Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action Thursday.
NESHAMINY 4, SOUDERTON 1
Dave Chichilitti knew Souderton was capable of putting up big offensive numbers. The Indians had scored 25 runs in their two wins so far this season, and last year, they put up six runs in an 11-6 loss to the eventual state runner-up ‘Skins.
“We knew coming into the game from last year that Souderton has a very high-powered offense,” the Redskins coach said. “We saw the first two games and the runs they put up on people.
“We challenged ourselves all week that we were going to go out and try and play perfect defense. We almost did – we had one little error. Our defense played excellent. We laid down some good bunts, we stole some bases, we put runners in scoring position, and we hit when we had runners in scoring position.”
Nikki Wild had a big day at the plate, contributing a pair of hits and driving in three runs. It was Wild’s two-out RBI single in the first that spotted the ‘Skins a 1-0 lead. That lead grew to 2-0 in the fourth when Jessica Mount, who also finished the day 2-for-3, delivered a two-out RBI single to center that plated Sam Offenback, who had singled to lead off the frame.
Wild all but sealed the Indians’ fate with a two-run home run to center field in the bottom of the fifth inning, plating Sarah Snider-Leonhauser who had reached base on a one-out single. Snider-Leonhauser also was 2-for-3 on the day.
The Indians didn’t go down quietly, staging a two-out rally in the seventh when Amanda Brush, Paige Shelly and Dayna Shelly (RBI) picked up back-to-back-to-back singles to break up the ‘Skins shutout bid.
“That’s a credit to how good a team they are that they fought to the end,” Chichilitti said.
Brush had a pair of hits for the Indians, including a two-out triple in the fifth. Paige Shelly also had a pair of hits, including a two-out triple in the first. The Indians (2-1) wasted an opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the third when they had runners on second and third with one out but failed to score on a fly ball to the outfield and then saw the threat end on a soft liner to second.
Carly Coleman earned the win on the mound, tossing 4.2 shutout innings. Jenny Rakita closed it out for the ‘Skins. Rakita recorded five strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work.
“They’re a high-powered offense,” Chichilitti said. “I’m predicting that team is going to challenge North Penn for the crown in that conference.
“I was very happy with the outcome because, on paper, that was a very challenging game. I told our girls going in that this was going to be a very, very important game for seeding purposes because I think this team can challenge for the Continental crown.”
Souderton 000 000 1-1
Neshaminy 100 120 x-4
QUAKERTOWN 12, WILLIAM TENNENT 10
Quakertown showed its resiliency in Thursday’s slugfest, three times rallying from deficits to earn the win. The host Panthers trailed 9-4 heading into the bottom of the fourth but outscored Tennent 8-1 the rest of the way.
“It’s a big win,” Quakertown coach Rich Scott said. “We’ve been in the gym for a month. We played one scrimmage on the turf football field just to get the game in.
“William Tennent is a good team. They’re going to be a force in their league, there’s no doubt, so to get a win against a team like that is very enjoyable.”
Tennent put three runs on the board in the top of the first, and Quakertown answered with three of its own in the bottom of the inning. Neither team scored in the second, and the two squads exchanged runs in the third.
Tennent benefitted from some fielding miscues as well as a two-run home run by Laura Petri to score five runs in the fourth to go on top 9-4, but Quakertown came back with three runs in the bottom of the inning and – after Tennent scored one in the top of the inning – four more in the bottom of the fifth to take a lead it would not lose.
“I loved it,” Scott said of his team’s comeback. “I told them – I can’t say anything bad. I said, ‘You guys play awesome.’
“Yesterday I told them about the opportunity in front of them. It’s anybody’s league this year. ‘I’ is not going to win it, ‘Me’ is not going to win it - it has to be we. Hopefully, we can continue. It was a great team win.”
There were offensive heroes galore in this one. Maddie Mulhall delivered a solo home run in the third inning and finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
“Maddie was down 0-2 in the count,” Scott said. “I have all the confidence in the world and said, ‘Hit your pitch,’ and she did.”
Sophomore Alyssa Wilkinson was 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Maddie Calder was 2-for-3 and freshman Tara Baglivo was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Emma McLaughlin also had three RBIs on a day that saw Quakertown pound out 11 hits.
