Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action Thursday. Neshaminy/CR North photos provided courtesy of Jesse Garber (http://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p704137829) Pennsbury/Truman photos provided courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Check back for a complete gallery of the Pennsbury/Truman game.
National Conference
NESHAMINY 4, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2
Sophie Beretski brought a dramatic end to Thursday’s battle between a pair of SOL heavyweights, ripping a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to propel the Redskins to the dramatic walk-off win.
“It’s great to be tested,” coach Dave Chichilitti said. “It was like a playoff atmosphere. I told the girls that after the game.
“It was a playoff type game, and we came out on top. One error in the whole game – it was a great game.”
It was Beretski spotting the ‘Skins a 1-0 lead in the third when she delivered a double that plated Mackensie Compton, who had singled. In the top of the sixth, Nicole Rounasvill hit a two-out triple and scored the tying run when Hannah Stalker followed with an RBI double.
The ‘Skins answered in the bottom of the inning with one sweet swing of Rebecca Dixon’s bat as she delivered a solo home run. Again, the Indians answered, using back-to-back singles by Madison Tomlinson and Elena Calibeo (RBI). Sarah Dowalo – with a Rock North runner on third – slammed the door on that rally with back-to-back strikeouts to close out the inning.
In the bottom of the Inning, flex player Mandy Kurtz re-entered the contest and led off the inning with a single. She stole second but was still stranded there with two outs, setting the stage for Beretski’s heroics.
“Beretski crushed the ball over the center field fence,” Chichilitti said. “It was an awesome game.
“After the week we had with just nothing because of the weather, we waited a long time, and we came out a little overanxious at the plate. We left a lot of people on base, but every time we needed to answer, we did. They did two times, but we were lucky enough to have the last at-bat.”
Dowalo turned in a glittering performance in the circle, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out 13 and walking two. Her win came on the heels of last week’s win over Council Rock North that saw Amber Brugger go the distance.
“It all starts in that circle,” Chichilitti said. “(Dowala) pitched a great game.
“We have three very good pitchers. Being able to start one the first time through the league (Brugger), we have a senior (Cailynn Seely) who can stabilize us any time if we get in trouble, and having another to go through the league a second time doesn’t allow teams to get two looks at our pitching, and it’s a huge advantage.”
Beretski led the Redskins’ hit parade, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, home run, three RBIs and a run scored.
“It was definitely her day,” Chichilitti said. “She’s been playing excellent softball. She’s a senior leader. I can’t say enough good things about her. She picked the team up today, and we were healthy today for the first time. It’s the first time since we played Villa Maria that we had a full team.”
Returning to the lineup after being sidelined with a hamstring injury and making her presence felt was Natalie Rio, who was 2-for-3. Compton finished the game 2-for-4 with a double and run scored.
Amanda Camp, who split duties with Jenna Khantzian, absorbed the loss.
“Amanda and Jenn pitched really well,” Rock North coach John Engelhardt said. “Tip your cap to the Neshaminy pitcher. She had 13 strikeouts.
“We have to do a better job of putting the ball in play. My team fights, and I couldn’t we more proud to coach a group of girls that battle all seven innings. We will be okay.”
Neshaminy (12-1, 9-0 SOL) is scheduled to host Penncrest in a non-league game Friday, and Council Rock North (8-3, 6-2) will host Pennsbury on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Council Rock North 000 001 1 2-5-0
Neshaminy 001 001 2 4-10-1
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 10, WILLIAM TENNENT 6
Greg Heydet can take defeating William Tennent off his wish list, thanks to Thursday’s convincing win. The Golden Hawks had lost five straight games to the Panthers since Heydet took over the helm. The sixth time turned out to be the charm.
“We were 0-5,” the Golden Hawks’ third-year coach said. “Two years ago, they were a great team, but the last three losses, we had errors.
“Today was a good game. We’re in the second time around, and you have to win those games. Everyone is scratching for rankings. This was big, real big.”
So big that it cost Heydet smoothies at Smoothie King after the game.
“I’m proud of them,” he said.
The Hawks pounded out 14 hits, and after the Panthers scored a run in the top of the first, the Golden Hawks answered with two in the bottom of the frame. Steph Andreoli tripled to open the inning, and she scored on a sacrifice by Mikayla Becker. Melanie Wilkinson, who also tripled, crossed the plate when Sabrina Dobron singled.
“It’s always big when you answer back, especially being home,” Heydet said.
A three-run third was highlighted by Andreoli’s leadoff home run. Phylicia Wilkov and Wilkinson delivered singles, and Julie Keegan brought both of them home with a triple that put the Golden Hawks on top 5-1. That lead grew to 10-1 before the Panthers scored five in the sixth.
