Check out the results of SOL softball teams in action Thursday. To view photos of the CB East/CB West game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
National Conference
WILLIAM TENNENT 2, PENNSBURY 0
In a game of limited scoring opportunities, it was the Panthers making the most of theirs to earn the win.
“It really was a great game,” coach Biz Keeney said. “It was kind of what we expected going in – it was going to be low scoring. We just did a few more things than they did today. They’re sound. Maybe they didn’t hit as well as they wanted to, but we turned a couple of double plays.
“What it came down to – we both had bases loaded. We made the most of our opportunities, and they stranded theirs. They’re well coached, and they’ve got players. They’re going to be better the second half of the year.”
The Panthers scored all the runs ace Nikki Alden would need in the fourth inning. Jackie Heim got things started with a leadoff single. A walk set the stage for a hard-hit ball by Whitney Delagol that was bobbled, allowing a run to score.
With runners on second and third, freshman Marissa Govan delivered a nice piece of hitting, grounding a ball to second that plated the Panthers’ second run.
“We drive into their heads – a ball to the right side with a runner on third and less than two outs is what we’re looking for,” Keeney said. “That was a critical play because it put us up 2-0, and that’s different than 1-0.
“She’s playing hard and doing a nice job of catching and probably doesn’t realize from a coaching standpoint the magnitude of a play like that.”
Alden was impressive in the circle, tossing a shutout to earn the big win.
“I thought Nikki threw the ball very, very well,” Keeney said. “She moved the ball in and out and up and down and was able to make pitches when she needed to. She did a real good job when she had to, and that’s experience.”
Another key to the win was the play of the Panthers defense, which committed just one error and turned a pair of double plays – a 1-6-3 twin killing that was started by Alden and a 6-4-3 DP that Heim started.
“We have to play defense,” Keeney said. “We haven’t had a lot of time outside, but we spend a lot of gym time working on situations, knowing the situation.
“Today I thought we defensively executed very well. It always helps to turn double plays, and that’s never easy in fast pitch.”
The Panthers’ coach credited the strong play of his infield.
“Whitney Delagol played well at third, Casey (McMahon) played well at first,” Keeney said. “Sara (Keeney) and Jackie (Heim) play together, so you come to expect those two to play well, but the corners have played well for us.
“Whitney was our shortstop a year ago, and we moved her to third base, and she’s done a real, real good job, and she’s getting better. That’s the best part of it.”
McSherry also tipped his hat to the Panthers and their infield.
“We’ll get better,” McSherry said. “We’ll get tougher. It’s a learning curve.
“I was really proud of the way they played. They could have folded their tents. William Tennent is a good team. They have a real good infield and a real good shortstop.
“They turned two double plays which really helped them. Give them credit – they did a nice job defensively.”
The Falcons received a standout pitching performance from Casey Boltersdorf against a Tennent squad that averaged 10 runs a game through its first four games.
“We played good defense, and Casey did a really nice job,” McSherry said. “They’re the winning team, and they deserve all the credit, but I was so proud of Casey because she was sick the entire time – after the game she had a fever.
“We have four kids who are out sick. It’s just running through our team, but we were proud of them. They battled, and that’s all you can ask.”
The only multi-hits in the game were delivered by the two leadoff hitters – Tennent’s Sara Keeney was 2-for-4 and Pennsbury’s Marguerite Salamone was 2-for-3.
The Panthers improved to 2-0 in league play (4-1 overall) while the Falcons are 1-1 in the league.
William Tennent 000 200 0-2
Pennsbury 000 000 0-0
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 6, ABINGTON 1
The Indians took an early lead and then put the game away with a three-run sixth to earn their first league win.
“It’s been a horrible spring, and we’ve had very little facility use, so it’s been really challenging getting started,” coach Hollie Woodard said. “Today it was nice to hit the ball hard and see where it actually goes instead of hitting in the cage the whole time.
“It was nice. It was a good shift in energy, and the girls were really happy afterwards. We had a lot of great athletic plays in the field, so that was fun to watch. Nicole Rounsavill was just ridiculous at shortstop. She had five assists and just played awesome.”