Petri had another big day for Tennent, finishing the game 3-for-3. She also reached base on a walk. Tennent was without the services of senior standout Nikki Alden.
Wilkinson, who entered the game in the fifth, earned the win on the mound, throwing a scoreless sixth and seventh innings.
“We made more errors than I would have liked, but like I told the girls – it was our first time on the field,” Scott said. “We just have to clean it up. We can’t give teams 10 runs and expect to win.”
William Tennent 301 510 0-10
Quakertown 301 341 x-12
ABINGTON 14, UPPER DUBLIN 3 (5 innings)
Only a double separated Nicolette Ray from hitting for the cycle in Thursday’s non-league win. She had a two-run triple in a six-run sixth inning. She had a solo home run in a five-run fifth.
Junior Maddie Malfara had a three-run triple in the fourth inning and also delivered a two-run single that brought an early end to the game in the fifth. Amy Worek contributed an RBI double in the third inning and also scored three runs.
Ray earned the win on the mound, scattering four hits while fanning four and walking two.
Upper Dublin 201 00-3
Abington 106 52-14
PENNRIDGE 6, HARRY S TRUMAN 5
The Rams survived a late-game comeback by the Tigers to earn the non-league win. They took a 3-0 lead in the third inning, thanks to singles by Emily Mayhew, Briana Gery, Haley Taylor (RBI) and Morgan Labs (2 RBIs).
Taylor roped a solo home run over the left field fence to lead off the fifth inning. Mayhew drew a bases-loaded walk to push the fifth run across for the Lady Rams.
In the sixth inning, the Lady Rams tacked on an insurance run with Taylor and Labs delivered back-to-back doubles.
The Tigers – trailing 6-2 entering the seventh inning - plated three runs in the seventh and had the tying run on first.
Liz Nace earned the win in the circle, working 6.2 innings and scattering nine hits while fanning six and walking none. Mayhew entered the game in the bottom of the seventh with the tying run on first and came up with a big strikeout.
Mayhew also had a 3-for-4 day at the plate that included a double and RBI. Taylor was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and two RBIs. Labs was 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
UPPER MERION 5, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 5
Olivia Sborlini earned the win for the Vikings, allowing two runs on seven hits. Offensively, Abby Volpe had a big day, contributing two hits - including a triple - with four RBIs. Nicole Kowalski added a double.
LANSDALE CATHOLIC 16, WISSACHIKON 0 (3 innings)
The Trojans managed just two hits in Thursday’s loss – singles by Brittany Gelman and Jenn Tague.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 10, CHELTENHAM 2
The Bucks exploded for six runs in the sixth inning, blowing open a close game to earn their first win of the young season. Last year, the Bucks, who finished 1-19, didn't win their first game until the final day of the regular season.
"It's our first road win since I've been the coach," said West coach Jim Taylor, who took over the helm last season. "It takes a little of the heat off. We thought we were going to be better this year, but until you get that win, you never know.
"Getting the win now gives us a little more confidence for future games. We don't expect a record like we had last year ever again. Whether we win or lose, we feel we can be in most games."
Junior Alexa Kaminski notched her first varsity win in her second start of the season.
"She's really been resillient for us," Taylor said. "She really had one poor inning in two games, but other than that, she's had good control, and she's doing exactly what the coaches are asking of her.
"She's going to be hit, and that's fine. What we're trying to avoid is the walks, and we need to field the ball and make the plays. How we got in trouble against Abington was errors and the walks, but even the first five runs in that game were probably unearned. Against Cheltenham, we avoided that."
Angelina Reifice led the Bucks at the plate with a perfect 4-for-4 performance that included a triple and one RBI. The senior centerfielder also scored three runs and came up with the defensive gem of the game.
"The bases were loaded with nobody out, and it was a 2-0 game at the time," Taylor said. "She made a great over-the-shoulder catch and threw a strike to third place to get the double play. If they score there, it's probably a totally different game."
Teammates Amanda Wolfgang and Sam Ali also collected multiple hits with Ali delivering a two-run single to spot the Bucks a 2-0 lead in the top of the third.
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