To view photos of the PW/Cheltenham game, visit the photo gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/
By Scott HuffThe Suburban One League Continental Conference supremacy the last few seasons has been chosen from the two elite teams in the conference – Pennridge and North Penn.
This 2011 season has played out the same way this season as both the Rams and the Knights squared off Monday at Second Street in Perkasie. On the line was first place – a North Penn victory would deadlock the Knights and Pennridge at the top of the conference standings. A Pennridge win would give the Rams a two-game lead in the conference standings.
The game featured a pair of aces as Pennridge sent senior Jared Schaffer to the mound while North Penn countered with sophomore Bryce Mengel.
The expectations for a low scoring pitching dual were certainly not met as Pennridge (8-1) outslugged North Penn (6-3) – 10-8.
“You certainly didn’t expect a score like we got today,” said Pennridge head coach Tom Nuneviller. “This was a huge game for both teams, and they came out on fire. But we had an answer.”
North Penn pounded the ball in the first inning for three runs that included a monster homerun off the bat of senior Craig Lepre.
Pennridge answered right back with an eight-run first inning that was highlighted by a three-run blast by senior shortstop Dylan Tice.
North Penn responded with a three-run second inning that included a monster homerun off the bat of Lepre. Lepre cranked two homers and five RBI in the first two innings of the game.
“Both teams came out and really swung the bats,” said North Penn head coach Bob McCreary. “It must have been an exciting game to watch.
“It’s hard to believe that Pennridge scored 10 runs with Schaffer on the mound, and we still had a chance to win the game,” added McCreary. “Craig got some good swings up in the zone and hit the ball hard. If we had a fence at our place, like they do here, he would have a few more homers.”
“North Penn really hit the ball well today, and Lepre is an excellent hitter,” said Nuneviller. “They are a team that isn’t going to make mistakes.
“Jared didn’t have his best game, but he pitched six innings and gave us a chance to win the game,” added Nuneviller. “And we have confidence in Dylan to close out games.”
In addition to roping the first inning homerun, Tice came on in the top of the seventh inning to earn the save.
“It is really fun to be able to pitch late in games,” said Tice. “Once I get into a rhythm, it isn’t a tough transition from playing shortstop.
“The seniors on this team really want to go out winning a (conference) championship,” added Tice. “And anytime you can beat North Penn, it is a huge step toward winning that championship.”
North Penn Knights 330 011 0 - 8 7 1
Pennridge Rams 802 000 x - 10 10 1
Suburban One League National Conference
The showdown for first place in the National Conference will come on Tuesday as Council Rock North (7-1) will host Truman (7-2).
Truman – which went through the first half of the conference schedule at 7-0 – handed Rock North its only conference loss. The Tigers defeated the visiting Indians, 9-7. Truman has lost both of its ‘second half’ games to both Bensalem and Council Rock South.
“We knew that it wasn’t going to be easy for us in the second half,” said Truman head coach Jeff Vitale. “The teams in this league are very competitive, and teams are going to be looking to beat us this time around. I’m sure that Council Rock North can’t wait to play us again.”
“The players are looking forward to playing Truman again, but we can’t look by anyone,” said Council Rock North head coach Matt Schram. “We have four games this week, and we are going to be tested.”
The Indians passed the first test – barely – as Rock North edged feisty Pennsbury (3-6) – 4-3.
Dan Denton spanked a three-run homerun in the sixth inning to secure the win. Rock North threw four pitchers – Darren Lauer, Pat O’Leary, Jake Drossner, and Alex Sable – to earn the victory.
“We wanted to save arms for later in the week,” said Schram. “We still have them on a pitch count, and our plan today was to use all four of them.”
Pennsbury has a wonderful performance by sophomore Brandon Garrett who threw a complete game and had 10 strikeouts.
“He threw 80 per cent curve balls and did a great job,” said Schram. “Our battle all year has been trying to hit the curveball.”
Council Rock North Indians 001 003 0 - 4 7 2
Pennsbury Falcons 020 001 0 - 3 9 1
William Tennent won its first game since May 2010 on Monday when the Panthers, thanks to a four-run uprising in the sixth, erased a 2-0 deficit to earn the 4-2 win. Donny Halbruner was the hero on the mound and at the plate for the Panthers.
The game featured a classic pitcher’s duel between Halbruner and Bensalem’s Justin Primavera. Halbruner was touched for two first-inning runs but did not allow a run the rest of the way while Primavera yielded only one hit through five scoreless innings before the Panthers rallied in the sixth.
