Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Thursday. Pennsbury/Abington photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL National Conference
BENSALEM 4, NESHAMINY 3
The Owls maintained their stronghold on first place in the conference standings, holding off a Redskin squad that held an 8-7 advantage in hits and didn’t go down quietly.
An RBI single by Nicholas Dean put the Owls on the scoreboard in the first, but the Redskins evened the score in the top of the third. The Owls took a lead they would not lose in a three-run fourth.
Stephen Aldrich earned the win, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out six and walking five in 4.1 innings. Nick Fossile recorded the save with 2.2 scoreless innings in relief. He allowed just one hit.
Dean led the Owls with a 2-for-3 showing that included a double and three RBIs. Brian Swentkowski was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Damon Lavender was 1-for-3 with a double. Aldrich helped his own cause with an RBI.
For the Redskins, Gus Natelli was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Brian Nicolas was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Joe Kaleck and Colin Foraker each had one RBI.
Bensalem (9-1, 7-1 SOL) will host Lincoln in a non-league game Saturday at 11 a.m., and Neshaminy (6-7, 3-4) will travel to Upper Dublin for a non-league game on Friday.
Neshaminy 001 110 0 3-8-0
Bensalem 103 000 x 4-7-0
Council Rock North 3, Council Rock South 1
Council Rock North coach Matt Schram said the energy was high in the second meeting between Council Rock North and Council Rock South.
“It was like a playoff atmosphere,” the Indians’ coach said.
The pitchers for both sides battled in a low-scoring contest between the two teams. Council Rock North pitcher, Ryan Stalker, went five innings and threw 85 pitches, allowing five hits and one run. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Schram said Stalker created a lot of ground ball opportunities for his infielders.
“He hasn’t thrown that many pitches that many innings for us yet, so that was a lengthy outing for him,” Schram said. “We needed a deep outing from him, and he gave it to us.”
Matt Rhoda, a sophomore in a high-intensity atmosphere, closed out the game for Council Rock North, throwing two scoreless innings.
In the first inning, a balk pushed a run across for the Indians, who manufactured a run in the second to go on top 2-0. A Jason Walter double plated a run in the fifth to put the Indians on top 3-0 before the Golden Hawks got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning.
Walter (2-for-3, 2B, RBI) and Stalker (2-for-3) led the Indians. Cavan Tully was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored.
The neighboring rivals will meet again in a non-league game at Trenton Thunder Stadium on Saturday.
“When we scheduled the Trenton Thunder, neither of us realized we were going to be playing two days before it,” Schram said. “These games are so important. Both teams every year are battling for playoff spots.
“Winning this game for momentum, not only in the league, was huge. It kind of takes the pressure off of Saturday night. And then the emotional side – you have a couple of days to think about this game. It’s a short bus ride. These guys have known each other all their lives. There’s a lot at stake in this game. They’re all rivalries, but this is different. This is like brothers going at it.”
Council Rock North (9-3, 6-2 SOL) is ninth in the latest District One 6A power rankings. The Indians trail Bensalem by one game in the loss column in the battle for the conference’s top spot.
Rock North and Council Rock South (4-6, 3-4) will square off again on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Council Rock North 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 3-8-2
Council Rock South 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1-6-1
Pennsbury 4, Abington 1
Shayne Ostrowsky tossed a one-hitter and struck out nine to lead the Falcons to the win.
“He had a complete game,” Pennsbury coach Joe Pesci said. “He gave up one hit and one run in the fourth inning, which was the difference between the perfect game and nothing.”
Ostowsky’s only blemish came just over midway through the game when he gave up a double to Nick McClay, who scored on a wild pitch.
Pesci said Pennsbury started the game “slow.” The team got men on base but didn’t score any runs. In the fourth inning, a bunt, an infield single and a triple by RJ Huth helped generate a pair of runs.
“Then in the seventh, Kyle Dear came up with a two-run double with two outs, which was huge for us,” Pesci said.”
