Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action Monday.
Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 9, SOUDERTON 2
Jackie Bilotti has been a study in consistency – and excellence – since she stepped onto the softball diamond as a freshman and led the Maidens to a district title, and it might be easy for fans of North Penn softball to take her for granted.
They shouldn’t.
Jackie Bilottis don’t come along every day, and the Maidens’ ace confirmed that with a Senior Day performance that would be difficult to match. She not only won the game in the circle, Bilotti also turned in a dazzling performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs.
“What can I say?” coach Rick Torresani said. “There are no words to describe the kid.
“She just comes out and plays hard every game and gives you everything she has. She’s so talented and never gives up.”
Monday’s win avenged a 2-1 loss to Souderton earlier this season and vaulted the Maidens into a two-way tie for the conference’s top spot with one game remaining.
“The team and especially Jackie were upset when we lost to Souderton, and they have been working so hard since then to get their game in order,” Torresani said.
It was Bilotti’s two-run inside-the-park home run that highlighted a four-run Maiden uprising in the second inning.
“She’s just so fast,” Torresani said. “She hit it down the left field line, and it got by the leftfielder.
“I look up, and she’s rounding second and heading for third. I didn’t expect her to be there. Next thing you know she’s going by me. There was no way I was going to stop her. She had a beautiful fade-away slide at home and beat the throw.”
Souderton scored two in the third to make it a 4-2 game, but the Maidens put three on the board in the fourth. Again, it was Bilotti doing the damage – this time with a three-run home run over the fence to put the Maidens on top 7-2.
“Then she goes out and pitches her guts out,” Torresani said. “She’s not a fast pitcher, but she has good movement, she throws to spots, and she hits her spots.”
Also for the Maidens, Nicole Yanni, who missed the first meeting between the two teams, was 2-for-4, Jovanna Alfoni was 2-for-4 and Anna Gill was 2-for-3.
Angie Carty led the Indians with a 2-for-4 effort.
North Penn (17-2) and Souderton (14-3) boast identical 11-2 records in conference play with one game remaining.
“This was huge,” Torresani said. “We talked about how important the game was just for the power rankings.
“I knew after I saw them last night and talked to the girls today that Souderton moved up to second. I told them – a good majority of the points they received are from the fact that they beat us. If we can go and beat them, we’ll get a lot of points they’ve earned to help us move up. It’s a huge win for that factor, but it also gives us a chance to either co-share a conference championship or win it outright.”
All eight North Penn seniors got into the game on a Senior Day to remember.
North Penn will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Wednesday while Souderton will host Central Bucks East.
Souderton 002 000 0 2
North Penn 040 302 x 9
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, QUAKERTOWN 2
The Titans broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run second and then limited the Panthers to just one run the rest of the way to earn the big win in the tightly contested game.
“It was a good game,” coach Dan Hayes said. “Quakertown has some good players, and they’ve been playing pretty good.”
The Titans put a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. Hope Daruff doubled to open the inning, and she moved up to third on a sacrifice by Alex DeLeon. Taylor Marinelli’s sacrifice fly brought Daruff home with the first run.
The Panthers got that back in the top of the third when Spenser Gray, who had tripled, scored on a single by Lauren Beal.
“She’s really a tough out,” Hayes said of Gray.
The Titans answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Daruff once again got things started, this time with a leadoff single. She scored on DeLeon’s RBI double. The Titans led 3-1 after Mikaela Simons delivered a sacrifice fly.
In the fourth, the Panthers scored an unearned run to make it a one-run game, but that was the extent of the scoring for either squad.
Daruff and Meg Bradley were both 2-for-3 to lead the Titans.
Emily Gillard got the start and was relieved in the fourth by Alexis McConomy, who closed it out.
Central Bucks South (14-5, 9-4 SOL) will host Central Bucks West in its annual Senior Night game on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Quakertown (8-9, 4-9) will host Pennridge in a night game Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Quakertown 001 100 0 2-7-0
Central Bucks South 102 000 x 3-6-1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2
The Patriots broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Contributing RBIs for the Patriots were Sydney Badger, Audrey Labouliere, Anna Careghini and Megan Cloran.
