Tradition of excellence

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

It must run in the family bloodline.
Because all of the Etsell men seem to have a natural talent on the baseball diamond.
North Catholic High School alum Jeff Etsell pitched the Falcons to the Catholic League and City championships in 1977. He also achieved one of the highest strikeout tallies during a playoff game that same year, when he fanned 11 batters in seven innings during the Catholic League finals. The lefthanded hurler went on to become a third-round draft pick of the Houston Astros two years later.
Now it looks like his son Derrek may be following in his footsteps.
The 6-foot-5 pitcher and first baseman helped the Falcons finish in second place in the Catholic League Northern Division this season. He was also named second-team All-Catholic in the division.
And he attributes a lot of his success to his father.
"My dad really got me interested in baseball," said Derrek. "He played a lot when he was younger and was a great role model for me. He basically taught me everything I know about baseball."
Continuing the family tradition, Derrek’s little brother Ryan — who was a freshman at North Catholic this year — joined his big brother on the Falcons’ varsity squad. The third baseman slugged nine doubles for the Falcons this season.
"It was amazing to play with my brother this season," said Derrek. "We had a great time together. I practice hard with my dad and brother. It’s a lot of hard work, but we have fun with it. I guess baseball is just in my family."
Derrek and Ryan paired up to be quite the duo on the Falcons’ diamond this season. After achieving a 15-6 record in the regular season, the team defeated Father Judge, 10-9, in the quarterfinals — the first time since 1995 that North Catholic won a baseball playoff game.
However, after a 6-1 loss in the semifinals to current Catholic League champion St. Joseph’s Prep, the Falcons’ season came to a halt.
But Derrek Etsell wasn’t done playing.
Although he no longer was wearing a Falcons jersey, the 17-year-old varsity player represented North Catholic, and the entire Catholic League, during the first round of the 22nd annual Carpenter Cup Classic, held at Meiklejohn Stadium at the University of Pennsylvania on Monday.
"I’m really excited to be out here today," he said. "It felt amazing to represent my team and the league. North Catholic is a great team and I’m proud to be here."
Etsell was chosen to join some of the best athletes in the tri-state area at the annual tournament — an opportunity he described as very unexpected.
"I had no idea I was going to be out here today," he said. "It was a huge surprise to be chosen to play at the Carpenter Cup. It was really exciting."
With its defeat of Olympic-Colonial, 8-5, on Monday, the Catholic League will advance to the quarterfinals, playing Chester County on June 18 at 9:30 a.m.
"We have heard so many good things about the Chester County League," said Catholic League coach John Fleming. "But we’re planning on putting out our best effort and hopefully coming out with another win."
The Catholic League slammed 10 hits for eight runs during Monday’s game. Archbishop Ryan junior Andrew Lacovara went 2-for-3 with a stolen base. On the defensive side, fellow Raider Kevin McGovern allowed one run during his three-inning appearance on the mound. Also helping out the Catholic League were Archbishop Carroll’s Chris Lisowski and Kennedy-Kendrick third baseman Christian Walker, who each went 2-for-3 with a double.
"I feel great," said Fleming. "It’s nice to get off on a win. The Catholic League has put up numbers the past couple years in winning games, and it’s good to continue that tradition."
The Catholic League is starting to develop a nice tradition in the Carpenter Cup. The squad has advanced past the first round of the tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
In 2005, the team was crowned Carpenter Cup champion, after defeating Delaware County, 8-2, in the finals. Last year, they hoped history would repeat itself. It didn’t, and the squad fell to Tri-Cape, 6-5, in the semifinals.
The goal now is to regain the championship title. The Catholic League will have to beat some talented opponents along the way. But the squad doesn’t seem too intimidated.
In fact, they’re preparing with a little rest and relaxation.
"It’s senior week, so a lot of kids are going to be playing and practicing on their own since they’re away," said Fleming. "We’ll wait and get back at it on Sunday, and get in a hard practice and some hitting. Then hopefully come back out on Monday and win."
Even though many of the teammates, including Derrek Etsell, will be on vacation this week, they don’t plan to spend too much time away from the diamond.
"I’m headed down the shore now with a bunch of friends," said Etsell. "But I plan on practicing a lot this week and preparing to face Chester County. I’m sure I’ll be spending a lot of time at the cages. And me, my dad and my brother practice together a lot."
While Derrek inherited his father’s pitching skills — and still continues to learn from his old man’s expertise — the versatile player isn’t limited to one position.
"I pitch and play outfield, but I enjoy playing first base the most," he said. "I’ll play wherever, though, as long as I’m playing.
"You have to have a desire for the sport," he continued. "I practice and I play because I love the sport. I love being on the field and playing the game."
Next season, the Tacony resident hopes to continue his baseball career at either Camden County College or Burlington County College, but hasn’t made the decision yet.
"I’m not really sure exactly where I’ll be going to college yet, but I know I want to play ball. And I’ll probably study business — that’s where the money’s at," he said with a smile.
Although Etsell is now a North Catholic alumnus, he’s not letting go of his Falcon roots just yet.
"I’ll really miss the North team," he said. "It’s been a great four years. There’s a lot of pride at that school. It’s been an awesome experience." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com