Kyle Dear had two hits and two RBIs in Pennsbury’s win. He was the only Pennsbury player with a multi-RBI game. Justin Massielo also contributed two doubles in the win. Huth was 2-for-3 with a double, triple and run scored. Zach deMarchis also was 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Pennsbury (7-5, 4-4) plays Hopewell Valley at 11 a.m. on Saturday while Abington (2-11, 0-8) competes against Neshaminy at 3:30 on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 4-8-0
Abington 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1-1-1
SOL Continental Conference
PENNRIDGE 5, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 4
A four-run fourth gave the Rams a lead they would not lose against a Titan squad that had just one conference loss coming into Thursday’s game.
“We had a good win tonight,” coach Tom Nuneviller said.
The Rams’ fourth inning – which erased an early 1-0 deficit – included a leadoff double by Eddie Kerrigan, an RBI single by John Konieczny, a sacrifice fly off the bat of Paul Croyle and a two-run single by John Petrik.
“That was big for us because we’ve been down some games, and we haven’t really fought back,” Nuneviller said. “We fought back tonight, so that was big.”
The Rams tacked on a run that proved to be the difference in the game in the top of the fifth with John Helbling collecting the RBI.
Alex Podraza, in just his second varsity start, earned the win, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out five and walking one in 4.1 innings on the mound.
“He pitched very well again,” Nuneviller said. “He got his first win against North Penn and his second start against CB South, so his coach isn’t real kind to him, putting him out against the top teams, but he has held his own against the top teams in our league so far. He pitched extremely well.”
Bryce Dickey threw 1.1 innings in relief, and Jon Nase closed it out with a scoreless 1.1 inning to earn the save.
Bret Henofer (2-for-4, run), Kerrigan (2-for-4, 2B, run), Evan Freed (2-for-3, run) and Konieczyn (2-for-3, RBI, run) led the Rams at the plate.
For the Titans, Zach Steinberg doubled and drove in a pair of runs. Ben Berger was 1-for-3 with a double and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Jake Trachtenberg doubled and drove in a run.
Pennridge (4-6, 2-5 SOL) will host Southern Lehigh in a non-league game Friday, and Central Bucks South (6-5, 5-2) will host Hatboro-Horsham in a non-league on Friday.
Pennridge 000 410 0 5-9-2
Central Bucks South 001 021 0 4-6-0
William Tennent 6, Harry S Truman 2
The Panthers scored five runs over the final three innings, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 6-2 win.
“It was a game we needed,” Tennent coach Rick Penecale said. “We lost a tough one against CB West, and we knew we needed to get a win today if we wanted to stay close to getting in the playoffs.”
A two-run triple by Danny Goodz in the fifth put the Panthers on top 3-2, and in the sixth inning, Armando Delgado came off the bench and delivered a two-run home run. Greg Delgado’s solo home run in the seventh gave the Panthers their final margin of victory.
Xavier Delgado (2-for-3, 3B, run), Joey Shannon (2-for-4, 2 runs) and Kip Mooney (2-for-3) all had multi-hit games for the Panthers.
David Linsalata notched the win, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out 10 and walking one in 6.2 innings.
“I had to take him out because he hit the pitch count,” Penecale said. “He’s our number one pitcher, and he came in and gave us a great performance.
“We started off a little slow with the bats, and he kept us in the game. He pitched really well.”
For the Tigers, R.J. Snyder doubled and scored a run. Cam Culver and Dylan Jackson each had an RBI.
With the win, William Tennent is 21st in the latest District One 6A power rankings while Truman is 20th.
William Tennent (6-5, 3-4 SOL) will host Quakertown on Friday, and Harry S Truman (4-8, 3-4) will be on the road at Archbishop Wood on Saturday for a non-league game at 10:30 a.m.
William Tennent 000 122 1 6
Harry S Truman 001 100 0 2
North Penn 10, Central Bucks West 4
North Penn jumped to an early lead and staved off a late push by Central Bucks West to earn the lopsided win.
“We got an early run, which we like to try to do,” said North Penn coach Kevin Manero. “I think it’s always important to try to score first.”
