This week’s notebook highlights CB East, CR North and Norristown and recaps last week’s SOL action.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
Suburban One League Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks East Patriots
Central Bucks East head coach Kyle Dennis has seen this scorching hot streak before. The Patriots – after losing their first two conference games of the year – have played magnificent baseball and have won six straight SOL Continental Conference games.
“Last year we won six of our last seven games and got into the (PIAA Quad-A District One) playoffs,” said Dennis. “And two years ago – when we won the conference championship – we were 7-0 the first half of the season.”
CB East (6-2) will have a huge test to get to that seventh straight conference win this year as the Patriots host first place North Penn (6-1) on Tuesday. The Knights marched to a decisive 9-0 victory over CB East earlier this season.
“We lost our first (conference) game of the season to Pennridge 9-0 – and then we turned around and played our second (conference) game against North Penn and lost 9-0 again,” said Dennis. “I told the players that we have to expect more of ourselves and begin to trust in our skill and talent.
“We began the season with a lot of experience with our position players – but very little experience pitching,” added Dennis. “As the season has gone along, the pitching has really stepped up. We have been playing the game with a lot of confidence.”
Michael Broderick, Eric Chase, and Sam Andris have been the backbone of the pitching staff – while David Yanni, Carter Usowski, Thomas Prato, Nick Chimera, and Ryan Ernst have fueled the offense.
“We were able to beat Pennridge the second time we played them,” said Dennis in reference to the 7-1 win over the Rams last week. “And now we have the opportunity to show North Penn we are better than the 9-0 team they beat the first time.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks East (6-2) continued it’s blistering pace as the Patriots won all three conference games last week. CB East opened the week with 2-1 victory over Souderton – followed with a key 3-1 win over Hatboro-Horsham – and closed the week with an impressive 7-1 victory over Pennridge. In the win over the Indians, Sam Andris notched the complete game win, while Andrew Collins and Nick Chimera each collected key RBIs. In the win over the Hatters, Carter Usowski blasted a three-run homerun to account for all the runs, while Eric Chase earned the win with a complete game – four-hitter. In the victory over the Rams, Thomas Prato had four hits – two doubles – and three RBIs, while Michael Broderick fired a complete game and allowed just an unearned run.
Hatboro-Horsham (6-2) won two of three conference games last week to tie both CB East and North Penn with six conference wins. The Hatters opened the week with a 5-1 victory over North Penn – followed with a 3-1 loss to CB East – and closed the week with an 8-4 win over Souderton. In the win over the Knights, Eric Lane threw a complete game five-hitter, while Alec Blyer had two RBIs and Joe Simmons had two hits. In the loss to the Patriots, Colin Kennedy was the tough-luck loser as he allowed just five hits, while Justin Gregorio had the lone RBI for the Hatters. In the win over the Indians, Ryan Murphy captured the win, while Alex Kreidon sparked the offense with three hits and four RBIs.
North Penn (6-1) has a tenuous hold on first place in the conference. The Knights split a pair of conference games last week as North Penn opened the week with a 5-1 loss to Hatboro-Horsham and closed the week with an 8-0 victory over Central Bucks South. In the loss to the Hatters, Mike Christy drove home the only run of the game for NP. In the win over the Titans, Kellen Williamson fired a complete game victory – six-hitter, while the offense was fueled by Kadar Namey who blasted a three-run homerun. Jared Melone, Mason Nadeau, Anthony Cameron, and Christy each had two hits for the winners.
Pennridge (3-3) split a pair of conference games last week as the Rams are slipping out of the conference race. Pennridge opened the week with an 11-4 victory over Quakertown and closed the week with a 7-1 loss to Central Bucks East. In the win over the Panthers, the Rams pounded out 16 hits. Joe Unangst had four hits to lead the offense, while Dave Tatoian roped a homerun and had three RBIs. Andrew Mayhew earned the win over the Panthers with seven strikeouts. In the loss to the Patriots, Tyler Freed had two of only three hits on the day for Pennridge.
