Huntingdon Valley Wins and Ties In Doubleheader With Warminster

Huntingdon Valley (HV) won the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday against Warminster (Warm) by the score of 7-5. HV held the lead all game from beginning to end. Warm threatened in the home 7th to only be shut down by Sean Weiss. Weiss inherited a bases loaded no out jam and earned his first save of the season.

HV scored 3 runs in the top of the first inning lead by a 2 run single by Brian Buckley (2-4, 2 Rbi's). HV scored a single run in the 4th and had its biggest inning of the game in the top of the 5th inning. In the 5th Matt Lawlor, Peter Ebert and team Captain Rafael Fernandez each had an Rbi single.

HV received a strong pitching performance from starter Mark Rushton who went the first 4 innings and only allowing 2 earned runs. HV turned the ball over to Ross Goodman who pitched 2 innings before getting in the 7th inning jam that Weiss got out of

"Its great to know that you have such good pitching. All the arms today got the job done. Mark is getting stronger every game and it is a super plus to have Ross "The Boss" back after his long College school year and trip to Israel. He always is around the plate and really just throws strikes. Sean is a pitcher that is hard not to love. Keeps the ball down and hits spots" Coach Evan Horn said, "Whoever I call on wants to do the job for the team. These kids are a pleasure to be around. The sky is the limit and us coaches will continue to push them"

In the 2nd game HV and Warm played to a 2-2 tie. HV received a complete game from Weiss and got 2 Rbi singles off the bat of Callan Palmer. The game was called due to darkness after the 5th inning. Leading the offensive was Fernandez and Palmer who both had 2 hits each.

"Raf is the spark plug for this team" Coach Horn said, "He was named team captain between games and was very surprised by the honor. To us coaches it was an easy choice. Raf plays with pure heart and never doesn't give everything he has. I look forward to him leading the team for the next 2 seasons"

HV is on the road tomorrow against Fort Washington 6:00 start

Game Stats - 6/2/13 Huntingdon Valley at Warminster

Box Score

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HUNTINGDON VALLEY (7) AT WARMINSTER (5)

HUNTINGDON VAL   AB  R  H BI  WARMINSTER           AB  R  H BI
Callan Palmer     3  1  1  0  Brett Kozlowski       3  3  1  0  
Lewis Palmer      4  0  1  0  Nick Ellis            3  1  2  0  
Matt Meyers       4  1  1  0  Kevin Devine          3  0  2  1  
Ryan Killion      3  2  1  1  Dan Ashdale           4  0  2  3  
Jordan Pocrass    2  2  1  0  James McNally         3  0  2  1  
Brian Buckley     4  0  2  2  Chuck Delagol         3  0  0  0  
Matt Lawlor       3  1  2  1   Sean Hyland          1  0  1  0  
 Nick Cerruti     0  0  0  0  Timothy Brodhag       4  0  0  0  
Peter Ebert       3  0  1  1  Brandon Tocce         1  0  0  0  
 Matt Hyman       1  0  0  0   Liam Browning        2  0  0  0  
Rafael Fernandez  3  0  1  1  Thomas Velten         2  1  0  0  
TOTALS           30  7 11  6  TOTALS               29  5 10  5

HUNTINGDON VALLEY             300 130 0 -- 7  
WARMINSTER                    002 010 2 -- 5  

LOB--HUNTINGDON VALLEY 7, WARMINSTER 8. ERR--Mark Rushton,
Timothy Brodhag. SACF--James McNally. SACB--Kevin Devine.
SB--Jordan Pocrass, Matt Lawlor (2), Brian Buckley, Ryan
Killion (2), Rafael Fernandez, Callan Palmer, James McNally,
Kevin Devine, Brett Kozlowski, Dan Ashdale.

