Check out the results for SOL baseball teams in action Wednesday. To view photos of the North Penn/Hatboro-Horsham game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE
North Penn 2, Hatboro-Horsham 1
The conference title was on the line on Wednesday afternoon. A win by the Knights and they claim sole ownership of the title. A win by the Hatters and they share the crown.
The Knights got timely hitting, solid pitching from James Witner and a highlight reel defensive play from Zach Ziegler en route to the hufw win.
The Knights (15-3, 12-2 SOL) scored single runs in the third and fourth with the winning run coming scoring on an RBI double by Mike Christy.
“”The excitement is over with for today,” said Knights head coach Kevin Manero. “Hopefully it is just the beginning. We can’t be satisfied. Our best baseball is yet to come.”
The Knights scored two runs on eight hits with Jared Melone collecting three. Christy, Mason Nadeau, Douglas Apple, Zach Zeigler and Anthony Cameron each had one hit. Christy and Zeigler knocked in the runs and Apple, and Cameron scored both runs.
Witner was solid on the mound as he went the distance, striking out three and allowing one run on six hits and one walk.
“Witner has been outstanding,” said Manero. “He has beaten Central Bucks East twice, Pennridge twice and Hatboro-Horsham twice.
“He throws a ton of strikes and is cool under pressure.”
The Knights might not have been celebrating their conference title if not for the glove of Zeigler.
With a runner on second and none out in the seventh inning, Justin Gregorio hit a screaming line drive that looked to be good for at least a single that would have tied up the game but instead Zeigler laid out, caught the liner and had the wherewithal to get up and fire to second to double off the Hatter runner who had broken for third.
“That was an amazing play,” said Manero. “The best play I have ever seen in high school. It was a very heady play by a veteran.”
Prior to rally-killing double play, Kevin Barron, who drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second when Witner was called for a balk.
“I was kicking my chair, and then I was screaming in excitement,” Manero said.
The Hatters managed just one run on six hits with Chris Crookham going 2-for-3. Eric Lane (triple), Barron, Justin Gregorio (triple) and Shaun Thomas collected a hit each. Lane’s RBI triple in the sixth plated Crookham, who had singled.
Senior Ryan Murphy absorbed the loss on the mound for the Hatters despite a strong performance. Murphy went five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits while striking out two and walking none. Sophomore Brian Edgington pitched a perfect sixth inning for the Hatters, striking out one.
“Hatboro-Horsham is a typically good playoff team,” Manero said.
The Knights will now to look to see where they will be seeded in the 26-team field and the Hatters will hope to hear their name called on Thursday night.
“Coming in to today’s game, I feel like we were sitting ninth,” said Manero. “There are no automatic berths.”
The loss dropped the Hatters third place in the SOL Continental at 10-4.
Hatboro-Horsham 000 001 0 – 1 6 1
North Penn 001 100 X – 2 8 0
Pennridge 6, Quakertown 0
Pitchers Joe Molettiere and Dan Shane combined to throw a one-hitter in the Rams (14-5, 9-5 SOL) shutout of archrival Quakertown (5-14, 3-11 SOL) on Wednesday afternoon in the regular season finale for both teams.
The Panthers’ lone hit of the contest came off the bat of Jared Kishbaugh.
Molettiere picked up the win as he allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out nine in five overpowering innings of work. Shane threw the final two and allowed just one walk while fanning three.
The Rams scored three times in the first inning and that would be all they would need. They added two more in the fourth and a single run in the fifth.
Tom Nuneviller was 3-for-3 with a run scored. Dan Long was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, and Dan Shane also was 2-for-4. Shane, Joe Unangst and Andrew Horne each had one RBI.
Tyler Guidos suffered the loss as he surrendered five runs on nine hits in four innings of work.
Pennridge 300 210 0 – 6 13 0
Quakertown 000 000 0 – 0 1 2
Central Bucks East 3, Souderton 0
The Patriots (13-6, 11-3 SOL) got a strong performance from pitcher Michael Broderick in their shutout victory over the Indians (8-12, 4-10) on Wednesday afternoon. The win put the Patriots alone in second place as the regular season concluded.
Broderick limited the Indians offense to just four hits, all singles, and three walks while fanning seven in going the distance.