“We have a team full of big players, and I guess confidence is growing,” Heydet said.
Andreoli had a huge day for the Golden Hawks. She was not only 3-for-4 at the plate with a triple and home run, but Androli also earned the win in the circle, allowing eight hits while fanning four and walking four.
Wilkov was 2-for-4, Wilkinson was 2-for-3 with a triple, Keegan was 2-for-4 with a triple, and Lauren Kropp was 2-for-3 with a triple.
Not to be overlooked were the standout defensive efforts of several players – Wilkov at third base, Makenna Diamond at shortstop and Dolores Bowers in right field.
“They made some big plays today,” Heydet said. “Tennent is fast and they hit, but these guys made some plays. I think we only had one error, and that’s going to keep you in games. We have a big week coming up next week, five games in six days.”
Brianna Koonce (2-for-4) and Jackie Heim (2-for-3) led the Panthers.
Council Rock South (8-3, 5-2 SOL) is scheduled to play a non-league game at Archbishop Wood on Friday, and William Tennent (9-6, 6-4) will be on the road at Central Bucks South on Friday.
William Tennent 100 005 0 6
Council Rock South 203 230 x 10
ABINGTON 7, BENSALEM 5
Nicolette Ray delivered a bases-clearing triple in the top of the seventh inning, plating three runs and giving the Ghosts the lead with one mighty swing of her bat. The Ghosts, who trailed 4-3 entering the seventh, plated four runs in the pivotal seventh to earn the win.
“It was a huge win just to build some confidence back,” coach Ellie White said. “It’s towards the end of the season, and we’re trying to get better.
“We’re finally putting it together. We were averaging seven strikeouts a game, and today we only had one. I think it’s the more we play the better we get type of thing. Maybe we can be a spoiler somewhere down the line.”
After the Ghosts put their first two runners on in the top of the seventh, Jamie Gosselin legged out a bunt single, loading the bases and setting the stage for Ray’s blast. The first team all-league outfielder is back in the lineup after being sidelined as she rehabbed from a torn ACL. Olivia Bernstein’s RBI single plated Ray.
“Coach White and Abington always bring it,” Bensalem coach Dan Schram said. “For me, it was really great to see Jamie Gosselin on the field.
“That knee injury was very serious, and to see her suit up again and get in the batter’s box is really special. She’s a tremendous player with grit and integrity.”
The Ghosts took a 3-1 lead into the fifth when the Owls scored three runs to go on top 4-3. That lead held until the seventh when the Ghosts rallied for the win.
Ray led the Ghosts with a pair of hits. Tori Brandenburger singled and walked twice, reaching base on all three trips to the plate.
Ray earned the win in the circle, allowing six hits while walking three and striking out two. Meg Burdziak closed it out for the Ghosts.
Haley Sauer was charged with the loss, but White had high praise for the Owls’ freshman hurler.
“She’s going to be good,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “She’ll take that team far.
“She’s the most fun kid to watch. Her shortstop made a nice play on a fly ball, and she ran out there and gave a high five and then ran back in the circle. I told her after the game, ‘It’s a pleasure to watch you play because you are one of the most enthusiastic kids I’ve seen.’”
Abington (4-8, 3-5 SOL) will be on the road at Pennridge on Friday night for a non-league contest at 6:30 p.m. Bensalem (3-10, 1-8) will host Council Rock South on Monday.
Abington 002 100 4 7
Bensalem 001 030 1 5
PENNSBURY 7, HARRY S TRUMAN 5
The visiting Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Falcons responded, opening up a 7-2 lead before the Tigers tacked on three late runs. For a Falcons’ squad that has endured its share growing pains as well as injuries this season, Thursday’s win was especially welcome.
“It was good for the kids,” coach Frank McSherry said. “They needed to feel good about themselves. They’re making strides.”
The Falcons – who scored single runs in the second and third innings – broke a 2-2 tie with a five-run outburst in the fourth that included a whole lot of small ball. Sierra Daley drew a leadoff walk, and Ashley Downs followed with a two-strike single. Alex Rishel (RBI), Olivia Mauro (RBI) and Sydney Jakimowicz followed with a combination of bunt/slap singles, and Bailee Zaccaro delivered the inning’s big blow – a two-run double.
Leading the Falcons’ attack were Jakimowicz (2-for-4, two runs scored), Downs (2-for-3, one run) and Mauro (2-for-3, one run).
Freshman Meghan Dressel – one of four freshmen in the Falcons’ starting lineup – earned the win in the circle.
