA career. Having not lost a game all season, Bruderek had his best outing, with a three hit shutout, to give GA the 14-0 win at Penn Charter.
On the last day of the season, GA faced Perkiomen School, which had on its roster several players boarding from Puerto Rico, in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools State Championship. GA jumped out to a 7-0 lead by the second inning, which was more than enough for GA's starting pitcher Joe Matteo '04. As he was all year, Matteo was spectacular, allowing only two hits, neither of which left the infield. He dominated with four pitches, including an 88 mph fastball which helped him strikeout 13 batters, including 8 of the final 10 batters. Matteo raised his record to a perfect 9-0 on the season and a record of 15-0 over the last two seasons.
The 2004 team, finished the season ranked nationally 6th in the Collegiate Baseball poll, 10th in the USA Today poll and 16th in Baseball America poll. Locally, GA was first in the State, first in the Philadelphia Inquirer Southeastern, PA ranking and first in the Montgomery County Intelligencer rankings. The final win of the season, to capture the Pennsylvania Independent Schools State Championship, completed a 24 game winning streak, during which the Patriots won every game they played in April and May.
Individual honors and team honors poured in for the Patriots at the end of the season. For the first time in history, the Philadelphia Daily News named two players from the same team as the Player of the Year and the Pitcher of the Year. Sean Grieve was named the Philadelphia Daily News Player of the Year. Grieve, a pitcher and centerfielder batted .423 to spark the offense and he had a .594 on-base percentage out of the leadoff spot. He had 11 doubles, 23 steals, 19 RBIs and he scored 42 runs. In addition, he reached base 33 times via walk (20) or hit by pitch (13) and enjoyed 15 multi-hit games. He hit safely in all 10 leagues games, while hitting 16-for-28 (.571). The lefty was also a whiz on the mound. He was 9-0 with a 0.13 ERA, allowing only one earned run in 52 innings and fanning 80. Sean Grieve was also named the Southeastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Player of the Year by the Times Herald, and Player of the Year by the Scholastic Play-by-Play Network. He was voted the 2004 Inter-Ac League Most Valuable Player, a honor he also won in 2003.
Joe Matteo was named by the Philadelphia Daily News the Pitcher of the Year. He was also named First Team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania by the Philadelphia Inquirer and First Team All-Area by the Times Herald. Matteo pitched in 11 games and went 9-0 with a save, while posting four complete game shutouts and sharing in two other shutouts. In 60 innings, Matteo allowed 34 hits and 12 walks while striking out 97. Matteo struck out 19 batters in a game against Roman Catholic. Matteo's ERA was 0.70.
Also, the Philadelphia Daily News named Danny Overcash (3B) and Matt Bruderek (RHP) Second Team All-City, named Andrew Hanson (SS), Matt Brown (RF) and Pete Vernon (LHP) Third Team All-City and Alex Kaplan (C) Honorable Mention All-City. Tyler Stampone (2B) received All-League Honorable Mention.
Additional players on the 2004 Championship team included Phil Azarik '05, John Barr '07, Zach Berman '04, Mark Brown '06, Jason Davila '06, Erich Enns '06, Brett Greenberg '04, Tommy Matteo '05, Avi Meyers '04 and Mark Shimrock '05.
The Philadelphia Daily News stated that the 2004 Patriots were "one of the strongest teams in City history." This statement was evident in that eight GA players and the entire GA coaching staff, made up of Craig Conlin, Jon Cross '89, Tyler Green, Chalie McGeehan and Todd Kochersperger, were selected to participate in the prestigious Carpenter Cup All Star Classic.
The Philadelphia Inquirer named the Patriots the 2004 Team of the Year, as did the Scholastic Play-by-Play Network. The Philadelphia Inquirer headlines read "Intimidating Patriots put up some unforgettable numbers." In addition to the pitching stats of Grieve and Matteo, the Philadelphia Inquirer identified the amazing accomplishments of Matt Bruderek (7-0, 1.49 ERA, 37.6 innings, 37 strikeouts and 1 save) and Pete Vernon (4-1, 0.17 ERA, 40.3 innings, 43 strikeouts and 3 saves). The Patriots dominated throughout the season by outscoring its foes by a whopping score of 276-50. The GA pitching staff had 16 shutouts total on the season. The Philadelphia Inquirer article stated "the pitching staff was arguably the best this area has ever seen."
Class of 2005 Sets Win Record
No class has ever won has many games in three years as the 2005 class. Matt Brown, Andrew Hanson, Danny Overcash, Mark Shimrock and Tyler Stampone combined for a record of 79-17 over their last three seasons. They won two Inter-Academic League championships and appeared twice in the finals of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools State Championship, winning once. Combined, over their last three years, the class of 2005 earned a total of 10 all-league selections and 9 appearances in the Carpenter Cup. Their work ethic and leadership has left an everlasting stamp on the program. All five went on to play college baseball.
