Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action Thursday. Photos provided courtesy of Jesse Garber (http://JSGarber.zenfolio.com/p96495062)
NESHAMINY 10, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 9
For a while, it looked like a classic battle between a pair of perennial SOL powers. Then – in the sixth inning – everything went crazy as the two teams combined for 13 runs over the final two innings.
“It’s two really good teams, it was one pretty ugly game, but it was a (heck) of an exciting game,” Neshaminy coach Dave Chichilitti said. “We score two runs, and they score a run, and it looks like it’s this great softball, and then we score three more runs, and we’re winning 5-1 – we’re cruising, everything looks good, we’re going to win this game easily.
“Then they have a seven-run sixth. It was walks, hits, errors, and it was like, ‘We’re probably done.’”
The Redskins weren’t done, rallying from a 9-8 deficit heading into the bottom of the seventh to earn the dramatic win. Victoria Smith led off the bottom of the seventh with a single – her third hit of the game – but was erased on a fielder’s choice. A runner gunned down trying to steal for the inning’s second out appeared to be the death knoll for the Redskins, but that wasn’t the case.
With two outs and nobody on, Chichilitti called on Maria Leedom, who’s been out with the flu for four days, and the Redskins’ pinch hitter delivered a base hit up the middle. Natalie Rios drew a walk to keep the inning alive. Hunter Hart delivered a single that plated the tying run, and Rebecca Dixon followed with a walk-off single.
The Redskins’ heroic comeback followed a top of the inning that saw the Titans plate the go-ahead run as the result of a throwing error on a delayed steal of third.
Chichilitti credited his team for bouncing back, answering with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to knot the score 8-8.
“In the seven-run inning, it felt like everything we could do wrong went wrong,” the Redskins’ coach said. “They show fight and they have such spirit – the seniors get everybody up.
“We tie the game, we give it back to them again, and then we score two more and win. All you can do is laugh and shake your head and say, ‘Everybody on the team, including myself, did something horrible, and everybody on the team, including myself, did something good, and we were lucky enough to win today against a really good team.’ They have some very good hitters, and I would expect that team to definitely, definitely compete for a title.”
Smith was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs out of the nine hole to lead the ‘Skins.
“She had a huge game,” Chichilitti said.
Hart was 2-for-5.
“After the top of the sixth, Hart was the first one to come in and said, ‘I’m not quitting,’” Chichilitti said. “I looked at everybody else and said, ‘You know I’m not quitting,’ and everybody else was like, ‘Guess what – nobody’s quitting.’”
Alexa Ortman had a huge day out of the leadoff spot for the Titans, finishing 4-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.
“What a great player,” Chichilitti said. “We couldn’t get her out.”
Meg Bradley was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Amber Brugger earned the win for the Redskins while Kylie Kenney absorbed the loss.
Neshaminy (2-0) will host Bensalem next Thursday, and Central Bucks South (0-2) is scheduled to host Saint Hubert on Friday in a non-league game.
Central Bucks West 001 007 1 9-11-5
Neshaminy 020 033 2 10-11-5
PENNSBURY 9, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2
The Bucks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Falcons seized control of the game with a five-run second. They led the rest of the way.
“It was the first time both teams had gotten outside to play anybody else,” coach Frank McSherry said. “Neither one of us had any scrimmages, so we weren’t quite sure what was in store for us.”
In the five-run second, senior Anna Davis had the big blow, delivering a two-run double with two strikes. Sophomore Sierra Daley also had an RBI double in the frame. The Bucks made it a 5-2 game with a single run in the third, but the Falcons took the suspense out of this one with three more runs in the fourth.
Davis finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Junior Olivia Mauro was a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored to lead the Falcons. Carley Parsons was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Junior Alyssa Hileman earned the win in the circle, allowing just three hits while fanning five and walking none.
“She really threw strikes,” McSherry said.
Pennsbury (1-0) will be on the road at Bensalem for its SOL opener on Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (0-1) will host Bristol in a non-league game on Monday.
Central Bucks West 101 000 0 2
Pennsbury 050 301 x 9
QUAKERTOWN 8, WILLIAM TENNENT 6
Tennent scored three runs in the top of the first, but the visiting Panthers scored one in the third and three in both the fourth and fifth innings to take a lead they would not lose.