Kayla Ventura, who had a triple, earned the win in the circle, allowing two hits while walking none and striking out six in four innings in relief. Theresa Haug threw the first three innings. She allowed two hits and two runs (both unearned) while fanning one and walking none.
Central Bucks East (8-11, 6-7 SOL) will travel to Souderton Wednesday while Central Bucks West (4-14, 2-11) will be at Central Bucks South.
Central Bucks West 200 000 0 2
Central Bucks East 110 200 x 4
HATBORO-HORSHAM 10, PENNRIDGE 4
The Hatters scored three runs in the fourth inning to erase an early 2-0 deficit. They added a run in the fifth to go on top 4-2 only to watch the Lady Rams knot the score in the bottom of the inning. The Hatters scored the go-ahead run in the sixth and blew the game open with a five-run seventh.
Dee Moyer was 2-for-3 with a home run, one RBI and three runs scored. Jen Cader was 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored. Kaeli Simmons was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored.
Taylor Sciubba earned the win in the circle, allowing no runs in three innings of work.
Hatboro-Horsham (12-7, 7-6 SOL) will host North Penn on Wednesday while Pennridge (4-14, 2-11) will travel to Quakertown for a 7 p.m. contest.
Hatboro-Horsham 000 311 5 10
Pennridge 011 020 0 4
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 7, NAZARETH ACADEMY 2 (Saturday, April 9)
Nazareth Academy got on the scoreboard in the top of the first on a two-run home run by Tamara Jennings. The Titans responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning and tacked on three more in the third on their way to the non-league win.
Meg Bradley had a productive day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Meg Bradley also was 2-for-3.
Alexis McConomy earned the complete game win for the Titans.
Nazareth Academy 200 000 0 2-5-3
Central Bucks South 303 001 x 7-8-0
National Conference
ABINGTON 3, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
Nikki Ray did it all, driving in all three runs and tossing a shutout to give the Ghosts plenty of reasons to celebrate on Senior Night.
“She’s fun to watch,” coach Ellie White said. “She’s the total package.
“She wasn’t feeling well last week, but she was ready to go.”
Ray’s heroics allowed the Ghosts to bring an end to a three-game skid after a four-game stretch last week that began with a win over Bensalem and ended with a 12-2 thumping at the hands of Council Rock North.
“After we played them on Friday and got basically shellacked – we didn’t play well,” White said. “We had a great practice on Saturday and went back to the basics.
“We did a ton of skill work. They must have gotten 50-70 grounders and fly balls. We basically went back to work, and today we played a good defensive game. We made all the plays. We didn’t make any errors. That’s the way softball is supposed to be done. We came together today and got it done.”
The Ghosts put a three spot on the board in the fifth. Senior Lexie Brouwer-Ancher drew a walk to open the frame, and two outs later, Toni Washington also drew a free pass, setting the stage for a three-run blast by Ray that cleared the fence. Ray’s ninth home run of the season – which came on an 0-2 pitch – gave the Ghosts a lead they would not lose.
Ray scattered five hits in the complete game win, fanning four and walking none.
“She pitched great,” White said.
Abington (13-6, 9-5) will travel to Upper Dublin for a non-league contest Tuesday. Council Rock North (11-6, 8-4) will host Bensalem on Wednesday.
Council Rock North 000 000 0 0
Abington 000 030 x 3
NESHAMINY 10, HARRY S TRUMAN 0 (5 innings)
The Redskins clinched sole possession of the National Conference crown. It is their third conference title in the last four years.
“Any time you win the SOL National, I think it’s a big thing,” coach Dave Chichilitti said. “We play with a lot of great teams that could beat any team in any league on any given day.
“In the beginning of the year, it’s something we wrote up on the board – we wanted to be the champions because we know with that comes a good seed in districts, most likely a bye in the first round, most likely your first two games at home. They’re all very important things that come along with winning the league. It’s a big accomplishment, and it also positions you for the next step.”