Third Championship in Four Seasons Obtained in 2006
In 2006, the Patriots again won the Inter-Academic League Championship (21-10 and 7-3 League). The season had many highlights, which included Jason Davila '06 earning a 6-2 win against the number one in the city. League play started off with one of the most memorable innings in GA history at Chestnut Hill Academy. In the bottom of the 7th inning, with two outs, Nick Stampone '07 walked and John Barr '07 singled. Next, freshman Tommy Coyle '09 drove a ball that found the gap down the leftfield line that scored Stampone. Erich Enns '06 then singled up the middle to drive home the winning run. Ian Hoff '07 closed the door in the bottom of the seventh inning to earn a complete game win on the mound, by a score of 4-3.
Later in the season, John Barr shutout Penn Charter by a score of 3-0. Sean Coyle '10, an eighth grader, had a double in the third inning off of PC's ace lefty and scored the winning run due to a sacrifice fly from Barr.
The big win of the season came at Malvern Prep with title hopes on the line, as GA needed a win to keep alive its chances to earn its share of the title with Malvern. In the second inning, Mark Brown '06 doubled and scored on an RBI by Joe Conaway '08. Later, an RBI by eighth grader Sean Coyle '10 scored Hoff. After a double and a throwing error, Barr came around to score. In the 4th inning, centerfielder, John Barr made what was later known as "the catch." His twisting, turning catch on a sprint ended with a crash into the wall that was eerily comparable to Aaron Rowand's spectacular meeting with the wall against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park in 2006. Barr's catch saved the game for GA and made a winner out of Ian Hoff.
GA clinched the Inter-Academic League title with a convincing 9-1 win over Chestnut Hill Academy, behind a stellar performance on the mound from John Barr. After the game, John Barr was named Inter-Academic League MVP.
John Barr, Tommy Coyle and Erich Enns each earned First Team All Inter-Academic League. Mark Brown, Jason Davila and Ian Hoff earned Second Team All Inter-Academic League and Sean Coyle made All-League Honorable Mention. The team also received key performances by Peter Rosa, Colin Kish, Nate Mattern, Billy Vernon, and Joe Zubkoff.
Inter-Academic League Baseball and College Potential
The 2006 season was the fourth straight year that GA won more than 20 games and GA completed a run of three league championships in four years.
The GA Baseball program is committed to assisting each player achieve their college academic and athletic goals. Over the years, GA has produced a number of players who have signed to play baseball on the collegiate level. The 2004 season included a record number six GA seniors who committed to play Division I baseball. A sample list of colleges that have included Germantown Academy baseball alumni is as follows:
Amherst, Army, Bucknell (2), Catholic U., Dartmouth, Delaware (3), Eckerd (Fla.), Fairfield, Franklin & Marshall (2), Georgetown (2), Gettysburg (2), Gulf Coast College (Fla.), Harvard, Holy Cross (2), Jacksonville (2), Johns Hopkins, Lafayette, Lehigh (5), Middlebury (2), Moravian, Mt. St. Mary's, Pensacola (Fla.), University of Pennsylvania (3), Philadelphia U. (2), Rhode Island, Rollins College (Fla.) (3), South Alabama, South Carolina (2), South Florida, St. Joseph's University, U. of Sciences, Ursinus, Virginia (2), Villanova, Washington & Lee (2) and William & Mary (2).
The baseball competition Germantown Academy faces can be measured, in part, by the following list of colleges that the other Inter-Academic League players have recently committed to attend:
Alabama, Amherst, Arizona State, Boston College, Brown, Bucknell, Cincinnati, Clemson, Columbia, Davidson, Delaware, Dickinson, Drexel, Duke, Elon, Fairfield, Florida, Franklin & Marshall, Georgetown, George Washington, Harvard, Hofstra, Lafayette, Lehigh, LaSalle, Johns Hopkins, Maryland, Marist, Miami (Fla.), Miami (O.), Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, University of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond, Rhode Island, Rider, Rollins College (Fla.), St. Joseph's, St. John's, Stanford, Stetson, Temple, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Virginia, Wake Forest, West Virginia, William & Mary and Yale.
Inter-Academic League and Professional Potential
Germantown Academy’s baseball field and other fields in Inter-Academic League have been frequently visited by Major League Baseball scouts in anticipation of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Several Germantown Academy players have played for or have been offered contracts by Major League Baseball organizations, such as the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies. Ken Twiford '58, Robert Murray '59, David Lawson '70, Tim Lewis ’73, Mark Steffens ’88 and Rick Welsh '94 are GA players who have been drafted by Major League Baseball.
The Inter-Academic League has produced five players who have been selected in the First Round in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft and several players have been drafted in later rounds in the Draft. Players from other Inter-Academic League schools have represented Major League Baseball organizations, such as the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, California Angels, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres.
Future GA Players
The Baseball Program prides itself on its commitment to the ideals GA's Athletic Statement of Purpose and Practice, which includes the development and attraction of the most talented student-athletes in the region. Many will have attended the GA Summer Baseball Camp, played for the GA Middle School program or played in the GA Future Stars Game, now known as the GA Philadelphia Invitational Tournament prior to enrolling in the Upper School. GA remains committed to developing fine baseball players and young men of strong character with high standards for effort, behavior and academic achievement. The GA Baseball program is proud of its history of success and the program intends to continue to strive for excellence.