 HUNTINGDON VALLEY           IP    H    R   ER   BB   SO   HR
Mark Rushton (W)           4.00    7    3    2    1    3    0
Ross Goodman               2.00    1    2    2    2    2    0
Sean Weiss (S)             1.00    2    0    0    0    1    0
 WARMINSTER                 

John Felix (L)             4.67   10    7    5    3    2    0
Thomas Velten              2.33    1    0    0    2    1    0

BALK--John Felix. SO--Lewis Palmer, Peter Ebert, Callan
Palmer, Timothy Brodhag, Chuck Delagol (3), Liam Browning,
Brandon Tocce. BB--Nick Cerruti, Jordan Pocrass (2), Ryan
Killion, Callan Palmer, Thomas Velten, Brett Kozlowski, Nick
Ellis.

Game Stats - 6/2/13 Huntingdon Valley at Warminster 

Box Score

HUNTINGDON VALLEY (2) AT WARMINSTER (2)

HUNTINGDON VAL    AB  R  H BI  WARMINSTER           AB  R  H BI
Rafael Fernandez  3  2  2  0  Brett Kozlowski       3  0  1  0  
Callan Palmer     3  0  2  2  Nick Ellis            3  0  0  0  
Ryan Killion      3  0  0  0  Kevin Devine          3  0  0  0  
Jordan Pocrass    2  0  1  0  Dan Ashdale           3  0  0  0  
Brian Buckley     2  0  0  0  James McNally         1  0  1  0  
Paul Buckley      1  0  1  0  Dan Hinks             3  0  0  0  
Jack Titus        2  0  0  0  Timothy Brodhag       1  1  0  0  
Matt Hyman        2  0  0  0  Brandon Tocce         1  0  1  0  
Nick Cerruti      2  0  0  0  John Felix            2  0  1  2  
                              *Chuck Delagol        0  1  0  0  
TOTALS           20  2  6  2  TOTALS               20  2  4  2

HUNTINGDON VALLEY             001 010 -- 2  
WARMINSTER                    000 20x -- 2  

LOB--HUNTINGDON VALLEY 6, WARMINSTER 7. ERR--Rafael
Fernandez. 2B--Jordan Pocrass, Rafael Fernandez. SACB--Paul
Buckley. SB--Paul Buckley, Jack Titus, Rafael Fernandez,
Callan Palmer, Brett Kozlowski.

 HUNTINGDON VALLEY           IP    H    R   ER   BB   SO   HR
Sean Weiss                 5.00    4    2    2    4    2    0
 WARMINSTER                 
Kevin Devine               5.00    6    2    2    2    6    0

BALK--Kevin Devine. SO--Ryan Killion (3), Rafael Fernandez,
Matt Hyman (2), Dan Hinks, Dan Ashdale. BB--Jordan Pocrass,
Brian Buckley, James McNally (2), Timothy Brodhag, Brandon
Tocce.

Meyers 3-Run Walkoff Homerun Helps Huntingdon Valley Beat The Morelanders 4-3

Meyers 3-Run Walkoff Homerun Helps Huntingdon Valley Beat The Morelanders 4-3

Huntingdon Valley (HV) raised its record to 2-0 as Slugger Matt Meyers hit a 3 run walk-off home run with 2 outs in the home 7th inning tonight against the leagues top team The Morelanders (More) 4-3. Meyers home run came as no surprise as the same thing happened last season against the same team.

"Matt did it again tonight" a very happy Head Coach Evan Horn said "Matt did it last season almost in the same part of the game" (Meyers hit a 2 run home run last season in the top of the 8th inning with 2 outs to push HV to the victory) "I was thinking that he was up 5th in the inning and maybe he will get a chance to do it again. After 2 outs and nobody on base it didn't look good but my Palmer boys got on base and then the first pitch to Matty and after the swing I said Holy Pickle Juice that ball is gone and then the party started"

HV and More went back and forth and entire game with More taking the lead 3-1 with a 2 run 6th inning off pitcher Paul Buckley. Buckley was lifted in favor of Lower Moreland Junior Nick Cerruti who came in and stop the bleeding

