Quakertown, Cheltenham & Tennent are featured in this week's SOL notebook which highlights the top performances from last week.
By Scott Huff
And the winner is…
The final week of the regular season is going to decide who captures coveted championships – and there is no unmistakable choice for the title in any of the competitive Suburban One League conferences.
In the SOL Continental Conference there are no less than four teams that could finish the season as either outright or shared champion.
Central Bucks South is 8-3 and can become an outright champion by winning two of its final three games against Hatboro-Horsham (5-7), Central Bucks West (6-6) and Central Bucks East (1-10). The Titans could share a title with the remaining three contenders in a variety of configurations. However, CB South is the only team that can truly control its own outright title aspirations.
Pennridge is 8-5 with just a single game left on its schedule against rival Quakertown (6-7). If the Rams get to nine wins it could give them a share of the title – and if CB South loses out – and North Penn and Souderton split final games or lose out – PHS could be an outright winner with nine wins.
North Penn is 7-5 with games remaining with Central Bucks East (1-10) and Hatboro-Horsham (5-7). The Knights could get to nine wins by winning out and that would give them a possible share of the title – or if CB South and Pennridge lose out – and Souderton splits it final games or loses out – NPHS could be an outright winner with nine wins.
Souderton is 7-5 with games remaining against Central Bucks West (6-6) and Central Bucks East (1-10). The Indians could get to nine wins by winning out and that would give them a possible share of the title – or if CB South and Pennridge lose out – and North Penn splits its final games or loses out – SAHS could be an outright winner with nine wins.
Got it? Sure you do.
In the SOL National Conference the title winner is far less confusing.
Council Rock North is 10-3 and has a final conference game against Bensalem (5-7). If the Indians capture a win – and if Pennsbury (10-3) loses to William Tennent (6-7) – Rock North becomes the outright champion. If both CRN and Pennsbury both win – or both lose – the championship will be shared by the Indians and Falcons.
Pennsbury is 10-3 and has a final conference game against William Tennent (6-7). If the Falcons capture a win – and if CR North (10-3) loses to Bensalem (5-7) – Pennsbury becomes the outright champion. If Pennsbury and CR North both win – or both lose – the championship will be shared by the Falcons and Indians.
In the SOL American Conference the title winner is down to just two teams.
Upper Dublin is 10-1 and controls its own fate in terms of an outright championship with three games this week. The Cardinals have a huge showdown with Upper Moreland (10-2) and closes out the season with games against Springfield (3-8) and Cheltenham (5-6).
Upper Moreland is 10-2 and is still very much in the race – but beating Upper Dublin (10-1) seems like a must win. The Golden Bears close out the conference schedule with a game against Upper Merion (4-8).
The only thing for certain in any of the three SOL championship races is that nothing is for certain.
Stay tuned.
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Quakertown Panthers
Quakertown head coach Jon Pallone reflected fondly back on the beginning of the 2016 baseball season.
“We were driving from Quakertown to Myrtle Beach for spring practice, and I was wondering what to expect,” said Pallone. “We never did anything like this before at Quakertown, and I was a little nervous about what could happen on a trip with high school kids.
“As things turned out, the only thing I had to worry about was how much baseball they were playing,” added Pallone. “It was hard to shut them down from hitting in the cage, and the whole experience was great.
“I am so proud of this group of players,” continued Pallone. “They are a tightly knit team that plays the game with a passion.”
The conference season did not begin well for the Panthers.
“We were 2-5 the first time through the league schedule, but we lost quite a few one run games,” said Pallone. “I kept asking myself ‘This is a really good league, but how are we 2-5 with this team?”
“So far in the second half of the season we are 4-2 and have our big game left with Pennridge,” added Pallone. “We’re hoping to get to .500 (7-7) and see what that gets us.
“Pennridge is a great team – and (Ram head coach) Tom Nuneviller is about the nicest guy I know,” continued Pallone. “We lost to them the first time in extra innings, and our players really know that we can play with them.”
