Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Friday. Souderton/Abington photos provided by Keith Clemens Photography. CLICK HERE to go directly to our photo galleries.
SOL National Conference
BENSALEM 2, PENNSBURY 1
Talk about a classic National Conference battle. This was it.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh and the score deadlocked 1-1, Austin Shay singled on an 0-1 pitch to give the Owls the dramatic walk-off win over the defending state champions.
Shay – who had a pair of hits out of the leadoff spot – wasn’t the game’s only hero. Pitcher Stephen Aldrich was in complete command on the mound for six innings, limiting the high-scoring Falcons to just three hits and one run (unearned). He fanned eight and walked three. Nick Fossile, who earned the win, allowed one hit and struck out three in an inning of work. All told, the duo combined for 11 strikeouts, shutting down a Falcon squad that had averaged double-digit runs in its first three games.
The Owls got on the scoreboard first in the second when Dominic Gray smacked an RBI double. The Falcons plated an unearned run in the top of the third to knot the score 1-1. That tie stood until the bottom of the seventh.
Josh Tesarck was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, accounting for three of the Falcons’ four hits. Sam Ruta, who doubled, scored the Falcons’ only run.
Pennsbury’s Shane Ostrowsky pitched well enough to win on most days, allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out six and walking two in 6.1 innings on the mound.
Bensalem (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North on Monday, and Pennsbury (3-1, 1-1) will be on the road at Archbishop Wood for a non-league contest on Saturday.
Pennsbury 001 000 0 1-4-2
Bensalem 010 000 1 2-4-0
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 5, HARRY S TRUMAN 3
The Indians rode the solid relief effort of sophomore Matt Roda and the clutch hitting performances of a trio of players to their second conference win. This one was anything but easy, according to coach Matt Schram.
“Truman is a gritty type of team,” the Indians’ coach said. “Tim Monaghan does such a great job with his team. They’re so well coached, and it’s always going to be a grind against Truman – every time you play them.
“The outcome was 5-3, and it was a battle. There was never a point where either team had much of a distance on each other or that anybody ever felt the game was in hand. You let out a big sigh of relief when the game ended.”
Freshman Pat Kusters – in Schram’s own words “a budding superstar” – led the Indians at the plate with a 3-for-4 effort that included an RBI and run scored. Matt Shenot was 2-for-3 with a triple and run scored.
“If you looked at his batting average right now, it’s probably in the .200s, but talk about quality at-bats – he’s hitting every baseball on the screws, but he’s hitting it right at people,” Schram said. “He’s been swinging the bat great.”
Jason Walter was 2-for-2 with a double and run scored.
“He’s really having a good season – he’s kicking doors down right now, and he’s getting it done,” Schram said.
Carson Shane was 1-for-2 with a triple and RBI.
When starter Gavin Ferrandino struggled with his command, Schram called on Roda, and he delivered, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out four and walking one in 4.2 innings.
“He did a great job,” Schram said. “He changed the face of the game. He shut them down. He came in in the middle of the third inning and went the rest of the way. He pitched real well.”
The Indians broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the second. Shane’s RBI triple highlighted the frame. They added a single run in the third to go on top 4-1, but Truman made it a 4-3 game with two runs in the fourth. The Indians added an insurance run in the fifth.
Contributing RBIs for the Tigers, who managed just five hits, were Evan Profy, RJ Snyder and Jackson Sutton.
Council Rock North (4-1, 2-0 SOL) will host Bensalem on Monday, and Harry S Truman (1-2, 0-1) will be on the road at Council Rock South on Monday.
Harry S Truman 010 200 0 3-5-1
Council Rock North 121 100 x 5-9-2
SOL Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 5, PENNRIDGE 3
The Titans rallied from an early 3-1 deficit to earn the win in Friday’s SOL opener.
“This was huge, especially after starting the year 0-2,” South coach Brian Klumpp said. “We started against the state champions (Pennsbury) and also Downingtown East, which is a perennial powerhouse as well.
“I like to schedule those teams just because I know how good the Suburban One League is, so if you play the better competition, the league doesn’t seem as hard.”
Joey Loynd’s RBI single spotted the Titans a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Rams knotted the score in the second and took a 3-1 lead in the third. The Titans scored a single run in the fourth to pull to within one and took a lead they would not lose in a two-run sixth.
“In the sixth inning, we put some good at-bats together, working the count,” Klump said. “We got a couple of walks, and then we put some hard ground balls in play that they didn’t make the plays on, and we capitalized on them.”
“Justin Mauz had a big walk with the bases-loaded to tie the game, and then Ben (Berger) hit a hard ground ball that the second baseman bobbled. Obviously, his speed helped beat it out at first. That scored the go-ahead run.”
If the Titans needed insurance, Loynd gave it to them, ripping a solo home run to lead off the top of the seventh that gave South its final margin of victory.