“Meghan did give up 10 hits, but she hit her spots much better than she has been,” McSherry said. “We were happy with that.”
The Falcons’ coach also had high praise for his realigned defense.
“Bailee Zaccaro moved from shortstop to third base because Mia Pitt has been out with a concussion,” McSherry said. “Bailee is playing a great third base, and Sydney Jakimowicz, who was our second baseman, moved to shortstop, and she’s playing a great shortstop.
“We’ve really done a nice job defensively. We were giving away too many outs. It doesn’t show up in the wins column, but we’ve played much better of late defensively. We also ran the bases really well.”
Pennsbury (4-9, 3-6 SOL) is scheduled to host Conwell Egan on Friday, and Harry S Truman (3-11, 2-8) will be on the road at Council Rock North on Monday.
Harry S Truman 200 000 3 5
Pennsbury 011 500 x 7
Continental Conference
QUAKERTOWN 7, HATBORO-HORSHAM 5
What a difference a year makes.
Last year, the Panthers watched the close games slip away, losing five games by one run and a sixth by two en route to a 5-9 record in conference play (9-9 overall). This year, the Panthers are finding a way to win those games.
Exhibit A: Thursday night’s game that saw the Hatters take a 4-2 lead into the fifth inning only to watch the Panthers score five runs in the fifth and sixth innings combined to earn the come-from-behind win.
“Those games we lost – they learned from that,” coach Rich Scott said. “This was a big win. It was a battle.
Megan Johnson delivered the big blow in a three-run fifth – an RBI double. Meghan Klee also doubled in the inning that put the Panthers on top 5-4. The Hatters answered with a run in the sixth on an RBI single by Brynn Griffith to knot the score.
The Panthers came right back in the bottom of the inning. Tara Baglivo got things started with a double, and she moved up to third on Spenser Gray’s sacrifice bunt. Klee’s RBI single brought the go-ahead run home, and Klee scored on a miscue in the outfield on Johnson’s fly ball to right field.
Alyssa Wilkinson – who earned the complete game win – closed it out with a scoreless seventh.
“I told the girls after the game how proud of them I was because we were down to start the game and we battled and tied it up,” Scott said. “We took a little bit of a lead, and they came back again.
“We battled the whole game as well as they did. It was a good, hard fought game between two really good teams. It was a huge win for us because we haven’t played all week and they haven’t either. I was a little worried if our hitting was still going to be there. We had some hot bats, but we’ve been hitting it hard in the gym.”
Both teams generated plenty of offense. Klee led the Panthers, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and three runs scored. Madison Moyer was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run. Wilkinson was 2-for-4. Nikki Vanelli added a double while Emma McLaughlin and Jamie Dettrey each contributed RBIs.
For the Hatters, Kyleigh Dineeen was 3-for-4. Kylie Flagler was 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored, and Rachel Carney was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Griffith was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. Deanna Moyer also had an RBI.
Quakertown (11-3, 7-2 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks East on Tuesday for a key conference battle, and Hatboro-Horsham (9-6, 4-6) will be at Central Bucks West on Tuesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 200 201 0 5-9-4
Quakertown 110 032 x 7-11-3
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2
Twenty-two days ago, on April 13, the Patriots laid an 18-0 beating on their archrivals from CB South. The Titans exacted a degree of revenge on Thursday, eking out a 3-2 win over the Patriots on their home field.
The Patriots got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when – after singles by Tara Harper and Audrey LaBouliere – Brady Tilllotson delivered an RBI single. That 1-0 lead stood until the top of the third when Taylor Marinelli delivered a two-run home run to put the Titans on top by one.
But not for long.
East knotted the score in the bottom of the inning when LaBouliere hit an RBI triple only to watch the Titans take a lead they would not lose in the fifth, thanks to Meg Bradley’s RBI double.
Bradley led the Titans with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate while Maddie Bieber was 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Alex Ortman was 2-for-4. Alexis McConomy was 1-for-3 with a triple and run scored.
For the Patriots, Halley Aspinwall was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored, and LaBouliere was 2-for-2 with a triple and RBI.
Alexis McConomy earned the complete game win for the Titans, allowing eight hits and two runs while striking out two and walking one.
Kayla Ventura absorbed the loss, allowing four hits and one runs while fanning four and walking two in four innings of work. Theresa Haug threw the first three innings.
Central Bucks South (10-5, 5-5 SOL) will host Pennridge on Saturday at 2 p.m., and Central Bucks East (9-4, 6-3) will host North Penn on Monday.
