By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
Cheltenham Wins Battle of Unbeatens in the Suburban One League American Conference
Cheltenham and Plymouth Whitemarsh entered their critical SOL American Conference game with perfect 5-0 conference records.
Cheltenham is now a perfect 6-0 with a dramatic 6-5 victory over PW in a game that went 8 innings on a pinch-hit walk-off single by senior Connor Barton. Barton drove home Jack Gordon with the winning run to present the Panthers with sole possession of first place in the conference.
“Connor is a big, strong kid that can hit the ball,” said Cheltenham head coach Frank Decembrino. “He has had only three plate appearances all year, but I had a good feeling about him in that situation. He took a 1-2 pitch and drove the ball over the rightfielder’s head with the bases loaded and one out.
“Calvin Salazar is our ace, and we were able to use him to retire the last five batters of the game,” added Decembrino. “It was his ‘bullpen’ day, and he only threw about 20 pitches to get the job done.”
The game seesawed back and forth most of the game. PW led 3-0; Cheltenham rallied back to take a 4-3 lead; PW took a 5-4 lead into the seventh inning; and a Kevin Graham single sent to the game in extra innings.
“It was a great win for us, but there is a lot of season left,” said Decembrino. “We have Norristown (0-5) and Springfield (1-4) left this week, but there are no easy games. We beat an excellent baseball team today in Plymouth Whitemarsh, but we need to continue to play good baseball against everyone in our league.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 21000020 * 5 9 4
Cheltenham Panthers 02020011 * 6 11 4
That Was The Week That Was in the SOL American Conference
Cheltenham (5-0) remained unbeaten in conference play with a pair of conference wins. The Panthers opened the week with a 3-0 win over Upper Moreland as Mark Heimann fired a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts and allowed just two hits. Cheltenham closed the week with a 9-6 victory over Upper Merion. Jack Gordon and Gabe Hofferman fueled the Black Cat offense with two hits each.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-0) remained unbeaten in conference play with a pair of conference wins. The Colonials opened the week with a 12-2 rout of Norristown as Zach Metz collected the win. In the win over the Eagles - Connor Purdy, Matt Cooper, and Matt Nardo each collected three hits. PW closed the week with a 1-0 win over Upper Dublin. Mike Whalon was masterful, throwing a four-hit shutout with nine strikeouts.
Wissahickon (3-3) had a fine week as the Trojans won both of their conference games. Wissahickon opened the week with a 5-4 win in 10 innings over Upper Merion as Matt Oruch delivered the game-winning hit. Nick Falso led the offense with a four-hit game. The Trojans closed the week with a 4-3 win over Norristown. Oruch and Alex Tappen each had two hits while Logan Williams had nine strikeouts and was the winning pitcher.
Upper Dublin (4-2) split its pair of conference games last week. The Cardinals opened the week with a 12-9 victory over Springfield. Christian Huckfeldt was the winning pitcher and also collected three hits and four RBI at the plate. Upper Dublin lost a heart breaking 1-0 contest to Plymouth Whitemarsh to close the week. Dan Jacobson was the tough luck losing pitcher, allowing just the one run.
Upper Moreland (3-3) split its pair of conference games last week. The Golden Bears opened the week with a 3-0 loss to Cheltenham and closed the week with a 7-4 win over Springfield. In the win over the Spartans, Eddie Decker was the winning pitcher. Key hits were delivered by Kyle Irwin, Mike Cavanuagh, Charlie Hooker, and Pat Driscoll.
Springfield (1-4) lost both of its conference games last week. The Spartans opened the week with a 12-9 loss to Upper Dublin and closed the week with a 7-4 setback to Upper Moreland.
Upper Merion (0-4) lost both of its conference games last week. The Vikings pounded out 14 hits in a 9-6 loss to Cheltenham. Alex Del Guidice, Troy Thomas, John Glenn, Carmen Fortino, and Brendan Steiner each had two hits for UM. Upper Merion opened the week with a 5-4 loss in 10 innings to Wissahickon.
Norristown (0-5) lost both of its conference games last week. The Eagles were routed by Plymouth Whitemarsh 12-2 to open the week and closed the week with a 4-3 loss to Wissahickon. Alec Projet was the tough luck loser to the Trojans with six strikeouts.
