Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Friday.
SOL Freedom Division
SPRINGFIELD TWP 7, CHELTENHAM 6
The Spartans used a four-run seventh to turn 6-3 deficit into a 7-6 advantage, earning the win in Friday’s opening game of the three-game league series.
Jack Messari earned the win on the mound with a dazzling relief outing, throwing three shutout innings to close out the game. He did not allow a hit and struck out six – five in the final two innings, including the side in the seventh.
Jon Matthew doubled and drove in three runs for the Spartans, who managed just two hits but made them count.
By the numbers: Springfield Twp: Jon Matthew (1-for-2, 2B, 3RBI), Chris Cahill (1-for-2, 2RBI, 1R)
Jack Messari (3.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 6K)
Key inning: Bottom of the sixth: Trailing 6-3, the Spartans capitalized on four hit batters and a walk with Matthews lining a double to center that emptied the bases and put the Spartans on top. (7-6)
Springfield Twp coach Rod Bond: “Tough one today. We struggled on the defensive side. Committing five errors puts stress on our pitching staff, and Cheltenham really hit the ball well today. We have to get back to the basics, putting the ball in play.”
–Props: “Great job today by our relief pitcher Jack Massari. He came in and was outstanding on the hill.
“A huge two-out double from Jon Matthews to clear the bases to give us the lead. I’ll give the team credit – they found a way to put something together to get the win. I think it’s going to be an entertaining series with Cheltenham. They are a very well coached team.”
Up next: Springfield Twp (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Cheltenham Tuesday for game two of the three-game series.
Cheltenham 200 130 0 6-5-2
Springfield Twp 030 004 x 7-2-5
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 17, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 10
It wasn’t always pretty, but the Patriots emerged with the win a slugfest that saw the two teams combine for 25 hits. The Patriots – led by the three-hit effort of Tyler Muzsi – had 15 of those. Muzsi and Chase Fulford led the Patriots with three RBIs each.
For the Patriots, Zak Abt had a two-run home run in the fifth, and Billy O’Neill hit a solo shot in the sixth.
The Patriots trailed 3-1 heading into the bottom of the second inning when they scored four runs to go on top 5-3. They upped that lead to 11-3 and were in command the rest of the way.
By the numbers: Central Bucks East; Tyler Muzsi (3-for-3, 2B, 3RBI, 3R), Chase Fulford (1-for-3, 2B, 3RBI, 2R), Nolan Behm (2-for-4, 2RBI, 3R), Colin Lynch (2-for-5, 1RBI, 1R), Anthony Niro (2-for-5, 1RBI, 1R), Sean Hill Jr (2-for-4, 2B, 2R)
Council Rock South: Owen McLean (2-for-5), Zak Abt (2-for-3, HR, 3RBI, 1R), Jake Andrews (2-for-3, 2RBI, 3R), Billy O’Neill (1-for-3, HR, 2RBI, 2R)
Key inning: Bottom of second: Trailing 3-1, the Patriots scored four runs to take a lead they would not lose. Jack Thompson drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Nick Mutchler was safe on an error, and a walk to Tyler Muzsi loaded the bases for Chase Fulford, who lined a base-clearing double to left field. Fulford stole third and scored on a sac fly by Behm. (5-3)
Central Bucks East coach Kyle Dennis: “A lot of runs, and a lot of hits – 25 hits in the game. Both teams hit. We ended up walking eight guys, they walked six, so there were a lot of free bases out there. They had a couple errors, we had a couple errors. A lot of those freebies scored for both sides.
“Both sides were giving each other free 90s, and both teams were cashing in on them, and fortunately, we were able to cash in on them a little bit more.”
–Props: “We went down 3-1 in the second inning, and we bounced back in the third. Our leadoff guy got on, they had an error and then another walk, and Chase Fulford comes in and clears the bases with a double. That double was huge because that’s when we took the lead, and we never surrendered the lead after that.
“Tyler Muzsi continues to impress us. He hits nine for us and is our second baseman. He was 3-for-3, scored three runs and had three RBIs. He had a great day at the plate. He’s just doing a great job in the nine spot.”
