Bensalem defeated Council Rock North 7-5 to capture the District One 6A title on Thursday. It is the program’s first ever district crown. Bensalem/CR North photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
By Scott Huff
Plymouth Meeting– Those in attendance at Bensalem’s 7-5 victory over Council Rock North at Villanova Ballpark – a win that earned the Owls the school’s first ever District One baseball title - would have to whole-heartedly agree with Rock North head coach Matt Schram.
“Baseball is the greatest game on earth,” the Indians’ coach said. “There is no running out the clock – we just ran out of blood and bullets.”
CR North trailed the SOL National Conference champion Owls by a 7-0 score after five innings – and Bensalem was just a single big hit away from ending the game by the 10-run, 5-inning, mercy-rule.
The Blue & White of Bensalem had the bases loaded with no outs, holding that imposing 7-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Owls could not produce that critical hit to put the pesky Indians away.
Fast forward to the top of the seventh inning.
CR North had rallied and scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning to close to within 7-4 – and the Indians scored a single run in the seventh inning to close to within 7-5.
Rock North proceeded to bring the potential winning run to the plate – with two outs and runners on first and second – and had its finest hitter, Cavan Tully, in the batter’s box.
“When I saw him standing there with the game on the line, I was shaking my head,” said Bensalem head coach Harry Daut. “Of all the players on that team, the one player I didn’t want to see there was him. He is such a great competitor.”
Tully flied out to left field to end the game.
“That was the very best situation for us to win the game,” said Schram. “I know he feels bad now – but we had our best hitter up there. I would want him up there every single time in that situation.”
Bensalem won the game behind a brilliant effort from University of Maryland recruit – junior Nick Dean. Dean did his best Shoehei Ohtani (LA Angels sensational pitching & hitting star) imitation as he was the winning pitcher and had a perfect day at the plate.
Dean fired four scoreless innings to earn the victory and collected three hits and a walk in his four plate appearances.
His most impressive performance, though, was his stint on the mound. Dean kept a potent CR North offense off the scoreboard, but the slender hurler deflected most of his postgame credit toward his team.
“The fact that this was the first Bensalem team to win a district championship is awesome,” said Dean. “It means a lot to the school, and a lot to the community.
“I grew up in Bensalem, and I pitched for the Bensalem Ramblers growing up,” added Dean. To be able to win this in front of my friends and family is really awesome.”
Dean kept CR North off balance for the entire game with a fastball that flirted with 90 mph to go along with a nasty slider and an effective change-up.
“I took Nick out after four innings because I want to do what is best to protect him” said Daut. “He looked like he might be a little sore, and I want to do what is best for the player.
“It is just so great that we were able to win this game,” continued Daut. “Once we started winning this year, we were able to get some nice crowds. There were really no bandwagon jumpers here – just a community that came out to support this program.”
Bensalem scored a pair of runs in the first inning to secure a lead it would never relinquish. Steve Aldrich singled home Brian Swentkowski (single) and Jon Revell singled home Aldrich.
The Owls added a single run in the second inning to expand the lead to 3-0. Nick Fossile lofted a sacrifice fly to center to score Scott Rooney (single).
Bensalem scored a pair of runs in the third inning to construct a 5-0 lead. Revell singled home Keith Parrish (hit by a pitch) and Damon Lavender singled home Aldrich (safe on a fielder’s choice).
The Owls added a solo run in both the fourth in fifth innings to build a seemingly safe 7-0 lead.
Dean had an RBI single in the fourth inning, while Lavender (walk) scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.
Rock North scored four times in the sixth inning to make the game competitive.
Tully and Nolan Hartwell each had RBI singles in the inning to score Ryan Stalker (walk) and Jerry Gensiejewski (fielder’s choice) – and Matt Shenot roped a two-run double in score both Tully and Hartwell.
The Indians added a single run in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI single by Jared Luez that scored Griffin Peterson (walk).
“We lost this game – but we still have a game to prepare for on Monday,” said Schram as Rock North will enter the PIAA state tournament as the No. 2 seed from District One. “I told the kids that this game is over – but our season isn’t. We don’t have uniforms to turn in just yet.
“We play in a great league (SOL National Conference) and a great district,” added Schram. “That prepares us well for playing at that next level.”
And that give CR North another chance on Monday in the state tournament – along with Bensalem – to play in what some consider the ‘greatest game ever.’
Bensalem (20-3, 10-2 SOL) will face District 11 runner-up Parkland in Monday’s opening round of the PIAA 6A Tournament. Council Rock North (15-7, 8-4) will take on District 12’s top-seeded team.
Council Rock North 00 0 0 0 4 1 * 5 8 0
Bensalem 2 1 2 1 1 0 X * 7 11 2
WP: (B) Nick Dean
LP: (CRN) Eric Hoefer
CR North: Cavan Tully 5 1 1 1; Nolan Hartwell 4 1 1 1; Matt Shenot 3 0 3 2; Jason Walter 4 0 0 0; Griffin Peterson 3 1 1 0; Carson Shane 3 0 0 0; Ryan Stalker 2 1 0 0; Kyle Derrie 1 0 0 0; Jared Luez 2 0 2 1; Jerry Gensiejewski 4 1 0 0. Totals 32 5 8 5
Bensalem: Brian Swentkowski 4 0 1 0; Keith Parrish 3 2 1 0; Nick Dean 3 1 3 1; Steve Aldrich 3 2 1 1; Jon Ruvell 4 0 2 2; Damon Lavender 3 1 1 1; Scott Rooney 2 1 1 0; Dominic Grady 2 0 0 0; Nick Fossile 1 0 1 1. Totals 25 7 11 6.
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