SOL Softball District Preview (5-20-19)

Nine SOL softball teams will be in action Monday in the District 1 Tournament. Check out the preview capsules.

Class 6A
#2 NORTH PENN (Opening round bye)
North Penn

18-1 overall
11-1 SOL Continental Conference champions
Knights have outscored opponents 115-31
Sophomore Mady Volpe is 16-1 with a 1.20 earned run average. In 110.2 innings she has struck out 192 and walked 32.
Dangerous lineup features senior second baseman Jordan Pietrzykoski (.483, 18 RBIs, 4 home runs, 23 runs), senior first baseman Elia Namey (.419, 14 RBIs, 4 home runs, 17 runs), junior catcher Amanda Greaney (.417, 20 RBIs, 6 home runs, 18 runs) & junior shortstop Victoria Juckniewitz (.356, 19 runs, 10 BB).
Notable wins over #7 Haverford (4-3), #10 Hatboro-Horsham (1-0), #17 Quakertown (3-2, 2-1), #19 Pennridge (7-1, 10-1), #20 Souderton (11-0, 7-1).
Split season series with Class 6A #14 Central Bucks South (20-1, 1-3). Titans handed Knights only loss of the season on May 9.

Will face: Winner of No. 18 Plymouth Whitemarsh at No. 15 Upper Darby game

#3 PENNSBURY (Opening round bye)
Pennsbury

16-2 overall
12-0 SOL National Conference champions
First solo title for program since 2011
Remarkable turnaround season for a Falcons squad that won just seven games last year.
Freshman Ainsley McClure has had a stellar rookie season in the circle.
Notable wins over Class 6A #6 Neshaminy (7-1, 2-0), #13 Bensalem (11-7, 5-4), #14 Central Bucks South (2-1), #20 Souderton (9-3), #22 William Tennent (5-3, 4-1) & #24 Harry S Truman (4-3, 13-3)

Will face: Winner of No. 19 Pennridge at No. 14 Central Bucks South game

#6 NESHAMINY (Opening round bye)
Neshaminy

16-4 overall
10-2 SOL National Conference second place
Penn State commit Liana Jones (.436, 5 home runs, 27 RBIs, 22 runs) leads a dangerous lineup that includes Olivia Fee (.421, 22 runs), Kylee Jones (.418, 5 home runs, 8 doubles, 36 RBIs, 18 runs), Asia Barnard (.412, 5 doubles, 28 runs), Kennedie Ruth (.400, 4 doubles, 11 RBIs), Emily Siwek (.391), Rachel Kohler (.310, 7 doubles, 14 RBIs) & Kylie Gurysh (.305).
Freshman Kennedie Ruth has been impressive in her rookie season.
Notable wins over Class 6A #13 Bensalem (15-0, 11-1), #17 Quakertown (9-1), #22 William Tennent (5-4, 6-1), #24 Harry S Truman (11-1, 5-0), Class 4A #3 Upper Moreland (17-5)

Will face: Winner of No. 22 William Tennent at #11 Coatesville game

#23 PERKIOMEN VALLEY at #10 HATBORO-HORSHAM
Hatboro-Horsham

15-5 overall
12-2 SOL American Conference champions
The Hatters are hitting .374 as a team. Kutztown University commit Brittany Hubler (.444, 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 24 RBIs, 16 runs, 1.330 OPS) leads the way.
Also coming up big on offense are Kayla Tauber (.418, 27 runs), Alicia Tauber (.406, 9 doubles, 4 triples, 23 RBIs, 1.137 OPS), Mikayla Fedele (.404, 18 runs), Joyce Bloome (.392, 17 runs), Megan Mills (.385), Marissa Rapino (.356, 4 doubles, 15 RBIs).
Freshman Kendal Leitner is 6-2 in the circle with a 1.28 ERA while allowing 42 hits and striking out 92 in 60 innings. She is hitting .309 at the plate.
Notable wins over Class 6A #3 Pennsbury (5-4), Class 5A #5 Upper Dublin (15-1, 8-3), Class 5A #11 Wissahickon (11-1, 8-4)
Split season series with Class 6A #18 Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-7, 6-1) & Class 4A #3 Upper Moreland (4-8, 9-4).
10-1 in last 11 games after a 5-4 start.