Quakertown (2-5) split a pair of conference games last week. The Panthers opened the week with an 11-4 loss to Pennridge and closed the week with a 2-1 victory over Central Bucks West. In the loss to the Rams, Chris Curry blasted a homerun and collected three RBIs. And in the win over the Bucks, Zach Metz threw a complete game and did not allow and earned run, while Metz and Travis Woolfenden collected the only hits on the day for the winners.
Central Bucks West (1-5) lost its only conference game of the week. The Bucks lost a tough 2-1 decision to Quakertown as Thomas Philipps tossed a good game allowing just two earned run and Steven Grebe collected three hits.
Central Bucks South (2-4) lost its only conference game of the week. The Titans fell to North Penn 8-0 – Mike Kuypers was the losing pitcher but struck out eight hitters, while Mike Anastasia led the offense with two hits.
Souderton (2-6) lost both of its conference games last week. The Indians opened the week with a tough 2-1 loss to Central Bucks East and closed the week with an 8-4 setback against Hatboro-Horsham. In the in loss to the Patriots, Aaron Gulibon pitched a wonderful game and allowed just two hits and two unearned runs, while Dylan Morrisette delivered an RBI. In the loss to the Hatters – Connor Lennon and Nate Luscombe each had two hits, while Blake Gular had two RBIs.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Game of the Week’
North Penn Knights @ Central Bucks East Patriots
Tuesday – April 28, 2015
The battle for SOL Continental Conference supremacy will take place this week as both North Penn and Central Bucks East will clash. The Knights (6-1) and the Patriots (6-2) are two of the three six win teams in the conference – Hatboro-Horsham (6-2) is the other team. CB East has won six straight conference games and avenged its first conference loss to Pennridge last week. The Patriots will once again be in revenge mode as North Penn whitewashed CB East 9-0 in the first meeting between the two teams on April 8, 2015.
Suburban One League National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Council Rock North Indians
Council Rock North head coach Matt Schramknew going into the season that he was dealt a pretty good hand.
“When you have five players that are going to play at the next level next year, it puts your team on the map,” said Schram. “But even with those players – it seems like we are still a very young team.”
The Rock North ‘Fab Five’ includes Cole Hofmann (Philadelphia College of Technology), Tim Casey (Chestnut Hill), Nick Roda (Arcadia), Noah Hartwell (Towson), and Cole German (Charlestown Southern University).
“We have a nice mix of players – half the starting lineup are underclassmen,” said Schram. “We’re excited about the second half of the season.”
The Indians make the first half SOL National Conference ‘turn’ with a 5-2 record and a second place SOL National Conference standing. Next on the schedule is a contest with first place Pennsbury (7-1) on Tuesday – and the Indians would like nothing better than to avenge their 7-6 loss to the Falcons in the first half meeting between the two teams.
“Pennsbury is getting it done – and right now is the team with an X on their back,” said Schram. “We will get our chance this week – the players are amped up for this one.
“Winning the last two games going into the Pennsbury game was like a restart to our season,” added Schram as the Indians defeated William Tennent and Bensalem last week. “We had the 10-day layoff with the seniors being on their senior trip – and then we had the two games right when we came back.
“You never know what is going to happen once you hit that restart button,” continued Schram. “But we came back from the layoff and have played well.”
Schram is hoping for some sunny skies and warm temperatures when Rock North plays Pennsbury in the showdown for SOL National supremacy.
“When we beat William Tennent (12-11) it was 30 degrees with 40 mile an hour winds – and it was tough to play in those conditions for both teams,” said Schram. “When we beat Bensalem (10-0) it was sunny and 50 degrees – and it felt like 80 degrees. It was like our team said – it’s nice weather – let’s play some good baseball.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Pennsbury (7-1) remained king of the mountain with a pair of conference wins last week. The Falcons soared to an 11-1 victory over William Tennent and closed the week with a 10-2 win over Abington. In the win over the Panthers, Zach Szumigala slammed a grand slam homerun and had six RBIs, while Kyle Marshall had two hits and three RBIs. In the win over the Ghosts, Brody McFadden was the winning pitcher and had two RBIs, while Pat Lawrence and Tyrone Hodges each had two hits.
