SOL National/BAL Advances to Carpenter Cup Title Game

The SOL National/BAL edged Berks County to earn a spot in Tuesday’s Carpenter Cup title game at Citizen’s Bank Park. To view photos of all of Monday’s action, please visit the Photo Gallery.

By Scott Huff

Philadelphia – The SOL National Conference/Bicentennial League team will play for the ultimate prize – a 2015 Carpenter Cup championship and the gorgeous championship watch that goes to each player and coach along with the title – as the SOLN/BAL edged Berks County 6-5 in a semifinal contest played at Citizen’s Bank Park.  The SOLN/BAL will meet Jersey Shore – which defeated Delaware County 6-5 in 10 innings - back at Citizen’s Bank Park Tuesday with a 10 am starting time.

“I just found my watch the other day – it is a great memento of playing in this tournament,” said SOLN/BAL Co-Head Coach Dave Torresani (Abington) who was on the coaching staff for the 2008 Carpenter Cup champion SOLN/BAL.  “It would be great if we could win another one.”

It takes the marvelous play of a winner to get to the Cup finals, and for two SOL teammates, winning came at a premium this 2015 scholastic season.  Both Aaron Wolf (Harry S Truman) and Nick Mulvey (Bensalem) played on teams with less than .500 records in the SOL National Conference, but both Wolf and Mulvey have made important contributions to the success of the SOL National/BAL Cup finalists.

“The (high school) season was a struggle, but getting to play on this team was a nice reward,” said Wolf who was masterful as he pitched two scoreless innings to help the SOL National/BAL clear the semifinal hurdle against Berks County.  “I wasn’t on the original roster for this team, but I was ready when I got the call from my coach (SOL National/BAL assistant coach Tim Monaghan) to fill out a roster space.

“This was a great opportunity to get on the field to compete with good high school players,” added Wolf who will attend California University of Pennsylvania next year.  “I didn’t want to pass it up.”

“The only reason that Aaron wasn’t on the team to begin with is that you can only have 12 seniors,” said Torresani.  “When we had a spot open up – we knew we were going to get a good player in Aaron.

“For senior players like Aaron and Nick – who played on teams that struggled with wins this season – it is absolutely a great culmination to their high school careers,” added Torresani.  “Both of them – and the rest of the team for that matter – play with grit and determination.”

“To be able to make this run at the end of the season is great,” said Mulvey who collected a single and scored a run in his three at-bats.  “And to be able to play with players that you have played against all season - and to now have as teammates - is special.”

The SOL National/BAL fell behind 1-0 after the first inning but rallied for three runs in the second inning to forge a 3-1 lead.

Sean Phelan (Devon Prep) reached first base on an error and moved to second base when Jared Schram (Council Rock North) was also safe on an error.  Mulvey reached first base on a fielder’s choice as Phelan was out at third base.  Jack Larini (Abington) collected an RBI single through the right side with Schram scoring and Mulvey going to third base.  Tim Brodhag (William Tennent) singled to load the bases.  Brendan Gallagher (Abington) hit into an RBI fielder’s choice as Mulvey scored.  Tim DiLoreto (Christopher Dock) also collected an RBI single, which scored Brodhag.

The SOL National/BAL had a little two out magic in the third inning to assume a 4-1 lead.

With two outs, Schram roped a double down the left field line.  Mulvey singled up the middle as Schram stopped at third base.  Larini – who had a pair of hits - collected a key RBI single that scored Schram.

Berks County made it a one-run game at 4-3 after scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

However, the SOL National/BAL stretched the lead to 6-3 with what proved to be two very important runs in the top of the eighth inning.

With one out, Shaun Stackhouse (Council Rock South) singled.  With two outs, Stackhouse stole second base.  Connor Macaulay (Council Rock South) walked.  Julian Turner (Holy Ghost Prep) delivered a key RBI single that scored Stackhouse.  Spencer Tinkel (New Hope Solebury) delivered an RBI single to score Macaulay with what proved to be the winning run.

Berks County countered with two runs in the ninth inning and had the tying run on second base with two outs.

The SOL National/BAL went to the bullpen and made a call for TJ Arnao (Neshaminy) who pitched to one batter and got him to pop up to Josh Kim (Council Rock South) at second base.  And that one batter save will send the SOL National/BAL to the 2015 Carpenter Cup finals.

“We get a watch if we win?” said Mulvey when told of the championship treasure. “I didn’t know that.”

But only if the time is right on Tuesday for the SOLN/BAL to win the 2015 Carpenter Cup championship.

SOL National-BAL    031 000 020   6-11 1
Berks County           100 002 002   5-9-3
E-SOL Nat/BAL 1, Berks Co 3. DP-SOL Nat/BAL 1, Berks Co 1, LOB-SOL Nat/BAL 9, Berks Co 9,
2B-Schram, Stout, SB-Malloy, Stackhouse.