“He hit an absolute bomb over the left field fence,” Klumpp said. “This (win) was huge, especially on the road. We haven’t played a home game yet. We haven’t even practiced outside yet, so to get a win on the road against a good Pennridge team was big.”
Brock Veit started for the Titans and threw three innings, allowing four hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out three and walking three. Junior Ryan Rieber, who notched the win, was all but unhittable in four shutout innings in relief. He allowed just two hits while striking out eight and walking one.
“Brock threw very well to start the game,” Klumpp said. “We had a few errors behind him – we booted a few balls and threw the ball around a couple of times, but he settled in and threw real well.
“Then Ryan came in and finished the last four innings. He was almost unhittable. He threw really well. He was doing a good job of getting ahead of the batters. His fast ball had some pop behind it. He was doing a good job spotting up.”
At the plate, Berger was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored out of the leadoff spot.
“Ben did a good job of getting on base pretty much all day for us,” Klumpp said. “
Also for the Titans, Loynd was 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored, and Dylan Gruber was 2-for-3.
For the Rams, Jimmy Petrik accounted for half of his team’s hits with a 3-for-4 effort. Ray Knight contributed a double. Bret Henofer and Mike Simpson each had one RBI.
Bryce Dickey absorbed the loss on the mound.
Central Bucks South (1-2, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Malvern Prep for a non-league game on Wednesday, and Pennridge (0-1) will be on the road at Neshaminy on Monday.
Central Bucks South 100 102 1 5-7-1
Pennridge 012 000 0 3-6-2
WILLIAM TENNENT 6, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 4
The wind and cold were factors everywhere on Thursday. On Friday, the Panthers and Bucks found themselves not only battling each other but a tricky wind as well.
“The wind was pretty nasty today,” Tennent coach Rick Penecale said. “The wind was so bad the umpire said they probably weren’t going to call any infield flies because that’s how crazy the wind was.
“There was a ball hit behind the pitcher’s mound, and the kid had to make a diving play. It was nuts. The wind was taking everything and making it an adventure. There was some crazy stuff out there today, for sure.”
The Panthers overcame the elements and the Bucks to earn the win in their conference opener.
“We actually played pretty good,” Penecale said. “We haven’t played (since March 28). I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I give the kids credit – they were pretty sharp, and they didn’t really make any mistakes. We played good, but we kind of left them back in the game at the end, but it was a good game.”
The Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second and then plated three runs in the third, sparked by RBIs from Tommy Plunkett and Evan Scally. Their lead grew to 6-0 when they tacked on two runs in the top of the sixth.
The Bucks made things interesting, plating three runs in the sixth and one more in the seventh for the 6-4 final. Josh Hannon’s triple highlighted the three-run sixth.
David Linsalata earned the win with five shutout innings to open the game. He allowed four hits and no runs while striking out seven and walking three.
“He pitched well, and it was tough taking him out, but he was at 84 pitches – he did his day’s work,” Penecale said. “We should be able to come in and close that game out. You have to come in and just shut them down. That’s what the better teams do.”
Xavier Delgado struggled to find the strike zone and lasted just two thirds of an inning.
“Xavier is a good pitcher – he comes in and throws well,” Penecale said. “He just couldn’t find his spots.
“We kind of lucked out because that Cooper kid (Matt Cooper) didn’t have a chance to hurt us. That kid is dangerous. He’s one of the best players around here.”
Cooper finished the day 2-for-2 with a home run, RBI and one run scored. His home run was a solo shot to lead off the seventh.
“That’s where you want him,” Penecale said. “In the sixth inning, they had the bases loaded with two outs and the three-hole hitter up. Luckily, we got that kid, and Cooper led off the seventh with a home run. It was a bomb.
“It was an interesting game. There are no weak teams (in the conference). Any win you get is good with me. I’ll definitely take it.”
Greg Delgado (2-for-4, 1 run) and Joe Shannon (2-for-4, 1 run) led the Panthers’ nine-hit attack.
Cooper paced the Bucks with a perfect 2-for-2 effort that included a home run, RBI and run scored. Matt McCarthy, who doubled, and Hannon were both 2-for-3. Hannon had three RBIs.
William Tennent (2-1, 1-0 SOL) will be on the road at North Penn on Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (0-4, 0-2) will travel to Perkiomen Valley on Monday for a non-league contest.
William Tennent 013 002 0 6-8-0
Central Bucks West 000 003 1 4-6-6
SOL American Conference
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 7, UPPER DUBLIN 0
Zach Chandler is PW’s number three starter. The junior hurler looked every bit the part of a mound ace in Friday’s complete game win, allowing just three hits while fanning nine and striking out two.
It was an impressive outing for a player who’s been used in relief in the early season.
“He came in for an inning in Florida and got a save, he came in the game against Upper Moreland and got us a save,” coach Chris Manero said. “He had a three-hit shutout – when you play three games in a row in a week, and your number three starter does that, you couldn’t ask for much more than that.