‘On Deck’ In the SOL American Conference
Tuesday – (4/22/14)
Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Springfield
Norristown @ Cheltenham
Upper Merion @ Upper Dublin
Upper Moreland @ Wissahickon
Wednesday – (4/13/14)
Springfield @ Upper Merion
Thursday – (4/24/14)
Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Upper Moreland
Springfield @ Cheltenham
Upper Dublin @ Wissahickon
Upper Merion @ Norristown
Central Bucks South Tightens An Already Knotted Suburban One League Continental Conference
Central Bucks South joined six other conference teams with conference records of .500 or better as the Titans captured a 9-2 victory over Quakertown. CB South joins Pennridge, Souderton, and Central Bucks West with 3-3 conference records – one game behind conference leaders Central Bucks East, Hatboro-Horsham, and North Penn, which own 4-2 conference marks.
“This is an extremely competitive conference,” said Central Bucks South head coach Mike Schaefer. “There are any number of teams that can beat you on any given day.
“We could be 6-0 – we lost 1-0 to Hatboro-Horsham in 11 innings, we lost by a run to North Penn, and we lost by two runs to CB West,” added Schaefer. “But there are a lot of teams that could say ‘what if’. Quakertown is 0-6 – but they lost three leads late in games.”
The Titans had a wonderful pitching performance turned in by freshman Danny Klepchick who made his varsity debut. Klepchick had a no-hitter going into the fifth inning and allowed just two hits over the course of the game.
“Danny is a special kid that is going to pitch a lot more the next few weeks,” said Schaefer. “Danny really knows how to pitch and mixes speeds. He isn’t overpowering, but he is very effective.
“We have pitched well and have played good defense all season,” added Schaefer. “We need to swing the bats a little better – score some more runs – and we should be able to win our share of games.”
That Was The Week That Was in the SOL Continental Conference
Hatboro-Horsham (4-2) moved into a first place tie in the conference with a pair of wins. The Hatters opened the week with a 7-1 victory over North Penn and a 6-0 win over Quakertown. In the win over the Knights – David Brown threw five innings to earn the win, while Eric Thomas and Alex Kleidon each had two RBIs. In the win over the Panthers – Kevin Barron and Colin Kennedy combined for the shutout. Kleidon and Chris Crookham each had two hits.
Pennridge (3-3) remained in contention with a pair of wins. The Rams opened the week with an 8-4 win over Central Bucks East. Dan Long blasted a walk-off grand slam to fuel the offense, while Brad Misialek collected three hits. Pennridge closed the week with a 5-1 victory over rival Souderton. Ryan Denner was the winning pitcher for the Rams, while Dan Shane and Evan Tice led the offense with two hits each.
Central Bucks East (4-2) split its pair of games last week to remain in first place. The Patriots opened the week with an 11-0 victory over Quakertown. Dan Morrin fired a five-inning one-hitter for CBE, while David Yanni had three hits and two RBI and Carter Usowski had two hits and three RBI. The Patriots lost to Pennridge 8-4 to close the week as Usowski and Pat Reilly each had two hits.
North Penn (4-2) split its pair of conference games last week to remain in first place. The Knights opened the week with a 7-1 loss to Hatboro-Horsham and closed the week with an 8-7 win over Central Bucks West. In the win over CBW – Mason Nadeau had three hits to lead the offense, while James Witner allowed just one earned run to record the win.
Central Bucks West (3-3) split its pair of games to remain in contention. The Bucks opened the week with a come from behind 10-8 victory over Central Bucks South as Rob Phillips hit a homerun and Brennan Snyder was the winning pitcher. CB West closed the week with an 8-7 loss to North Penn. Phillips had four hits and two RBI while Steve Gebre collected three hits.
Central Bucks South (2-3) split its pair of games last week. The Titans opened the week with a 10-8 loss to Central Bucks West. In the loss to the Bucks – Mike Kupers had three hits while Alex Spector and Tanner Pfender each had two hits. CB South closed the week with a 14-2 rout of Souderton. Matt Rawanski was the winning pitcher. Radwanski, Pfender, and Pat Fitgerald each had two RBI for the Titans.
Souderton (3-3) lost both of its conference games but remained in contention. The Indians opened the week with a 14-2 loss to Central Bucks South and closed the week with a 5-1 loss to rival Pennridge.
Quakertown (0-5) remained winless in conference play with a pair of losses last week. The Panthers closed the week with a 6-0 loss to Hatboro-Horsham and opened the week with an 11-0 loss to Central Bucks East.
