This past Saturday, Malvern Prep capped off a dominant season by capturing its third consecutive Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) baseball title, defeating Episcopal Academy 6–1 at home. The Friars finished the year with an impressive 32–5 record, entering the championship on a 10-game winning streak. During that stretch, they outscored opponents by an average of 7.2 runs—proof of a team hitting its stride when it mattered most.
On the mound, Chase Ecker ’25 was dominant, going the distance with a four-hit, complete-game performance. He struck out four, issued no walks, and didn’t allow a single earned run. Saturday’s outing marked his third straight appearance without surrendering an earned run, continuing a late season stretch of excellence.
Offensively, Owen Hammond ’25 paced the lineup with a 3-for-4 performance that included a double and two RBIs. Jackson Melconian ’26 delivered a clutch two-run triple, while Thomas Sergio ’27 contributed a 2-for-4 day with three RBIs of his own—helping power Malvern Prep to a convincing win.
The Friars’ success on the field is undeniable—but the driving force behind it all might be the one calling the shots from the dugout: head coach Freddie Hilliard. Now in his 15th year at the helm, Hilliard has shaped Malvern Prep into one of the nation’s most respected high school baseball programs, known for its consistency, talent, and competitive edge. Under his leadership, the Friars have compiled a remarkable 427–93 (.821) record, winning 12 conference titles and nine state championships—each of those nine coming within the past 12 seasons. That record of excellence has translated into national recognition, earning the program a spot among the nation’s top 50 high school teams on 13 separate occasions. The program’s success also extends beyond rankings, as evidenced by the more than 80 former players who’ve gone on to compete in college baseball, including 50 at the Division I level and 10 in the professional ranks. With that kind of consistency, development, and hardware, it’s safe to say Hilliard has built nothing short of a dynasty.
In addition to his work on the diamond, Hilliard is a sought-after speaker and interview subject, having appeared on numerous baseball podcasts and was most recently featured in a live television interview at the American Baseball Coaches Association conference in Washington, D.C.—the world’s largest amateur baseball coaching event. Yet beyond the public spotlight and professional accolades lies something even more meaningful.
Perhaps Hilliard’s greatest asset isn’t found in the stat sheet or the win column, but in his ability to shape character, guide growth, and mentor the young men who come through his program. His impact stretches well beyond the foul lines, into the lives of student-athletes during their most formative years. As Head of Athletics Jim Stewart Jr. put it, “Coach Hilliard has impacted the lives of hundreds of student-athletes, many of whom have gone on to play at the collegiate level and beyond. He embodies what it means to be a coach and mentor in an Augustinian school, and we are grateful for his leadership.”
With a résumé that could stand alongside the best in the game at any level, Hilliard’s legacy is defined not only by championships and national recognition, but by the culture he has built—one grounded in tradition, discipline, and purpose. While the accolades speak for themselves, it’s the values he instills and the lives he’s shaped that truly set him apart.
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