Five SOL teams advanced to Friday’s District One AAAA quarterfinal round. To view photos of the Pennsbury/Hatboro and North Penn/CB East games, please visit the Photo Gallery.
#1 WILLIAM TENNENT 4, #16 METHACTON 1
Leadoff batter Sarah Keeney was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate as the Panthers received all of their offensive production from their one, two and nine hitters in Wednesday’s win. Jackie Heim had a pair of hits and Keri Ledford had one hit out of the nine hole.
“Sarah had a heck of a day,” coach Biz Keeney said. “Keri Ledford was outstanding in right field. She made three really good plays, she really attacked the ball.
“It was a good day for our nine, one and two. The others will get better. We weren’t as sharp as we have been, but hopefully, that will get better as we go.”
The Panthers took a lead they would not lose in the second. Ledford, who drew a walk, scored when Keeney delivered a triple, and the speedy leadoff batter raced home on Heim’s single, spotting the Panthers an early 2-0 lead.
The Warriors cut that lead in half with a run in the fourth, but the Panthers added a pair in the sixth. A walk and a Warrior error set the stage for a successfully executed suicide squeeze by Ledford, who legged out the bunt for a single. An RBI single by Keeney gave the Panthers their final margin of victory.
“We got the 2-0 lead, and we tried to build on it, but it just didn’t materialize until the sixth inning,” coach Keeney said. “We did a lot of good things.”
Nikki Alden earned the win in the circle, allowing four hits while striking out one and walking two.
“We played last Thursday, so we sat six days, and I don’t think that helps you,” coach Keeney said. “We didn’t do some of the things that we normally do.
“We did well with basically nine, one and two, but after that, there wasn’t a lot to show. It wasn’t one of our better days production-wise out of our three, four and five, but that happens. We were able to get four runs by getting a couple of big hits here and there. We fought to get four, but it’s playoff softball.”
Megan Stauffer absorbed the loss for the Warriors, allowing seven hits while fanning seven.
“Their girl threw a pretty good game,” coach Keeney said. “We didn’t do a lot, but we did effective things, and that was enough to win.
“I’m sure the game Friday will be a little bit better for us. We’ve basically played two games in nine days. That’s not a lot of action to stay sharp. We’ll get some things fixed and try to find a way to beat North Penn.”
The Panthers (15-4, 11-3 SOL) will host North Penn in an all-SOL quarterfinal game on Friday.
Methacton 000 100 0-1
William Tennent 020 020 x-4
#3 SOUDERTON 6, #14 WEST CHESTER EAST 5
It wasn’t easy, but the Indians battled for a come-from-behind win over the pesky Vikings.
“We battled,” coach Steph Rummel said. “They had a couple of throwing errors that we capitalized on.
“My girls come very chilled. It’s hard to grasp how they’re feeling, how they’re going to play the game. They seemed ready, they seemed like they wanted to win, and they took the game in their hands and never gave up. I applaud them for that.”
The Indians needed all the stick-to-itiveness they could muster. Maddy Coady’s solo home run in the second spotting the Vikings a 1-0 lead. The Indians answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on a Viking miscue and an RBI groundout by Morgan Yoder.
The Vikings scored three runs in the third to go on top 4-1, and again the Indians answered – this time with two runs in the bottom of the inning. It was a two-out walk and a Viking throwing error that set the stage for RBI singles by Haley Delany and Dayna Shelly.
The Vikings plated a single run in the fourth to go on top 5-3, but the Indians won it with a three-run outburst of their own in the bottom of the frame. Savannah Bostwick got things started with a single, and Angie Carty followed with a walk. Erelle Sowers helped her own cause with an RBI single, and a pair of runs crossed the plate when Paige Shelly singled, putting the Indians on top 6-5.
“For a couple of innings at the beginning of the game, they seemed almost defensive instead of attacking and trying to hit the ball and taking control of the game,” Rummel said. “But they ended up switching roles, and they did what they had to do in order to win the game.”
Sowers, who earned the win on the mound, silenced the Vikings the rest of the way. She allowed nine hits while fanning eight and walking three.
The Indians, who had seven hits, were led by the 2-for-3 effort of Bostwick.
“I still don’t think our hitters are hitting the best they can, and that’s something we’re going to continue to work on,” Rummel said. “As long as we’re winning, we can always improve.
“It was a great win, and we’re hoping to get another one on Friday.”
The Indians (15-4, 11-3) will face sixth-seeded West Chester Henderson in a quarterfinal game on Friday. Souderton defeated Henderson 12-1 on March 22.
West Chester East 013 100 0-5
Souderton 012 300 x-6
#5 PENNSBURY 11, #21 HATBORO-HORSHAM 5
The Falcons were sparked by two-run home runs from Marguerite Salamone and Fiona Link in Wednesday’s win.
“We were saved by the two dingers,” coach Frank McSherry said. “We played a little young today.
“We were a little bit undisciplined. We chased some pitches we should not have. I think part of it was – we’ve been off eight days, and we lost some rhythm. We had a bye on Monday – I’d almost rather play on Monday. It’s too long.”