Council Rock North (5-2) moved into sole possession of second place in the conference with a pair of wins last week. The Indians opened the week with a 12-11 victory over William Tennent and closed the week with a 10-0 win over Bensalem. In the win over the Panthers, Noah Hartwell sparked the offense with three hits, while Tyler Nowmos and Brandon McIlwain each had two hits and three RBIs. In the win over the Owls, Matt Hand was masterful with a five-inning shutout one-hitter, while Hartwell and three hits and two RBIs and McIlwain had three hits and two RBIs.
Council Rock South (4-3) won its only conference game last week. The Golden Hawks soared to a 4-0 victory over Harry S Truman. In the win over the Tigers – Josh Blaustein and Jack Murray combined for the shutout, while Connor Macauley had two RBIs and Dean Obarowski had two hits.
Bensalem (4-4) split a pair of conference games last week. The Owls soared to a 14-12 victory over Neshaminy to open the week and closed the week with a 10-0 loss to Council Rock North. In the win over the Skins – Jerry Crespo had three hits, while Trevor McGee had two RBIs – Brandon Wermuth and Chris Reyes each had two hits. In the loss to the Indians – Crespo, McGee, and Keith Parrish had the three Owl hits.
Truman (3-3) lost its only conference game last week. The Tigers were tamed by CR South by a 4-0 score as HST managed just three hits – one each by Mark Lopez, Matt Helbling, and Aaron Wolf.
Abington (3-3) lost its only conference game last week. The Ghosts were defeated by first place Pennsbury by a 10-2 margin. Abington managed just three hits in the game – two of them by Matt Close.
Neshaminy (2-5) lost its only conference game last week. The Redskins were defeated by Bensalem 14-12 in a slugfest. Bill Ritchey sparked the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Kyle Skeels and Jake Strickler each had two hits for the Skins.
William Tennent (0-7) remained in search of its first conference win as the Panthers lost a pair of conference games last week. William Tennent opened the week with an 11-1 loss to Pennsbury and closed the week with a heartbreaking 12-11 loss to Council Rock North. In the loss to the Indians – Paul McElroy had three hits, while JW Lucas and Ryan Lucas each had two RBIs.
SOL National Conference ‘Game of the Week’
Pennsbury Falcons @ Council Rock North Indians
Tuesday – April 28, 2015
The top two contenders in the conference will meet this week as first place Pennsbury squares off with second place Council Rock North. The Falcons will assume a two-game lead in the conference standings with a win – while an Indian victory would knot the two conference powerhouses at the top of the standings. In the first meeting between the two contenders – Pennsbury edged Rock North by a 7-6 final.
Suburban One League American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Norristown Eagles
Norristown head coach Rich Campbell probably wishes high school baseball games would last five innings instead of seven innings.
“We have been competing with teams for the first five innings,” said Campbell as his Eagles have concluded the first half of the conference season with a 2-5 record. “And then it seems like we make a mental mistake and we end up losing the games.
“In the second half of the season our goal is to simply pitch better, hit better, and field better,” added Campbell. “If we can do that – eliminate the mistakes – we are going to turn some of those close games around.”
The Eagle offense – for most of the season – hasn’t been a problem. Junior leftfielder Terrell Dale, junior third baseman Tom Detwiler, junior shortstop Reggie Collins, and senior outfielder Anthony Wayne have created scoring for Norristown this season.
“Terrell is hitting close to .500 and has good power,” said Campbell. “Tom was an all-league player last year as a designated hitter and is hitting around .300.
“Anthony is our lead-off hitter and leads the team in runs scored,” added Campbell. “And Reggie has a great on-base percentage.”