The Knights put a run on the board in the first and scored in each of the first four innings to go on top 6-0. They blew the game wide open in the sixth when Atlee Hasson hit a grand slam to solidify the win and make it a 10-1 game.
Manero said his hitters didn’t quit in the batter’s box on Thursday.
“That’s why we tack on the runs so that we don’t have to find ourselves in tough situations in late innings” Manero said.
CB West’s Matt Cooper hit a three-run homer in the sixth, but it came too late in a contest that saw the two teams combine for 20 hits – 10 each.
AJ Patterson took over North Penn’s starting shortstop position in the victory.
“Good defense up the middle is going to win games,” Manero said. “And he did a nice job stepping up for us.”
Hunter Hamlin was 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored. Also contributing multiple hits were Joe Picozzi (2-for-4, 2B, RBI, run), Billy Collins (2-for-4, run) and Patterson (2-for-3, run).
For the Bucks, Rhys Nicholas was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Tommy Comes and Luke Nitschke both had a double.
Danny Kirwin notched the win for the Knights, allowing five hits and one run while striking out seven and walking three in four innings.
North Penn (11-2, 8-0 SOL) plays William Tennent at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday while Central Bucks West (2-10, 2-6) competes against Father Judge in a non-league game at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
North Penn 1 1 3 1 0 4 0 10-8-2
Central Bucks West 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 4-9-6
Central Bucks East 6, Souderton 5
The Patriots got off to a quick start, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first to go on top 3-1. The Indians came right back with three runs of their own in the top of the second, but the Patriots battled back to earn the hard-fought win.
Nick Bitsko hit a home run and a double for Central Bucks East, finishing the game 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Sean E’Nama, Grant Meiers, James Pello and Jimmy Parrish each contributed one RBI for the Patriots.
Luke Barnum had a big day at the plate for the Indians, finishing 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Blaise Sclafani and Jordan Morales each had one RBI. Conlan Wall was 1-for-3 and scored a pair of runs.
Anthony Yermolov, who earned the win, threw 5.1 innings and allowed five hits and three earned runs. He struck out four batters. Jason Coluccio and Tommy Webb did not allow a run in the final inning and two thirds. Webb recorded the save.
Central Bucks East (7-7, 3-6 SOL) plays Council Rock South on Monday at 3:45 p.m. while Souderton (7-4, 4-3) competes against Plymouth Whitemarsh at 3:45 p.m. on Friday.
Souderton 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 5-6-1
Central Bucks East 3 0 1 1 1 0 X 6-4-2
SOL American Conference
Wissahickon 7, Plymouth Whitemarsh 3
(By Michael Steitz, Wissahickon baseball)
The Colonials came out of the gate hot, but it was seven unanswered runs that propelled the Trojans to the win over Plymouth Whitemarsh. Ben Mascio got his first crack at the Trojans this year, and he was in command early, buzzing through the Trojans order for three quick scoreless innings.
Stephen Longo provided instant offense for the Colonials, pounding out two RBI's on three hits. Mike Gorman was on the bump for the Trojans, and he was able to settle into the game after allowing three earned runs through his first three innings of work. Gorman found his groove and began pounding the strike zone to silence the Colonial bats, finishing off his solid day with 10 K's through six innings. However, still in command of the game were Mascio and the Colonials. The Trojans needed to generate offense, and they got it in the form of a solo shot to left off the bat of Andrew Booth. Inspired by the blast, the Trojans came back up in the top of the fifth and went to work early on Mascio. Brian Mendhart got things started with a base knock to center, and Michael Steitz worked a walk to set the table for Steven Loden. It wasn't just one, but two home runs that fueled the Trojans come-from-behind victory, as Loden rocketed a ball over the right field wall to plate Mendhart and Steitz, giving the Trojans the one-run advantage. They would never look back.
Charlie Osterneck added an insurance run with a single to right that plated Antonio Bova, and with two men on, Michael Steitz widened the gap with a two-run single to center. Up by four, Wissahickon looked to Brian Hynes to slam the door. Hynes dealt 2 K's to grab the save, and Trojans advanced to 6-2 in league play. Wissahickon returns to the diamond next Monday to face Springfield, and the Colonials resume play on Friday with a non-league match-up against Souderton.