"Buck (Buckley) didn't have his "A" game today and like I said after the game I was very impressed with how he still gave everything he could and kept us in the game. Buck being a senior on the team showed what it takes and I just love that kid" Horn continued "Its funny how it turns out but Cerruti gets the win and all the glory but Buck was the reason we where able to get the W. Cerruti is growing, in baseball terms, every game and he will be a horse for this team over the next 3 seasons.
Coach Horn was also very quick to point out that beating More is a very hard thing to do
"They (More) are the top dog this season. They have tons of pitching tons of hitting and a great coach in Ken (Irwin). I am very honored to beat them this time and am very sure that they will remember this game and come out next game with an edge. We have to keep the pressure on them and try and get that last at bat within striking distance"

HV received a great all around game from Rafael Fernandez, 2 hits from Brian Buckley and an RBI Single from Jordan Pocrass

"We are young this season and have a ton of kids that are happy to contribute and do whatever it takes to win. This group is growing on our Coaching staff quick but I guess winning the first 2 games of the season that will happen" Horn said

HV is at Warminster this Sunday at 3:00 for a Doubleheader

Game Stats - 5/30/13 Morelanders at Huntingdon Valley

Box Score

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MORELANDERS (3) AT HUNTINGDON VALLEY (4)

MORELANDERS      AB  R  H BI HUNTINGDON VALLEY    AB  R  H BI
Matthew Kohn      3  0  0  1 Callan Palmer         4  1  1  0  
Charles Hooker    2  0  1  0 Lewis Palmer          3  1  0  0  
 Edward Decker    1  0  0  0 Matt Meyers           3  1  1  3  
Patrick Driscoll  2  0  1  0  Matt Lawlor          1  0  1  0  
 Jason White      0  0  0  0 Ryan Killion          2  1  0  0  
Colton Hooker     4  0  1  1 Jordan Pocrass        3  0  1  1  
Michael Cavanaugh 2  0  0  0 Brian Buckley         3  0  2  0  
Kyle Irwin        3  1  2  0 Paul Buckley          2  0  0  0  
Thomas Robinson   3  1  1  1  Nick Cerruti         1  0  0  0  
Daniel Murt       3  0  1  0 Jack Titus            2  0  1  0  
Nicholas Parker   3  1  1  0  Peter Ebert          1  0  0  0  
                             Rafael Fernandez      2  0  1  0  
TOTALS            26  3  8  3TOTALS               27  4  8  4

MORELANDERS                   000 012 0 -- 3  
HUNTINGDON VALLEY             000 100 3 -- 4  

LOB--MORELANDERS 8, HUNTINGDON VALLEY 6. ERR--Kyle Irwin,
Matt Hyman. 2B--Charles Hooker, Kyle Irwin, Patrick
Driscoll, Rafael Fernandez. HR--Matt Meyers. HBP--Matthew
Kohn, Michael Cavanaugh. SACB--Edward Decker, Rafael
Fernandez. SB--Kyle Irwin, Nicholas Parker, Brian Buckley,
Ryan Killion.

 MORELANDERS                  IP    H    R   ER   BB   SO   HR
Micael Janas (L)            6.67    8    4    4    2    9    1
 HUNTINGDON VALLEY          
Paul Buckley                5.33    7    3    3    3    2    0
Nick Cerruti (W)            1.67    1    0    0    0    1    0

PB--Jack Titus. WP--Micael Janas, Paul Buckley. SO--Daniel
Murt, Colton Hooker, Patrick Driscoll, Matt Meyers, Lewis
Palmer (2), Jordan Pocrass, Paul Buckley, Peter Ebert, Jack
Titus, Ryan Killion (2). BB--Patrick Driscoll (2), Michael
Cavanaugh, Lewis Palmer, Ryan Killion

Pocrass And Weiss Lead Huntingdon Valley American Legion To Opening Game Victory Over Fort Washington 9-3

Huntingdon Valley (HV) opened its season with a come from behind victory over the four time defending champions Fort Washington Generals (FW) 9-3. HV used a 3-run home run by Jordan Pocrass and suburb relief pitching by 1st year player Sean Weiss to cruise to the victory

"We came out today and didn't play scared" Head Coach Evan Horn said, "They (FW) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and we didn't let it affect us. We came right back with a 3 spot when J-Poc (Pocrass) hit a homer"

Coach Horn was quick to point out the great relief job Sean Weiss did as he cruised through 4 innings while only allowing one base runner.