Quakertown will start senior Cooper Johnson in the regular season finale – Pennridge will most likely throw Andrew Mayhew.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
Jared Gorman, Zach Thomas, and Danny Kirwin of North Penn each collected victories as the Knights won all three games last week. Gorman did not allow a run in five innings in North Penn’s 11-0 win over Pennridge. In the win over the Rams, Corey Stouffer had three RBI, while Alex Peterson had two RBI. Thomas won the game in relief in the Knights 6-5 win over Souderton. In the win over the Indians, Zach Miles had two hits and Kadar Namey had two RBI. Kirwin registered the win throwing three scoreless innings in an 11-2 victory over Quakertown. In the win over the Panthers, Namey had two hits.
Dan Klepchick and Chris Palkovics of Central Bucks South were impressive as the Titans collected a pair of conference wins last week. Klepchick was masterful with a 12-strikeout performance in a 4-0 victory over Pennridge. In the win over the Rams, Kyle Rossi had two RBI. Palkovics delivered a strong outing as CB South defeated Quakertown 6-2. Palkovics threw a complete game – did not allow an earned run – and limited the Panthers to just three hits. Tommy Dugan had two hits and two RBI in the win over Q-town.
Andrew Mayhew and Ian Kacergis of Pennridge each collected wins as the Rams split their four conference games last week. Mayhew threw five innings and had nine strikeouts as PHS defeated CB West 2-0, while Kacergis threw six innings with six strikeouts in the Rams 4-1 win over Hatboro-Horsham. Danny Long recorded saves in both the West and Hatter games with shutout relief outings.
Colin Kennedy and Brian Edgington of Hatboro-Horsham each had impressive performances as the Hatters won two of three conference games last week. Kennedy threw nine innings of shutout relief as the Hatters edged Central Bucks East 2-1 in 13 innings. Shaun Thomas delivered the game-winning hit in the 13th inning. Edgington fired a complete game – five hit – shutout as HH captured a 2-0 victory over Central Bucks West.
Aaron Gulibon of Souderton won a huge contest against Central Bucks South as the Indians captured a key 6-2 win. Gulibon threw a complete game – allowed just three hits – and did not permit an earned run. Luke Barnum fueled the Big Red offense in the win over the Titans with a two-run double.
Tyler Guidos of Quakertown fired a terrific ballgame as the Panthers edged Central Bucks East 2-1. Guidos threw a complete game and allowed just one run, while Aaron Besch provided the offensive punch with a home run for the Black Cats.
Thomas Philipps of Central Bucks West had two hits – scored two runs – and had two RBI as the Bucks defeated Central Bucks East 8-7. In a 2-0 loss to Hatboro-Horsham, Luke Irons was a tough luck loser as he threw six strong innings – allowed just one earned run – and permitted just three hits.
SOL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks South Titans 8-3
Pennridge Rams 8-5
North Penn Knights 7-5
Souderton Indians 7-5
Central Bucks West Bucks 6-6
Quakertown Panthers 6-7
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 5-7
Central Bucks East Patriots 1-10
SOL Continental Conference Schedule
Monday –May 16, 2016
Central Bucks East Patriots @ North Penn Knights
Souderton Indians @ Central Bucks West Bucks
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Central Bucks South Titans
Tuesday – May 17, 2016
Pennridge Rams @ Quakertown Panthers
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Souderton Indians
North Penn Knights @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Wednesday – May 18, 2016
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Central Bucks South Titans
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
William Tennent head coach Rick Penecale and his Panthers may not be playing for either a league title or a District One playoff berth – but on Tuesday the Tennent-Pennsbury game has SOL National Conference title implications. A win for the Falcons would give them at the very least a share of the conference championship.
“Pennsbury is going to have to earn it,” said Penecale. “If I were a baseball fan, I would get a ticket for this game.”
The reason for the purchase would have to do with the magnificent pitching match up – Ryan Lucas for William Tennent and Zach Conley for Pennsbury.
“Those two might be the best two pitchers in the league,” said Penecale. “The first time we played them we didn’t pitch Ryan and they didn’t pitch Conley. It will great to see them go head-to-head in a big game.
“Ryan is a senior – and with us out of the playoffs, it is going to be his last game,” added Penecale of his senior that is headed to Philadelphia University next fall. “It has been a pleasure to watch him mature over his four years in our program.