Central Bucks South 002 010 0 3-10-0
Central Bucks East 101 000 0 2-8-0
SOUDERTON 8, PENNRIDGE 2
The Indians picked up their fourth win in five games, and coach Steph Rummel believes her team is finding its stride after a rocky start.
“I truly believe our team is coming together,” the Indians’ coach said. “We’re playing well together.
“We’re making the big plays. Missy (Wiley) had a couple of pickoffs – she had one pickoff at second, and she tug a girl out between second and third. There were a lot of well-thrown balls, fielded balls and just a lot of heads-up playing. We really brought it today. Everybody was ready for the ball and working well together and getting the outs. Defensively, we were definitely on it.”
The Lady Rams struck first, putting a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second when Meghan Bauer hit an RBI double.
The Indians got one run back in the fourth and added two more in the fifth to go on top 3-1. In the sixth inning, Wiley blasted a two-run home run to highlight a three-run inning that gave the Indians a 6-1 advantage. That lead grew to 8-1 in the top of the seventh before the Lady Rams scored a run in the bottom of the seventh.
Savannah Bostwick (2-for-4, two runs scored) and Dayna Shelly (2-for-3, RBI, two runs score) led the Indians’ nine-hit attack. Contributing RBIs were Angie Carty, Brianna Neeley, Shelly, Alyssa McCormick, Jen Klepfer and Brianna Reuss.
Alex Scheeler was effective in the complete game win, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) while fanning two and walking none.
“I definitely think it was a whole team event again,” Rummel said. “I think we came in loose, and the key to our success is coming in loose and knowing we have the confidence to play the game we need to play.
“They did that perfectly tonight. They did exactly what they needed to do. I think after a couple days off to get their heads collected, I think they came back really good today.”
Grace McGinley was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored, and Bauer was 2-for-2 with two doubles and one RBI. Larissa Motts also contributed a double for the Lady Rams.
Souderton (7-5, 5-4 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks South on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. contest. Pennridge (5-9, 2-8) is scheduled to host Abington in a non-league contest Friday night at 6:30 p.m.
Souderton 000 123 2 8-9-1
Pennridge 010 000 1 2-6-6
NORTH PENN 6, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 5
American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 9, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 8 (11 innings)
Flying Cardinals’ coach Heather Boyer might be the only coach who wouldn’t mind seeing Friday’s game wiped out because of rain. After throwing 170 pitches in 11 grueling innings, UD pitcher Becca Matricardi’s arm could use some rest.
“Becca did one heck of a job today,” said Boyer, whose second pitcher is on crutches after taking a line drive off her quad. “There were times we could have given up, but they were very resilient.
“It can be a pressure situation when you’re playing that international tiebreaker, and they stayed cool, calm and collected and made the plays when they needed to. It got to a point in the game where you didn’t want to see anybody lose because it was well played on both sides, timely hitting on both side.
“All the pitchers threw well. PW threw two pitchers at us, and they both did a really good job.”
The Cards won it when – with two outs in the 11th inning and runners on second and third – Sarah Sharp delivered the game-winning hit, singling up the middle on a 3-0 pitch for the walk-off win.
“We did not play a good game against them the last time, so that was kind of frustrating,” Boyer said. “We’ve been hitting a little bit of a lull, not only physically with our execution but also mentally. Sometimes I think we’re getting in our own heads and getting in our own way. Today they worked through that, most notably Becca.
“Becca would be the first one to tell you she was struggling, and she was very frustrated. Even the first inning today she was struggling a little bit.”
The game didn’t exactly start out on a promising note for Matricardi or her teammates when the Colonials plated three runs – all unearned – in the top of the first. The Cardinals got two of those back in the bottom of the inning. Sharp, who led off the inning with a triple, scored on Bela Soriano’s RBI single. Jackie McMenamin’s single plated Soriano to make it a 3-2 game.
“Becca came out and started to pitch like she can pitch,” Boyer said. “Her breaking pitches started to move a little bit, and she started hitting her spots better with her fastball.”
The teams exchanged runs in the third inning – the Cardinals could have had more, but a home run by Sarah Dennin was ruled a ground rule double.
“It bounced after it went over the fence, and the umpire thought it bounced before it went over,” Boyer said. “Otherwise, it would have been a two-run shot.
“I was proud of the girls because there were a couple of times when things didn’t go our way, and they let it go. After that, Becca shut them down.”
PW had a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the sixth when the Cardinals scored a pair to go on top 5-4, thanks to Sarah Tannenbaum’s two-run home run. The Colonials answered with a single run in the top of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.