 "He did a great job today he really did. He doesn't over power you but he does really keep the ball low and hits spots" Horn, who also seconds as a Varsity Assistant coach for William Tennent High School, continued "I really didn't know what to expect but I was very pleased"

 After HV took the 3-2 heading into the second inning they didn't really put the game out of reach until the home 4th when they plated 3 runs. Peter Ebert started the inning with a gapping triple and scored on a single by Callan Palmer. Callan Palmer was then knocked in by his twin brother Lewis Palmer's single. The scoring ended when Jack Titus was hit by a pitch to score Lewis Palmer which put the score at 7-3. HV scored 2 more runs in the home 6th when Matt Meyers tripled in Lewis Palmer and Pocrass hit a long sacrifice fly to plate Meyers.

 "We made the most of our hits today and seemed to get the big hit when needed" Horn said "Its great to get production out of the new players on the team this season such as Peter (Ebert), Nick Cerruti and Sean (Weiss). Every year you have a turnover of players and every year you don't know what to expect but one thing I can say is that no matter who is new they will quickly learn that this coaching staff will believe in them"

 HV has a big week coming up with a home game against The Morelanders on Thursday followed by a road game Saturday at Southampton and a doubleheader on Sunday against Warminster.

FORT WASHINGTON (3) AT HUNTINGDON VALLEY (9)

FORT WASHINGTON  AB  R  H BI  HUNTINGDON VALLEY    AB  R  H BI
John Lee          2  1  2  1  Callan Palmer         4  2  2  1  
Bryn D'Andrea     4  0  1  0  Lewis Palmer          3  3  1  1  
Ryan Coonahan     3  1  1  1  Matt Meyers           4  1  2  1  
Morey Hershgordon 3  0  0  0  Jordan Pocrass        3  1  2  4  
Edward Bacino     3  0  1  0  Jack Titus            2  1  1  1  
Christian Huckfeld3  0  2  1  Sean Weiss            3  0  0  0  
Zach Walsh        3  0  0  0   Mark Dougherty       1  0  0  0  
Cole Swiger       3  0  0  0  Matt Lawlor           3  0  0  0  
James Weiss       0  1  0  0  Peter Ebert           3  1  2  0  
 Luke Pollock     1  0  0  0  Nick Cerruti          1  0  0  0  
                               Lance Goodnan        1  0  0  0  
TOTALS           25  3  7  3  TOTALS               28  9 10  8

FORT WASHINGTON               200 100 0 -- 3  
HUNTINGDON VALLEY             301 302 x -- 9  

LOB--FORT WASHINGTON 8, HUNTINGDON VALLEY 6. 2B--John Lee,
Jack Titus, Callan Palmer. 3B--Matt Meyers, Peter Ebert.
HR--Jordan Pocrass. HBP--John Lee (2), Morey Hershgordon,
Jack Titus. SACF--Jordan Pocrass. SB--James Weiss (2), John
Lee, Lewis Palmer, Peter Ebert (2), Jack Titus, Callan
Palmer (2).

