Scott Huff recaps the 2015 SOL baseball season.
By Scott Huff
The 2015 Suburban One League baseball season was indeed one for the record books.
North Penn[PIAA Quad-A State Champions & SOL Continental Conference Champions], Council Rock North [PIAA Quad-A District One Champions], Pennsbury [SOL National Conference Champions], Wissahickon [SOL American Conference Co-Champions], and Upper Dublin [SOL American Conference Co-Champions] all earned titles this season.
And the beat goes on…
Season In Review
Suburban One League Continental Conference
North Penn (12-2) collected an astonishing third state tournament championship trophy in the last seven years with its thrilling 4-3 eight-inning victory over Wyoming Valley West in the PIAA Quad-A title game. The Knights won the SOL Continental Conference title behind a brilliant pitching staff that consisted of seniors James Witner, Kellen Williamson, and Colin Healey.
The Knights were the # 4 seed in the District 1 playoffs and opened the tournament with a 9-3 victory over the # 13 seed Hatboro-Horsham Hatters. In the second round, NP hit the cover off the ball in a 14-6 win over # 5 seeded Boyertown. After silencing West Chester East 4-0 in the semifinals, the Knights – however – failed to win the district title in a 4-3 loss to # 15 seeded Council Rock North.
North Penn went on a four game win streak to capture the state title. The Knights opened with a 5-0 win over District 12 runner-up Olney Charter – collected a 2-1 victory over SOL rival Pennsbury – advanced to the state final with a 3-1 win over District 7 foe Shaler High School– and won the state championship with the extra inning 4-3 win over District 2 champion Wyoming Valley West.
Central Bucks East (11-3) finished the SOL season just one game off the pace set by eventual state champion North Penn. The Patriots were one of two teams that were able to best the Knights this regular season.
CB East was awarded the # 9 seed in the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs. The Patriots’ run in the playoffs was short-lived as they were shown the exit door in their first round game - a 2-1 loss to # 24 seeded Garnet Valley.
Hatboro-Horsham (10-4) concluded the regular season as the third best team in a very competitive SOL Continental Conference. The Hatters split their regular season games with eventual state champion North Penn.
Hatboro-Horsham was awarded the # 13 seed in the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs. The Hatters were able to win their first round game with a 6-1 win over # 20 Haverford – but H-H was ousted from the district playoffs in a 9-3 loss to North Penn.
Pennridge (9-5) returned a veteran team and was competitive for most of the season with the top three teams in the conference.
The Rams were awarded the # 25 seed in the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs. Pennridge was jettisoned from the tournament in the first round as the Rams were edged by West Chester Rustin – 3-1.
Central Bucks South (6-8), Souderton (4-10), Quakertown (3-11), and Central Bucks West (1-13) all finished with below .500 conference records. The Titans, Indians, Panthers, and Bucks were not able to secure invitations to the postseason this year.
Season In Review
Suburban One League National Conference
Pennsbury (12-2) captured the conference title and was never seriously challenged for its first place standing.
The Falcons were awarded a # 3 seed in the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs. Pennsbury opened the tournament with an 8-2 victory over # 19 seeded Spring-Ford – was upset in the second round by # 11 seed Owen J Roberts by a 3-1 score – and battled back in the playback round with wins over # 10 seed Conestoga (2-1) and # 5 seed Boyertown (10-0) to earn a state berth.
In the PIAA Quad-A State Playoffs, the Falcons split a pair of games. Pennsbury opened the state tourney with a 2-0 win over Hempfield – and was ousted from the tournament in a 2-1 loss to eventual state champion North Penn.
Council Rock North (10-4) started the season slow and never seriously challenged Pennsbury for the conference title. But that didn’t stop Rock North in its quest for a district championship.
The Indians were awarded the # 15 seed in the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs. Rock North opened the playoffs with a 6-0 victory over # 18 seed Avon Grove - defeated # 2 seed Wissahickon by a 6-0 score – captured a 12-1 win over # 10 seed Conestoga – and won the district title with a 4-3 victory over eventual state champion North Penn.
