Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday. CR South/CR North photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Pennsbury/Neshaminy photos courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Check back for photos galleries. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ SOFTBALL GALLERIES.
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 6, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4
This was a big one.
Rock South entered Tuesday’s high stakes game with one loss in division play while Rock North had none. The Golden Hawks needed a win if they entertained any thoughts of defending a division title they shared with Neshaminy last year.
They got the job done.
“What a division rival win today,” Rock South coach Scott Molle said. “Lots of clutch plays and hitting for us with a division title hopes still on the line. Huge playoffs seeding implications and our team came to play and
did just that in the biggest game of the year.
“The girls delivered today, and it was a fun game to be a part of. I couldn’t be more proud of these kids and how hard they work and play together as a team.”
Lexi Waring notched the complete game win.
Jenna Pesapane, Shannon Williams and Waring each had two hits for the Golden Hawks.
The Golden Hawks took a lead they would not lose with a five-run second inning. Julia Pesapane’s three-run double and Scannapieco’s two-run home run highlighted the inning. The Indians didn’t go down quietly, and thanks to Kate Wilkoski’s three-run home run in the top of the sixth trimmed the Hawks’ once five-run lead to 6-4.
Rock North had the tying run on board with one out in the seventh. With two outs and two on, Wilkoski hit a shot to center field where Molly Gabriele preserved the win for the Hawks with a diving catch.
“Molly Gabriele stole the show today with two incredible diving plays with the last one on the final out to secure the big win for us,” Molle said.
By the numbers: Council Rock South: Jenna Pesapane (2-for-4, 2B, 3RBI, 1R), Shannon Williams (2-for-3, 1R), Lexi Waring (2-for-3, 2B 1R), Julia Scannapieco (1-for-4, HR, 2RBI, 1R)
Lexi Waring (W) (7.0 IP 6H, 4R, 2ER, 3BB, 8K)
Council Rock North: Kate Wilkoski (1-for-3, HR, 3RBI) 1R), Mia Kiskurno (1-for-3, 3B, 1R), Sierra Klein (1-for-3, 2B)
Key inning: Bottom of second: The Golden Hawks broke a scoreless tie with five runs. With one out, Waring singled and was replaced by courtesy runner Victoria Herzog. With two outs, Sophia Salamon and Molly Gabriele hit back-to-back singles to load the bases. Pesapane emptied the bases with a double to right field. Scannapieco followed with a two-run home run to center field, and the Golden Hawks led 5-0.
Council Rock South coach Scott Molle: “We are so excited to be able to win our biggest game of the year and we will get back to work tomorrow to prepare for 2 more games this week. With the season winding down we are playing our best softball of the year.”
–Gabriele gets defensive: “Molly (Gabriele) has been clutch all year and today was no different for her. Molly makes diving catches every day on the practice field, preparing her for moments like this. Once that ball was hit, we saw Molly break on the ball we knew she would lay out and do everything she could do to make the catch and secure the win for her team. Molly defines a team player and credits the catch because she wanted to secure the win for her team and our pitcher Lexi Waring. That’s the kind of kid Molly is – she wants it for her teammates, and you can’t teach that. She is that special.”
Rookie continues to shine: “Another star today was freshman Jenna Pesapane. Jenna has moved to the leadoff spot and has been a steady force for us this year. She had the hit today that sparked our team in the second inning.
“With bases loaded Jenna pounded a double to right field, clearing the bases and putting three runs on the board. Not only does she produce at the plate but plays third base like a seasoned senior. Jenna is the definition of grit and someone who will do whatever it takes to get better. Jenna is the type of player that any coach would want to have. She has a true sense of the game and has a high softball IQ.”
–More props: “Lexi Waring has been absolutely phenomenal the last 2-3 weeks for us. She is pitching the way we need her too and we know what she will be able to accomplish in the final week of the schedule. She is dialed in, and when that happens, she’s one of the best around.
“Julia Scannapieco has been hitting the ball well as of late but having some bad luck – today she hit a no doubter two-run home run in the second inning to add to a five-run inning. She just missed another one in the first when she took a ball to the fence. Julia has so much power and hits the ball hard most of the time. When she gets going, she just produces hits at a high rate.”
Council Rock North coach Susan Yee: “This afternoon was a good hard-fought game between two strong teams that I hope will both make some noise in the playoffs. It’s always tough to come out on the losing end, but I’m proud of our girls for the way they battled all the way until the final out. Regardless of which team you were rooting for, the girls from both sides put forth a fantastic game for fans to watch.”
Up next: Council Rock South (13-3, 7-1 SOL) will host Bensalem on Thursday, and Council Rock North (12-5, 7-1) will host Pennsbury on Thursday.