The Redskins set the tone for the contest with a three-run first. Mackensie Compton opened the inning with a single, and the ‘Skins had a pair on board after Hunter Hart followed with a double. Sophie Beretski’s double plated a pair, and it was a 3-0 game after Sarah Snider-Leonhauser singled home a run.
Sam Offenback’s two-run home run highlighted a four-run third.
Beretski and Snider-Leonhauser who led the ‘Skins at the plate had perfect-3-for-3 days that included a double. Beretski had a pair of RBIs while Snider-Leonhauser had one. Alexis Watkins also had a double.
Freshman Amber Brugger allowed three hits in the five-inning shutout, fanning two and walking none.
Neshaminy (17-2, 12-1 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South on Wednesday. Truman (7-11, 4-9) will travel to Bensalem on Tuesday.
Harry S Truman 000 00 0
Neshaminy 304 21 10
PENNSBURY 4, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3
The Falcons were staring at a 3-1 deficit with one out and nobody on in the bottom of the seventh when they staged a remarkable rally to earn the dramatic Senior Day win.
“That was big,” coach Frank McSherry said of his team’s comeback. “It might have been the first game we have come from behind. It really felt good to win that game.”
Heading into the seventh, the Falcons had managed just two hits, but with one out, Marguerite Salamone worked a full-count walk to give the Falcons life. Sydney Jakimowicz legged out an infield single, setting the stage for a two-run triple to the fence by senior Dani Litwin. The Falcons weren’t finished yet as Bailee Zaccaro followed with a double to plate the game winner.
Melanie Wilkinson had a double and home run to lead the Golden Hawks. Dolores Bowers was 2-for-3.
Alyssa Hileman earned the win in the circle.
Pennsbury (11-8, 6-7 SOL) will close out conference play at William Tennent on Wednesday. Council Rock South (9-9, 4-8) will host Tennent on Tuesday in a rescheduled game.
Council Rock South 000 101 1 3
Pennsbury 000 010 3 4
American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 10, WISSAHICKON 0 (5 innings)
The Flying Cardinals celebrated Senior Day with a no-doubt-about-it win, and in the process avenged a disappointing 11-10 loss to the Trojans earlier this season that saw the Cards let several leads slip away.
“That was kind of a topsy-turvy game, so we needed to make sure we got the job done today, and they did,” coach Heather Boyer said. “This definitely boosts the girls’ confidence.
“It was our Senior Day, and I know our girls think very highly of our one senior – Rachel Matricardi, so I think they came out with a little more focus to make sure they got the job done today.”
Rebecca Matricardi scattered five hits and struck out six while walking none in five shutout innings to earn the win.
Erin Gallagher tripled to lead off a five-run second and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Alison Blum. Sarah Sharp contributed an RBI single, and Rachel Matricardi delivered the inning’s big blow – a two-run double with the bases loaded.
“Wiss actually made a nice play to cut the third run – it was almost a bases-clearing double,” Boyer said. “That was big for Rachel.
“She’s an outstanding defensive catcher. I think she’s the best in the league, and for her to come through offensively with a two-RBI double was really good for her today too.”
Jackie McMenamin was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored to lead the Cardinals, who also benefitted from six free passes.
“The girls were very patient at the plate,” Boyer said. “Wissahickon struggled a little bit with balls and strikes, so we capitalized on a number of walks. They were doing the best to make them throw strikes and taking advantage when they did.
“Defensively, they played a very solid game. Sarah Tannenbaum made some really great catches in the outfield. Kaitlin Shorr had a really nice play at second base to rob Brittany Gelman of a hit with runners in scoring position, so there was some really good defense to back up a good pitching effort by Becca Matricardi.”
Michela Coleman led the Trojans with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
Upper Dublin (7-11, 6-7 SOL) will host Abington in a non-league game Tuesday. Wissahickon (6-10, 4-7) will host Cheltenham on Wednesday.
