Strath Haven’s Gaieski advances to Central semis

Clay Gaieski is going to the Central League boys tennis semifinals, but he had to work overtime to get there.

The Strath Haven junior outlasted Upper Darby’s Brandon Caban, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, in the quarterfinals of the Central League singles tournament Friday at the Healthplex to book a spot in Saturday’s semis.

Gaieski will take on top seed Matt Chen of Lower Merion, who coasted past Conestoga’s Cahlin Pragada in straight sets in the quarters. Chen is joined by Matt Robinson, who hasn’t yet lost a game — thanks to a bye, an injury walkover and a 6-0, 6-0 triumph over Ahmed Aboseada of Conestoga.

Robinson will meet Max Safanov of Radnor. Safanov took down Harriton’s Isaac Goldenberg, 6-4, 6-4, in the quarters.

The match of the day, however, was provided in the first round. Marple Newtown’s Jonathan Noble and Garnet Valley’s Eric Burns split the first two sets, each winning 6-1. Then came the marathon third set, a 14-12 advantage to Noble, who lost to Aboseada in the second round.

Baseball

Adam Robinson singled, doubled, drove in a run and scored once, but Episcopal Academy couldn’t overcome a three-run fourth inning by Springside Chestnut Hill in suffering a 6-4 loss Friday in Inter-Ac League baseball.

Isaiah Payton contributed an RBI double, and Kyle Virbitsky and Cam Van Hoorbeke also drove in runs for EA. Virbitsky worked four solid innings but ended up on the wrong end of the ledger, giving up four runs (three earned). Jack O’Reilly struck out five over three frames, allowing two runs.

Softball

Agnes Irwin brought the bats to Baldwin. Michala Maciolek doubled twice and drove in three runs as the Owls racked up 16 runs in the first two innings en route to a 17-3 Inter-Ac League triumph.

Paige DiLullo and Kathryn Hall drove in three runs apiece. Paige Brala added a pair of RBIs. Lily Zelov and Mary Naylor also added RBI triples for the Owls (4-3 overall, 2-2 league).

Also in the Inter-Ac: PENN CHARTER 15, EPISCOPAL ACADEMY 5 >> Maddie Loughead doubled and tripled, and Ariana Feliziani drove in two runs, but four errors didn’t help the cause for the Churchwomen in the setback.

Belle Volatiles bashed a triple, while Reilly Wright and doubles.

Abbey Quinn drove in five runs with three hits and two doubles for Penn Charter, which posted a nine-spot in the third inning.

Girls Lacrosse

Lila Barker had a hand in over half of Agnes Irwin’s scoring with six goals and two assists as the Owls trounced Baldwin, 15-4, in the Inter-Ac League.

Emily Wills registered a hat trick, and Alex Hark assisted on three goals. Olivia Carey, Maria Pansini, Natalie Pansini and Sydney Wolfington each paired a goal with an assist for Agnes Irwin.

Also in the Inter-Ac: EPISCOPAL ACADEMY 15, PENN CHARTER 4 >> Olivia Dirks and Katie Crager dented the net four times each, and Dirks added an assist as the Churchwomen rolled.

Taylor Lucey paired two goals with two assists, and Olivia Tuma and Olivia Cunningham provided two goals each, while Izzy Rohr dominated the center of the park with eight draw controls and three groundballs.

In the Central League: RADNOR 15, UPPER DARBY 0 >> Cate Cox led a parade of scoring with two goals and four helpers, and Allison Lanzone augmented her hat trick with an assist as the Raiders coasted.

Cat Belveal and Ellie Mueller twice each for the Raiders.

In nonleague action: NOTRE DAME 12, MOUNT DE SALES 8 >> Mackenzie Irvine enjoyed her trip to Maryland, returning with six goals and a nice win for the Irish.

Claire Gola supplied three goals and two assists, and Hannah Gillespie provided a hat trick. Jackie Lanzalotto stood tall in goal by making 10 saves.

Boys Lacrosse

Sandy Warchol clubbed scored

In the tight Inter-Ac, Episcopal Academy eked out another win.

Connor Ringwalt scored twice and Jack Henderson won the day with seven wins in 13 trips to the X as EA pinned a 6-5 defeat on Springside Chestnut Hill.

Charlie Cunniffe paired a goal with an assist, and Dan Baker handed out two helpers for the Churchmen (6-2, 3-1), who head into next week’s showdown with Malvern Prep tied atop the crowded league standings.