 FORT WASHINGTON            IP    H    R   ER   BB   SO   HR
Zach Walsh (L)             5.00    9    7    7    3    6    1
Aaron Caplan               1.00    1    2    1    0    1    0
 HUNTINGDON VALLEY          
Mark Rushton               3.00    7    3    3    3    1    0
Sean Weiss (W)             4.00    0    0    0    1    4    0

PB--Morey Hershgordon. WP--Mark Rushton. SO--Cole Swiger,
Ryan Coonahan, Christian Huckfeldt, Luke Pollock, Edward
Bacino, Matt Meyers, Mark Dougherty, Peter Ebert, Sean
Weiss, Matt Lawlor, Callan Palmer (2). BB--James Weiss (2),
Ryan Coonahan, Edward Bacino, Nick Cerruti, Lewis Palmer,
Jack Titus

2013 Huntingdon Valley Preview

Huntingdon Valley Senior American Legion Baseball Tries To Bulid On A Succesful Last Season

Huntingdon Valley (HV) looks to build on a very successful 2012 season which made the playoffs for the first time in over 19 years. After losing in the 3rd round of the double elimination tournament, HV has high hopes again this season.

"Last season showed that with a team that is willing to learn and follow a game plan anything is possible" Head Coach Evan Horn said, "Last season was very
special to us but this season is a new one and with the group of kids I have I feel that this season will be just like last season but hopefully with a much better ending"

The coaching staff is 3rd year Head Coach Evan Horn (also coaches at William Tennent high School). The assistant coaches are 3rd year Coach Mike Landes (also coaches at Lower Moreland High School) and 1st year Coach Jan Margolis

"I love coaching with Mike he keeps me and the kids on our toes and at the same time makes this experience very fun. We have coached together at all levels
and I just love him around. Jan is a first year Coach with us. Jan has had success at the lower level and when he asked if I needed his help I couldn't pass it up"

Back from a 17-5 team are All-League players Matt Meyers, Paul Buckley, Rafael Fernandez, Ross Goodman, Matt Lawlor, Callan Palmer and Lewis Palmer also back are Matt Hyman, Jordan Pocrss and Jack Titus

"We do have a ton of All-League players back but the addition of Ryan Killion, Brian Buckley, Mark Rushton and full seasons from Jordan Pocrass and Jack Titus I really feel that we are as good if not better then last season" Horn continued, "Pitching will be the key as always and we go 8 pitchers deep. That goes with the fact that we have lost our ace pitcher for the season (Matt) Lawlor (arm surgery). We are starting the season with a really good starting rotation and feel very confident that we will be successful"

HV will have new comers Brain Buckley, Ryan Killion, Mark Rushton, Nick Cerruti, Mark Dougherty, Peter Ebert, Lance Goodman and Sean Weiss.

"The new kids coming in have a lot to live up to" Horn continued "I believe that the addition of Ryan (Killion) teams wont be able to pitch around Matty (Meyers). Them two together should really do some damage.

HV will play a total of 21 League games and up to 9 Non-League games for a total of 30 games over a 6 week period of time. HV starts it season with a non-league game Tuesday against power house Bristol and its first league game will be this Thursday against Southampton at home.

2013 Roster
#25 Buckley, Brian
#20 Buckley, Paul
#11 Cerruti, Nicholas
#35 Dougherty, Mark
#9 Ebert, Peter
#1 Fernandez, Rafael #41 Goodman, Lance #32 Goodman, Ross
#13 Hyman, Matt
#21 Killion, Ryan
#16 Lawlor, Matthew #37 Meyers, Matthew #2 Palmer, Callen
#4 Palmer, Lewis
#22 Pocrass, Jordan
#17 Rushton, Mark
#15 Titus, John
#24 Weiss, Sean

2013 Schedule
Tuesday May 21 Away vs Bristol 6:00
Wednesday May 22 Away vs Warminster 6:00
Thursday May 23 HOME vs Southampton 6:00
Sunday May 26 HOME vs Fort Washington 4:00
Thursday May 30 HOME vs Morelanders 6:00
Sunday June 2 Away vs Warminster (DH)
Tuesday June 4 HOME vs Horsham 6:00
Thursday June 6 HOME vs Fort Washington 6:00
Saturday June 8 Away vs Yardley-Morrisville 4:00
Sunday June 9 Away vs Southampton (DH)
Tuesday June 11 HOME vs Warminster 6:00
Wednesday June 12 HOME vs Cedarbrook 6:00
Sunday June 16 HOME vs Roslyn (DH)
Tuesday June 18 Away vs Morelanders 6:00
Thursday June 20 Away vs Cedarbrook 6:00
Sunday June 23 Away vs Roslyn 5:00
Tuesday June 25 Away vs Fort Washington 6:00
Friday June 28 Away vs Morelanders 6:00
Sunday June 30 Away vs Horsham (DH)
Tuesday July 2 Away vs Cedarbrook 6:00