Council Rock North 000 013 0 4-6-1
Council Rock South 050 010 x 6-9-4
HARRY S TRUMAN 6, BENSALEM 4
In a season that has seen coach Jim McKeon – out of necessity – give some promising young players varsity time, another underclassman stepped to the fore in Tuesday’s win. Sophomore Emma Keeley notched the complete game win for the Tigers,
“We brought up another pitcher who’s been playing JV because Kendra (Schmidt) was down with an illness, so she couldn’t play,” the Tigers’ coach said. “She had a complete game and kept them off balance and pitched really well. She didn’t even know she was pitching until we go there today.”
It was a back-and-forth game. Truman – sparked by a two-run double by Kamryn Harris – took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Bensalem evened the score in a second inning that was highlighted by Aubrey Merz’s two-run double.
Truman regained a 4-2 lead in the third inning, thanks to Marley Montgomery’s RBI triple and an RBI single by Keeley. That score stood until the Owls evened the score with a pair in the sixth, setting the stage for the Tigers’ seventh inning rally.
Skyler Mahler’s three-hit game led the Tigers’ 17-hit attack. Keely, Lucianna Oliveras, Kaitlyn Erhard, Charlize DeShield and Caitlyn Smith each had a pair of hits.
For the Owls, Abbie Krevolin and Aubrey Merz both had two hits.
By the numbers: Harry S Truman: Lucianna Oliveras (3-for-5, 2R), Skyler Mahler (3-for-4, 2B, 1R),Kaitlyn Erhard (2-for-5, 3B, 1R), Emma Keeley (2-for-4, 1RBI, 1R), Charlize DeShield (2-for-4), 1R, Caitlyn Smith (2-for-4), K Harris (1-for-3, 2B, 1RBI), Marley Montgomery (3B, 1RBI)
Bensalem: Abbie Krevolin (2-for-2, 2R, Aubrey Merz (2-for-3, 2 2B, 3RBI), Ashlyn Merz (2B)
Key inning: Top of seventh: With the score deadlocked 4-4, Mahler hit a one-out double, and Keeley singled. Horan and DeShield followed with back-to-back-to-back RBI singles, and the Tigers led 6-4.
Harry S Truman coach Jim McKeon: “It was team softball – the girls supporting each other. When Bensalem scored, we fought right back. It was a back-and-forth game, but the girls didn’t waver. They just played hard, strung together some hits and some runs, the baserunning was good. Our defense has been pretty good the last few games. Keeping those scores down keeps us in games. Our pitching has been really good as well, and the timely hitting – we’re finding a way to win.”
–Props: “Skyler Mahler is our sophomore catcher, and she’s a phenomenal player, and her leadership on the field – she was going up to girls and saying, ‘Hey, I got you, stay in it, let’s play hard.’ She’s really starting to lead.
“Braelyn Horan had a really clutch hit late in the game. Charlize DeShield is one of our seniors, and it seemed like she was on base multiple times. Lucianna Oliveras is a sophomore, and she just got her opportunity to get on varsity this year, and she’s not going to leave.
“Kaitlyn Erhard, our leadoff, her nickname is ‘Smiles.’ She’s just a beast. She hit some shots today, she ran the bases, she made plays in the field at shortstop. She’s just been been such a big part of our team and bringing it together and stringing together wins, but mainly, it’s the chemistry of the girls. It’s supporting each other and not getting down when it goes sideways because it always goes sideways.”
Up next: Harry S Truman (5-10, 2-6 SOL) will travel to Gwynedd Mercy for a non-league game Wednesday, and Bensalem (4-14, 0-8) will be on the road at Council Rock South Thursday.
Harry S Truman 202 000 2 6-17-0
Bensalem 020 011 0 4-11-0
PENNSBURY 15, NESHAMINY 10
A launching pad.
That’s how Frank McSherry described the softball field at Middletown Community Park, and there’s probably no better description of a field where the two teams combined for nine home runs Tuesday night. This on the heels of last year’s game that saw the teams combine for 11 round trippers.
“It’s just a launching pad,” McSherry said. “Neshaminy hit seven home runs, and all their runs came on home runs.
“They hit some hard ones, but they hit some others where I said, ‘Can of corn,’ but no, it went over the fence.”
A pair of Neshaminy players – Addie Pennisi and Kendall McCafferty – both hit two home runs. Adding one home run each were Morgan Leonhauser, Arista Fine and Ellie Dalton.
For the Falcons, Bella Morales remained red hot and had four hits, including a double. Jenna Thompson added three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run single in the pivotal seventh after the Falcons made it a two-run game.
