SOL National/BAL Wins Carpenter Cup Opener

The SOL National/Bicentennial squad earned a 7-2 win over Chester County in Monday’s Carpenter Cup opener to advance to Tuesday’s second round. To view photos of all the action, please visit the Photo Gallery.

By Scott Huff

Philadelphia - The Suburban One League National Conference/Bicentennial League team is just a single Carpenter Cup victory away from playing at the home of the Philadelphia Phillies - Citizens Bank Park.  The SOL NC/Bicentennial captured a 7-2 win over Chester County to advance to a second round contest versus Tri-Cape Tuesday at 9 a.m.  Tri-Cape advanced to the second round with a 6-4 win over Philadelphia Catholic.

A victory over Tri-Cape will send the SOL National Conference/Bicentennial League team to the Carpenter Cup semifinals at the Bank.  The SOL National/BAL squad will host a team to be determined on Thursday at 10:30 am.

“There is no question that the goal of this team is to be able to win it all and get a chance to play a game at Citizens Bank Park,” said Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci who is an assistant coach for the SOL National/Bicentennial team.  “The tournament might be a showcase for some of the underclassmen and scholarship hopeful seniors – but this group of players have developed some chemistry and have had some fun.”

Winning creates fun – and this hybrid team victory presented itself in comeback fashion.

The team is composed of players from the SOL National Conference that includes Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Council Rock South, William Tennent, Abington, and Bensalem.  The team also is composed of players from the Bicentennial League that includes New Hope-Solebury, Holy Ghost Prep, Devon Prep, Lower Moreland, and Bristol.

“Both the players and the coaches on the team have a great relationship and respect for one another despite playing in different leagues,” said Pesci.  “Sure we argue sometimes about who should make the team – but we really don’t get a chance too often to see the players from the other league.  But everyone involved wants very much to win – and we work hard to select the best players.”

Two of the very best players selected come from Pesci’s own flock of Falcons.  Senior Brendan Campbell delivered what proved to be the game winning hit in the second inning with a two-run single, while senior Justin Jacko drove home the next two runs for the winners with a two-run double in the fourth inning.

“Both those hits were very big hits in the game,” said Pesci.  “Brendan’s hit came with two outs and down 0-2 in the count.  He has come up with big hits all season for us.

“Justin led our team in doubles, RBI, batting average, and slugging percentage, and his hit was no surprise,” added Pesci.  “I was extremely proud of what he and Brendan did to help the team win – and I was proud of the other four Pennsbury players that played in the game.”

That list – in addition to Campbell and Jacko – included Brody McFadden, Ryan Sheaffer, Zach Szumigara, and DJ Endler.

McFadden will most likely get a chance to pitch in the second round game against Tri-Cape.

“We used three pitchers in the win over Chester, and Brody will likely be in the mix in the next game,” said Pesci in reference to his junior hurler who finished the 2014 season with a 4-0 record and an ERA of 1.15 with 32 strikeouts in 30 innings.   “He throws in the low 80’s – and he throws strikes.  He knows how to get people out.”

The SOL NC/Bicentennial started Tim Brennan (Holy Ghost Prep) – followed with Greg Paprocki (Council Rock South) – and closed with Jordan Silverman (Council Rock South). All three threw the maximum number of innings allowed – three.  Brennan allowed a single run – Paprocki permitted a single run – and Silverman closed with three shutout innings. Paprocki fanned four while Silverman struck out five. Bennan had seven strikeouts as the trio combined for 16 Ks.

“There is nothing in the (Carpenter Cup) rules that say that a pitcher can’t pitch the next day after throwing three innings the previous day,” said Pesci.  “Brennan might even start (today), but I’m not too sure that the Council Rock South kids would throw.

“It’s funny about those two kids – Paprocki and Silverman,” added Pesci.  “During the year I tend to hate the kids from CR South, Neshaminy, Abington, William Tennent, Bensalem, and CR North – all of the those SOL National Conference kids.  But not today – not this week.  This week I’m their biggest fan.”

Chester County took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but the SOL National/BAL took a lead it would not lose in the top of the second, capitalizing on an error as well as back-to-back singles by Colin Smeraglio (Holy Ghost) and Spencer Tinkel (New Hope-Solebury) and Campbell’s two run single to go on top 2-1.

In a four-run third that put the SOL National/BAL on top 6-1, Sean Phelan (Devon Prep) drew a leadoff walk, and Ryan Malloy (Holy Ghost) followed with a single. Jacko’s double to left center drove in a pair. Tinkel delivered a two-out RBI single, and Jack Seibert (Holy Ghost) doubled and drove in a run.

The SOL National/BAL added a single run in the fourth to go on top 7-1 before Chester County plated its final run in the bottom of the inning.

The SOL National/Bicentennial League roster includes Steve Hatala, Brett Koslowski, and Paul McElroy (William Tennent); Jordan Angjelo and Bill Ritchey (Neshaminy); Jay Mulvey (Bensalem); and Nick Bein (Abington).

“I even get along with (Abington head coach) Dave Torresani this week,” kidded Pesci of his fellow assistant coach.  “I hate to play him when his team bunts all the time – but he really isn’t that bad a guy when you get to know him.”

Coach Pesci and Coach Torresani – along with all the other players from the SOL National Conference – all now wear the same uniform.  And all hope to display their new uniforms at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday.

SOL NATIONAL/BICENTENNIAL     024 100 000   - 7  13  1
CHESTER COUNTY    100 100 000  -  2  8  4

E-Z.Szumigala ,J.Zebrowski, K.Price 2, M.Kelly. LOB-SOL N/B 8, Chester 9. 2B-J.Procrass, S.Phelan, Endler, J.Jacko, J.Seibert 2, C.Concannon, A.Coleman, J.Zebrowski, S. Lorback. 3B-C.Concannon.