2013 American Leagion Schedule

Thursday May 23 HOME vs Southampton 6:00

Sunday May 26 HOME vs Fort Washington 4:00
Thursday May 30 HOME vs Morelanders 6:00
Sunday June 2 Away vs Warminster (DH)
Tuesday June 4 HOME vs Horsham 6:00
Thursday June 6 HOME vs Fort Washington 6:00
Saturday June 8 Away vs Yardley-Morrisville 4:00
Sunday June 9 Away vs Southampton (DH)
Tuesday June 11 HOME vs Warminster 6:00
Wednesday June 12 HOME vs Cedarbrook 6:00
Sunday June 16 HOME vs Roslyn (DH)
Tuesday June 18 Away vs Morelanders 6:00
Thursday June 20 Away vs Cedarbrook 6:00
Sunday June 23 Away vs Roslyn 5:00
Tuesday June 25 Away vs Fort Washington 6:00
Friday June 28 Away vs Morelanders 6:00
Sunday June 30 Away vs Horsham (DH)
Tuesday July 2 Away vs Cedarbrook 6:00

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL: Huntingdon Valley's Yannessa named Lower Montco MVP

Huntingdon Valley’s season ended in disappointment, a 9-5 home loss to Roslyn in the Lower Montco American Legion semifinal round. But along the way, during and even after the 24-game season, Valley had plenty of which to be proud.

Valley finished with an overall record of 16-7-1, easily good for its best record in team history. It also came within one win of having the opportunity to challenge Fort Washington for the league title on the final day of the season. And Valley, coached by Evan Horn, did all of this after losing a few of its key players from the past two seasons.

A lot of that success was made possible by Jake Yannessa, Valley’s starting shortstop, who was responsible for the final piece of good news that Valley would receive this weekend.

Last week, Yannessa, who is also a pitcher, earned the Lower Montco American Legion league MVP Award.

In his first and only year in the league, Yannessa, a Springfield High School product, led Valley to its first postseason appearance in 10 years.

He finished with an incredible batting average of .422 to go along with 29 hits, 27 runs, 20 walks and 17 stolen bases, while being named as a Second Team All-League shortstop. On the mound, he compiled a 4-1 record with a 1.69 ERA and 42 strikeouts, while earning First Team All-League pitching honors.

His season, which almost didn’t even happen, was remarkable to say the least.

“He called me and asked if I had an opening on my team,” Horn said. “He came out, made the team and was our best player. I knew he was the best player in the league before he started and we just had to see what we could get out of him. He came in with what I was told was a bunch of ‘baggage’ and I saw nothing of what was told to me about him.”

Yannessa was passed up by Fort Washington and was unable to play for Cedarbrook and Roslyn due to their rosters already being full. He had played non-legion ball, AAU ball and had previously played at Springfield two seasons earlier, when he was also selected to the Carpenter Cup team, but was left without a team until Horn gave him the chance.

“I didn’t expect to even be playing on a team this year to be honest,” Yannessa said. “Lou Lombardo (general manager) was good enough to sign me over to Valley and I ended up with a great group of guys. I wouldn’t say I expected any of this, but I was and am happy about all of it for sure.”

Yannessa was ruled ineligible to play in his senior year at Springfield, as he attended Chestnut Hill Academy for one year and lost his athletic eligibility following his junior year of high school.