Syd Kandravi had two hits, which included a grand slam home run. Gia Ranniello had a pair of hits, including a solo home run.
By the numbers: Pennsbury: Bella Morales (4-for-5, 2B, 1RBI, 3R), Jenna Thompson (3-for-5, 3RBI, 2R), Syd Kandravi 2-for-2, HR, 5RBI, 2R), Gia Ranniello (2-for-4, HR, 2RBI, 2R), Maddie Ruckel (2-for-4, 2R)
Neshaminy: Addie Pennisi (2-for-4, 2 HR, 2RBI, 2R), Morgan Leonhauser (2-for-4, HR, 1RBI, 1R, Zahmira Coppolla-Miller (2-for-3, 1RBI, 1R), Kendall McCafferty
(2-for-4, 2 HR, 3RBI, 2R), Erica Dalton (2-for-4, HR, 1RBI, 1run), Arista Fine (1-for-4, HR, 2RBI, 1RBI, 1R), Ellie Dalton (2-for-4, HR 1RBI, 1R).
Key innings: Bottom of second: The Falcons trailed 5-1 but erupted for six runs to take a lead they would not lose. Raniello led off the inning with a solo home run. Ruckel followed with a single, Liv Czerniak walked, and Morales singled to load the bases. With two outs, Ryen Rittersbach singled home a run, and then Kandravi delivered the game’s biggest blow – a grand slam to left field.
Bottom of sixth: Ranniello led off the sixth inning with a single but was forced out at second. Czerniak followed with a single, and the bases were loaded when Morales singled. That brought Thompson to the plate, and the junior delivered a two-run single. Another run scored on a sacrifice bunt by Aubrey Bedell that gave the Falcons a 15-9 lead. The Redskins scored a run in the top of the seventh for the 15-10 final.
Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry: “We were down 5-1 in the second inning , and they battled. We’re happy that we’re scoring runs, but we wish it would be a little bit easier.”
–Kandravi has a day: “Syd Kandravi had a really good game. She had five RBIs – one was a walk with the
bases loaded, and she had a grand slam. She hit a rocket to center field for a base hit, so she had two walks, a single, a grand slam and five RBIs. She has struggled, and she broke out of it tonight.”
–Props: “Morales was 4-for-5 and that has got to put her (batting average) over .600. She is just so red hot, and it’s tough because teams don’t know how to play her. She’s got some pop in her bat, but she slaps and she’s quick. She really puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”
“Jenna Thomas had a real big bases-loaded hit in the sixth inning to give us some breathing room. We were up 11-7, and it got to be 11-9, so that hit was big.
“Gia Ranniello hit a home run with two strikes.”
Next up: Pennsbury (11-6, 5-3 SOL) will be on the road at Council Rock North Thursday, and Neshaminy (6-9, 3-5) will travel to Notre Dave High School for a non-league game Wednesday.
Neshaminy 140 022 1 10-12-1
Pennsbury 161 304 x 15-16-0
SOL Liberty Division
ABINGTON 9, WISSAHICKON 5
The Ghosts led wire to wire, opening up a 5-1 lead after four innings and upping that advantage to 9-1 heading into the seventh when the Trojans plated four runs.
Sam Wenhold earned the complete game win, fanning 11 and allowing just one earned run.
Hailey Hernandez had a monster game out of the leadoff spot, finishing 3-for-3, with a double, home run and two RBIs. Mia Lucke had a pair of hits, including a home run, and two RBIs. Also contributing two hits were Zoe Kelly and Paige Holden.
For the Trojans,
By the numbers: Abington: Hailey Hernandez (3-for-3, 2B, HR, 2RBI, 2R), Mia Lucke (2-for-4, HR, 2RBI, 1R), Zoe Kelly (2-for-4, 1RBI), Paige Holden (2-for-4, 1RBI, 2R), Mallory Beal (2B, 2RBI)
Sam Wenhold (W), (7.0 IP, 7H, 5R, 1ER, 2BB, 11K)
Wissahickon: Giuliana Schumann (2-for-3, 1RBI, 2R), Julia Lentz (1-for-4, 2RBI), Gianna Trerotola (2B)
Key inning: Bottom of sixth: Holden singled to lead off the inning, and Hernandez followed with a double. Both runners scored when Beal doubled. Sammi Clewell drew a walk, and Beal scored on a passed ball. Lucke singled, and with two outs, Kelly hit an RBI single to put the Ghosts on top 9-1.
Abington coach Tina Hesdon: “We just keep plugging along and trying our best. The girls love each other, and they’ve picked themselves up day after day. Our culture is fantastic this year. Wins and losses don’t define who they are. They come out, and they support each other, they want the best for each other, they’re looking toward the next opportunity, and today they found it. We had so many players make contact and have great hits. We made some great plays in the field. I’m proud of them.”
