Episcopal Academy edges Germantown
Churchmen pitcher Mark Washington dedicates his strong outing to his late mom.
MARK WASHINGTON'S fondest memories of his mother almost all include her singing. For example, there was the Christmas concert, years ago, at the Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills during the family's first year as members of that congregation.
Washington, now a senior pitcher for Episcopal Academy, couldn't remember exactly how old he was, but his mother's rendition of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" is forever etched in his mind. She was the final performer of the night.
"She just hit it out of the park," Washington said, grinning. "She just sang awesome."
Rosella Clemmons Washington died on May 19 last year, from complications due to breast cancer, her second fight with the disease. She was a professional jazz singer with a deep, powerful, yet, elegant voice, who can still be heard online or via CD.
Mark hasn't listened to those recordings in a while, but he brings his mother to the mound when he pitches. In the dirt, before every start, he scrawls her initials "RCW."
Yesterday, Washington was stellar in the Churchmen's 4-3 walkoff victory against visiting Germantown Academy. His battery mate, junior catcher Austin Morgan, snuck the game-winning single under a diving rightfielder's glove and was met by a celebratory mosh pit in the infield.
"It was a roller-coaster," Washington said. "Just have to sustain this for the future."
The teams halved eight errors, and all nine of the game's hits (EA five; GA four) were singles. The Churchmen (5-7, 1-1) scored the Inter-Ac contest's only earned run.
Washington took a no-decision, but allowed only three hits and struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings (104 pitches, three walks). He exited with a 3-2 lead, but both blemishes came on two throwing errors in the fifth.
Junior Kevin Henriksen earned the win and added a critical single in the seventh. For Germantown Academy, (5-5, 0-2) shortstop John Aiello (Wake Forest) tied the game at three with two outs in the top of the seventh. Aiello also pitched to one batter, Morgan, who hit the game-winner. Patriots senior Zeke Zabinski (2-for-4) was the game's only multi-hit player.
As for Washington, the Glen Mills resident said he appreciates his mother's sacrifices.
"She could have been a lot [more well known], but she took the time to take care of me," he said. "She dedicated her life to me."
Washington said his mother had several ("three or five") miscarriages, and also had a premature daughter, Deborah, who died weeks after birth only a few years before he was born.
Mark, now 6-6 and 198 pounds, said he was also born prematurely and weighed only 4 pounds, 10 ounces at birth.
For college, Washington fancies mechanical engineering, the profession of his father, Mark (different middle name). He has no scholarship offers right now, but has his eyes on Lehigh, Catholic University, Penn State-Harrisburg and North Carolina A&T.
And speaking of following in parental footsteps, he grew up playing the drums as a child with the something special in mind.
"The dream was always to play with my mom," he said, "but it never wound up happening."
He paused briefly when asked to describe his mother's singing voice. Eventually, he found the appropriate words.
"She was a beautiful singer, so I guess her voice sounded amazing to me, but everyone else loved her voice, too," he said, adding later, "I just remember her being a happy soul."