And after having trouble finding a new home for himself on the diamond, Horn pointed out that he couldn’t have asked for anymore from the 19-year-old ballplayer.

“Jake always gives 100 percent,” Horn said. “He doesn’t take a pitch off. I compare him to a Pete Rose, ‘Charlie Hustle’ type of player. I was blessed to have him on my team for one year and I was not surprised by his numbers. His leadership was there on the field and I didn’t see a better player in the league than him. We had a very deep pitching staff and team, but he was a huge reason for our success.”

Yannessa played in every single inning of every game this past year for Valley, sans the final three innings of the final regular season game, one which had no significance to the standings or playoff bracket.

“He wants to be the best,” Horn said. “He tries to be the best and he strives to be the best.”

Yannessa has been playing baseball for as long as he can remember. When asked, he spoke of photo albums which contain pictures of him playing baseball with his dad as early as 15 years ago, when he was only four-years-old.

Along with catcher Jake Madnick, first baseman Chris Ruhl, outfielder Matt Meyers and designated hitter Robert Hoffman, Yannessa was one of four First Team All-League players on the Valley roster.

“I was ecstatic and extremely pleased when I found out that I won MVP and when I saw that Jake (Madnick) came in third, too,” Yannessa said. “We had a great showing at Valley this year. I’m happy for the organization and my team. Coach Horn helped me a lot and the success was a big combination between him and everybody. We hit it off from the very start.”

After this summer, Yannessa, who has played for travel teams and in showcases that took place all the way down to Virginia and Georgia, will move on to DeSales University, where he will be brought in to play shortstop for the foreseeable future.

If he can repeat his performance from this summer, there is no reason to believe that Yannessa will see much time on the bench while with his new team.

HV Legion Team Retires Jake Madnick's Number

The resurgence of baseball in Huntingdon Valley has been an exciting time for the community, coaches and players.

This year the American Legion team made the playoffs for the first time in over a decade and had eight players make the All-League team in Lower Montco.

But all of the accolades and team success wouldn’t have been possible without its leader Jake Madnick. The starting catcher helped guide HV to a 15-5-1 regular season and was an instrumental voice on and off the field for his teammates.

Madnick enters his sophomore season at Philly U. in the fall and will no longer be able to play baseball in Huntingdon Valley. Since his voice won’t be heard, coach Evan Horn made sure legacy will live on forever by retiring his number at the recent end-of-the-season team banquet.
It’s the first time a number has been retired by the American Legion team, and now no player will ever wear Madnick’s No. 8 again.

“I was shocked, I was real honored,” Madnick said. “I didn't really know what to say. Words can't describe how happy I am … It was just really a special moment. I had my grandmother, my grandfather, all my family.”

Jake’s on-field play makes him an easy choice for his teammates to look up to him. He plays like every game; every inning like it’s his last, and that kind of attitude is easily noticeable by everyone.

“Behind closed doors he was the best player I’ve ever played with and I played three high school sports for four years”
- teammate Chris Ruhl

“Definitely the best teammate I ever had. When we stepped on the field he was the one telling us we need to stay focus. He was easily the best teammate, best leader I’ve ever played with.”
- teammate Ross Goodman

Horn said it was an easy decision to retire his number. “His leadership, the way he plays the game, the person he is, and the dedication he puts in,” Horn explained. Horn also said he was almost like a secondary coach to him, going over lineups, strategies, game plans etc. before each game.

“The reason I made a difference was because I play with passion and heart – and I credit that all to my dad,” Madnick said. “Growing up my dad used to tell me stories of how he was the captain of the LM football team. I wanted to be like my dad and want to play with all my heart. He always instilled in my brain to play like Pete Rose and give your heart and hustle. I want people to remember that about me.”

Fans will be reminded of Madnick and his Charlie Hustle approach whenever they see his No. 8 hanging at the baseball field at Lower Moreland High School.

“It was a special way to end my career,” Madnick said. “This was kind of my last mark on the town before I left.”