Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday.
National Conference
HARRY S TRUMAN 3, PENNSBURY 1
Jess O’Neil was in complete command in the circle for Truman, allowing five hits and only a seventh inning run. The complete game win came on the heels of a one-hit shutout one night earlier against Pennridge.
“She’s been fantastic,” coach Kyle Hoffman said. “There were two fly balls to the outfield. Everything else was in the infield.
“They played great defense. We had only two errors, and one could have been a hit.”
The Tigers’ lineup, according to the first-year coach, has undergone wholesale changes that are paying dividends.
“We figured it out the other day – we only have two kids that haven’t moved or been replaced defensively,” Hoffman said. “It’s our pitcher and our centerfielder (Steph Wolf) – everyone else has moved.
“There are a lot of kids in the lineup that started in the lineup, but they’re not playing the same position.”
The Tigers served early notice that they meant business, plating a single run in the top of the first when Jess O’Brien – who led off the frame with a double – scored on Tori Ahleman’s RBI single.
They upped that lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the third. Heather Leo, batting out of the nine hole, led off the frame with a slap single, and Kelsey Hackbart followed with a slap single. Both runners came home when Steph Wolfe – who homered in the Tigers’ win over Pennridge one night early – delivered a two-run single to center.
“It was very important to score early,” Hoffman said. “We knew they would be throwing a freshman pitcher with (Casey) Boltersdorf out, so we said we wanted to jump on her early, get people in scoring position.
“We told them – if we get somebody on, be ready to bunt. Jess O’Brien started off with a double, so we already had her in scoring position.
“When we got two people on in the third, the bottom of the lineup turned it over, and Steph Wolf, who has dropped to the four spot, came up with a nice single and scored them both. She’s been huge for us.”
O’Brien, Hackbart and Ahleman led the Tigers’ 10-hit attack with two hits each in a win that was the first in memory over Pennsbury. The win was especially sweet for former head coach and now assistant coach Gretchen Cammiso, who played for coach Frank McSherry at Pennsbury but had never been on the winning side as a coach.
“This is huge, especially with Gretchen being from Pennsbury,” Hoffman said. “She’s on her way out, and we go out with a win over Pennsbury.
“It was pretty big. They were very excited.”
Truman (5-10, 3-8 SOL) will host Abington on Wednesday while Pennsbury (9-7, 5-6) will face Neshaminy on Thursday night.
Pennsbury 000 000 1 1
Harry S Truman 102 000 x 3
NESHAMINY 7, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
The Redskins brought a halt to the Indians’ seven-game winning streak that dated back to April 13 when Neshaminy defeated the Indians in an early season meeting. Freshman Amber Brugger tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits while walking two and striking out two.
“She pitched a great game,” coach Dave Chichilitti said. “They have some very good hitters, but she hit her spots and pitched well.
“That’s what Amber does. WHIP is important with her– the walks and hits per innings pitched. If we can keep her walks and hits less than seven, we know she had a really good game, and she was able to do that.”
Not to be ignored was the standout effort of the Redskins’ defense.
“We played incredible defense today,” Chichilitti said. “She only had two strikeouts, so we made 19 plays.
“We made some really nice plays. Sophie Boretski had a bunch of putouts at shortstop, and (centerfielder) Mackensie Compton stole one that may have been going over the fence with a great catch.”
Neshaminy scored all the runs Brugger would need in a three-run second that saw the ‘Skins’ capitalize on three walks and a hit batter. They upped that lead to 4-0 when Nikki Wild, who led off with a double, scored on a sacrifice fly by Corrine Garuffe in the third.
In the fifth, Sarah Snider-Leonhauser delivered an RBI single that plated Wild, who collected her second double of the game. The Redskins tacked on a pair in the seventh. Mackensie Compton opened the inning with a single, and after a walk, Snider-Leonhauser singled, setting the stage for a two-run single by Alexis Watkins.
Wild finished a big day 2-for-2 with two doubles, two walks and four runs scored. Snider-Leonhauser was 2-for-3.
Neshaminy (14-2, 11-0 SOL) will travel to Little Flower on Wednesday while Council Rock North (9-4, 6-3) will travel to Council Rock South on Thursday.
Neshaminy 031 010 2 7
Council Rock North 000 000 0 0
ABINGTON 6, BENSALEM 2
The Ghosts are alone in second place in the National Conference standings, thanks to Tuesday’s important win and Council Rock North’s loss to Neshaminy.
“This was a big win for us,” coach Ellie White said. “Bensalem is a tough team. Jackie Morell is a great pitcher.
“It was just big beating them twice in a season – we have a hard enough time doing it once, so beating them twice is a big deal for us. That’s a good team. I would think they’re going to get in the playoffs and do damage when they get in there.”
In the third inning, the Ghosts capitalized on a wild pitch and a throwing error to plate a pair. The Owls got one of those runs back in the bottom of the inning to make it a 2-1 game.
In the fourth, Jade Sowell, who led off with a double, scored on Maddie Malfara’s RBI single. The Owls got that run back with a single run in the bottom of the frame to make it a 3-2 game.