‘On Deck’ In the SOL Continental Conference
Tuesday – (4/22/14)
Quakertown @ Souderton
Pennridge @ North Penn
Central Bucks West @ Hatboro-Horsham
Central Bucks South @ Central Bucks East
Thursday – (4/24/14)
Pennridge @ Central Bucks South
Hatboro-Horsham @ Central Bucks East
Central Bucks West @ Quakertown
Friday – (4/25/14)
Souderton @ North Penn
Council Rock South Hopes To Survive Brutal Suburban One League National Conference Schedule
Council Rock South has a stretch of games where the Golden Hawks will play six conference games in just 11 days. Rock South (3-1) is currently fighting CR North (4-2), Neshaminy (4-2), and Pennsbury (4-2) for the top spot in the conference standings.
“We have some games to make up with the crazy schedule we will have to play,” said Council Rock South head coach Ted Kirner. “The seniors had their senior trip, we had spring break, and now we have to play a lot of games in a short period of time. It could stress you out – but the players are cool with it and are excited about the games ahead.
“We feel that we have the pitchers that can get us to where we want to be,” added Kirner. “We haven’t been playing a lot of baseball lately – but that is all going to change very soon.”
Rock South will play Rock North in a key conference game Tuesday.
“The players always get up big time for North,” said Kirner. “We will throw Greg Paprocki against them, and it should be an exciting game.
“The one thing about this league is that you can’t take any team lightly,” added Kirner. “Our only loss was to Truman (1-0), and it was the only game that Truman has won all year. But that’s how baseball is in this league – anyone really can beat anyone else.”
That Was The Week That Was in the SOL National Conference
Council Rock North (4-2) claimed a share of first place with a trio of conference wins. The Indians opened the week with a 15-4 victory over Bensalem added a 6-5 win over Neshaminy and closed the week with a 5-2 win over Truman. In the win over the Owls, Rock North pounded out 13 hits as Brandon McIlwain had three hits and four RBI. In the win over the Skins, McIlwain and Matt Renck combined to earn the rare no-hit win – and Cole German and Seth Lutz collected key hits. McIlwain had two RBI to spark the offense in the win over Truman.
Council Rock South (3-1) moved into serious contention with a pair of wins. Rock South opened the week with a 4-2 win over Neshaminy as Greg Paprocki fired a complete game victory and had eight strikeouts. The Golden Hawks closed the week with an impressive 9-2 win over Pennsbury to complete a suspended game.
Pennsbury (4-2) kept its share of first place with a split of conference games. The Falcons opened the week with a 5-2 win over Abington. Jake Goldberg collected the win over the Ghosts throwing a complete game three-hitter with five strikeouts. Ryan Shaeffer had two hits to fuel the offense. Pennsbury closed the week with a 9-2 loss to Council Rock South to complete a suspended game.
Abington (3-3) remained in contention with a split of its conference games. The Ghosts opened the week in impressive fashion with a 10-4 victory over William Tennent. Matt McDonough was the winning pitcher and also had a fine day at the dish with three hits and four RBI. Brendan Gallagher and Jack Larini each had two RBI for the Ghosts. Abington closed the week with a 5-2 loss to Pennsbury as Gallagher led the offense with two hits.
Bensalem (2-3) split its pair of conference games last week. The Owls opened the week with a 15-4 loss to Council Rock North and closed the week with a 6-2 victory over Truman. In the win over the Tigers, Brandon Wermuth was the winning pitcher with a complete game two-hitter, while Jason Mulvey had three hits and Bill Uphoff had two RBI.
William Tennent (1-4) lost its only conference game of the week as the Panthers were defeated by Abington 10-4.
Neshaminy (4-2) fell into a first place tie as the Skins lost both of their conference games last week. Neshaminy opened the week with a 4-2 loss to Council Rock South as Cole Creighton was the tough luck loser. Neshaminy was a 6-5 loser to Council Rock North as the Redskins managed to score five runs without a hit.
Truman (1-5) lost both of its conference games last week. The Tigers opened the week with a 6-2 loss to Bensalem and closed the week with a 5-2 loss to Council Rock North.
‘On Deck’ In the SOL National Conference
Tuesday – (4/22/14)
Bensalem @ Abington
Pennsbury @ Neshaminy
Council Rock North @ Council Rock South
William Tennent @ Truman
Wednesday – (4/23/14)
Council Rock South @ William Tennent
Thursday – (4/24/14)
Council Rock South @ Abington
Neshaminy @ Truman
Council Rock North @ William Tennent
Pennsbury @ Bensalem
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