The Norristown defense – for most of the season – has been a question mark. However, Campbell is encouraged by recent outings from both senior Joe Cook and senior Al Proietto.
“Joe has been a recent discovery – and he has given us some good innings,” said Campbell. “And Al has a great curveball – and when he throws strikes he gets people out.
“The strength of our team is our junior class,” continued Campbell. “We want them to continue to gain experience to carry that into next season.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Wissahickon (8-0) remained perfect in conference play and collected a pair of wins last week. The Trojans opened the week with a 10-0 mercy-rule win over Cheltenham and closed the week with a 9-2 victory over Springfield. In the win over the Panthers – Logan Willins threw a complete-game and struck out seven hitters in his five innings of work. Nick Falso, Alexander Tappen, and Julian Osterneck each had two RBIs for the winners. In the victory over the Spartans – Jacob Segal was the winning pitcher and Matt Shilling recorded the save. Falso had three hits and an RBI while Shilling had two hits and two RBIs.
Upper Dublin (7-1) remained in conference contention with a victory in its only game last week. The Cardinals edged Norristown 4-3 as John Lee, Christian Huckfeldt, and Thomas Juelke fueled the offense with two hits each. Huckfeldt was the winning pitcher for the Cardinals, while Cole Swiger earned the save. Swiger was impressive as he struck out five of the six hitters he faced.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-3) captured a pair of conference wins last week. The Colonials opened the week with a 7-0 victory over Upper Moreland and closed the week with a 10-5 win over Cheltenham. In the win over the Golden Bears – Jon Fisher was the winning pitcher with a brilliant 11-strikeout performance, while Dutch Reardon and Gavin Brody each had two hits. In the win over the Panthers – Matt Cooper notched the win in relief, while Luca Amoroso had three hits and two RBIs and Nick Satterwaite had three hits and an RBI.
Cheltenham (4-4) won one of three conference games last week. The Panthers opened the week with a 10-0 loss to Wissahickon – followed with an 8-0 victory over Upper Merion – and closed the week with a 10-5 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh. In the loss to the Trojans – Nissim Lebovitz collected the only hit for the Panthers. In the win over Upper Merion – James Heaven threw a complete game with seven strikeouts, while Amari Cathay had two hits and two RBI and Gabe Hofferman had two RBIs. And in the loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh – Cathay fueled the offense with two hits and an RBI, while Lebovitz, Hugh Sharkey, and Joel White also collected RBIs.
Springfield (3-5) lost its only conference game last week. The Spartans dropped a 9-2 contest to first place Wissahickon. Julian Salzer drove home the lone run for Springfield.
Upper Moreland (2-4) lost its only conference game last week. The Golden Bears fell to Plymouth Whitemarsh by a final score of 7-0. It was not a good day for Upper Moreland, which managed just three hits and had five errors.
Norristown (2-5) lost its only conference game last week as the Eagles dropped a 4-3 contest to Upper Dublin. Reggie Collins had two hits for Norristown, while Tom Detwiler had two RBIs.
Upper Merion (0-7) remained in search of its first conference victory. The Vikings lost its only conference game of the week in an 8-0 loss to Cheltenham. In the loss to the Panthers – Matt Callahan and Andrew Del Guidice each had two hits for Upper Merion.
SOL American Conference ‘Game of the Week’
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Wissahickon Trojans
Thursday – April 23, 2015
Wissahickon enters the week unbeaten in conference play and will be put the test by surgingPlymouth Whitemarsh. The Colonials have just three conference losses entering the week – and a victory over the first place Trojans would be a huge win. The two teams met in the first half of the conference season with Wissahickon edging PW by a 7-6 final.
Suburban One Sports.com
‘Great Eight’
1. North Penn Knights
2. Pennsbury Falcons
3. Wissahickon Trojans
4. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
5. Central Bucks East Patriots
6. Council Rock North Indians
7. Upper Dublin Cardinals
8. Pennridge Rams
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