Perkiomen Valley

12-7 overall
10-6 PAC Liberty Division third place
Led by first team all-state shortstop Jordan Sell (MIT), who is hitting a team best .574 with six doubles, seven triples, 35 runs and 23 RBIs.
Fellow senior captains Ashley Bangert (.400, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 26 runs, 22 RBIs), Katie Hurd (.441, 7 doubles, 26 runs, 17 RBIs) & Sela Fusco (.407, 20 runs, 20 RBIs) are key contributors. Junior Kara Fusco (.460, 3 doubles, 5 triples, 29 runs, 23 RBIs) & Abby Souder (.350, 12 RBIs) have also come up big.
Sophomore Ava Macalis is 8-1 in the circle with a 2.57 ERA, allowing 49 hits in 60 innings with 46 strikeouts.
Notable wins over #14 Central Bucks South (10-0), Class 5A #6 Upper Merion (12-2) & #16 Pope John Paul II (13-1)

Winner faces: No. 7 Haverford

#20 SOUDERTON at #13 BENSALEM
Bensalem

11-7 overall
5-7 SOL National
Led by seniors Allison Goodman (3 HR, 15 RBI, 14 runs), Dani Sharpe & Angelia Micalizzi. All three hit over .300.
Junior Haley Keenan battled back from a basketball season injury to play the last 12 games, batting .400 with three home runs, 10 RBIs and 12 runs.
Sophomores Maddie Buechner (21 RBIs, 14 runs) & Jess Klein (14 RBIs, 21 runs) are also key contributors. Klein has the team’s highest batting average and leads the Owls in hits.
Sharpe and freshman Maggie Formichelli split pitching duties.
Win over Class 4A #4 Villa Joseph Marie (14-4)
Split season series with Class 6A #22 William Tennent (4-3, 9-6) & #24 Harry S Truman (8-1, 11-19)

Souderton

11-8 overall
5-7 SOL Continental
Indians, who are hitting .309 as a team, are led by Riley York (.408, 20 hits, 8 doubles, 16 RBIs), Sam Nuneviller (.393, 22 hits, 6 doubles, 13 RBIs), Abby Burns (.352, 19 hits, 7 RBIs) and Julia Kistler (.351, 20 hits, 8 RBIs)
Freshman Abby Burns has been a workhorse in the circle, throwing 117 innings with 84 strikeouts and 26 walks and an ERA of 3.21
Notable wins over Class 6A #6 Neshaminy (4-1) & #22 William Tennent (8-3)
Split season series with Class 6A #17 Quakertown (7-6, 1-2)

Winners faces: No. 4 Downingtown West

Coach Liz Parkins says: “We’re looking forward to districts this year. Our returners have some experience playing in the postseason from last year. There’s something special about postseason softball. I am confident in our players and their abilities to make a play, work the zone or get the timely hit. If our team plays the way I know they can, we’ll definitely make some noise next week.”

#19 PENNRIDGE at #14 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH
Central Bucks South

12-8 overall
9-3 SOL Continental second place
Bryant University commit Kylie Kenney is 11-7 in the circle with a 2.19 ERA. In 108.2 innings, the Titans’ ace has allowed 81 hits while striking out 139.
Offensive leaders are Katie Hines (.424, 4 doubles, 2 triples, 10 RBIs, 11 runs, 1.012 OPS), Maddie Rowley (.422, seven doubles, 16 RBIs, 13 runs), Tara Tumasz (.404, 2 doubles, 16 RBIs, 13 runs) & Alexa Ortman (.400, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, 10 RBIs, 21 runs).
Split regular season series with Pennridge, dropping the first (2-1) on April 9 and winning the rematch 8-1 on May 2.]
Notable wins over Class 6A #10 Hatboro-Horsham (3-1) & #20 Souderton (3-1, 6-0)
Split season series with Class 6A #2 North Penn (2-10, 3-1) & #17 Quakertown (12-2, 0-10)

Pennridge

9-8 overall
6-6 SOL Continental
Led at the plate by Gianna Iadonisi (.434, 13 runs), Madi Silber (.434, 12 RBIs), Kylie Watson (.393, 15 runs), Makenna Patterson (.366, 11 RBIs), Catelyn Thrush (.342), Emily Hegen (.319) and Morgan Henry, who is hitting .292 and has the team lead in RBIs with 15 to go along with 12 runs scored.
Makenna Patterson anchors the Rams in the circle.
Split regular season series with #14 Central Bucks South (2-1, 1-8)
Notable wins over Class 6A #10 Hatboro-Horsham (4-1), #20 Souderton (6-3, 7-6) & #22 William Tennent (5-4)

Winner faces: No. 3 Pennsbury

#17 QUAKERTOWN at #16 RIDLEY
Quakertown

11-9 overall
7-5 SOL Continental
Leading the Panthers offensively are Maddie Moyer (.552, 1.331 OPS), Sarah Stofik (.457, 1.163 OPS), Laura Morelock (.435, 1.118 OPS), Bri Lefkoski (.356) & Jenna Blair (.321). Stofik leads the team in home runs and RBIs.
Senior Tori Caputo anchors the Panthers in the circle.
Split season series with Class 6A #14 Central Bucks South (12-2, 0-10), #19 Pennridge (12-11, 4-7) & #20 Souderton (6-7, 2-1).
Win over Class 5A #6 Upper Merion (12-0).