******
The Trojans saved their best for last, scoring three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to earn the come-from-behind win over the Colonials.
A solo home run by Andrew Booth in the fourth made it a 3-1 game and ignited the Trojans’ offense.
“We knew going in that we were going to be facing (Ben) Mascio, who’s a really good pitcher,” coach Andy Noga said. “We know he has good stuff, so we knew it was going to be a battle.
“We were just trying to respond well after a tough loss versus Quakertown on Tuesday. We were stressing guys to have quality at bats and attack his fastball. He has a good fastball that he likes to use, and our guys just executed the plan.
“The first time around the lineup they set us down, and he threw up three zeros, but we felt as soon as Andrew Booth hit that home run, our offense woke up after that.”
Booth’s home run opened the floodgates. Steve Loden delivered a three-run blast in the fifth to put the Trojans on top 4-3.
“It was a good at bat by Steve,” Noga said. “He was hitting a little bit of a slump, which is rare for him, before that.
“It was good to see him get the barrelhead out there versus a tough lefty and take advantage of a mistake.”
Michael Steitz and Charlie Osterneck drove in runs in a three-run sixth that put the finishing touches on the important win.
“It was a tough loss against Quakertown,” Noga said. “Our guys were pretty upset afterwards. We knew we wanted that game.
“We also knew that we didn’t really have a lot of time to hang our heads. It was tough on Wednesday because it rained, and we couldn’t do a lot at practice.
“They came out today, and we were hungry for another win. I’ve been blessed with a great group of guys for my first year of coaching. They’re just a gritty group who continue to get after it every day.”
Leading the Trojans’ offensively were Loden (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs, run), Steitz (2-for-3, 2 RBIs, run) and Brian Hynes (2-for-4, 2B). JT Kulp added a double.
For the Colonials, Stephen Longo had a huge day, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, triple, two RBIs and a run scored. Jacob Nunez was 2-for-4 with a run scored, and Brad Krenicky was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. Matt Mitchell also had a double.
Mike Gorman earned the win for the Trojans, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out 10 and walking two. Brian Hynes threw a scoreless seventh.
Wissahickon (8-3, 6-2 SOL) will travel to Springfield Township on Monday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-5, 5-4) will be on the road at Souderton for a non-league game on Friday.
Wissahickon 000 133 0 7-12-0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 102 000 0 3-9-3
Springfield Township 5, Cheltenham 4
The Spartans staged a heroic late-game comeback, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth to erase a two-run deficit. Macleod Farley retired the Panthers in the top of the seventh, and the big win was in the books.
Farley, who earned the win, did not allow a hit in 2.2 scoreless innings in relief. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.
“It was a game we had to win,” coach Dennis Primavera said. “It was a good game by both teams.
“Cheltenham only had one error and we didn’t have any. We’re continuing to play very good defense. Today Cheltenham did too. For some reason, we always play Cheltenham close and always have exciting games. We came out on top this time.”
The Panthers’ four-run fourth erased a 1-0 Spartan lead and included a two-run double by Lukas Nakkula and a two-run single by Garrett Schmidt. They also benefitted from several free passes in the inning.
“We walked the bases loaded,” Primavera said.
The Spartans trimmed the Panthers’ lead to 4-2 with a run in the fifth and then won it in the sixth with Jake Welsh’s two-run single the big blow in the frame.
“We have a tough week coming up, and we need some more wins,” Primavera said. “I was pleased the way they hung in there and didn’t quit.
“They put together a string of hits. We had a number of stolen bases, and we had key hits.”
The Spartans had six stolen bases – two by Welsh and one each from Liam Boyd, Brian Murphy, Max Perry and Trevor McCaffery.
Tim Dahme, who started the game on the mound, was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Nick Pave and Perry both added RBIs. Kevin Keown had a double.
