Baseball

HGP's 2019 District 1 Class 5A Championship Team

HGP baseball is taking on all comers in 2021

As part of the school’s move to athletic independence, the Holy Ghost Prep baseball team, a traditional PIAA District One power, will face a top-shelf 2021 schedule this spring. The 20-game schedule includes a home-and-home with Bensalem High School, nine games against Philadelphia Catholic League teams, and three contests vs. Inter-Ac competition.

The tough 2021 schedule will certainly prepare the 2019 PIAA District 1 Class 5A champion Firebirds, coached by Greg Olenski ’10, for district and possibly state playoff competition later this spring.

“Without a doubt, we are playing the toughest schedule in the state,” says Olenski. “The schedule was designed to put our guys through adversity and uncomfortable situations—games vs. bigger classification schools, out-of-state schools, schools with top-ranked players, city schools and suburban schools.

“We will certainly be challenged and knocked down, but we will be more prepared than ever for district and state playoffs come late May/early June. The goal remains the same: Win championships and play into June. This schedule is a great stepping stone toward our team goal.”

This year’s edition of the Firebirds features three seniors who have already committed to play college baseball in Matt Long (Immaculata University), Jack McDermott (Amherst College), and Gavin McGuigan (Hood College), as well as some of the area’s top sophomores and juniors, including junior left-handed pitcher Nick Henn.

Olenski, one of the best players in HGP’s storied baseball history, has the makings of a strong rotation with the aforementioned Long and Henn being joined by Zac Newsham-Quinn, Shane Turpin, Matt Goldenbaum, and other sophomores and juniors who will be vying for a spot on the pitching staff. Offensively, the Firebirds will be led by the aforementioned McDermott.

“While offensive varsity experience is low compared to past years, the combination of young talent and competition is going to make this group one to follow closely,” says Olenski. “Confidence and expectations are high coming into the season.”

Here is the entire 2021 HGP baseball schedule:

March 26 vs. Archbishop Ryan

March 30 at Archbishop Wood

April 1 at Central Bucks West

April 5 at Bensalem High School

April 7 vs. Germantown Academy

April 10 vs. La Salle College High School

April 13 vs. Devon Prep

April 15 vs. Roman Catholic

April 17 vs. Father Judge

April 20 at The Hun School

April 22 at Cardinal O’Hara