By John Knebels • Posted May 2, 2025

Spring sports seem to end as soon as they begin.

After a seemingly interminable stretch of winter competition that commences in early December and, because of district and state playoffs, conclude in mid-to-late March, spring sports launch in late March.  A little more than a month later – a time that usually includes lousy weather — the final week of the regular season beckons.

In true Philadelphia Catholic League form, very few teams have been mathematically eliminated despite the regular season coming to an end next week.

With two games remaining in baseball, there remains a possibility of a three-way tie for first place since La Salle, Archbishop Wood, and Father Judge could all finish with 9-3 records.

With six teams earning first-round byes and teams seven-through-10 competing in a pre-playoff, drama continues among Archbishop Ryan (6-4), Cardinal O’Hara (6-4), Bonner-Prendergast (6-5), Conwell-Egan (5-5), Neumann-Goretti (5-5), St. Joseph’s Prep (5-5), Archbishop Carroll (4-6), and Devon Prep (3-7).

“We’ve known, despite our less than favorable start, that we have the talent on this team to make noise in the PCL,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach Bobby Muth, whose Hawks have won three of their last four. “Success isn’t always linear, especially with our players having to adjust to a new coaching staff this season. We’re particularly proud of our seniors. Their buy-in and leadership has led to this recent surge and turnaround.”

After a 1-2 start, Archbishop Ryan has won five of their last seven, emulating their 6-2 finish last year that ended in a playoff loss to Neumann-Goretti.

“It feels good,” said Ryan standout senior Dave Perez. “It shows that we’re coming up as a program. Our team is working hard every day. We trust ourselves. We play as hard as we can because we have a chance to win it all.”

Despite earlier heartache after losing four games by one run, Devon Prep can still make the playoffs, but the Tide need victories against Cardinal O’Hara on May 5, and Archbishop Carroll on May 7, to have any shot at redemption.

“That adversity has just brought us all so much closer together,” said Devon Prep coach Mike Palumbo. “Today’s game versus Roman (a 10-0 win on May 1) especially just felt like such a connected unit and a group that believes in themselves and their teammates. And we want to just ride that wave hopefully into the playoffs, and see what happens from there.”

In girls’ softball, although Conwell-Egan (7-0), Cardinal O’Hara (7-1), Archbishop Wood (6-2), Bonner-Prendergast (6-2), and Nazareth Academy (6-2) have all qualified for the playoffs, all of them could still place first or second and, thus, earn a first-round bye.

That leaves Archbishop Carroll (3-4), St. Hubert’s (3-4), and Archbishop Ryan (3-5) in desperate need of at least one more victory to make the playoffs.

“Seven players are graduating this year,” said Ryan senior Izzy Baron. “For a lot of them, this is the last year of their lives ever playing softball. The underclassmen might not understand it, but for the seniors, it’s very important to make the playoffs and keep playing.”

St. Hubert’s faces must-wins against Lansdale Catholic and Archbishop Carroll on May 6 and May 8, respectively.

“We haven’t talked about the playoffs,” said Bambies coach Jazmin Ortiz. “But it’s probably in the back of everyone’s mind. We just have to focus on controlling what we can control.

“Every pitch matters. Whether you’re a pitcher, fielder, batter – no pitches off. The coaches are excited for them to have the opportunity to show their talent and passion for this sport. We think they can beat anyone in the league. Now, it’s about execution.”

In girls’ lacrosse, Archbishop Carroll, Cardinal O’Hara, Archbishop Wood, Lansdale Catholic, and Bonner-Prendergast have clinched five of the six post-season berths. If Nazareth Academy defeats visiting Archbishop Ryan on May 6, that would create a three-way tie among Ryan, Nazareth, and Conwell-Egan, all of whom would finish 3-6, for the final playoff spot. Cue the dreaded tiebreaker scenarios.

Boys’ lacrosse is even murkier. La Salle, St. Joseph’s Prep, Devon Prep, and Father Judge have sealed four of the eight playoff spots. That leaves Cardinal O’Hara, Lansdale Catholic, Archbishop Ryan, Conwell-Egan, and Archbishop Carroll – none of which enjoy a winning record – trying to avoid elimination.

By the end of next week, all questions will be answered. Then, a new season begins.

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Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.