The Patriots scored two if their runs in the second and added a single run for good measure in the sixth.
Cameron Komanchak and Collin Sheehan led the offense with two hits each. CJ Gillmer, Carter Usowski and Andrew Collins had a hit each. Komanchak and Nick Chimera had the two RBIs and Collins scored twice and Geoffry Salfi scored a run.
For the Indians, Connor Lennon, Blake Gular, Nate Luscombe and Dave Schreffer had a hit each.
Luscombe suffered the loss as he surrendered three runs (only one earne) on seven hits over seven innings.
Souderton 000 000 0 – 0 4 3
Central Bucks East 020 001 X – 3 7 2
Central Bucks South 5, Central Bucks West 0
In their final regular season game, the Titans (10-9, 6-8 SOL) received strong performances from their pitching staff and some timely hits to down the Bucks on Wednesday evening.
Three pitchers combined to hold the Bucks’ offense to just three hits, no runs and zero walks.
Mike Kuypers got the start and the win as he went the first five innings, striking out seven and allowing two hits. David Drea came on to pitch the sixth. He struck out one and allowed one hit, and Zach Dennis pitched a perfect seventh.
Thomas Phillips took the loss for the Bucks (3-16, 1-13 SOL) as he allowed three runs (two earned) on just two hits and three walks while fanning two in five innings of work.
The Titans made the most of every hit as they scored five runs on five hits, four free passes and three errors. They scored a single run in the third on an error and led the rest of the way.
In a four-run sixth, an RBI single by Kyle Strachan ignited the offense. Will Moller’s double plated a pair of runs.
Strachan, Moller, Drea, Kyle Rossi and Steve Trachtenberg picked up the hits for the Titans.
Steven Gebre had two of the Bucks’ three hits on the night, and Matt Peralta added the other hit.
Central Bucks West 000 000 0 0 – 0 3 3
Central Bucks South 001 004 X – 5 5 6
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Upper Dublin 5, Springfield 4
The Flying Cardinals (15-3, 12-2 SOL) pretty much knew that their season was not over on Wednesday, win or lose. With just three losses overall and two in the conference heading into the game they were basically assured of a postseason berth and a game next week.
The Cards, though, needed a win and a loss by Wissahickon if they entertained any thoughts of sharing the conference title with the Trojans.
On the other side, Springfield (8-8, 6-8 SOL) was looking to play the role of spoiler, and for a while, it looked as though that might happen, but the magical ride for the Cards kept going as not only did they come from behind to beat the Spartans but Wissahickon was upended by Cheltenham.
Trailing 4-2, the Cards put up a three spot in the sixth to claim the win. The inning was highlighted by singles from Cole Swiger, Conor McFaddedn, Chrstian Huckfeldt (RBI), Steven Bell (RBI), Thomas Juelke and Matt Thompson (RBI).
Swiger, Huckfeldt and Bell had two hits each. John Lee, Justin Horn (double), Tommy Reilly and Thompson had a hit each. Huckfeldt knocked in two runs while Horn, Bell and Thompson had an RBI each.
Thompson picked up the win as he pitched the final two innings and surrendered just one hit.
Deandre Johnson and Will Jamison led the Spartans with two hits each. Cory Cottone, Chris Binet, Julian Salzer and Mike Johnston collected a hit each. Binet, Jamison and Alex Caplan each had an RBI.
Salzer took the loss for the Spartans.
Springfield 002 110 0 – 4 8 1
Upper Dublin 010 103 X – 5 10 2
Cheltenham 6, Wissahickon 5
After winning their first 10 conference games of the season and appearing to be well on their way to a conference title, the Trojans stumbled, losing to Norristown last week and Cheltenham (9-11, 5-9 SOL) on Wednesday.
Cheltenham scored four times in the second and added two more much-needed insurance runs in the fifth and then held off a furious Trojan comeback in the sixth. The Panthers never surrendered the lead after the second inning, scoring four runs on an error, a two-run home run by Jack Gordon and an RBI single by Gilbert Owens.
Wissahickon scored four runs in the sixth on a two-run home run by Blake Rappaport and a two-run triple by Michael Schoenleber, but the Trojans couldn't get over the hump.