Ridley

13-7 overall
9-7 Central League
Shortstop Ashley Shanks recently reached the 100-hit milestone for her career.
Morgan Chapman and Madison Chapman are major contributors in the circle and at the plate.
Notable wins over Class 6A Upper Darby (8-2), Class 5A #7 Springfield-Delco (11-1), #12 Chichester (5-2), Class 5A #8 Interboro (7-2), #10 Marple Newtown (11-1), & #15 Strath Haven (13-1).

Winner faces: No. 1 Spring-Ford

#18 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH at #15 UPPER DARBY
Plymouth Whitemarsh

13-4 overall
11-3 SOL American tied for second place with Upper Moreland
In the hunt for share of conference title until final game of regular season.
Colonials led offensively by Kamryn Kropinski, Lauryn Kane & Josee Tassoni.
Notable wins over Class 5A #11 Wissahickon (6-2, 3-2)
Split season series with Class 6A #10 Hatboro-Horsham (7-2, 1-6), Class 5A #5 Upper Dublin (5-3, 2-4) & Class 4A #3 Upper Moreland (3-9, 10-2)

Upper Darby

12-6 overall
Notable wins over Class 6A #16 Ridley (10-1), Class 5A #7, Springfield-Delco (4-3), #8 Interboro (10-2), #10 Marple Newtown (6-3), #15 Strath Haven (12-0)
Split season series with Class 6A #8 Garnet Valley (6-5, 1-5) & #16 Ridley (10-1, 2-8)

Winner faces: No. 2 North Penn

#22 WILLIAM TENNENT at #11 COATESVILLE
William Tennent

11-9 overall
5-7 SOL National
Panthers 9-3 in last 11 games after a 2-6 start
University of Albany SUNY commit Caitlyn Mitros anchors the outfield in center and hit a team best .508 with 27 runs scored, six doubles, five triples, 3 home runs and 13 RBIs out of the leadoff spot. (1.415 OPS)
Shortstop Hannah Reimel hit .476 with 13 doubles, four home runs, a team high 23 RBIs, and 24 runs scored (1.406 OPS)
Rider University commit Brianna Koonce, who anchors the hot corner, hit .391 (1.056 OPS) with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, a team high 21 RBIs, and 24 runs scored. She has been walked a team high 11 times.
Sophomores Mackenzie Clee (.371, 4 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, 13 RBIs, 14 runs) & Megan Curtis (.407, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 10 RBIs, 17 runs) split time in the circle/second base.
Notable wins over Class 6A #17 Quakertown (7-6), #24 Harry S Truman (12-2, 10-0), Class 5A #11 Wissahickon (13-1) & Class 4A #3 Upper Moreland (7-6)
Split season series with Class 6A #13 Bensalem (3-4, 9-6)

Coatesville

13-7 overall
The Red Raiders have a team batting average of .344 with 26 home runs. Fifty-seven of the team’s 206 hits were extra base hits.
Offense led by Kayla Bock (.541, 8 doubles, 10 home runs, 32 RBIs, 28 runs), Payton Landis (.443, 6 doubles, 5 home runs, 18 RBIs, 18 runs), Phoebe Clemens (.414, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 20 RBIs, 27 runs) & Natalie Florschutz (.387, 5 home runs, 23 RBIs).
Florschutz is 9-4 in the circle with a 2.36 ERA. In 127.1 innings, she has 118 strikeouts and 51 walks.
Notable wins over #12 Downingtown East (10-7, 9-6), #21 Kennett (4-2), #23 Perkiomen Valley (8-2) & Class 5A #9 Sun Valley (9-0).
Split season series with Class 6A #4 Downingtown West (4-8, 6-2), Class 5A #2 Bishop Shanahan (5-6, 1-0)

