Check out the results for SOL baseball teams in action Friday. To view photos of the North Penn/Souderton game, please visit the Photo Gallery…click here.
By Scott Huff
Suburban One League American Conference
Wissahickon Trojans 7, Upper Dublin Cardinals 4.
In a battle for first place in the SOL American Conference, Wissahickon (6-0) took a 7-0 lead early in the game and held on to defeat Upper Dublin (6-1) 7-4.
The Trojans seemingly broke open the game with a five-run fourth inning, but the Cardinals scored the final four runs of the game over the final four innings to make the game competitive.
“I was a little surprised that we had only six hits in the game,” said Wissahickon head coach Shannon Gunby. “We were able to capitalize on some scoring opportunities with walks and passed balls, and we were able to put together that big fourth inning.
“Our goal is to go 7-0 for the first half of the conference season – and we’re almost there,” added Gunby. “The players are very aware of what we have to do if we want to play in the postseason, and winning conference games is what gets you there.
“If you win the conference – getting into the district playoffs will take care of itself,” continued Gunby. “We will focus on those conference games.”
The Wissahickon offense was fueled by Alex Tappen with three RBIs, while Nick Falso collected two hits and an RBI. Tappen also earned the win for the Trojans, throwing four innings without allowing an earned run.
The Upper Dublin offense was sparked by Cole Swiger, who had two hits and two RBIs, while Steven Bell also collected two hits for the Cardinals.
Wissahickon Trojans 1015000 – 7 6 3
Upper Dublin Cardinals 000103 0 – 4 7 0
Springfield Spartans 23, Upper Merion Vikings 15.
It was a wild affair that saw the two teams combine for 38 runs, 24 hits, and 10 errors as Springfield (3-4) outlasted host Upper Merion (0-6).
The Spartans led 11-4 – trailed 13-11 – led 16-15 – and scored seven runs in the final inning to finally put the game in the victory column.
“We did some things well – like hitting – and we did some things very poorly – like fielding,” said Springfield head coach Dennis Primavera. “Deandre Johnson pitched a very good game – he made them hit ground balls, but we couldn’t (field) them. He only gave up one hit, but we had to get him out of the game because we couldn’t field the ball.
“Chris Binet had a huge game for us,” added Primavera. “He had three hits and hit two homeruns. One was a grand slam – and the other was a three-run homer. Anytime you get seven RBIs you have had a great day.
“Chris had a two-homerun game against Norristown this year,” continued Primavera. “He had a grand slam in that game, too. He is our number three hitter and has done a great job for us.
“I guess I’m happy with being 3-4 after the first half of the season,” added Primavera. “Let’s just say it hasn’t been a disaster.”
Springfield Spartans 0038057 – 23 16 6
Upper Merion Vikings 0400920 – 15 8 4
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 11, Norristown Eagles 4.
Upper Moreland (2-3) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back as the Golden Bears captured an 11-4 victory over host Norristown (2-4).
“We really needed this game,” said Upper Moreland head coach Ken Irwin. “It was great for the kids. On the bus ride back, they were so excited you might have thought we had won a championship.
The big hit in the first inning for Upper Moreland was a two-run double off the bat of Nick DeLucas. DeLucas and John Searles both sparked the Golden Bear hitting attack with a pair of hits.
Brandon Kohn was a complete game winner for Upper Moreland. Kohn allowed just six hits – three earned runs – and had two strikeouts.
“We came off our best game of the year in a win over William Tennent, and then we got outplayed pretty badly by Cheltenham,” said Irwin. “It was good to see us come back and get the win over Norristown – we have some big game coming up. The next two weeks will tell us a lot about our team.”
Upper Moreland Bears 5100410 – 11 11 1
Norristown Eagles 000 3100 – 4 6 2
Suburban One League Continental Conference
North Penn Knights 5, Souderton Indians 1.
North Penn (5-0) remained unbeaten in conference play as the Knights (5-0) marched to the 5-1 victory over visiting Souderton (2-4).
“It was our third game of the week and we were able to get good pitching and timely hitting,” said North Penn head coach Kevin Manero. “We scratched out some runs early and that was enough to win the game.”
The good pitching was turned in by Collin Healy who threw five innings and allowed just a single earned run on four hits.
“It was the first start of the year for Collin,” said Manero. “He had been our closer all year – but he did a great job starting for us today. He threw strikes.”
The North Penn offense was fueled by Jared Melone who collected a game-high two RBIs. Alex Peterson and Mason Naudeau each scored two runs for the Knights, while Mike Christy and Ryan Bealer each drove home a run.