But not for long.
In the top of the fifth, Nicolette Ray delivered a two-run home run, and a third run crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Jamie Gosselin led the Ghosts’ eight-hit attack, finishing the day 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Ray was 2-for-3 with a double, home run and two RBIs. Sowell was 2-for-4 with a double. Jess Paley and Malfara also had doubles.
Ray earned the win, scattering six hits and allowing two runs while striking out four and walking just one.
Abington (12-3, 8-2 SOL) will travel to Harry S Truman on Wednesday while Bensalem (8-7, 4-6) is off until Saturday when it will complete a suspended game with Council Rock North.
Abington 002 130 0 6
Bensalem 001 100 0 2
WILLIAM TENNENT @ COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH (Postponed to Tuesday, May 12)
Continental Conference
QUAKERTOWN 4, HATBORO-HORSHAM 2
The Panthers staged a heroic comeback, plating four runs in the top of the seventh inning to earn the impressive win.
“They were very excited,” coach Rich Scott said. “We had ourselves in some tight situations where they had runners on base and nobody out, and we got out of them.
“In one instance, they were bunting, and the ball was bunted in the air. Our catcher Maddie Calder caught it and threw down to Spenser (Gray) at third, and she tug the runner out at third for a doubleplay to get us out of that inning.
“Hopefully, the momentum (of this win) will carry us through.”
Emma McLaughlin was safe on an error to open the pivotal seventh inning, and after Spenser Gray and Tara Baglivo both bunted their way on base, the stage was set for a two-run single by Lauren Beal. Maddie Calder laid down a successful suicide squeeze, and a fourth run scored from third on a passed ball.
The Panthers’ four-run seventh erased a 2-0 lead after the Hatters plated single runs in both the third and fifth innings (both unearned).
Alyssa Wilkinson threw four innings, and after the Hatters put their first two runners on board in the fifth, Wilkinson was relieved by Megan Johnson.
“With runners on second and third and nobody out, the next batter grounded out to Spenser (Gray), so she ran the runner back to third and threw her out,” Scott said. “The next batter hit a ball back to Megan Johnson, and she checked the runner and went to first for two outs.
“A fly ball to center field, and we got out of the inning without a run.”
Johnson threw three scoreless innings to earn the win.
Quakertown (7-8, 3-8 SOL) will host Central Bucks East on Thursday while Hatboro-Horsham (9-7, 5-6) will host Central Bucks West.
Quakertown 000 000 0 4
Hatboro-Horsham 001 010 0 2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 4, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3
Alexis McConomy coaxed one ground ball after another out of the Patriots in a complete game win in Tuesday’s game under the lights. She allowed seven hits and three runs (two earned) while fanning one and walking none.
“She kept the ball down and got a lot of ground balls,” coach Dan Hayes said. “They had nine ground ball outs.
“Meg Bradley had a big game at third base. In the fourth inning, she made all three plays.”
The Titans scored a pair of runs in the top of the first. Hope Darreff and Taylor Marinelli led off with back-to-back singles, and one out later, Darreff scored on an RBI single by cleanup batter Meg Bradley. Maddie Bieber followed with a single, and a second run crossed the plate on McConomy’s fielder’s choice. They tacked on a single run in the fourth, thanks to doubles by Marinelli and Mikaela Simons (RBI).
The Patriots got those three runs back in the top of the third inning. Tara Harper got the ball rolling with a one-out single, and Anna Careghini followed with a single. Harper scored when Megan Cloran was safe on an error, and Audrey LaBouliere followed with an RBI single. The tying run crossed the plate on Theressa Haug’s groundout.
Central Bucks East 003 000 0 3
Central Bucks South 210 010 0 4
NORTH PENN 13, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1 (5 innings)
The Maidens scored a pair of runs in the first inning, and that was enough for pitcher Jackie Bilotti, who allowed one run and scattered seven hits while fanning five and walking none in the abbreviated five-inning contest.
Katie Beer had a productive day at the plate for the Maidens, finishing 2-for-3 with four RBIs and a run scored. Nicole Yanni was 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored. Becky Christoffers was 1-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Courtney Neal had a double for the Maidens, who collected 12 hits.
North Penn (15-2, 9-2 SOL) will travel to Pennridge on Thursday night while Central Bucks West (4-12, 2-9) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham.
North Penn 240 43 13
Central Bucks West 001 00 1
SOUDERTON 7, PENNRIDGE 6 (8 innings)
American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 5, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3
The Flying Cardinals apparently saved their best for last, exploding for five runs in the top of the seventh to erase a 2-0 deficit and then survived a PW comeback attempt in the bottom of the inning to earn the dramatic win.
The win was the third in the row for Upper Dublin.
“It definitely wasn’t the cleanest game played by either side, but I was happy to see the girls maintain their composure,” coach Heather Boyer said. “They shook off a couple of seventh inning errors and buckled down and got the last two outs.
“We called a timeout with one out and runners on second and third, and we got the next girl to ground out to second base. Kaitlin Shorr made a nice play. Sarah Tannenbaum caught a bee-bee in right center that could have easily scored a couple of runs and made it a different outcome.