Council Rock North split a pair of PIAA Quad-A State Playoff games. The Indians captured a 1-0 victory over Governor Mifflin in the tournament opener but were jettisoned from the tournament in a 2-1 loss to District 11 champion Parkland.
Abington (9-5) had its best season in decades as the Ghosts proved to be competitive with the top teams in the conference.
Abington was awarded the # 21 seed in the PIAA Quad-A District One Playoffs. The Ghosts struggled offensively in their first round game. They were no-hit and lost a 2-0 contest to # 12 seeded Perkiomen Valley.
Council Rock South (8-6) played most of the season in the ‘top-half’ of the conference standings and garnered a district playoff invitation.
The Golden Hawks were awarded the # 22 seed in the PIAA Quad-A District One Playoffs. CR South lost in the opening round of the playoffs with a 5-3 loss to # 11 seed Owen J Roberts.
Bensalem (6-8), Truman (5-9), Neshaminy (4-10), and William Tennent (2-12) all finished the conference season below .500. The Owls, Tigers, Redskins, and Panthers were not able to secure playoff invitations this season.
Season In Review
Suburban One League American Conference
Wissahickon (12-2) held the conference lead for most of the season but could not hold off surging Upper Dublin at the close of the season and was forced to share the championship. The Trojans won both of their games against UD in the regular season.
Wissahickon was awarded the # 2 seed in the PIAA Quad-A District One Playoffs. The Trojans received a first round bye but were eliminated in the second round. Wissahickon lost 6-0 to eventual district champion – and # 15 seed – Council Rock North.
Upper Dublin (12-2) came on at the end of the season to tie for the conference championship with Wissahickon.
The Cardinals were awarded the # 6 seed in the PIAA Quad-A District One Playoffs. Upper Dublin lost its first round contest to # 11 seeded Owen J Roberts – 6-3.
Upper Moreland (8-6) played its best baseball at the close of the season and earned a berth in the PIAA Class AAA District One Playoffs.
The Golden Bears opened the playoffs with a 7-6 victory over Bishop Shanahan and closed their playoff run with a 14-2 loss to eventual district champion Holy Ghost Prep.
Springfield (6-8) did not have a winning conference record, but the only AA school in the conference played well and earned a spot in the PIAA Class AA District One Playoffs.
The Spartans opened the playoffs with an 8-1 victory over New-Hope Solebury and closed their playoff run with a 4-3 loss to district champion Devon Prep.
Norristown (6-8), Cheltenham (5-9), Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-9), and Upper Merion (2-12) all finished the regular season below .500. The Eagles, Panthers, Colonials, and Vikings were not able to secure playoff invitations this season.
Suburban One Sports.com
Final SOL Rankings + Team Player of the Year
[Conference Record Only]
1. North Penn Knights (12-2) – Jared Melone
2. Council Rock North Indians (10-4) – Brandon McIlwain
3. Pennsbury Falcons (12-2) – Zach Conley
4. Central Bucks East Patriots (11-3) – David Yanni
5. Wissahickon Trojans (12-2) – Nick Falso
6. Upper Dublin Cardinals (12-2) – Chris Huckfeldt
7. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (10-4) – Eric Lane
8. Pennridge Rams (9-5) – Danny Long
9. Abington Ghosts (9-5) – Brendan Gallagher
10. Council Rock South Hawks (8-6) – Jordan Silverman
Upper Moreland Bears (8-6) – Joe Bates
Central Bucks South Titans (6-8) – Mike Anastasia
Bensalem Owls (6-8) – Nick Mulvey
Souderton Indians (4-10) – Dylan Morrisette
Springfield Spartans (6-8) – Julian Salzer
Norristown Eagles (6-8) – Tom Detwiler
Truman Tigers (5-9) – Matt Heibling
Cheltenham Panthers (5-9) – Joel White
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-9) – Brett Highland
Neshaminy Redskins (4-10) – Kyle Skeels
Quakertown Panthers (3-11) – Zach Metz
William Tennent Panthers (2-12) – Tim Brodhag
Central Bucks West Bucks (1-13) – Matt Peralta
Upper Merion Vikings (2-12) – Andrew Del Giudice
- Log in to post comments