The Souderton offense generated just four hits – one each by Nate Luscombe, Tyler Mathe, Connor Lennon, and Aaron Gulibon.
“We have a huge game coming up with Hatboro-Horsham (4-1) on Tuesday,” said Manero. “They lost some games early – but they are so well coached and have continued to get better.
“I am happy with our record right now, but we have to continue to get better,” said Manero. “Every team in our league is capable of beating you.”
Souderton Indians 0100000 – 1 4 0
North Penn Knights 210020x – 5 6 0
Central Bucks East Patriots 10, Central Bucks West Bucks 1.
Central Bucks East (3-2) won its third straight conference game of the week as the Patriots marched to a 10-1 victory over rival Central Bucks West (1-4).
CB East – which had eight players collect a single hit – broke the game open with a seven-run second inning and tacked on three runs in the fifth inning.
“We had a great approach to hitting in that second inning,” said Central Bucks East head coach Kyle Dennis. “We scored six runs in that inning with two outs – and we were able to bunch some hits together.
“We had key hits in key spots – and we were able to capitalize on some of their mistakes,” added Dennis. “We didn’t get those key hits in the early games that we lost.”
Collin Sheehan sparked the Patriot offense with three RBIs, while Geoff Salfi and David Yanni each had a pair of RBIs. Carter Usowski and Ryan Ernst each had single RBI for the winners.
CB East senior Michael Broderick was the winning pitcher with a fine outing. Broderick threw six and one-third innings – had six strikeouts – and allowed just a single earned run.
“Broderick didn’t get a whole lot of time last year,” said Dennis. “He does a great job of pitching to spots with great location.”
Luke Irons led the CB West attack with two hits, while Steve Grebe collected the lone RBI for the Bucks.
“We have a busy week next week with Hatboro-Horsham, Souderton, and Pennridge,” said Dennis. “This is a conference that always seem to beat each other up.”
Central Bucks West Bucks 0001000 – 1 6 1
Central Bucks East Patriots 070030x – 10 8 1
Central Bucks South Titans 3. Quakertown Panthers 2 [9-innings]
Central Bucks South (2-3) won its second straight conference game as the Titans captured a 3-2 walk-off victory over Quakertown (1-4) in a nine-inning contest.
The game-winning run was scored for CB South when courtesy runner Dave Burns scored on an RBI single off the bat of Mike Anatasia. Anastasia finished the game with two hits and two RBIs. Alex Happ and Will Moller also had two hits for the Titans.
Danny Klepchick threw the final three innings to earn the victory.
“Danny came into the game with runners on first and second with no outs in the seventh inning,” said Central Bucks South head coach Mike Schaefer. “He pitched out of that inning without them scoring, and he threw two shutout innings after that.
“He is only a sophomore, but he has a whole lot of poise,” added Schaefer. “This was a important win for us.
“We have been in games all year – and we have lost some tough games,” continued Schaefer. “We have not produced with runners in scoring position, and in this league you have to do that. It is a conference that is filled with good players and good coaches. The rest of the year is going to be very interesting.”
Quakertown had an excellent game turned in by Tyler Guidos. Guidos pitched eight strong innings for the Panthers and allowed just two runs. He also was the lone Quakertown player with two hits – and the lone Panther to collect an RBI.
Quakertown Panthers 010010000- 2 7 0
Central Bucks South Titans 110000001 – 3 8 0
Suburban One League National Conference
Truman Tigers 11, Neshaminy Redskins 9.
Truman (3-2) scored five runs in the top of the seventh to secure a key 11-9 SOL National Conference victory over host Neshaminy (2-4).
“It was a crazy game,” said Truman head coach Tim Monaghan. “We surrendered the lead twice in the game, but we were able to score the five runs in the last inning to come away with the win.”
The Tiger offense was fueled by Evan Miller with three hits and two RBI; Mark Lopez with two hits and two RBIs; Matt Walczak with three hits and an RBI; and Chris Mangold with two hits and an RBI. Both Miller and Walczak delivered key RBI in the seventh inning.
The Redskin offense was generated by Kyle Skeels with two hits and four RBIs and Matt Grudza who collected two RBIs.
“Skeels hit a grand slam homerun that was a rocket,” said Monaghan. “There is a lot of hype about Skeels – but he has earned it.
“The league is very close this year – and every win is important,” added Monaghan. “Pennsbury might have five wins right now – but there are teams in this league that can beat them. There is a high level of talent in this league.”
Truman Tigers 0002315 – 11 14 3
Neshaminy Redskins0001530 – 9 9 3
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