Winner faces: No. 6 Neshaminy

#24 HARRY S TRUMAN at #9 METHACTON
Harry S Truman

9-11 overall
4-8 SOL National
First trip to postseason since 2012
Veterans Grace Pool, Vanessa Tancini, Chrissy Huhn & Haley Carter are the team’s leaders.
Offensively, Tigers are led by Teyana Towner (.429, 12 RBIs, 14 runs), Cortney Nau (.360), Alexia Devlin (.357) & Huhn (.354, 18 runs). Nau, a freshman, opened the season on jayvee but became an immediate contributor when moved up to varsity.
Emily Merrigan (12 RBIs), Elle Olivero (12 RBIs) & Grace Pool (10 RBIs) combined for 34 RBIs.
Senior Haley Carter & sophomore Jelecia Blackston share time in the circle
Split season series with Class A #19 Pennridge (11-2), #13 Bensalem (1-8, 11-19), Class 4A #3 Upper Moreland (14-5) & #4 Villa Joseph Marie (10-0).

Methacton

15-5 overall
13-3 PAC Liberty Division second place
Fell to Spring-Ford 5-0 in PAC championship game.
West Chester commit Abby Penjuke anchors the left side of the infield, and Caroline Pellicano is a mainstay in the circle.
Notable wins over Class 6A #22 Perkiomen Valley (11-7, 8-2), Class 5A #6 Upper Merion (7-4), #13 Phoenixville (17-5) & #16 Pope John Paul II (7-1)

Winner faces: No. 8 Garnet Valley

Class 5A
#12 CHICHESTER at #5 UPPER DUBLIN

Upper Dublin

13-6 overall (most wins in coach Heather Boyer’s 22-year tenure)
8-6 SOL American
First trip to postseason since the 2004 season.
Warriors are led offensively by Lauren Carboni (.477, 23 RBIs), Taylor Avery (.426, 22 runs), Bela Soriano (.425, 19 runs), Gretchen Wolpert (.404, 24 RBIs, .788 slugging percentage), Korynn Bischoff (.395), Ellie Kelcy (.386, 15 runs) & Meghan Muth (.333, 19 runs).
Chloe Foster anchors the Cardinals in the circle
Notable wins over Class 5A #6 Upper Merion (11-6) & Class 4A #2 Gwynedd Mercy (6-5)
Split season series with Class 6A #18 Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-5, 4-2), Class 5A #11 Wissahickon (2-9, 4-3) & Class 4A #3 Upper Moreland (12-1, 0-7)

Chichester

7-8 overall
Split season series with Class 5A #8 Interboro (9-11, 8-5) & #14 Penn Wood (8-1, 1-6)

Winner faces: Winner of No. 13 Phoenisville at No. 4 Upper Perkiomen

#11 WISSAHICKON at #6 UPPER MERION
Wissahickon

8-11 overall
6-8 SOL American
Notable win over Class 3A #1 Saint Basil (2-0)
Split season series with Class 5A #5 Upper Dublin (9-2, 3-4)

Upper Merion

12-7 overall
11-5 PAC Frontier Division second place
Notable wins over Class 6A #18 Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-5), Class 5A #13 Phoenixiville (9-3, 13-1)
Split season series with Class 5A #4 Upper Perkiomen (0-5, 5-12), & #16 Pope John Paul II (4-6, 9-1)

Winner faces: Winner of No. 14 Penn Wood at No. 3 Villa Maria Academy.

Class 4A (Wednesday, May 22)
#3 UPPER MORELAND at #2 GWYNEDD MERCY
Upper Moreland

13-6 overall
11-3 SOL American tied for second place with Plymouth Whitemarsh
In the hunt for share of conference title until final game of regular season.
Senior Jenna Sadowski & junior Jocelyn Baumeister split pitching duties
Infield anchored by junior shortstop Bean Hughes, who also carries a big stick.
Notable wins over Class 6A #24 Harry S Truman (14-5) & Class 5A #11 Wissahickon (6-4, 9-4).
Split season series with 6A #10 Hatboro-Horsham (8-4, 4-9), #18 Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-3, 2-10), Class 5A & #5 Upper Dublin (1-12, 7-0).

Gwynedd Mercy

13-6 overall
Freshman Madison Seidel has been key in the circle and at the plate
Meaghan McGoldrick & Hailee Weiss also add to a balanced attack.
Notable wins over Class 5A #16 Pope John Paul II (4-3) & Class 4A #4 Villa Joseph Marie (10-3, 11-3)
Split with 5A #3 Villa Maria (0-10, 4-1)

Winner faces: Winner of No. 4 Villa Joseph Marie at No. 1 Nazareth Academy