“Him and our catcher Kevin Reilly have played together a lot. I think they have a pretty good feel for each other. Our pitching coach, Anthony Musumeci, worked with Zach at the jayvee level, so he has a good working knowledge with Zach. Just pitch selection, location – he pounds the strike zone and pitches with a lot of confidence, and nothing really gets to him.”
Chandler’s older brother also had gone through PW’s baseball program.
“He’s an absolutely outstanding kid from a great family,” Manero said. “He has a really good work ethic. When you have a kid come out there as a junior, he’s putting in all that work, he’s putting in all that time. I think he’s pitching with a lot of confidence and that showed today. He wasn’t afraid to throw strikes.”
While Chandler was mowing down the Cardinals, the Colonials’ offense erupted for five extra-base hits – three home runs. The first round tripper came in the fourth inning, and this one by Stephen Longo not only gave the Colonials a 2-0 lead but also made history.
“That’s the first official home run at that field,” Manero said. “He’s a senior, and he’s had a really good week. We moved him up to the four spot today. He’s aggressive, and he gets his swings. He’s never going to be cheated in an at-bat. His hit today broke the ice. It took us a little while to get going, but once Steve hit his (home run) – we always say hitting is contagious, and I think it opened up the door for other kids to be more confident.”
The Colonials added three more runs in the fifth inning. Junior Mike Orensky ‘s round tripper highlighted the frame.
“He stayed back on an off-speed pitch, and his ball was crushed,” Manero said. “We saw that in the fall (league). He came up and it was just a well-struck ball.”
In the bottom of the sixth, it was Ben sophomore Mascio delivering the third home run of the game for the Colonials.
“He was our pitcher against Upper Moreland,” Manero said. “We like his bat. A lot of guys the past several years have been primarily pitcher only. We really like Ben as a guy who can pitch, play the field and get his at-bats. That was a big hit for him today.”
Mascio finished the day 1-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Longo was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, and Orensky was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Matt Mitchell and Kevin Reilly each had a double.
On Friday, it was Upper Dublin’s turn to get a taste of life on PW’s new turf baseball field.
“It is a really great to see a school district invest in its athletic facilities, and when I watch other teams come to our field for the first time – it’s so cool to see kids go on the field for the first time,” Manero said. “When the kids from Upper Dublin got here, they were so excited. It’s just great for all these kids – our own kids and the other kids in our conference that get to come and play on that field.
“A guy like (UD coach) Ed Wall, who’s a great coach – I have a ton of respect for him, and to see him say, ‘We want this’ – that’s good for baseball. It’s good for all the kids in this conference, and we’re glad we can have that. Honestly, it’s pretty special.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-2, 2-1 SOL) will be on the road at Abington on Monday for a non-league contest.
“There’s a lot of parity in the league,” Manero said. “I really think it’s going to be one of those years where we see a lot of really good baseball games, a lot of close games.
“From what we’ve seen so far, even today’s game was a really tight game for a while. I think it is a year where everybody’s got a shot.”
Upper Dublin (0-2 SOL) will travel to Cheltenham on Monday.
Upper Dublin 000 000 0 0-3-3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 232 x 7-6-2
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 8, WISSAHICKON 4
Sean E’Nama had a huge day at the plate for the Patriots, finishing the game 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. Leadoff batter James Pello also had a productive day – he was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Colin Weber was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs.
The Patriots erupted for all eight of their runs in the fourth and fifth innings, five of them in the pivotal fourth that erased a 1-0 Trojan lead.
Eddie Fortescue paced the Trojans with a 2-for-3 effort that included a double and RBI. JT Culp was 1-for-2 with a double and RBI. Wissahickon leadoff batter Tyler Caso was 1-for-3 with a triple and run scored.
Chris Cassini threw four strong innings to earn the win for the Patriots. He allowed just three hits and one run while striking out two and walking three.
Central Bucks East (3-2, 1-1 SOL) will host Pennridge on Tuesday, and Wissahickon (3-1, 1-1) will be on the road at Upper Dublin on Tuesday,
Wissahickon 001 003 0 4-8-1
Central Bucks East 000 530 x 8-11-2
SOUDERTON 10, ABINGTON 4
Blake Sclafani had himself a day in Friday’s non-league game against the visiting Ghosts. He was 2-for-4 with a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored. His home run highlighted a three-run sixth that gave the Indians – who pounded out 10 hits – their final margin of victory.
While Sclafani stole the spotlight at the plate, not to be forgotten were several solid pitching performances. Brian Janetka had some control issues, walking four and striking out three, but he did not allow a hit in two innings on the mound and gave up just a single run. Luke Taylor did not allow a hit in two scoreless innings.
Also contributing RBIs for the Indians were Dean Shaw, Tommy Wassel, Tim Robinson and Ryan Dalton
Souderton (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will be on the road at Pennsbury on Monday for a non-league game, and Abington (1-3, 0-1) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh in a non-league game on Monday.
Abington 102 100 0 4-2-3
Souderton 202 303 x 10-10-2
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