Springfield Township (4-5, 4-3 SOL) will host Wissahickon on Monday, and Cheltenham (4-9, 1-7) will be on the road at Germantown Academy for a non-league game Saturday at 2 p.m.
Cheltenham 004 000 0 4-2-2
Springfield Township 100 013 x 5-9-0
Quakertown 4, Upper Dublin 2
Quakertown pitcher Justin Guidos struck out 11 batters in six strong innings on the mound. He allowed two runs (one earned) and only three hits.
“Some days you don’t always have your best stuff, and you have a really good pitcher, and he’s able to bear down and be highly effective,” Quakertown coach Jon Pallone said.
Guidos received some early offensive support. In the first inning, Dennis Pierce’s double drove in a run to put Quakertown up 1-0. It was one of two doubles for Pierce on the day.
The Panthers added a run in the second, and after the Flying Cardinals scored a run in the top of the third, Quakertown came back with two in the bottom of the inning to go on top 4-1.
Quakertown’s Bradley Bryan also contributed a double, and Sean Brennan had a triple in the win. Robison and Bryan each had one RBI.
For the Cardinals, Elijah Peck was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Julian Gimbel drove in both of the Cardinals’ runs.
Pierce threw a scoreless seventh to earn the save.
Garrett Breslin absorbed the loss, allowing five hits and four runs (only one earned) while striking out three and walking one. Ryan Bosachio threw two scoreless innings in relief.
Quakertown, which owns the top spot in the conference standings, is the fifth-ranked team in the latest District One 6A power rankings.
Quakertown (7-2, 7-1 SOL) will travel to William Tennent for a non-league contest on Friday, and Upper Dublin (3-5, 2-4) will host Neshaminy in a non-league game Friday.
Upper Dublin 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2-3-0
Quakertown 1 1 2 0 0 0 X 4-8-2
Hatboro-Horsham 9, Upper Moreland 4
The Hatters rode a strong performance from senior Alex Crim on the mound and a balanced offensive attack to earn the big win.
“We know that when you play an Upper Moreland team you need to be ready to match their energy,” coach Pete Moore said. “It is important to score first, and when they score, you want to make sure to answer back to take the momentum away from them. If you have a lead, we believe it is important to extend the lead. We were able to do all those things today.
“In addition, we were in a good place to have our senior leader of the pitching staff, Alex Crim, on the mound because he is someone that we know will match the intensity that they were going to bring today.”
Crim pitched six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out five. Sophomore Benny Wilson pitched the seventh inning, allowing one run on two hits.
All nine of the Hatters starters recorded at least one hit in the game. Sophomore Anthony Bruno led the way, going 3-for-3 with a double. Sophomore Benny Wilson was 1-for-3 with three RBIs on a bases clearing double.
“I cannot say enough about our sophomores and the job they did today,” Moore said. “Jake Bianchini has been the catalyst for our offense, and he was 1-for-3 again today with a walk, a run and a stolen base. He is hitting .407 in league play and is setting the tone for us.
“Equally impressive has been sophomore Anthony Bruno. He is hitting .387 in league play with four doubles and seven RBI. Sophomore Benny Wilson had a bases-clearing double that broke the game open.”
Senior Shane Carpenter was 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
“It was great to see senior Shane Carpenter go 2-for-3 today and help us in a big way,” Moore said.
Sean Gledhill was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run score. Matthew Johnson was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.
“We are getting better each day, especially when we get to practice on a field, which has been a rarity this year,” Moore said. “This group wants to play for our great group of seniors. We want to string some wins together, one at a time, to give our seniors a chance to get into the playoffs.”
For the Golden Bears, Ryan Gibbs was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Dawson Ruggles was 2-for-4 with two doubles and one RBI. Thomas Longstreth was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Connor O’Donnell was 1-for-2 with an RBI.
The Hatters (4-8 Overall, 4-5 SOL American) will travel to CB South for a non-league game on Friday. Upper Moreland (3-6, 2-5) will travel to Cheltenham on Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 4-8-1
Hatboro-Horsham 1 0 0 2 6 0 X 9-12-3
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