Wissahickon out-hit the Panthers 11-9 but stranded seven runners on base.
Leading the Panthers was Jack McHugh with three hits, including a double. He had two RBIs and a run scored. Gabe Hofferman added two hits and two runs scored, and Gilbert Owens, Nissin Lebovitz and Dave Aaron had a hit each. Gordon had two RBIs and scored a pair of runs and Owens and Gene Han had an RBI each.
For the Trojans, Rapoport, Robert Freeston and Jeremy Spittle had two hits each. Ryan Becker, Alexander Tappen, Matthew Schilling and Julian Osterneck had a hit each. Schoenleber and Rapoport had two RBIs each while Osterneck had one RBI.
James Heaven picked up the win, allowing five runs on 11 hits, and Joel White picked up the save as he recorded the final four outs without surrendering a hit or walk.
Jacob Segal took the loss for the Trojans.
Wissahickon 010 004 0 – 5 11 1
Cheltenham 040 020 X – 6 9 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 7, Norristown 3
The Colonials (6-12, 5-9 SOL) closed out their season on a high note with a big come-from-behind win over the Eagles (6-12, 6-8 SOL) on Wednesday afternoon.
PW scored four times in the sixth to down the Eagles, who had a held a 2-1 lead heading into the sixth. Luca Amoroso’s two-run single plated the go-ahead run for the Colonials.
Zach Metz had two of the Colonials seven hits. Brett Highland, Gavin Brody, Dutch Reardon and Adam McKinlay had a hit each. Metz also collected three RBIs while Amoroso added two.
For the Eagles, Tom Piccari, Anthony Wayne, Reggie Collins (double), Joe Dellobuono, Charles Grello (double) and Joseph Cook (double) had a hit each. Tom Detwiler, Collins and Grello each had an RBI.
Evan Bischoff picked up the win as he allowed three runs on five hits while striking out five.
Alec Proietto took the loss.
Plymouth Whitemarsh000 104 2 – 7 7 0
Norristown 002 000 1 – 3 6 2
Upper Moreland 5, Upper Merion 3(11 innings)
What better way to end the regular season than with in an evening game that went 11 innings and was a pitcher’s dual.
If you looked at Upper Moreland’s record four weeks ago, the Golden Bears might not have looked like a playoff team. but head coach Ken Irwin has his AAA team riding high.
“We are definitely in now,” said Irwin. “We will find out tomorrow (Thursday) night.”
A pair of UM pitchers combined to strike out 17 Viking batters on a night that saw the two teams (four pitchers) combine for 33 strikeouts.
Brandon Kohn picked up the win as he pitched the final two innings, striking out three and allowing two earned runs on three hits. Kohn came on in relief of starter Jaryd Goldstein, who allowed just six hits and struck out 14 in nine superb innings on the mound.
Andrew Del Giudice took the loss as he went three innings, striking out three and allowed four earned runs on four hits. He came on in relief of starter Jarrett Quinn, who went eight innings, striking out 13 and allowed one earned run on six hits in a stellar outing of his own.
“That was the best high school game I have ever seen with pitchers getting guys out,” Irwin said.
Offensively, Randy Meehl was 3-for-4 with double, triple and RBI and Kyle Bennis was 2-for-6 with a double and two RBIs. His double came in the decisive 11th inning. Ryan Lowry added a hit and two RBIs.
Bennis also helped get the game into extra innings when he gunned down a runner out at the plate in the ninth.
Troy Thomas had two hits and an RBI for the Vikings while Quinn had two hits, including a double. Mike Hutchinson went 3-for-5.
Upper Moreland 001 000 000 04 – 5 10 0
Upper Merion 000 100 000 02 – 3 9 2
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Council Rock North 12, Bensalem 1
With their no-doubt-about-it win over the Owls (10-8, 6-8 SOL), the Indians (10-4, 10-7) may have well cemented a slot in the playoffs that will get underway next week. The Indians finished in second place in the conference, two games behind conference champion Pennsbury.
The game lasted just five innings as the Indians scored early and often and closed it out early due to the 10-run mercy rule. They scored eight times in the first and added on three more in the second.