Rounsavill got the ball rolling for the Indians in the first inning when her hard hit grounder was bobbled. The Indians were on the receiving end of three free passes, and Hannah Mumber delivered an RBI single, spotting the Indians a 2-0 lead.
The Ghosts made it a 2-1 game with a single run in the third. The Indians tacked on an insurance run in the fifth and then put the game out of reach with a three-run sixth. The inning was highlighted by a Rounsavill RBI triple that plated Tatum Kelly, who had singled. Melissa Gergel delivered a sacrifice bunt that brought Rounsavill home, and Bailey Bigler’s sacrifice fly gave the Indians their final margin of victory.
Rounsavill finished the day 2-for-3 with a triple while Mumber was 2-for-3 with a double.
Mumber also earned the win for the Indians.
“She pitched great,” Woodard said. “She didn’t go deep in the count with anyone.
“It was our first real nice warm day, and we played the way we felt we should play. The other games have been frustrating. There were always things that didn’t turn out the way we thought they should turn out, so this was nice to come out and play the way we’re supposed to play our game.”
The Indians are 1-1 in league play (2-2 overall) while the Ghosts fell to 0-2 in the league (2-2 overall).
Abington 001 000 0-1
Council Rock North 200 013 x-6
NESHAMINY 11, BENSALEM 1 (5 innings)
The Redskins remained in the ranks of the undefeated with an impressive win over the Owls in an abbreviated five-inning contest.
“We played a great game against a great team,” coach Dave Chichilitti said.
Carly Coleman earned the win on the mound, working 4.1 innings and allowing just four hits while striking out two and walking one.
Offensively, the Redskins pounded out four extra base hits. Jen Walker was 2-for-4 with a double. Hunter Hart was 1-for-3 with a triple and RBI. Nikki Wild was 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, and Sarah Snider-Leonhauser contributed a triple and two RBIs. Mackensie Compton also drove in a pair of runs.
The Falcons received a double and RBI from Isabel Hansbury.
The Redskins upped their league mark to 2-0 (4-0 overall) while the Owls fell to 0-2 in the league.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 6, HARRY S TRUMAN 2
The Golden Hawks managed just seven hits, but they made the most of those hits to earn their second win in as many outings this week.
Freshman Stephanie Andreoli helped her own cause with a solo home run to lead off the third inning. With two outs, the Hawks put four straight runners on board to plate two more to go on top 3-0.
The Tigers scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to make it a 3-2 game, but the Hawks sealed the win with three more runs in the sixth. Jackie Schneider led off the frame with a bunt single, and with two outs, the Hawks collected three straight hits.
Amanda Sharp doubled home two runs, and Kelsey Illiano came off the bench to deliver an RBI single.
Andreoli earned the win on the mound, striking out nine.
“She had a better game this time out,” coach Greg Heydet Sr. said. “She did get behind, but we played good defense.
“We only had two errors, and for a new team that didn’t win much, our defense is playing pretty good. I’m happy for them, but we have a big game Monday against Pennsbury.”
The Golden Hawks (2-1) improved to 2-0 in league play and are atop the conference standings with Tennent and Neshaminy. Truman (0-5, 0-2) continues to search for its first win.
Harry S Truman 000 101 0-2
Council Rock South 003 003 0-6
Continental Conference
SOUDERTON 3, HATBORO-HORSHAM 2
The Indians took a 2-1 lead in to the top of the first and never lost their lead, holding on for the important win.
“This was really big,” coach Stephanie Rummel said. “Our team plays well when we score first. A big thing is that we try to score every inning, and for us to come out and score against Hatboro was a really good thing for us because we needed that confidence.”
In the pivotal first, Haley Delany singled, and Dayna Shelley had the big blow, delivering a two-run double. The Hatters got one of those runs back in the second, and it might have been more had it not been for the clutch performance of Erelle Sowers on the mound.
Sowers entered the game in the second with one out, a run already across and the bases loaded. She struck out the first batter she faced and then retired the next one as well to escape unscathed.