PW went on top 7-5 in the top of the ninth, but the Cardinals answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. With the international tiebreaker in effect, both teams scored in the 10th, setting the stage for the 11th that saw the Cardinals hold the Colonials off the board.
“Becca really pitched well and fought off some of the issues she was having with her confidence and with her mental approach and really shined today,” Boyer said. “I’m so happy for her because I know she can do it.
“She’s very talented. She’s been a staple in our lineup the last two years, and it was heartbreaking to see her struggle a little bit, so I was glad to see her work through it.”
In 11 innings, Matricardi allowed 10 hits and eight runs (only two earned) while striking out three and walking five.
For PW, Kayla Yeager threw the first six innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs while striking out three and walking three. Haley Fink was tagged with the loss, allowing seven hits and six runs (five earned) and striking out five in five innings.
Sharp led the Cards with a 4-for-7 effort while Dennin was 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Soriano was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Allison Blum had an RBI bunt single in the ninth to plate the tying run. Tannenbaum had three RBIs.
PW was led by the 2-for-5 efforts of Jen Byrne (one run scored) and Lauren Fuhrmeister (three RBIs). Peyton Baldwin was 1-for-4 with three runs scored.
Boyer tipped her hat to Upper Dublin’s grounds crew for making the field playable.
“A big shoutout to our grounds crew,” she said. “We had seven different areas of standing water on the field at 6:45 this morning. I don’t know how they did it. It was remarkable.”
Upper Dublin (5-6, 4-5 SOL) will travel to Mason’s Mill Park for a conference game against Upper Moreland on Friday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-4, 4-4) will host Wissahickon on Friday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 301 000 102 10 8
Upper Dublin 201 002 002 11 9
CHELTENHAM 5, NORRISTOWN 4
Ron Perlstein called it a miracle, but by any name, the Lady Panthers will take the come-from-behind win.
“We got lucky because of a few breaks,” the Lady Panthers’ coach said.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lady Panthers found themselves on the short end of a 4-3 score, but an overthrow with the bases loaded allowed a pair of runs – both unearned – to cross the plate.
Earlier, the two teams exchanged runs in the first. The Lady Panthers went on top 3-1 with a pair of runs in the third, but the Eagles scored two in the fifth and one more in the sixth to go on top by one only to watch the Lady Panthers steal the win in the bottom of the inning.
Sophomore Morgan Gianelle had a pair of hits – a double and a triple – to lead the Lady Panthers. Freshman Megan Dougherty was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Izzy Picone was 2-for-2 with a sacrifice and run scored.
For the Eagles, Stephanie Orman was 2-for-4, which included an RBI double in the first. Mya Humphries was 2-for-3 with a double, and Hannah Evanik was 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Vita Blair-Kraybill threw the final three innings and earned the win for the Lady Panthers. Orman absorbed the loss, allowing all five runs (none unearned) while walking none and striking out four.
Cheltenham (5-9, 3-6 SOL) will travel to Abington on Monday for a non-league game, and Norristown (5-9, 3-7) will be on the road at Upper Merion.
Norristown 100 021 0 4
Cheltenham 102 002 x 5
UPPER MERION 6, WISSAHICKON 3
The Vikings led from wire to wire, but the win didn’t come as easily as they might have expected against a gutsy Trojan team searching for its first win.
“They played good – they had some good swings on Liv, but we didn’t play with the intensity we needed to play with,” coach John Whitney said. “Being in the gym inside all week didn’t help us.
“Wissahickon is struggling, but they came out and played well. They had some good swings. Mike (Borkowski) has got them still playing hard. I give their coaches a lot of credit. Going through a winless season is not easy, but those kids had a good attitude, and they played hard, so I give those coaches a lot of credit.”
Abby Volpe’s two-run double highlighted a three-run first for the Vikings. Olivia Sblorlini hit a solo home run in the fourth. Allie Moffett, who had a pair of hits, tripled to lead off the inning, but the Vikings could not bring her home.
“We didn’t have a big day,” Whitney said. “We had some extra-base hits, but they were sporadic.”
Michaela Coleman hit a solo home run in the third to put the Trojans on the scoreboard. Siani Paige-Miller led the Trojans with a 2-for-3 effort. Andrea Mazurek contributed an RBI.
Sborlini earned the win in the circle, allowing five hits while fanning four and walking none. Halle Segal absorbed the loss.
Upper Merion (12-1, 9-0 SOL) is scheduled to play a non-league game against Villa Maria Academy on Friday, and Wissahickon (0-10, 0-7) is at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday.
Wissahickon 001 100 1 3-7-1
Upper Merion 311 100 x 6-8-0
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