“Ryan can crank it up there when he needs to, and he has a great slider,” continued Penecale. “He has great control – paints the corners – and always wants the ball in the big games.
“I guess for us to finish at .500 is good,” added Penecale as WT would finish the regular season at 7-7 with a win. “We were hoping for more. Let’s just say that I’m both happy and disappointed with the season.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Nick Price, Zach Conley, and Billy Bethel of Pennsbury each collected wins for the Falcons last week. Price threw 5.1 innings in Pennsbury’s 7-1 victory over Council Rock South, Conley fired six innings in the Falcons 7-1 victory over Neshaminy, and Bethel tossed a complete game with nine strikeouts in the Black & Orange’s 10-0 won over Bensalem. In the win over CR South, Josh Tesarck fueled the offense with two RBI. In the win over Neshaminy, Tesarck again led the offense with two RBI. And in the victory over Bensalem, Vaughn Ward and Bryan Nagy each had two RBI.
Matt Grudza and Jerry Scavone of Neshaminy collected wins as the Redskins split four conference games last week. Grudza pitched six innings, while Bill Ritchey had three RBI as the Skins defeated Truman 10-3. Scavone was the winning pitcher, and Grudza had four RBI as Neshaminy bested William Tennent 11-1.
Matt Hand of Council Rock North fired a five-hitter at Neshaminy in a 5-2 Indian victory. Seth Luez had a two-run triple in the Redskin win. Cavan Tully walked – stole second base – moved to third on a passed ball – and scored on a sacrifice fly as Rock North edged district rival CR South 2-1 in 10-innings.
Greg Troyer of Abington was masterful as the fired a one -hit gem against first place CR North as the Ghosts captured a 4-3 victory. Aiden Coyle delivered the game-winning hit in the fifth inning. In a 2-1 loss to William Tennent, Paul Poppert was the tough luck loser allowing just four hits and two runs over six innings.
Justin Kerner and Brian Aicher of Truman pitched the Tigers to a pair of wins last week. Kerner allowed only two runs and four hits in a 3-2 HST victory over Bensalem, while Aicher allowed just a single earned run in the Tigers 5-2 victory over first place Council Rock North.
Ryan Lucas of William Tennent threw a wonderful game as the Panthers edged Abington 2-1. Lucas threw a complete game and allowed just three hits and one run. In a 5-2 loss to Bensalem, Nick Cataldi had two hits and two RBI.
Joey Benedetti of Bensalem had two hits and two RBI and also blasted a home run as the Owls soared to a 5-3 victory over William Tennent. Dom Grady was the winning pitcher for the Blue & White with a complete game effort that did not include an earned run.
SOL National Conference Standings
Council Rock North Indians 10-3
Pennsbury Falcons 10-3
Neshaminy Redskins 8-5
Abington Ghosts 6-6
William Tennent Panthers 6-7
Bensalem Owls 5-7
Harry S Truman Tigers 3-10
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 2-9
SOL National Conference Schedule
Monday – May 16, 2016
Council Rock South Golden Hawks @ Abington Ghosts
Tuesday – May 17, 2016
Abington Ghosts @ Truman Tigers
Neshaminy Redskins @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Bensalem Owls @ Council Rock North Indians
Pennsbury Falcons @ William Tennent Panthers
Wednesday – May 18, 2016
Bensalem Owls @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Cheltenham Panthers
Cheltenham head coach Craig Stein and his Panthers fell into a cavernous conference hole early in the season. But the first-year coach and his Black Cats (5-6) have rebounded in the second half, and although may not be district playoff worthy, nobody wants to deal with Cheltenham late in the season.
“This was my first year running things, and I came in with some new ideas,” said Stein. “We focused a lot on defense and pitching at the beginning of the season – and we never really were able to hit the ball consistently.
“Now we have gotten things to where they should be,” added Stein. “The lack of success at the beginning of the season wasn’t from a lack of effort – we have played very hard the entire year.”
Cheltenham will face two of the conference elite this week as the Panthers play both Wissahickon (9-4) and Upper Dublin (10-1).
“Those are two incredibly tough teams,” said Stein. “It will be good to see how far we have come this year. Neither of those teams will walk over us.”
