Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Monday.
Non-league
PENNSBURY 4, SOUDERTON 2 (9 innings)
The secret is out.
Jess Rowe – despite her position in the nine hole – is anything but your typical ninth hitter.
For the second time in as many games, the senior first baseman hit a home run, and Monday’s two-run blast with two strikes and two outs in the ninth inning propelled the Falcons to the walk-off win in the extra-inning thriller.
“She’s just had some great at bats, she really has,” Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry said. “What a senior year she’s having.
“She reminds me a lot of (Philadelphia Phillies outfielder) Rhys Hoskins. He goes down 0-2 for Philly so often and battles back to 3-2. He doesn’t always get the results you would hope he would get, but he sees so many pitches, and that’s Jess. She just sees so many pitches, and she just gives you such tough at bats.”
Earlier in the ninth, Cynthia Ehrenfeld collected a one-out single, and pinch runner Ava Storlazzi stole second. It looked like the Indians might escape unscathed when pitcher Abby Burns snagged a popup for the inning’s second out. Rowe had other ideas, delivering the game-winner.
Ainsley McClure – after being sidelined the last two games – earned the complete game win, allowing five hits and two runs (both unearned) while striking out 11 and walking two.
“She’s just a warrior,” McSherry said. “She hadn’t pitched since she pulled her groin against North Penn (last Tuesday), so this was her first outing and she had to throw nine. It’s crazy.
“I kept saying after every inning – ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Yeah, I’m fine, I’m fine.’ She was a warrior.”
The Indians actually struck first, plating a pair of runs in the first inning. Sierra Ripka drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on Megan Kummery’s sacrifice. With two outs, Riley York collected an RBI single, and Ryan Zimmerman’s double plated York, spotting the Indians a 2-0 lead.
The Falcons knotted the score with two runs in the fifth. Rowe led off the inning with a single, Riley Mahony drew a walk, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice by Sam Raub. Caitlyn Martell followed with a clutch single that plated a pair. That tie stood until the ninth inning.
Rowe was the lone Falcon with two hits.
For the Indians, Kummery was 2-for-3, and York was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
Pennsbury (8-1, 4-0 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South on Wednesday, and Souderton (9-4, 3-2) is off until next Monday when the Indians will host Council Rock South.
Souderton 200 000 000 2-5-1
Pennsbury 002 000 002 4-8-1
UPPER DUBLIN 5, UPPER MORELAND 3
Gretchen Wolpert smacked a solo home run in the first, and by the time the Golden Bears put a run on the board off UD hurler Chloe Foster, the Flying Cardinals led 4-0 on their way to the win.
“Yesterday’s game was an important win to start our week,” said UD coach Heather Boyer, whose squad as three more games this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. “Upper Moreland is always a good game for us; no matter what type of year either team is having, it is a good game and yesterday was no different. Our girls did a good job of adding runs each inning in the first three innings of the game to set the tone.”
In the second inning, Anna Levin delivered a one-out single that plated courtesy runner Lucy Ruppel to give UD a 2-0 lead. In the third, Brianna Kesslick had an RBI single that brought Kaelin Penna home with the Cardinals’ third run, and later in the inning, courtesy runner Emeline Bell scored on an RBI fielder’s choice by Dani Lucidi.
After Upper Moreland’s Haleigh Woodman made it a 4-1 game with a solo home run in the top of the fifth, Lauren Carboni led off the bottom of the inning with a double, and Chloe Foster helped her own cause with an RBI groundout. The Golden Bears added a pair in the sixth – the first scoring on an error and the second on an RBI single by Liz Santry.
“UD started off strong with a home run in the first and their pitcher shut us down with only two hits in the first four innings,” UM coach Melanie Martino said. “We finally woke up the bats in the fifth and sixth inning but couldn’t string together enough hits.
“I was happy with out defense today, and Eowyn Stainback had another solid day in the circle. We need to start off strong gaining runs early. We have a lot of work to do, but I’m proud at how this predominately young team didn’t give up today.”
Carboni’s 2-for-2 led the Cardinals.
“Sophomore Anna Levin had a breakout game at second base,” Boyer said. “She played outstanding defense – turned a first to third double play when UM tried to get a runner to third on a bunt in addition to a number of other infield assists. She also came up with an important RBI single.
“Chloe Foster maintained great poise again in the circle.”
Foster earned the complete game win, allowing five hits and three runs (one earned) while striking out nine and walking none.
Upper Dublin (4-5, 1-4 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Wednesday, and Upper Moreland (5-4, 4-0) will host Quakertown on Wednesday.