Wissahickon 000 00 0
Upper Dublin 050 23 10
UPPER MERION 7, SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 4
The Spartans had an advantage in hits, but the Vikings, who celebrated Senior Night, had the edge the only place that mattered – on the scoreboard.
“They hit the ball half decent, and we made a few errors and gave them some runs,” coach John Whitney said of the Spartans. “Springfield came over and played. They were bunting, moving some runners around, and they hit the ball pretty hard. They came over and played well.”
Leading the Vikings at the plate was Dez Kandy with a perfect 3-for-3 day with a triple and two runs scored. Michaela Ghanayem had two hits and her courtesy runner, Danielle Deskiewicz, scored three runs. Allie Moffett was 1-for-2 with a triple and two RBIs.
Brianna Littlepage, Jen Hammons and Alyssa Ard all had multi-hit days for the Spartans.
Olivia Sborlini earned the win in the circle for the Vikings.
Upper Merion (16-2, 13-0 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Wednesday. Springfield (6-7, 6-6) will travel to Upper Dublin Wednesday.
Springfield 002 010 1 4
Upper Merion 301 201 x 7
CHELTENHAM 6, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 4
The Lady Panthers took a 2-1 lead in the third and made it a 5-1 game in the fourth and then withstood a late PW comeback for the win.
“It wasn’t easy, but we pulled it out,” coach Ron Perlstein said.
In the two-run third, the Lady Panthers were sparked by a Madison Gianelle double and RBI singles by Rita Laychock and Becca Simms. Morgan Gianelle’s two-run double highlighted the three-run fourth.
Madison Gianelle finished the day 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
“Madison Gianelle played well defensively and made a big, big catch in center field,” Perlstein said. “Veata Blair-Kraybill played outstanding at second base. She had nine putouts.”
Grace DeRosa picked up the win in the circle.
Cheltenham (11-6, 10-3 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon on Wednesday while PW (2-11) will host Norristown.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 100 010 2 4
Cheltenham 002 301 x 6
UPPER MORELAND 10, NORRISTOWN 0 (5 innings)
Allie Miller collected three hits and scored a pair of runs to lead the Golden Bears’ attack in game two of a doubleheader sweep. Nicole Drummond was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and Alexa Wister also was 2-for-3. Maddie Mull contributed a double.
The Golden Bears scored two runs in both the first and second innings and put the game out of reach with a five-run third.
“We earned our runs in the first two innings,” coach Scott Ludlow said. “They made a bunch of mistakes in the third inning, but they only have nine kids.”
Amber O’Connor earned the shutout win in the abbreviated five-inning contest, fanning five and walking none.
Upper Moreland (9-7, 8-5 SOL) will travel to Upper Merion on Wednesday while Norristown (1-11) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Norristown 000 00 0
Upper Moreland 225 1x 10
UPPER MORELAND 6, NORRISTOWN 1
Brianna Byard – who has seen limited time in the circle this season – allowed just three hits while striking out four and walking two to earn the impressive win in game one of a twinbill Monday.
The Golden Bears scored a pair of runs in the first and added single runs in each of the next four innings.
Alexa Wister was 2-for-4 with a run scored out of the leadoff spot while Allie Miller had a hit and drove in a run.
Upper Moreland 211 110 0 6
Norristown 000 010 0 1
UPPER MERION 5, MARPLE NEWTOWN 0
Olivia Sborlini tossed a complete game four-hit shutout, striking out four and walking only one to propel the Vikings to the important non-league win.
“Liv pitched her usual – just did a great job, and the girls played tremendous defense the whole game,” said coach John Whitney, whose squad did not commit an error. “The girls really played well. Defensively, it was probably one of their best games all year. I was really pleased.”
Dez Kandy and Michaela Ghanayem both had two hits to lead the offense. Danielle Antonucci had an RBI.
“We hit here and there,” Whitney said. “They had a couple of miscues – they threw the ball around a little bit, so we got a couple of unearned runs.”
The game loomed large in the power rankings since Marple Newtown is a Class AAA squad.
Marple Newtown 000 000 0 0
Upper Merion 201 020 0 5
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