Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Monday. CR South/Wissahickon photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for a gallery of photos. All SOS photo galleries for SOFTBALL can be viewed by clicking HERE.
SOL Colonial Division
SOUDERTON 10, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0 (6 innings)
Abby Burns is a gamer.
The Souderton senior is basically using just four fingers on her pitching hand after losing a battle with a machine in her clay class last Thursday.
“I sanded off every layer of skin on my finger,” Burns said. “The machine that I use fell, and I went to catch it because there was a girl standing next to me, and it shaved off the skin on my finger.
“It’s been a challenge with four fingers, but it hasn’t bothered me. I wrap it up and I’m good to go. Sometimes it slips off the tape, but I can typically get a good grip on the ball, and it’s not a problem.”
To say she’s been effective with a taped index finger would qualify as an understatement. The same day she injured her finger, Burns threw the final two innings of her team’s non-league win over Upper Perkiomen. She struck out five of six batters she faced to close out the game after entering with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth inning.
In Monday’s SOL opener, Burns was perfect for six innings in a dazzling performance. The senior ace fanned 14 and did not allow a baserunner. In six innings, she threw just 68 pitches – 52 for strikes. She struck out the side in four of six innings, including the seventh. At one point, Burns fanned seven in a row and needed just nine pitches to strike out the side in both the third and fourth innings.
The Indians’ defense behind Burns was forced to make just three putouts (Burns caught a popup in the second inning) – one fly ball to right field, one to center field and the other to the shortstop.
So did Burns know she had a perfect game through six?
“No, not really,” she said. “I’m in the moment, and nothing else really goes through my mind. I’m just having fun with my team. That doesn’t occur to me normally.”
Burns first heard the news in her team’s postgame meeting and, not surprisingly, was unconcerned that she didn’t have the opportunity to go the full seven.
As for what was working in Monday’s dominant outing, Burns – committed to swim and play softball at Kean University this fall – really wasn’t sure.
“I have no idea,” she said. “It was going well today. I came back from swimming (season), and everything’s felt good since, so I’m not complaining.”
“I knew she had a no-hitter – I realized that in the fourth inning,” said Souderton coach Carol Atkinson. “She was throwing a couple of pitches very, very well today.
“She was itching Thursday to come in and finish the game. Today was another amazing game. She’s on fire on the mound. The girls have been bonding really well. They have a lot of goals this year, and I think they can meet every single one of them.”
The Indians put three runs on the scoreboard in the first, capitalizing on three walks and singles by Kayley York and Cameron Nadolski. Burns helped her own cause with an RBI groundout.
A four-run fourth was highlighted by an RBI double to left by Lily Ponce as well as singles by Burns, Kendell Clemmer (RBI) and Taylor Nelson (RBI). The Indians added two runs in the fifth inning to go on top 9-0. Collecting singles in the inning were Riley York, Burns and Clemmer (RBI).
In the sixth inning, the Indians brought an early end to the game when Kayley York, who doubled to right to lead off the inning, scored on an error with none out.
South coach Kevin Rosini had high praise for Burns.
“She was very, very, very impressive,” the Titans’ coach said. “She threw strikes and came right at us. I’ve seen a lot of good pitchers in our league over the years, but that ranks right up there.
“She’s a nice kid, she doesn’t showboat. She just goes about her business. She just gets the ball and throws it. I’ve seen her pitch since she was a freshman, and she’s gotten better every year. I’m very impressed with her. That’s quite a neat accomplishment. I’m happy for her.
The Indians collected 12 hits off a pair of Titan hurlers with Kayley York (2-for-2, 4 runs, 2B), Riley York (2-for-3, 2 runs), Kendell Clemmer (2-for-2, 1 run, 2 RBIs) and Burns (2-for-3, RBI) contributing multiple hits.
“I’m here to have fun,” Burns said. “If we could go far (in the postseason), that would be amazing my senior year. That has been the goal.”
Souderton (4-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks East on Tuesday, and Central Bucks South (1-1, 0-1) will host Central Bucks West on Tuesday.
Central Bucks South 000 000 x 0-0-3
Souderton 304 201 x 10-12-0
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 8, PENNRIDGE 5
The Rams had everything going their way for the first three innings of Monday night’s game against the Patriots. They not only led 4-0 – they had three home runs.
The rest of the game, however, belonged to the visiting Patriots.
“It was just a good job overall hitting, and the way they did not give up and fought back and hit,” East coach Karl Knapp said. “They’re a very close team. I would say this is probably one of the closest I’ve had where they’re really a team. They pull for each other, and I think that mindset and attitude is what enabled us to come back.
“Every time we play Pennridge it’s a battle. There are no easy games ever. Last year we were winning, and they got a walk-off homer in the seventh and beat us. Tonight they were ahead 4-0, and we turned the tables and ended up beating them, but they’re all fights.