Upper Moreland 000 012 0 3-5-4
Upper Dublin 112 010 x 5-7-2
NESHAMINY 12, PENNRIDGE 2 (6 innings)
Kennedie Ruth notched the complete game one-hitter, striking out seven in a strong outing. The junior also tripled and drove in a pair of runs.
“Kennedie Ruth was dominating in the circle,” Neshaminy coach Tim Quense said. “She was perfect through three innings.”
The Redskins blew the game open with nine runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but early on, it looked like it was going to be a dogfight. Ruth put the Redskins on the board with an RBI triple in the second, and she scored on an error. In the third, back-to-back doubles by Mia Barone and Kylee Jones (RBI) put the Redskins on top 3-0.
The Rams got two of those runs back in the top of the fourth, loading the bases with a hit batter, walk and a Grace Helbling single. Madison Silber’s sacrifice fly plated a run, and Catelyn Thrush, who reached base on a walk, scored on a wild pitch to make it a 3-2 game.
The Redskins seized control of the game with a five-run outburst in the fifth that was highlighted by two-run doubles by Amanda Slabecki and Jones. Neshaminy brought an early end to the game with a four-run sixth.
Slabecki’s 3-for-4 with a double and five RBIs led the Redskins. Jones was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Barone was 2-for-3 with a double
“Mia Barone has been hot all year, and Darby Brant – who has displayed great leadership all year and has played multiple positions – was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and played a stellar third base, making several key stops,” Quense said.
The Skins, according to their coach, pounded out 12 hits with five doubles, one triple, four walks and three hit batters.”
Neshaminy (6-3, 4-1 SOL) will host Conwell-Egan in a non-league game Thursday, and Pennridge (3-8, 1-4) will be on the road at Council Rock South Wednesday.
Pennridge 000 200 2
Neshaminy 021 054 12
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 6, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4
The Patriots opened up a 6-0 lead after three innings, but the Indians made things interesting with four runs in the fifth, thanks to an Emma Zoldi grand slam.
“The difference in this game came down to defense,” Rock North coach Susan Yee said. “They played a clean game, we didn’t. You can’t give up six unearned runs and win games in this league.
“CB East has an abundance of strong pitchers and solid players behind them, so they aren’t a team you want to spot runs and then try to rely on outscoring them. I give a lot of credit to CB East, they played good fundamentally sound ball, they capitalized on our mistakes, and their pitchers did a nice job keeping our girls off balance.”
Alex Frenia threw four shutout innings and earned the win, striking out seven. Elise Waddington threw the last three innings and also drove in a run.
Elizabeth Gray’s three-hit effort led the Patriots. She also drove in a run. Amelia Funston doubled and scored two runs. Kayla Mitchell had a hit and an RBI. Mackenzie Wilson contributed a single, two RBIs and scored a run. Soleil Dooner had two hits and scored two runs.
Kat Hastings and Gabriella Cohen split time in the circle with each player throwing three innings.
“I was very proud of Kat and Gabby for the way they stayed composed and battled in the circle for us today,” Yee said. “If they didn’t keep their composure, the run total could have been astronomically worse.
“Additionally, our girls made good adjustments at the plate as the game went on and battled to the end of the game. I was particularly pleased with how junior shortstop Emma Zoldi got stronger as the day went on. She had a bit of a rough time at the start but she showed good mental toughness to regroup and make some great plays at short coming down the stretch along with putting together a couple of very nice plate appearances. Her fifth inning grand slam was an absolute thing of beauty.”
Zoldi was 2-for-4 while Molly Sheehy had a double.
Central Bucks East (8-3, 4-1 SOL) will host Harry S Truman on Wednesday, and Council Rock North (4-5, 2-2) will host Central Bucks West on Wednesday.
Council Rock North 000 040 0 4
Central Bucks East 204 000 x 6
BENSALEM 10, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2
Maggie Formichelli did it all for the Owls, allowing four hits and earning the complete game win. She also was 3-for-4 at the plate.
“We have strung together three decent games in a row,” Bensalem coach Dan Schram said. “The ultimate goal is to continue to get better and play our best ball at the right time. We are moving in the right direction as a team.”
The Owls put a run on the scoreboard in the fourth when Lina Sponheimer, who singled to lead off the inning, scored. They added three runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to go on top 8-0 before the Bucks plated a run in the bottom of the inning.
Sponheimer was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Jess Klein was 2-for-5 with a triple and two runs score.
Abby Lineman’s two hits led the Bucks.
Bensalem (5-6, 1-5 SOL) will host North Penn on Wednesday, and Central Bucks West (1-9, 0-5) will travel to Council Rock North on Wednesday.