The inning started with back-to-back singles by Brandon DiBona and Mike Wasserleben. A walk to Cameron Goodell loaded the bases. Following a huge strikeout by Primavera, Halbruner hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw to empty the bases and propel the Panthers to the big win.
Primavera fanned six, walked three and allowed just five hits. Halbruner struck out five, walked two and allowed seven hits in a winning effort.
Bensalem 200 000 0 – 2 7 1
William Tennent 000 004 x – 4 5 3
Suburban One League American Conference
There are really two desired outcomes in the SOL American Conference for the Quad-A teams in the conference. The first is the conference title - the second is the best record among the Quad-A schools in the conference, which guarantees a slot in the PIAA District One Playoffs.
Upper Moreland is at the top of the standings, and the Golden Bears are a Class AAA team. The automatic bid for the Quad-A team with the best record is currently Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-5).
“The league title is always our goal, but the automatic bid is the next best thing,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Robert Slagle. “Norristownis right behind us, and the rest of the year should be very interesting. There is a lot of baseball left to play.”
The Colonials captured a key 2-0 victory over Cheltenham behind a complete game effort by sophomore southpaw Justin Staudenmayer. Staudenmayer need just 67 pitches to register the shutout victory.
“The game was really well played by both teams,” said Slagle. “The game was played in less than an hour and a half. And considering we played two doubleheaders this year, it seemed really fast.”
Junior catcher Bobby Slagle – son of the coach – was again in the middle of the offense. Slagle doubled and scored a run for PW, and on the season he has six extra base hits – including a homerun – and an astounding 17 RBI. Defensively, he has thrown out six of eight base runners.
“We are blessed to be strong up the middle defensively,” said Slagle in reference to sophomore second baseman Austin DiBonaventure and junior Jake Mascio. “And we have played very well behind our pitchers this year.
“We have some very important games coming up,” added Slagle. “And the game on Friday against Upper Merion which we will play on Villanova’s field is something we always look forward to.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 100 000 10 – 2 6 0
Cheltenham Panthers 000 000 00 - 0 4 1
+++++++
Norristown (6-5) remained on the heels of PW with a 7-3 eight-inning win over first place Upper Moreland (9-3).
The Eagles scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning to knot the score at 3-3 and then scored four runs in the top of the eighth to seal the win. Brandon Iorio doubled with the bases loaded to fuel the offense in the eighth inning.
Roddy Vaughn pitched a gutty complete game effort for Norristown.
Norristown Eagles 010 000 24 - 7 7 0
Upper Moreland Bears 003 000 00 - 3 5 0
++++++++
Upper Dublin (4-8) pounded out 11 hits as the Flying Cardinals defeated host Wissahickon (5-8) – 9-3.
Dan Jacobson was the winning pitcher for Upper Dublin.
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 200 043 0 - 9 11 2
Wissahickon Trojans 100 110 0 - 3 3 2
This Week In The Suburban One League
Tuesday – May 3, 2011
Continental Conference
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Pennridge Rams
Quakertown Panthers @ Central Bucks South Titans
Souderton Big Red @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Central Bucks West Bucks @ North Penn Knights
National Conference
Abington Ghosts @ Pennsbury Falcons
William Tennent Panthers @ Bensalem Owls
Truman Tigers @ Council Rock North Indians
Council Rock South Golden Hawks @ Neshaminy Redskins
Wednesday – May 4, 2011
American Conference
Cheltenham Panthers @ Norristown Eagles
Wissahickon Trojans @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ Upper Merion Vikings
Thursday – May 5, 2011
Continental Conference
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Central Bucks West Bucks
Central Bucks South Titans @ North Penn Knights
Pennridge Rams @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Souderton Big Red @ Quakertown Panthers
National Conference
Abington Ghosts @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Bensalem Owls @ Neshaminy Redskins
Pennsbury Falcons @ Council Rock North Indians
Truman Tigers @ William Tennent Panthers
Friday – May 6, 2011
American Conference
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals @ Cheltenham Panthers
Upper Merion Vikings @ Plymouth Whitemash Colonials
National Conference
Council Rock North Indians @ Abington Ghosts
Suburban One Sports.com
Super Seven
1. Council Rock North Indians
2. Pennridge Rams
3. Truman Tigers
4. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
5. North Penn Knights
6. Upper Moreland Golden Bears
7. Central Bucks South Titans
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