“They’re a good team. It was just a great team effort with people stepping up when they had to, getting key hits and making good defensive plays. I was really proud of them. When you’re down 4-0, you can kind of give up. I have to hand it to them. They really hung in there and did a great job.”
The Rams put a pair of runs on the board in the first when Grace Helbling delivered a two-run home run to center field. In the second inning Reagan Bauman hit a solo home to right with two outs. In the third inning, Helbling was back at it again, hitting a leadoff home run to left that put the Rams on top 4-0.
“We couldn’t hit – the girl (Helbling) kind of had our number,” Knapp said. “We really emphasized hitting this year. We aren’t going to have pitchers that are going to throw shutouts every game.
“We have good pitchers. It’s there first year throwing varsity, and I think they’ve done a nice job. We start in our division this week, and this is a test to see how we do because our division is tough from top to bottom.”
In the top of the fourth, three walks loaded the bases for the Patriots with two outs. Corinn Eads collected a clutch single to center that plated a pair. Sara Camposano followed with an RBI single, and just like that, it was a 4-3 game.
In the sixth inning, Amelia Funston led off with a single, and one out later Mackenzie Wilson singled. Courtesy runner Kaylee Masterson scored the tying run on a passed ball, and then it was Eads delivering another big hit, a two-out single that plated Wilson with the go-ahead run.
In the top of the seventh, Elizabeth Gray legged out a bunt single and stole second. Two outs later, Funsten delivered an RBi single. Ava Catron followed with a single, and two more runs crossed the plate on a costly Ram miscue.
The Rams got one of those runs back in the bottom of the inning when Ashleigh Kenworthy hit an RBI single, but Elise Waddington closed it for the Patriots.
Funston was 2-for-3 with an RBI and provided positive leadership.
“Amelia brings everyone together,” Knapp said. “She’s definitely a leader as a team captain.
“Tonight was just being a team, pulling everyone together, and she’s the glue.”
Also coming up big for the Patriots was Eads, who came off the bench and was 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
“That really sparked the start of our rallies,” Knapp said. “She was really a sparkplug in there.”
Knapp pointed to a pair of defensive plays that were key.
“Elizabeth Gray in center field caught one and actually went through the fence to get it, and she came up with another catch and threw to home to keep a girl from scoring,” the Patriots’ coach said. “She’s just an outstanding defensive outfielder.”
Waddington earned the win in relief, allowing just three hits and one run (unearned) in four strong innings. She struck out two and walked three.
“We got a real good closing effort from Elise coming in,” Knapp said. “She got several key strikeouts, and we got key hits from people, especially Corinn (Eads). She did what we asked her to.
“We also got good defensive play. Elizabeth Gray – I have not seen a better centerfielder at East since I’ve been there. She’s really fast, has a good arm, and she’s hard to keep off base. When she bunts, you just about can’t stop her from getting on first base.”
For the Rams, Helbling was 2-for-3 with two home runs, three runs scored and three RBIs, and Bauman was 2-for-3 with a home run, run scored and one RBI.
Central Bucks East (3-0, 1-0 SOL) will host Souderton on Tuesday, and Pennridge (1-1, 0-1) will be on the road at North Penn on Tuesday.
Central Bucks East 000 302 3 8-8-1
Pennridge 211 000 1 5-8-1
SOL Freedom Division
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 8, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 7 (8 innings)
The visiting Lions showed a flare for the dramatic, evening their early season SOL record at 1-1 with a thrilling come-from-behind win in extra innings.
The Spartans, who trailed 3-2 early, led 7-3 late in the game only to watch the Lions rally to even the score. Freshman Izzy Elizondo drove in a pair of runs in the sixth to pull the Lions to within two, and in the seventh, the Lions scratched out a pair of runs to knot the score with freshman Emily Wilson and senior Emily Primavera crossing the plate.
In the eighth inning, the same duo paired up to score the go-ahead run as Primavera’s clutch two-out double brought Wilson home with the game-winner.
Senior RiRi D’Agostino went the distance in the circle to notch her first win of the season.
New Hope-Solebury (1-2, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Tuesday, and Springfield Township (0-2, 0-1) will host William Tennent on Tuesday.
WILLIAM TENNENT 10, LOWER MORELAND 2
The Panthers took a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning when they erupted for five runs on their way to the decisive division win over the visiting Lions.
After putting a single run on the board in the first, the Panthers scored four in the second. The innings was highlighted by singles from Vicky Colagreco, Giselle McLaughlin, Anna Coulter (RBI) and Morgan Kocher (RBI).
The Lions scored two runs in to the top of the fourth, but that’s as close as they would get. The Panthers’ five-run uprising in the sixth was highlighted by a double from Olivia Clee and singles from McLaughlin, Katie LaPlant, Gigi DeMito and Lainey Scotese.
Tennent’s 11-hit attack was led by LaPlant (2-for-4), McLaughlin (2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI) and Clee (2-for-2, 2B, 2 runs)
LaPlant earned the complete game win for the Panthers, allowing just three hits and two runs while striking out seven and walking three.
