This week’s notebook highlights North Penn, Pennsbury and Upper Moreland and recaps last week’s SOL action.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
Suburban One National Conference ‘Snapshot’
North Penn Knights
North Penn may not be the defending SOL Continental Conference champion but the Knights are the 
defending PIAA Quad-A state champions. North Penn was the 24th – and final - seed from District One last year to earn a state playoff berth and was the last team standing in the state final. This year's goal, according to coach Kevin Manero, is very simple - to play good baseball.
“To be a champion in this league is very prestigious – the league is that good," the Knights' coach said. "When you compete in this league, you are going to be very battle tested for the playoffs.
“Right now we are in contention for a league title, but we can’t look ahead,” added Manero. “We play the game one pitch – one batter – one inning – and one game at a time.
“We have been able to produce offensively from the top of the lineup to the bottom of the lineup,” continued Manero. “However, hitting can go up and down. We talk to the players about pitching and defense – and if you can be consistent doing both of those things, you will be competitive in every game.”
Two of the big hitters in North Penn’s lineup have been Jared Melone and Matt Stella.
“Jared has been really driving the ball lately,” said Manero. “And Matt has become a really tough out.
“We have a very tough conference schedule coming up this week,” added Manero. “We play 28 innings this week, but the coaching staff feels that we will be physically and mentally ready.”
That Was The Week That Was in the SOL Continental Conference
Hatboro-Horsham (7-2) remained on top of the conference standings as the Hatters won their only conference game of the week. Hatboro-Horsham earned a 2-1 win over Souderton as Joe Simmons delivered a walk-off single. Dave Brown fired a complete game with 9 strikeouts.
North Penn (7-3) captured a pair of critical wins as the Knights opened the week with a 6-2 win over Central Bucks South and followed with a 7-6 victory over Quakertown. In the win over the Titans, Colin Healey fired a complete game with six strikeouts, while Matt Stella had three hits to spark the offense. In the win over the Panthers, Chris Kearsey had a terrific day at the plate with three hits that included a double.
Pennridge (6-4) put itself back in contention by winning a pair of conference games last week. The Rams opened the week with a 10-3 victory over Quakertown and closed the week with a 10-6 victory over Central Bucks West. In the win over the rival Panthers, Tyler Shoultes fueled the offense with four hits and four RBI. In the win over the Bucks, Shoutles again sparked the offense with three hits while Dan Long, Dan Shane, and Evan Tice each had two hits.
Souderton (6-4) split a pair of conference games last week as the Indians opened the week with a 2-1 loss to Hatboro-Horsham and closed the week with a 6-3 win over Central Bucks West. Brendan Giampa was the tough luck loser to the first place Hatters.
Central Bucks West (5-6) won one of three conference games last week. The Bucks opened the week with a 3-0 victory over Central Bucks East as John Fitz tossed a complete game two-hitter. CB West followed with a 10-6 loss to Pennridge and closed the week with a 6-3 loss to Souderton.
Central Bucks East (5-4) suffered a tough loss in its only conference game as the Patriots were defeated by rival Central Bucks West 3-0. The tough luck loser for CB East was Brandon Birkhead.
Central Bucks South (3-6) also lost its only conference game of the week as the Titans were defeated by North Penn 6-2.
Quakertown (0-10) remained winless in the conference as the Panthers dropped a pair of conference games. Quakertown lost to rival Pennridge 10-3 to open the week and rallied from a 7-0 deficit only to lose to North Penn 7-6. In the loss to the Rams, Jake Reed had two hits and two stolen bases. In the loss to the Knights, Reed, Cam Delisle and Sage Fuhrmeister each had two hits to pace the offense.
‘On Deck’ In The SOL Continental Conference
Monday (5/5/14)
Pennridge @ Hatboro-Horsham
Tuesday (5/6/14)
Central Bucks West @ Central Bucks South
Central Bucks East @ Quakertown
Souderton @ Pennridge
Hatboro-Horsham @ North Penn
Wednesday (5/7/14)
North Penn @ Central Bucks East
Quakertown @ Central Bucks South
Thursday (5/8/14)
Quakertown @ Hatboro-Horsham
Central Bucks South @ Souderton
North Penn @ Central Bucks West
Pennridge @ Central Bucks East
Suburban One League National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennsbury Falcons
Pennsbury has a full slate of conference games this week as the Falcons hover near the top of the conference standings.