The Cheltenham turnaround came about with the regular turn on the mound for freshman Kieran Versaw-Barnes.
“With him being a freshman and with his size, we wanted to bring him around slowly,” said Stein of his diminutive 5-foot, 5-inch hurler. “We knew he was a decent player, but you never know how a freshman is going to handle playing at a varsity level.
“But now there is no question that he belongs of the varsity,” added Stein. “He has a great breaking ball – can get to around 80 miles on his fastball – and is always around the zone. Plus he has great composure and is never rattled.”
Versaw-Barnes will throw one of those two key games next week – junior Joel White will throw the other.
“Some people might forget how good a pitcher Joel is,” said Stein. “He throws hard – has good command of his pitches – and is extremely calm on the mound.
“We’re excited to be playing some important games next week,” added Stein. “It’s been a nice first year for me.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Matt Gauss and Nick Pave of Springfield each threw fine games as the Spartans collected a pair of conference wins last week. Gauss tossed a complete game – struck out four hitters – and limited Plymouth Whitemarsh to just three hits in Springfield’s 1-0 win over the Colonials. Pave went five innings throwing a three-hitter as the Spartans defeated Upper Merion 11-2. In the win over the Vikings – Jackson Pauwels had three hits and two RBI, Chris Kelly had two hits and three RBI, and Noel Franzyk had two hits and two RBI.
Kieran Versaw-Barnes and Jacob Petrisko of Cheltenham collected victories last week for the Panthers. Versaw-Barnes threw a complete game – had six strikeouts – and allowed no earned runs in a 3-1 win over Plymouth Whitemarsh. In the win over the Colonials, Jack McHugh had three hits and two RBI. Petrisko collected a 4-3 win over Springfield. Petrisko did not allow an earned run in his seven innings on the mound.
Jason O’Gara of Upper Dublin had key hits in both of the Cardinal wins last week. O’Gara – along with Jason Greene and JT Breslin – had key hits in a 6-5 win over Upper Moreland. O’Gara had two RBI – including the game winning hit – as UDHS edged Upper Merion 2-0. In the win over the Vikings, Connor McFadden was masterful throwing a shutout and allowed just two hits.
Logan Willans of Wissahickon was impressive in the Trojans 4-2 victory over Norristown. Willans had eight strikeouts in seven innings and did not allow an earned run. In the win over the Eagles, Matt Shilling had two RBI. Shilling had three hits and two RBI to lead the offense in a 9-7 victory Upper Dublin.
Sean O’Connor and Brandon Kohn of Upper Moreland hurled the Golden Bears to a pair of wins last week. O’Connor threw six innings – allowed three hits and only one run – as UMHS defeated Cheltenham 2-1. Kohn threw six strong innings in the Bears 10-2 rout of Norristown. In the win over the Eagles, Connor Casey had three hits and two RBI and Paul Ciampoli had two hits and two RBI.
Connor Kissane of Plymouth Whitemarsh threw a gem as the Colonials edged Wissahickon 3-2. Kissane threw a complete game – allowed just three hits and one earned run.
SOL American Conference Standings
Upper Dublin Cardinals 10-1
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 10-2
Wissahickon Trojans 9-4
Cheltenham Panthers 5-6
Upper Merion Vikings 4-8
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 4-9
Springfield Spartans 3-8
Norristown Eagles 2-9
SOL American Conference Schedule
Monday – May 16, 2016
Norristown Eagles @ Springfield Spartans
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Tuesday – May 17, 2016
Cheltenham Panthers @ Wissahickon Trojans
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Springfield Spartans
Upper Merion Vikings @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Wednesday – May 18, 2016
Cheltenham Panthers @ Upper Dublin Cardinals
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Norristown Eagles
Thursday – May 19, 2016
Springfield Spartans @ Cheltenham Panthers
Norristown Eagles @ Upper Merion Vikings
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Council Rock North Indians
2. Pennsbury Falcons
3. Central Bucks South Titans
4. Pennridge Rams
5. Neshaminy Redskins
6. Upper Dublin Cardinals
7. North Penn Knights
8. Souderton Indians
9. Upper Moreland Golden Bears
10. Wissahickon Trojans
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