“I was pleased with our composure despite their youth to hold on for the win. (Pitcher) Rebecca Matricardi maintained her composure all seven innings. Overall, it was an exciting win. We’re hoping to finish out the season strong in our last four games.”
The Colonials broke a scoreless tie with a run in the fourth and then took a 2-0 lead in the fifth when Elena Iannuzzelli delivered an RBI triple to plate Ragan Ebersole, who was 3-for-4 on the day.
In the top of the seventh, Allison Blum led off with a single to center. Sarah Sharp was hit by a pitch, and the bases were loaded with none out when Jackie McMenamin was safe on an error. Blum raced home on a passed ball, and an error on the play allowed Sharp to score as well. A sacrifice fly by Tannenbaum put the Cards on top 3-2. Erin Gallagher and Sarah Dennin were safe on errors. Brianna Parker (2-for-4) and Kaitlin Shore (RBI) also delivered singles in the inning.
Matricardi earned the win in the circle, allowing six hits and three runs (one earned) while fanning five and walking four. PW’s Ashley Yeager allowed eight hits and five runs (none earned) while walking three and striking out five.
Upper Dublin stranded 10 runners while PW left eight on base.
Upper Dublin (6-10, 5-6 SOL) will host Upper Merion on Thursday, and PW (1-10) will host Springfield.
Upper Dublin 000 000 5 5
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 110 1 3
UPPER MORELAND 6, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 3
Upper Moreland avenged an early season loss to the Spartans with Tuesday’s win.
“We kind of gave them a game about a week and a half ago,” coach Scott Ludlow said. “We blew a four-run lead in the sixth.
“We talked about paybacks. We went over there, and we did a nice job today. Other than one passed ball and an overthrow back to the pitcher, we really played some good defense today. My outfield ran down balls, we turned a doubleplay on a line drive to end the game. We made all the plays we had to make. It was a big win against a team that’s got some pretty good wins.”
The Golden Bears broke a 3-3 tie with a pair of runs in the fourth and then tacked on a single run in the sixth to earn the important conference win.
“That was one of the things I said immediately after the game – that third into the fourth inning was absolutely the turning point because we handed them two of the three runs,” Ludlow said. “We actually had an opportunity to get a doubleplay to get out of the inning on a line drive but couldn’t handle the throw, and then we had the passed ball followed, which led to two more runs.
“We came right back and got two the next inning. They were two really big runs.”
The Golden Bears plated a pair of runs in the first capitalizing on three straight bunts. Alexa Wister got things started with a bunt single.
“We played a little small ball, they threw a couple balls away,” Ludlow said. “We got some help, but we forced the issue on the base paths a little bit. I thought that was one thing we did really well today.”
Wister was 2-for-4 with three runs out of the leadoff spot. Allie Miller was 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored. Maddie Mull added a double.
Brianna Littlepage led the Spartans with two hits, including a double, and one RBI.
Amber O’Connor earned the win, allowing four hits while striking seven.
Upper Moreland (7-4, 6-3 SOL) will travel to Upper Merion on Wednesday. Springfield (6-5, 6-4) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday.
Upper Moreland 201 201 0 6
Springfield 003 000 0 3
CHELTENHAM 10, NORRISTOWN 0 (5 innings)
Senior Grace DeRosa was perfect on the mound, retiring all 15 batters she faced to earn the first perfect game of her high school career in the abbreviated five-inning contest. The senior pitcher fanned six.
“It was a nice day for Grace, and it was a nice day for the seniors,” coach Ron Perlstein said. “They supported Grace.
“We received outstanding defense from senior third baseman Allie Williams, outstanding defense from senior centerfielder Maddie Bear, outstanding defense from senior shortstop Rita Laychock. They all made big plays.
“There was a screaming line drive to short, and Rita one-hopped it – she scooped it and got the out.”
Becca Simms was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs.
“She’s hitting the ball really well,” Perlstein said.
Veata Blair-Kraybill had another big day, finishing 3-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored.
“She’s just ripping the cover off the ball,” Perlstein said of his freshman standout.
Madison Gianelle was 2-for-4, and Maddie Bear had an RBI single that ignited a seven-run fourth inning.”
Cheltenham (8-6, 7-3 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland on Thursday while Norristown will be at Wissahickon.
Cheltenham 012 70 10
Norristown 000 00 0
UPPER MERION 6, WISSAHICKON 2
Abby Volpe was a single shy of hitting for the cycle in Tuesday’s win, finishing a monster 3-for-4 performance with a double, triple, home run and five RBIs. Micaela Ghanayem had two hits, including a double and one RBI, and Riley Kontra was 2-for-4 with a double.
Nicole Kowalski earned the complete game win in the circle, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out five.
“We had a few errors – we were a little bit sloppy,” coach John Whitney said.
Upper Merion (12-2, 10-0 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Wednesday while Wissahickon (6-9, 4-6) will travel to Norristown on Thursday.
Upper Merion 002 400 0 6
Wissahickon 100 001 0 2
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