Bensalem 000 134 2 10
Central Bucks West 000 001 1 2
NORTH PENN 5, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
Mady Volpe turned in yet another stellar outing in the circle, allowing just two hits in the complete game shutout while striking out 16 and walking three. The Knights scored an early run but didn’t get their bats in gear until late in the game.
“Rock South played well,” North Penn coach Rick Torresani said. “We have a hard time hitting slow pitching, and early on, it was pop up, pop up, pop up.
“In the fifth and sixth, we got our bats going and were able to score some runs. The kids played well. You know what – any time you come out with a win on the road against a well-coached team, it’s a big plus.”
Julia Shearer roped a double to left to open the first and advanced to third on a passed ball. It looked as though she might be stranded, but Volpe grounded a two-out single to center for a run that stood as the game-winner.
In the fifth, Sophia Collins led off with a double to left, and she scored one out later on an RBI groundout by Shearer. Sarah Sabocsik laid down a bunt single and wound up on third base, thanks to a two-base error. She scored when Annabelle Smink lined a single to center, putting the Knights on top 3-0.
In the sixth, Bri Wilmot doubled and scored when Carley DiGiuseppe singled, and in the seventh, Smink drew a two-out walk and raced home when Volpe doubled to left.
For the game, Volpe was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Wilmot (2-for-4, 2B, run) continued to contribute out of the five hole.
“She’s doing real well,” Torresani said. “She’s coming into her own. She’s a sophomore who’s just realizing how good she is and how good she can be. She works really hard at what she does.”
Smink was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
“She another player that works real hard at what she does,” Torresani said. “What I’m really impressed with is her defense at third base.
“In the game against Haverford, she had bunts hit towards her and a couple ground balls, and she handled everything. Today she handled a bunt real well, but when Mady has 16 strikeouts, there’s really not too many balls you have to worry about.”
Rock South coach John Engelhardt tipped his hat to the Knights.
“The better team won today, however, I couldn’t be more proud of the way my young team played against one of the best programs in the state,” the Golden Hawks coach said. “My kids battled the best we could and competed for seven innings. Ciara Constance was awesome on the mound for us.
“North Penn was already one of the best programs in the state. Then I find out that North Penn added (former Abington coach) Ellie White to their coaching staff. I admire Coach White and was always impressed with how she got the most out of her Abington teams. North Penn is lucky to have her.”
North Penn (9-1, 5-0 SOL) will travel to Bensalem on Wednesday, and Council Rock South (3-7, 0-4) will host Pennridge on Wednesday.
North Penn 100 021 1 5-11-0
Council Rock South 000 000 0 0-2-3
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 16, HARRY S TRUMAN 5 (6 innings)
Nicole Pilla turned in a brilliant 5-for-5 effort at the plate, and the Titans – who trailed 3-1 early – exploded for 10 runs in the sixth inning to blow open a close game and bring an early end to the contest. The win was the fourth straight for the Titans after a 1-4 start.
“We’re coming together,” South coach Kevin Rosini said. “We’re playing okay. We have a tough schedule the rest of the week, but it was nice to win today.”
The two teams exchanged runs in the first inning. The Titans led 1-0 after Nicole Pilla delivered an RBI double that plated Jasmine Chui, who singled. In the bottom of the inning, Mara McKeon singled and scored when Courtney Nau doubled. The Tigers took a 3-1 lead in the second after Jalecia Blackston singled, and Emily Kuvulic hit a two-run home run.
Trailing 3-1, the Titans loaded the bases with none out in the third. An infield fly that was dropped resulted in several miscues and three runs crossing home plate. By the time the inning was over, the Titans led 5-3.
They led by just a 6-5 scored heading into a sixth inning that included a pair of doubles by Marlena Hacker and two singles by Pilla. Allie Franck also had a double in the inning. All told, the Titans collected seven hits in the inning.
“We kind of strung everything together there,” Rosini said. “It was nice to see. We scored some runs earlier with some help, but that busted it wide open.”
For the Titans, Pilla was 5-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Contributing two hits each were CJ Haney (2-for-2, 2 RBIs, 2 SB, 3 runs), Franck (2-for-4, 2B, 2RBI, SB, 2 runs), Hacker (2-for-2, 2 2B, 3 RBIs, 3 runs) and Chui (2-for-5, SB, 1 run).
Nau’s 3-for-3 effort with two doubles and a run scored led the Tigers. Also contributing multiple hits were Jada Moran (2-for-3, RBI), Emily Merrigan (2-for-3, 2B) and Kuvulic (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBIs, 1 run).