“We have four league games in four days, but we certainly are not alone in playing a lot of games in a short period of time,” said Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci. “We are at Council Rock North on Monday, home with Truman on Tuesday, at Council Rock South at Wednesday, and at Abington on Thursday.
“Our coaching staff is confident that we have the arms to throw that many innings,” added Pesci. “We feel that we have seven good pitchers to handle that schedule, and we also have two or three others that could pitch if we needed them to throw.”
That Super Seven for the Falcons includes Connor Ward, Jake Goldberg, Brody McFadden, Matt Phillips, Logan Buell, Sean Maniatis, and Zach Conley.
“The rules state that if a pitcher throws six or more innings – he needs three days rest,” said Pesci. “If a pitcher throws four or five innings, he needs two days rest.
“We will have to see where we cross that pitching bridge as the week goes along,” added Pesci. “You want to win the game you are playing, and plan for the rest of the week once that game is over.
“You really can’t afford to look ahead,” continued Pesci. “We have a tested pitching staff – and they will be tested this week.”
That Was The Week That Was in the SOL National Conference
Council Rock South (7-2) remained on top of the conference standings with a pair of conference wins last week. The Golden Hawks soared to 10-0 win over Truman and followed with a 7-5 victory over Bensalem. In the win over the Tigers, Greg Paprocki fired a complete game shutout and had nine strikeouts. In the win over the Owls, Will Facenda (3 hits) and Tyler Anderson (2 hits) sparked the offense.
Neshaminy (6-4) won both of its conference games last week as the Skins defeated Bensalem 11-1 and followed with a 5-2 win over William Tennent. Cole Creighton was the winning pitcher in both games. In the win over Bensalem, Kyle Skeels and Bill Ritchey each had three hits. In the win over the Panthers, Skeels hit a 3-run homerun.
Pennsbury (6-3) won its only conference game of the week as the Falcons defeated William Tennent 5-4. DJ Endler won the game with a walk-off single, while Jake Goldberg threw and outstanding game with 11 strikeouts.
Council Rock North (5-4) won its only conference game of the week as the Indians defeated Abington 15-0. Brandon McIlwain and Noah Hartwell combined to throw a no-hitter. Cole Hoffman had three hits and three RBI to spark the offense.
Abington (5-5) remained in contention as the Ghosts split a pair of games last week. Abington opened the week with a 15-0 loss to CR North but rebounded to claim a 5-4 win over Truman. In the win over the Tigers, Greg Troyer was the winning pitcher for the Ghosts.
Bensalem (3-6) lost both of its conference games last week as the Owls opened the week with an 11-1 loss to Neshaminy and closed the week with a 7-5 loss to Council Rock South. In the loss to the Golden Hawks, Jason Mulvey had two hits and Ben Anderson roped a 3-run homerun.
William Tennent (4-6) lost both of its conference games last week as the Panthers opened the week with a 5-4 loss to Pennsbury and closed the week with a 5-2 loss to Neshaminy.
Truman (2-8) lost both of its conference games last week as the Tigers opened the week with a 10-0 loss to Rock South and closed the week with a 5-4 loss to Abington.
‘On Deck’ In The SOL National Conference
Monday (5/5/14)
Pennsbury @ Council Rock North
Truman vs. Bensalem @ Arm & Hammer Park
Tuesday (5/6/14)
Abington @ William Tennent
Council Rock South @ Neshaminy
Bensalem @ Council Rock North
Truman @ Pennsbury
Wednesday (5/7/14)
Pennsbury @ Council Rock South
Thursday (5/8/14)
Pennsbury @ Abington
Council Rock North @ Neshaminy
Bensalem @ Truman
William Tennent @ Council Rock South
Suburban One League American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Moreland will have a difficult time defending its SOL American Conference championship as the Golden Bears (7-3) trail unbeaten Cheltenham (10-0) in the conference standings with just four conference games left on the schedule.
“The math still gives us a chance,” said Upper Moreland head coach Ernie Rehr. “We have Norristown on Monday, and then Cheltenham on Tuesday. The kids are excited about playing Cheltenham on Tuesday – but we can’t overlook Norristown.