“Our pitching really pulled through,” Rummel said. “We had a little bit of shakiness there, but for Erelle to come in and shut down the inning – that was what we really needed for our confidence throughout the game.”
The Indians tacked on a run in the fourth to go on top 3-1, benefitting from a bunt single by Sowers, a single by Allison Klee and a sacrifice fly by Angie Carty. That run loomed large when Daria Edwards doubled and scored in the sixth to make it a 3-2 game.
“We came out hard, and we kept playing,” Rummel said. “We’re not to our highest potential of hitting. I told the girls that we need to continue to get better and build off this win.
“A win’s a win, and we’re trying to continue to get better and work through the season, capitalizing on getting runners on base. We’re going to continue to work as a team together.”
The Indians are 3-1 overall (1-0 SOL) while the Hatters suffered their first loss, falling to 2-1 (1-1 SOL).
Souderton 200 100 0-3
Hatboro-Horsham 010 001 0-2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 5, NORTH PENN 3
Improbable. Unlikely. Unexpected.
Take your pick – any one of those three words could safely describe a seventh inning that saw a young and inexperienced Titan squad erase a 3-0 deficit to earn the come-from-behind win.
Making the comeback so unlikely was the fact that the Titans had managed just two hits off Maiden ace Jackie Bilotti through six innings. All that changed in the seventh when they erupted for six hits and five runs to earn the dramatic victory.
Not a bad way to open the season for a South squad seeing its first game action.
“You know what – it feel great,” junior Maddie Decker said. “We haven’t really gotten on a field because of all the rain, so it felt good to actually get on a field.
“To come back and beat these guys is a real big game under our belts to go into the season.”
The Maidens appeared to be in command when Bilotti singled to lead off the sixth, and Vicky Tumasz ripped an RBI double to left to put the Maidens on top 3-0, but the Titans weren’t about to go down quietly.
“We just said – it’s not over,” Decker said. “It’s not over until that third out of the seventh inning, so we just had to keep pushing.”
And push they did.
Hope Darreff set the tone for the inning when she roped a double to lead off the seventh. One out later, Taylor Marinelli collected a bloop single just over second. Taylor Risich’s RBI single to left made it a 3-1 game, and then Maddie Bieber singled to load the bases, setting the stage for pinch hitter Kate McNesby. The freshman quickly fell behind 0-2, and it looked like the Maidens could see their way out of the inning.
But McNesby got all of a two-strike pitch, ripping a double that plated a pair and knotted the score. A sacrifice fly to center by Jocelyn Flores gave the Titans the lead, and they tacked on an insurance run on Lauren McCarthy’s infield single, giving the Titans a 5-3 edge.
There was still the not-so-little matter of retiring the Maidens in the bottom of the frame, but Decker took care of that little matter, allowing a leadoff single to Jovanna Alfonsi but then retiring the next three batters she faced to earn the big win.
“My mentality is – I just went out there and pitched like it was 0-0,” Decker said. “We just had to get through that inning – just go in there like nothing happened that last inning and it was 0-0.”
Coach Dan Hayes was understandably pleased with his team’s resiliency.
“It was a good comeback – I didn’t really know what to expect,” he said. “We started five freshmen, a sophomore and a couple of juniors.
“We were looking to play well and gain experience. This is really a bonus for us. They’re very good. Don’t take anything away from them. They’re a tough first game. We played LC in a scrimmage, and we’ve been on our practice field once, so it was getting crazy in that gymnasium.”
The Titans are 1-0 on the season while the Maidens are 0-1 in the SOL (0-2 overall).
“This was a big confidence booster,” Decker said. “This is the youngest team South has ever had, so we’re really look toward the freshman to be big, and Katie McNesby proved that. All the freshmen did a great job this game.”
Central Bucks South 000 000 5-5
North Penn 011 001 0-3
QUAKERTOWN 6, PENNRIDGE 1
The Panthers blew open a close game with a six-run fifth inning to earn their third win without a loss. They are the lone Continental Conference squad with a 2-0 record.