Junior Abby Magliaro got the start for the Titans and earned her first varsity win. She was relieved in the circle by Maddy Borowski with two outs in the sixth, and Borowski collected the final out to earn the save.
“Abby pitched good – she kept us in the game and did what we asked her to do,” Rosini said. “
Central Bucks South (5-4, 2-3 SOL) will host Pennsbury on Wednesday, and Harry S Truman (6-4, 3-2) will be on the road at Central Bucks East on Wednesday.
Central Bucks South 104 1010 16-17-3
Harry S Truman 120 110 5-9-5
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 10, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 0 (5 innings)
Lauryn Kane tossed a one-hit shutout, and the Colonials pounded out 10 hits. It added up to a convincing win in the abbreviated contest.
“Lauryn Kane pitched a phenomenal game, and the defense played really well behind her to get us out of a few potential run-scoring opportunities,” PW coach Mike Perez said.
The Colonials opened up a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Carly Rosenberger led off with a triple to right field and scored on a passed ball. Talia Carr collected a one-out single, and after Molly Moore drew a free pass, Emily Caffrey brought both runners home with a single, and the Colonials were off and running.
PW took a 7-0 lead into the fifth inning, and after an RBI single by Hannah Suh, Molly Moore’s two-run double brought an early end to the game.
Rosenberger’s 3-for-4 day at the plate out of the leadoff spot included a triple, RBI and run scored. Also collecting multiple hits were Suh (2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs) and Caffrey (2-for-3, 2 RBIs, 1 run).
Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-5, 2-3 SOL) will host William Tennent on Wednesday, and Springfield Township (1-7, 1-4) will be on the road at Abington on Wednesday.
Springfield Township 000 00 0-1-1
Plymouth Whitemarsh 303 13 10-10-1
ABINGTON 22, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 4 (5 innings)
The Ghosts brought their big bats, exploding for nine runs in the third inning to blow open the game on their way to the win in the abbreviated contest.
“Big hits today by all including Aneesa Rohrer, Lauren Everitt and Leanna Schenk,” Abington coach Bob Baginski said. “They are three underclassmen who are playing at a high level both offensively and defensively.
“Our seniors continue to lead by example and play well. Senior Jess Sokolski pitched well today, and key hits and solid defense by seniors Annie Sokolski, Julia Brustle, Bella Oquendo, Mackenzie Marcotte, Madison Cornell , Meghan Strange and Jenna Doyle helped today. We are continuing to make good progress as the season goes on.”
Rohrer’s solo home run put the Ghosts on the board in the first, and they took a 2-0 lead into the third inning when they erupted for nine runs. The inning was highlighted by a two-run home run from Lauren Everitt.
Rohrer (4-for-5, 3B, HR, 4 RBIs, 3 runs), Everitt (4-for-5, HR, 4 RBIs, 3 runs) and Jess Sokolski (4-for-5, 2B, 2 RBIs, 3 runs) led the Ghosts. Leanna Schenk (3-for-5, 2B, 3B, 3 RBIs, 3 runs) and Madison Cornell (3-for-5, 2B, RBI, 2 runs) also had big days. Mackenzie Marcotte (2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBIs, 2 run) also finished with multiple hits. Bella Oquendo added a double.
Jess Sokolski earned the complete game win, allowing five hits and four runs (two earned) in five innings while striking out seven and walking two.
Abington (3-5, 0-4 SOL) will host Springfield Township at Roslyn Park for its Senior Night game on Wednesday at 7 p.m. New Hope-Solebury (2-7, 2-2) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Wednesday.
Abington 119 29 22-27-3
New Hope-Solebury 000 00 4-5-2
HATBORO-HORSHAM 22, CHELTENHAM 0 (3 innings)
The Hatters capitalized on double-digit walks handed out by a quartet of Lady Panther hurlers to earn the mercy rule win.
Alyssa Tooley was the lone player with more than one hit, finishing 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Abby Waletz was 1-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and three runs. Her two-run double highlighted an eight-run first inning. Marissa Rapino was 1-for-2 with a double, RBI and four runs scored. Amya Lundy and Kayla Tauber both had a pair of RBIs.
Megan Mills notched the win, retiring nine of 10 batters she faced. The Lady Panthers’ lone base runner came in the second when the Hatters committed a two-out error.
Hatboro-Horsham (8-0, 4-0 SOL) will host New Hope-Solebury on Wednesday, and Cheltenham (1-7, 0-3) will host Wissahickon on Wednesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 8104 22-7-1
Cheltenham 000 0-0-1
WISSAHICKON 10, LOWER MORELAND 0
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