Up next: Central Bucks East (3-0) will travel to North Penn Tuesday for game one of its first three-game series of the season. Council Rock South (2-2) will be at Bensalem Monday for its first game of the three-game series.
Council Rock South 030 032 2 10-10-5
Central Bucks East 143 324 x 17-15-3
SOUDERTON 4, DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY 2
On the heels of Thursday’s 12-12 tie against Pennsbury in a non-league game, the Indians received excellent pitching performance from six different players and opened up a 4-1 lead on their way to the 4-2 win.
By the numbers: Eight different players got one hit each, and six pitchers saw action on the mound.
Key innings: Top of second: Tyler Lutz drew a leadoff walk, and with one out, Patrick Wendell walked. With two outs, Evan Divens singled home Lutz. (1-0)
Top of third: Charlie Hunsicker drew a leadoff walk, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a single by Connor Klock. (2-0)
Top of fifth: Leading 2-1, the Indians added a run when Nick Tuccillo, who was hit by a pitch to open the inning, advanced to third on a single by Cody Ricko and scored on a wild pitch. (3-1)
Top of sixth: Nathan Kleppinger, who hit a two-out double, scored on an error. (4-1)
Souderton coach Mike Childs: “It was good to get our first win of the season on the board especially going into league play on Monday.
“Today’s game gave us the opportunity to see some different arms on the mound. All six pitchers combined for two runs, 10k’s and 1 walk. Going into league play for the first time with three games in a week, we feel seeing these arms pitch well and watch what they can do is beneficial to making our team a success.”
Up next: Souderton (1-1-1) will open its three-game series with Pennridge on Monday, hosting the Rams in game one.
Souderton 011 011 0 4-8-0
Dock Mennonite 000 101 0 2-6-2
HATBORO-HORSHAM 7, CARDINAL O’HARA 1
The Hatters erupted for six runs in the bottom of the second and never looked back on their way to their first win of the young season.
Chris Yeager’s two-run double was the big blow of the inning.
Shane Mills turned in a superb outing on the mound in the win, allowing six hits and one run (unearned) in six innings. He fanned 10. Chris Herrera threw a scoreless inning in relief to close out the game.
By the numbers: Hatboro-Horsham Chase Canney (3-for-3, 2RBI, 1R), C Incudine (1-for-2, 2RBI, 1R), Chris Yeager (1-for-1, 2B, 1RBI, 1R)
Shane Mills (W) (6.0 IP, 5H, 1R, 0E, 2BB, 10K), Chris Herrera (1.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 1K)
Key inning: Bottom of second: Ricky Klenk was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, Dominic Rapino grounded a single to left, and with one out, Isaiah Brown was safe on an error to load the bases. Canney lined a single to center that plated Klenk, and then Yeager grounded a two-run double to left field. With two outs, Cole Incudine and Jamie O’Neill both had RBI singles (6-0)
Up next: Hatboro-Horsham (1-3) will begin its three-game series with Plymouth Whitmarsh on the road Tuesday.
Cardinal O’Hara 000 100 0 1-5-2
Hatboro-Horsham 061 000 x 7-9-1
ARCHBISHOP WOOD 5, HARRY S TRUMAN 4
The Tigers scored single runs in both the first and second innings, but the visiting Vikings answered with three runs in the top of third to go on top 3-2. They upped that lead to 4-2 in the top of the sixth. The Tigers plated a pair of runs without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the inning to even the score.
Wood plated the game-winner in the top of the seventh.
Nate Gilson was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI to lead the Tigers.
A trio of Truman hurlers – Kevin Pikard, Austin Allen and Chase Hensman -combined to allow seven hits and only two earned runs as the Tigers’ mistakes proved costly.
Up next: Harry S Truman (1-1) will begin its three-game series with Neshaminy when it hosts the Redskins on Monday.
Archbishop Wood 003 001 1 5-7-0
Harry S Truman 110 002 0 4-6-2
LOWER MORELAND 12, COLLEGIUM CHARTER 0
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