–Wenhold delivers: “Sam Wenhold pitched wonderful. She’s really done a great job for us. it was nice to see her get a win because she’s pitched well enough to win sometimes and didn’t get it. She’s really worked really hard, she gets extra reps, she hustles and she deserves it.”
–Hernandez finds her stride: “Hailey started a little slow and then really has come alive at the end of the season, and her bat has been stellar.
“I was hoping she’d have that feeling of trotting around the bases this year. She is laser focused, and when she stepped up to the plate, I just had a feeling, and I’m like – ‘This is going to go out.’ I said, ‘Do what you do best,’ and she did. I’m very proud of her.”
–Props: “Today was (Lucke’s) second game in a row she hit a home run. She has such a promising future with us. Not only can she hit but the way she covers the field in center field is very mature, and she’s only in 10th grade.
“Zoe Kelly just came off an injury, and she hadn’t hit for almost a week. She was so nervous at the beginning of the game, and I said, ‘Have fun and just be you,’ and she did. She executed very well for us today, and she’s also a 10th grader.
“Paige Holden, the same thing. She is also in 10th grade, and she is a player that will do anything you ask her to do. Paige is a middle infielder, and she has covered first base and made some pretty amazing plays for us. She’s part of a huge foundation for us.”
Up next: Abington (4-13, 2-6 SOL) will be on the road at Plymouth Whitemarsh Thursday, and Wissahickon (6-12, 1-7) will be on the road at Quakertown Thursday.
Wissahickon 001 000 4 5-7-3
Abington 012 204 x 9-13-4
SOL Freedom Division
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 9, LOWER MORELAND 0
Mabel Klossner was dealing.
The Lions’ sophomore took a no-hitter into the seventh inning when Lower Moreland’s Izzy O’Brien singled to lead off the seventh. Klossner was unfazed, striking out the next three batters she faced to put an exclamation point on a dazzling outing.
“She really set the tone for us today,” NH-S coach Chris Marchok said.
Klossner – who faced just 23 batters – retired 18 of the first 19 batters she faced with only a hit batter in the third inning separating her from six perfect innings. She struck out 13 for the game, did not walk a batter and allowed just one hit. The sophomore ace needed just 79 pitches for the complete game win – 57 strikes.
By the numbers: New Hope-Solebury: Mabel Klossner (W) (7 IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 13K)
Rachel Sim (2-for-4, 3RBI, 1R), Mabel Klossner (2-for-4, 2B, 1R), Mary Stefanache (2-for-3, 1RBI, 1R)
Key inning: Bottom of first: Danielle Wilson drew a walk to lead off the inning and stole second. Rachel Sim singled to center, plating Wilson and giving the Lions a lead they would not lose.
Up next: New Hope-Solebury (12-5, 6-2 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Thursday, and Lower Moreland (7-8, 2-6) will host William Tennent Thursday.
Lower Moreland 000 000 0 0-1-3
New Hope-Solebury 122 103 x 9-10-0
WILLIAM TENNENT 10, SPRINGFIELD TWP 0 (5 innings)
Rylie O’Toole got the job done in the circle and at the plate in the Panthers abbreviate mercy rule win. The Panthers’ ace allowed four hits in five shutout innings. She also was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Tennent scored all the runs O’Toole would need in a three-run first that was highlighted by the two-run home run of Sydney Teufel.
Jamie Green also had a pair of hits, and Morgan Kocher was 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third that put the Panthers on top 10-0
By the numbers: William Tennent: Rylie O’Toole (2-for-3, 2B, 2RBI, 1R), Jamie Green (2-for-2, 2B, 2RBI, 2R), Teagan Noll (1-for-1, 2B, 2R), Sydney Teufel (1-for-3, HR, 2RBI, 2R), Morgan Kocher (1-for-3, HR, 2RBI, 2R)
Rylie O’Toole (W) (5.0 IP, 4H, 0R, 0BB, 4K)
Key inning: Bottom of first: Victoria Colagreco drew a leadoff walk but was erased on a fielder’s choice. Teufel delivered the early backbreaker, hitting a two-run home run, With two outs, O’Toole doubled and scored when Casey Yacovelli lined a single to right field, and the Panthers had a 3-0 lead.
Up next: William Tennent (12-5, 6-2 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland Thursday, and Springfield Twp (6-11, 3-5) will travel to Upper Moreland on Thursday.
Springfield Twp 000 00 0-4-2
William Tennent 343 0x 10-9-1
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