“This was a huge win,” coach Rich Scott said. “Before the game, I talked to the girls. I know a lot of their players.
“We’re a good team. If we play the way we’re capable, we’re going to be in a lot of games. It’s a matter of winning in the circle too.”
Becca Robison got things started in the fifth, roping a solo home run over the center field fence to spot the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Emily Scott followed with a single. Scott was erased on a fielder’s choice by Tara Baglivo, and a second run crossed the plate when Spenser Gray reached base on an error. Maddie Mulhal drew a walk, and Alyssa Wilkinson delivered a two-run double. Meghan Klee’s two run single put the Panthers on top 6-0.
The Rams plated their only run in the bottom of the inning, but Alyssa Wilkinson, who earned the win, shut them down the rest of the way. She allowed just one hit while walking nine and striking out three.
Wilkinson was also 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles and two RBIs.
The Panthers are 3-0 overall (2-0 SOL) while the Rams fell to 2-2 (0-1 SOL).
Quakertown 000 060 0-6
Pennridge 000 010 0-1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 11, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 (5 innings)
The Patriots took care of business early, plating five runs in the first and adding six more in the third in the abbreviated five-inning contest.
Senior Caroline Schoenewald was 2-for-3 with two triples and five RBIs to lead the Patriots. Maegan Lowery was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a double. Jenn Young had a key RBI triple.
Sophomore Theresa Haug earned the win, working two of the five innings. Kayla Ventura finished out the game. Each pitcher allowed just one hit. Jess D’Agostino and Amanda Wolfgang accounted for West’s two hits.
The Patriots are 1-1 in league play (1-2 overall) while the Bucks fell to 0-2 in the league (1-3 overall).
Central Bucks East 506 00-11
Central Bucks West 000 00-0
American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 3, NORRISTOWN 2
The Flying Cardinals watched the Eagles take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first and then answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning, holding on for the tightly contested win.
Rachel Stingel (2-for-3, one run) and Rachel Hyman (2-for-3, one run, one RBI) paced the Flying Cardinals offensively. Mary Kate McInerney was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
For the Eagles, Maria Sinni was 1-for-3 with a leadoff double in the fourth.
Rebecca Matricardi earned the win, scattering three hits and allowing no earned runs while fanning five and walking none. Allison Taylor absorbed the loss, allowing five hits while striking out four and walking four.
The Flying Cardinals upped their record to 2-0 in league play (2-2 overall) while the Eagles fell to 0-2 in the league.
Norristown 100 001 0-2
Upper Dublin 300 000 x-3
UPPER MERION 14, UPPER MORELAND 5
The Vikings continued their torrid offensive production, pounding out 11 hits en route to the big win.
Gabby Sborlini and Maddalana Ghanayem paced the Vikings with two hits each. Ghanayem also had three RBIs. Olivia Sborlini earned the win for the Vikings, who plated a single run in the first, two more in the second and one more run in the third to go on top 4-1. The Golden Bears made it a 4-3 game before the Vikings scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to go on top 8-3. Upper Moreland made it an 8-5 game in the sixth, but the Vikings sealed their fate with a six-run uprising in the bottom of the inning.
The Vikings are 2-0 in league play (3-1 overall) while the Golden Bears fell to 1-1 (2-1 overall).
Upper Moreland 000 122 0-5
Upper Merion121 046 x-14
SPRINGFIELD 16, WISSAHICKON 3 (3 innings)
The Spartans exploded for 13 runs in the third inning to bring an early end to the contest. Courtney Wilmont and Kim Machalette both contributed a pair of hits to lead the Spartans’ 11-hit attack. Wilmont had three RBIs while Machalette had two.
For the Trojans, Michela Coleman had a pair of hits. The Trojans scored their only run in the top of the third to make it a 3-1 game only to watch the Spartans close it out in the bottom of the frame.
Jennifer Hammons earned the win on the mound, allowing four hits.
The Spartans are 1-1 in league play while the Trojans fell to 0-2.
Wissahickon 001 1
Springfield 3013 16
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