Sophia Azzarano, Peyton Lennon and Payge Lennon accounted for the Lions’ three hits.
William Tennent (2-1, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Springfield Township on Tuesday, and Lower Moreland (0-1, 3-1) will host New Hope-Solebury.
Lower Moreland 002 000 0 2-3-6
William Tennent 140 005 x 10-11-1
Non-league
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 7, WISSAHICKON 1
Julia Scannapieco notched the complete game win for the Golden Hawks. The freshman lefty took a shutout into the bottom of the seventh when the Trojans – who managed just four hits – plated
their only run.
“It was a total team effort,” Rock South coach Dan Schram said. “I’m very proud of the kids.”
The Golden Hawks scored a pair in the third inning. Freshman Lexi Waring had the lone hit of the inning that also included a pair of walks and a Trojan miscue. They added five runs in the sixth inning. Ameerah Wheet, Grace Stepp (RBI) and Lexi Waring (RBI) each contributed a single, and Avery Tumolo had a double.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Trojans broke up Scannapieco’s shutout bid when Luca Penna delivered a two-out RBI double.
Waring’s 3-for-3 showing at the plate led the Golden Hawks, who start three freshmen, four sophomores and two juniors. Scannapieco 
drove in a pair as the Golden Hawks effectively used the bunt as a weapon.
“We bunted quite a bit to adjust to their pitcher, who was really good,” Schram said. “The real stat was the pinch running for the pitcher. Maddie McClean stole four bags and scored twice as a courtesy runner. She’s a total team player who helped us set the tone offensively.”
For the Trojans, Penna was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. Siena Miller drew a pair of walks and scored the Trojans’ lone run. Emi Fox and Katelyn Fitzgerald were both 1-for-3.
Danielle Ciliberto threw all seven innings, allowing six hits and seven runs – only two earned – while striking out seven and walking two.
Council Rock South (1-2, 0-1 SOL) will host Council Rock North on Tuesday, and Wissahickon (0-3, 0-1) will host Abington on Tuesday.
Council Rock South 002 005 0 7
Wissahickon 000 000 1 1
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 7, ARCHBISHOP WOOD 2
Abby Lineman had herself a day to remember.
The Southern New Hampshire University commit didn’t just hit one home run, she hit two, including a grand slam. All told, the senior slugger drove in six runs to lead the Bucks to their first win of the young season.
While Lineman was doing damage at the plate, sophomore Sienna Lawson was tossing a complete game gem in the circle, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out 13 and walking one.
“Today was a great win for our team,” West coach Ali Coleman said. “As a whole, we had good at bats all game and solid defense backing up our pitcher who was throwing a great game. Sienna Lawson did a tremendous job today. She pitched a complete game and only allowed two runs with 13 strikeouts.
“Abby Lineman was on fire today. She was a wall behind the plate and unstoppable up to bat. She led the team with two home runs, one being a grand slam and had a total of six RBIs. Chloe Dryden also had an RBI double and scored twice.”
The Bucks – who did not have a hit through three innings – got their first hit in the fourth when Lineman ripped a two-run home run to left field. Dryden, who reached second on a two-base error to open the inning, scored on the play.
The Vikings knotted the score with single runs in the fourth and fifth, but Lineman broke that tie with one mighty swing of her bat. The Bucks loaded the bases when Dryden and Ana Glemser drew back-to-back walks to open the inning. Bella Wi was hit by a pitch, and the stage was set for Lineman, who ripped a 2-2 pitch to center for a grand slam and a 6-2 lead.
In the seventh, the Bucks tacked on a run when Dryden roped a double to right field.
Central Bucks West (1-2, 0-1 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South on Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 000 204 1 7-4-0
Archbishop Wood 000 110 0 2-7-2
VILLA JOSEPH MARIE 6, BENSALEM 5
Maggie Formichelli allowed just two hits and struck out nine, posting the kind of numbers that usually add up to a win. That wasn’t the case in Monday’s non-league game that saw the Owls allow six runs in a first inning they would like to forget.
The Jems collected their only two hits in the first but benefitted from a walk and three Bensalem errors. A walk to lead off the second was the last baserunner for the Jems as Formichelli retired the next 15 batters she faced.
“Defensively, we need to play better behind our pitcher,” Bensalem coach Erin Smith said. ”With the way Maggie threw today, there is no reason to lose a game with those kind of stats. We need to be better in the field to help her out.”
Offensively for the Owls, Camryn Pickering and Megan Klein each had three hits. Ashly Merz also had a multi-hit game with two singles. Formichelli collected the game’s lone extra base hit with a double. Contributing RBIs for the Owls were Formichelli, Pickering, Angelina Sponheimer and Kayla Clarkson.
Bensalem (1-2, 0-1 SOL) will be on the road at Harry S Truman on Tuesday.
Bensalem 010 031 0 5-11-3
Villa Joseph Marie 600 000 x 6-2-0
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