“We were pleased to get on the field and play,” Quakertown coach Rich Scott said. “Our girls were excited to get out of the gym and onto a field.
“We scored enough runs to win. We’re capable of scoring more runs, but that will come. It’s the first game outside. I’m pleased with the freshmen players (Halle Frederick and Abbey Schwartz) that are coming along very well. They’re getting some key innings in there, and it’s nice because I have some good senior leadership to help them along.”
Nikki Vanelli was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored to lead Quakertown. Lauren Beal’s two-run home run highlighted the three-run fifth. Freshman Halle Frederick was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Maddie Moyer added a double to Quakertown’s 12-hit attack.
Caitlyn Mitros led Tennent with a double and triple. Kate Clark, Brianna Koonce and Devon Fithian each added a pair of hits.
Tori Caputo earned the win, throwing 5.2 innings. She walked a pair and struck out two.
Quakertown (1-0) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Monday, and William Tennent (0-2) will travel to Central Bucks West on Tuesday.
Quakertown 001 330 1 8-12-3
William Tennent 300 012 0 6-9-2
NORTH PENN 10, UPPER DUBLIN 0 (5 innings)
The Knights scored three runs in the first and added seven more in the fourth to bring an early end to Thursday’s non-league game against the visiting Cardinals.
Kariam Bou and Amanda Greaney each delivered a home run to ignite the Knights’ offense. Bou led the Knights with four RBIs while Greaney had a pair. Brittney Moyer also had an RBI in a contest that saw the Knights collect 10 hits.
Moyer picked up the win in the circle, allowing three hits while fanning two in five shutout innings.
Upper Dublin received singles from Sarah Tannenbaum, Brianna Parker and Ellie Kelcy.
Erin Gallagher absorbed the loss.
North Penn (1-2) will travel to Central Bucks East on Tuesday for the SOL opener for both squads. Upper Dublin (0-3) will be on the road at Germantown Academy on Friday, weather permitting.
Upper Dublin 000 00 0
North Penn 300 7x 10
ABINGTON 3, LANSDALE CATHOLIC 2
The Ghosts picked up their second non-league win of the season, rallying with two runs in the fifth to eke out the win.
Abington got on the scoreboard first with a single run in the top of the second. Julie Burkhart led off with a single, moved up to second on an LC miscue and found herself on third with one out after a sacrifice bunt. Lily Campoli’s RBI single put the Ghosts on the scoreboard.
The Crusaders plated a pair in the bottom of the inning and took that 2-1 lead into the fifth when the Ghosts scored two runs of their own. Sam Andrews got the ball rolling with a single, and Campoli was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on Jess O’Neil’s groundout. Brooke Clewell was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Tori Brandenburger’s single plated a pair of runs, giving the Ghosts a lead they would not lose.
Brandenburger threw three innings to open the game, allowing two hits and two runs (both unearned) while sriking out four. Megan Burdziak closed it out with four shutout innings to earn the win. She fanned four and did not allow a hit.
Abington (2-0) will travel to Central Bucks West for a non-league game on Saturday.
Abington 010 020 0 3
Lansdale Catholic 020 000 0 2
UPPER MERION 3, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2
The Colonials lost a heartbreaker against their former conference rival when Emily Reid delivered an RBI double with one out in the bottom seventh inning, giving the Vikings the walk-off win.
“It was (a heartbreaker),” PW coach Dana Moyer said. “But our girls hit the ball really hard – they were just line drives right at them. Other than a couple defensive errors, I was really happy with how we played.”
The two teams exchanged single runs in the first and second innings. Neither team scored again until Reid’s game winner in the bottom of the seventh.
Kamry Kropinski led the Colonials’ seven-hit attack with a 2-for-4 effort and one RBI out of the lead-off spot. Allison Beausoleil was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Josie Tassoni had PW’s lone extra base hit – a double.
Haley Fink absorbed the loss, allowing nine hits and two runs while striking out six and walking two.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-1) is scheduled to travel to Cheltenham on Friday for its SOL opener.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 110 000 0 2-7-3
Upper Merion 110 000 1 3-9-3
NAZARETH 10, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4
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