Salamone’s two-run round tripper in the first knotted the score 2-2. In the third inning, The Falcons added three runs to go on top 5-3. Farryl Groder delivered an RBI single in the inning.
Link had a team-high three RBIs while Salamone (2-for-2) and Dani Litwin (2-for-4) had the Falcons’ only multi-hit games.
Casey Boltersdorf earned the win, allowing five hits while striking out six and walking two. She hit three batters.
“Casey lost some rhythm,” McSherry said. “She wasn’t as effective as she has been.
“We know Hatboro’s MO – they like to get runners on, they like to steal, they like to bunt them over. We were able to contain that a little bit.
“Casey came back and made some real good pitches, and we played solid defense. We only had one error on the day.”
While the Hatters closed their season with an 11-9 mark (8-6 SOL), the Falcons (14-7, 11-3) advance to Friday’s quarterfinal round where they will face fourth-seeded Spring-Ford.
Hatboro-Horsham 201 020 0-5
Pennsbury 203 510 x-11
#7 NESHAMINY 4, #10 KENNETT 2
Jenny Rakita took a shutout into the seventh inning, and although Kennett broke up her shutout bid with a pair of runs, the day belonged to the ‘Skins senior hurler, who allowed just five hits while striking out four and walking five.
“Our pitcher was great all the way,” coach Dave Chichilitti said. “She was a little wild at the end, but for the most part, she was excellent.
“She located her pitches, and our defense was awesome.”
Jen Walker put the ‘Skins on the board when she delivered a solo home run in the fourth.
“That sparked our offense,” Chichilitti said. “Prior to that, their pitcher struck out seven out of nine batters and had been perfect to that point.
“The first time through the lineup was an adjustment, the second time through we hit her hard, and the third time through, we hit her even harder. We made some adjustments to a pretty good pitcher. She was really good.”
The Redskins extended their lead to 4-0 with a three-run fourth. Nikki Wild led off with a single and moved up to second on a sacrifice by Hunter, setting the stage for an RBI single by Carly Coleman. Olivia Zaino and Walker also contributed RBI singles.
Chichilitti was pleased with his team’s performance.
“Especially coming off those losses in our last two games and then having the bye, this was huge,” he said.
The Redskins (15-5, 9-5 SOL) have earned a date with second-seeded Avon Grove in Friday’s quarterfinal.
Kennett 000 000 2-2
Neshaminy 000 130 x-4
#9 NORTH PENN 2, #8 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 (11 innings)
It figured to be a war when the two SOL Continental rivals did battle in Wednesday’s second round, and it turned out to be a classic battle of wills that wasn’t settled until the 11th inning when – with the international tiebreaker in effect - Vicky Tumasz delivered a two-run single.
“It was the best softball game I’ve been involved in in almost 30 years of coaching,” North Penn coach Rick Torresani said. “It was an unbelievable game.
“You know what – it’s sad because they played so well. Neither team should have lost. It’s a shame it’s not the semifinals because at least we would know both teams would go on. It was a shame.”
Pitchers for both sides were in complete command. Jackie Bilotti allowed just three hits in 11 shutout innings, fanning eight and walking five. One of her biggest strikeouts came with one out and a runner on third in the 11th.
Kayla Ventura, who was equally effective, was forced to absorb the loss. Ventura and Theresa Haug split duties on the mound, scattering seven hits.
Maher and Lauren Schwartz were the game’s lone players with two hits.
“There were opportunities but not many,” Torresani said. “We had a couple of chances, they had a couple of chances, but it was just some unbelievable plays by both teams defensively.
“They made plays and we made plays, and nobody was giving in until we got to the international tiebreaker.”
The Maidens turned a doubleplay in the bottom of the 10th, erasing the Patriots’ runner who started the inning on second.
“The girl bunted it, and it went in the air just a little bit,” Torresani said. “Our third baseman (Meghan Curley) came charging in. We had our rotation play on where our shortstop covers third, and (centerfielder) Erin (Maher) comes in on a bunt.
“Meghan made a diving catch, and she threw it to Erin, and we got the doubleplay. That was huge.”
In the 11th, Maher opened the inning on second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With the safety squeeze on, Schwartz legged out a bunt and then stole second, putting a pair of runners in scoring position.
The Patriots got one out on an infield popup, but they weren’t as fortunate with Tumasz, who smoked a single over the third base bag.
“Those kids and my kids were just making diving stops and coming up throwing the ball,” Torresani said. “Their third baseman (Brady Tillotson) made a tremendous play on Vicky on a line shot down third base.
“She grabbed it, got up and threw her out. It was a game of just great play after great play.”
While the Patriots (10-9, 10-4 SOL) see their season come to an end, the Maidens (15-6, 10-4) have earned a date with top-seeded William Tennent in Friday’s quarterfinal.