Highlights of the eight-run first were RBI singles by Cole German, Noah Hartwell and Tyler Nowmos, sacrifice flies from Cole Hofmann and Matt Hand as well as bases-loaded walks to Seth Luez and J.R. Hicks.
German led the offense with three hits, including a triple. German also added three RBIs and a run scored, and Brandon McIlwain had an RBI and scored three times. Jared Schram, Hartwell and Nowmos scored two runs each.
Bensalem’s two hits came off the bats of Joey Benedetti and Brian Swentkowski. Benedetti knocked in the lone run.
Hartwell was in control on the hill, allowing just four hits and one run while walking two and striking out five in his four innings or work. Tom Worthington struck out two of three batters he faced.
Chris Reyes took the loss.
Council Rock North 831 00 – 12 7 0
Bensalem 001 00 – 1 2 2
Pennsbury 12, William Tennent 0 (5 innings)
The Falcons (16-4, 12-2 SOL) closed out the regular season with a five-inning rout of host William Tennent.
The Falcons will now wait and see where they stand in the playoff picture and are hoping for a first-round bye. The top six teams in the 26-team field will receive byes.
The Falcons collected 12 hits and held Tennent to just four.
Zach Szumigala went 3-for-3 with two doubles, three runs scored, an RBI and two stolen bases.
Pat Lawrence (double), DJ Endler (double), Logan Buell and Freddie Schrandt had two hits each. Lawrence and Endler both had three RBIs and a run scored, and Buell had two RBIs and Schrandt scored three runs. Kyle Marshall went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and Tom Augustin added an RBI.
Zach Conley picked up the win, going four innings and allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two. Andrew Gilbert pitched the final inning.
For the Panthers, Bobby Day (double), AJ Shapiro, Mannon and JW Lucas each had a hit.
Ryan Lucas took the loss for Tennent.
Pennsbury 028 11 – 12 12 0
William Tennent 000 00 – 0 4 1
Abington 3, Harry S Truman 1
The Galloping Ghosts (13-6, 9-5 SOL) have been waiting since 1988 to play a postseason game. With their key win over the Tigers on Wednesday afternoon, that long wait might just be over.
“I think this win put us in,” said Ghosts head coach Dave Torresani. “This will be quite a thrill.”
Sophomore pitcher Paul Poppert was sensational on the mound as he held Truman to just one run on three hits and three walks in seven innings.
“He had a no-hitter going into the fifth,” Torresani said.
Chris Clewell was 1-for-3 with two RBIs, including a key two-out double in the third that knocked in the eventual game winner. Brett Guaglionona was 1-for-2 with a triple, walk and two runs scored. Nick Bein and Dave Kretschman each had a single.
For the Tigers (8-11, 5-9), Evan Miller, Romeo Sturkey, Chris Mangold and Mickey Shea had a hit each. Sturkey knocked in the lone run in the sixth.
Aaron Wolf took the loss.
Harry S Truman 000 001 0 – 1 3 1
Abington 002 100 X – 3 4 0
Council Rock South 6, Neshaminy 3
If Council Rock South (10-8, 8-6 SOL) had any shot at making the 26-team playoff field, a win against Neshaminy (6-13, 4-10 SOL) was a must.
In a game that featured three lead changes and a tie, the Golden Hawks were able to outlast the Redskins, thanks in part to a three-run sixth that was highlighted by Cody Kutler’s two-run single.
The Golden Hawks was led by a flawless day at the dish by Dean Obarowski, who was 3-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Nick Ponente added two hits while Evan Fisher and Nick Fabiano (double) had a hit each.Fabiano had two RBIs while Macaulay and Obarowski had an RBI.
Jordan Silverman was the winning pitcher as he surrendered three runs on eight hits while fanning eight.
The Redskins were led at the plate by Evan Matthews, who had three hits, including a double, a run scored and an RBI.Matt Graham had two hits, and Kyle Skeels (double), Mike Burns (double) and Andrew Dampman had a hit each. Jake Strickler, Skeels and Matthews had an RBI each.
Jordan Angjelo took the loss as he allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits.
Council Rock South 100 013 1 – 6 8 3
Neshaminy 120 000 0 – 3 8 3
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