“This is the team that I thought we were going to have at the beginning of the season,” added Rehr. “We had some bad luck – didn’t play our best baseball – and we got behind the eight-ball.”
Upper Moreland came out of the conference gate slowly, going 3-3 at the outset of the season. However, the Golden Bears have been unbeaten in the conference ever since and have played outstanding baseball.
“Kyle Irwin has played a stellar shortstop for us all season,” said Rehr of his senior who will attempt to walk on at West Chester University next year. “And he has also been hitting the ball very well.
“Once Kyle realized how good a player he is – he has begun to take charge out on the field,” added Rehr. “He and Robert Knox (currently at WCU) were buddies, and it was odd not seeing them together this year. I think Rob had a lot to do with Kyle’s decision to go to West Chester.”
Upper Moreland still has its sights set on a possible – but not likely – conference championship.
“We still have games to play – and we’ll see what happens,” said Rehr. “We’re playing well right now and that is good going into districts.”
That Was The Week That Was in the SOL American Conference
Cheltenham (10-0) remained unbeaten in the conference with a pair of close victories. The Panthers opened the week with a 3-2 win over Plymouth Whitemarsh as Calvin Salazar was the winning pitcher and key hits were delivered by Kevin Graham and Max Perilstein. Cheltenham kept its hold on first place with a 3-2 victory over Wissahickon to close out the week. Jack O’Grady collected a save while Graham and Gabe Hofferman delivered RBI.
Upper Moreland (7-3) moved into a second place conference tie with a pair of wins. The Golden Bears opened the week with a 13-4 win over Upper Merion and closed the week with a 1-0 win over Upper Dublin. In the win over the Vikings, Kyle Irwin collected four hits and blasted a homerun and made a winning pitcher out of Charlie Hooker. Eddie Decker pitched a masterpiece for Upper Moreland with his shutout win over the Cardinals.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-3) remained in second place in the conference as the Colonials split their pair of games. PW opened the week with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Cheltenham and closed the week with a 6-1 victory over Upper Merion. In the loss to the Panthers, Zach Metz sparked the offense with two hits. In the win over the Vikings, Mike Whalon threw a complete game with four strikeouts and zero walks. Evan Bischoff (3 hits) and Connor Purdy (2 hits – 2 RBI) fueled the offense.
Wissahickon (5-5) split its pair of conference games last week as the Trojans defeated Springfield 1-0 and followed with a tough 3-2 loss to Cheltenham. In the win over the Spartans, Jason Segal threw a complete game with six strikeouts.
Norristown (1-7) won its first conference game of the season as the Eagles soared by Upper Dublin 4-2. J.T. Vaughn came back from a five-week absence to earn the win, while Vince Catagus and Chris Curl each had two hits.
Springfield (1-8) lost its only conference game last week as the Spartans fell to Wissahickon 1-0. Julian Salzar was the tough luck loser for Springfield, allowing just one run over six innings. Chris Binet had three hits for the Spartans.
Upper Dublin (5-5) lost a pair of conference games last week as the Cardinals dropped a 4-2 contest to Norristown and followed with a 1-0 loss to Upper Moreland. In the loss to the Eagles, Dane Nealis had two hits and an RBI. In the loss to the Golden Bears, Christian Huckfeldt threw a great game allowing just one unearned run.
Upper Merion (2-7) lost a pair of conference games last week as the Vikings lost to Upper Moreland 13-4 to open the week and followed with a 6-1 setback against Plymouth Whitemarsh.
‘On Deck’ In The SOL American Conference
Monday (5/5/14)
Upper Moreland @ Norristown
Tuesday (5/6/14)
Norristown @ Plymouth Whitemarsh
Wissahickon @ Upper Merion
Springfield @ Upper Dublin
Cheltenham @ Upper Moreland
Thursday (5/8/14)
Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Upper Dublin
Upper Merion @ Cheltenham
Upper Moreland @ Springfield
Norristown @ Wissahickon
Suburban One Sports.com
SOL Top Ten
1. Cheltenham Panthers
2. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
3. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
4. North Penn Knights
5. Pennsbury Falcons
6. Souderton Indians
7. Neshaminy Redskins
8. Pennridge Rams
9. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
10. Central Bucks East Patriots
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