North Penn 000 000 000 02-2
Central Buck East 000 000 000 00-0
#4 SPRING-FORD 10, #13 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 6
A lengthy postgame meeting had just ended for the Indians, and the players – after exchanging hugs – slowly made their way back to the dugout to pack their equipment bags for the final time.
“It’s tough,” senior Marketa Kruse said. “You’re going to miss everyone on the team. Honestly, you love playing softball, but it’s just the bond you create with your team. It’s just unbelievable.
“I’m a senior, but the juniors are so close to me, and even the freshmen this year – I’m so close with them. The bond is what I’m going to miss the most.”
The Rams’ bats were the difference in the game. They pounded out 12 hits off a duo of Rock North pitchers – seven of those were doubles.
“They’re a good hitting team, a well-prepared team,” coach Hollie Woodard said.
The Indians had 10 hits of their own – including a double and triple, but the hits stopped coming when Amber Sergas came in to put out the fire in a five-run fourth. The Indians managed just one hit – a one-out double by Kalli Segal in the seventh – the rest of the way.
Although no one was using it as an excuse, it didn’t help the Indians’ cause that they were without a pair of key starters. Notre Dame-bound senior Bailey Bigler was on crutches after injuring her knee in Monday’s win, and freshman catcher Taylor Amazeen was sidelined with a broken toe.
Depsite their absence, the Indians showed their character when – trailing 4-1 – they exploded for five runs in the fifth inning. Segal and Kelly Harrison got things started with back-to-back singles, and one out later, both scored on Sabrina Crane’s triple into the left field corner.
“Our energy picks up so much when we hit – it’s contagious,” Kruse said.
The Indians had runners on the corner when the Rams didn’t make a play on Tatum Kelly’s bunt, and Crane beat the throw to the plate on Nicole Rounsavill’s grounder to short. Gergel and Kruse followed with back-to-back RBI singles, and just like that the Indians led 6-4.
“We’re playing without our catcher, we’re playing without our leftfielder, and it wasn’t even a conversation,” Woodard said. “They just deal with adversity and play their game. There was no doubt in my mind that they were going to fight back.”
The Rams scored five runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. The Indians never threatened the rest of the way.
Gergel was 3-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the Indians. Rounsavill was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored while Segal was 2-for-4 with a double.
Woodard bids farewell to seniors Bigler, Hannah Mumber, Kruse and Kelly.
“They have been in the program for four years, and they really came in at a time when our program was transitioning,” the Indians’ coach said. “It hasn’t always been easy for them. They’ve had a lot of adversity, and they have really developed as young women.
“We lose, and the first thing they want to do is hug each other and tell each other how much they love each other. That’s their character. It’s not necessarily about the wins and losses – it’s about the development of relationships they have. I know these are girls that are going to stay in touch forever. That’s a championship on any day.”
The Indians closed out the year with a 12-8 record (8-6 SOL).
“It’s a feeling you just can’t describe,” Kruse said of seeing the season come to a close. “It feels terrible, but in the end, the team has come so (far). It’s disappointing, but I think they’ve got it next year. I think they can go really far next year.”
Council Rock 001 500 0-6
Spring-Ford 202 501 x-10
#2 AVON GROVE 2, #15 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
Maggie Balint and Hailey Warner locked horns in a classic pitcher’s duel, matching each other pitch for pitch. Balint – whose 500-plus career strikeouts have made her the buzz of the district – fanned 14 and allowed four hits. Warner allowed just three hits while striking out 10.
“Hailey pitched a great game,” coach Dan Hayes said. “I said to the girls, ‘If we play them 10 times, maybe we win six and they win four.’
“I was real happy with them.”
In the fateful eighth, Maddie Bieber made a nice running catch of a line drive in right field for the first out, and when Warner coaxed a popup to second out of the next batter she faced, it looked like yet another easy inning.
That’s when Balint, who batted out of the three hole, stepped into the batter’s box.
“We kind of worked around her all day,” Hayes said. “She struck out three times.
“Hailey tried to jam her, and she hit her with a pitch.
“I went out to Hailey – their catcher (Alyssa Herion) is their only other hitter, and I said, ‘Let’s walk her,’ so we walked her on four pitches. Their five hitter (Courtney Gall), who hadn’t done anything all day, singled to right.”
The lead runner held at third as Bieber got the ball in quickly to the cutoff, but that’s not where the play ended. An errant throw attempting to nail the runner who had rounded second sailed into center field, allowing the game-winning run to cross the plate.
The Titans’ best chance to get on the scoreboard off Balint came in the fifth. Julia Formicola singled with one out and moved up to third, thanks to a pair of passed balls. Balint struck out the next two batters she faced to end that threat.
“She’s very good,” Hayes said. “She throws hard, harder than we’ve seen all year, but we were expecting that.
“We tried to work on it yesterday by speeding up the machine, but working on it and putting a bat on the ball is another thing.”
The Titans closed out the season with an 11-9 record overall (9-5 SOL).
Central Bucks South 000 000 00-0
Avon Grove 000 000 2-2
VILLA MARIA ACADEMY 9, UPPER MORELAND 8
- Log in to post comments
