Scott Huff takes a closer look at all three conference races and highlights Bensalem, Pennridge and PW.
By Scott Huff
The teams in the Suburban One League are thundering down the backstretch in all three of the conferences. And although there are clear leaders in each of the conferences, the final championship outcome is far from decided – all three races are far too close to call.
In the SOL National Conference,Council Rock South is the only unbeaten team in the SOL with a perfect 9-0 mark – with a 6-0 record in the conference. The Golden Hawks were the preseason pick with terrific pitching in Bret DeStefano, Brian Donnelly, and Jeff Miller – and that staff has not disappointed. Dan Callahan has been a rock behind the plate for Rock South.
But don’t concede the title to the Hawks just yet. A bird of another feather – the Owls of Bensalem – is just one game behind with a 9-1 overall mark – 5-1 in the conference. Bensalem is a veteran group of 11 seniors that are poised to make a title run after a tough 5-4 conference loss to Council Rock North in its last conference game.
Council Rock North and Neshaminy are also contenders, just two games behind Rock South in the standings with 4-2 conference marks.
1. Council Rock South Golden Hawks [6-0].
2. Bensalem Owls [5-1]
3. Council Rock North Indians [4-2]
4. Neshaminy Redskins [4-2]
5. Abington Ghosts [2-4]
6. Pennsbury Falcons [2-4]
7. Harry S Truman Tigers [1-5]
8. William Tennent Panthers [0-6]
In the SOL Continental Conference, Central Bucks West leads the conference with a 5-1 mark – 8-2 overall. The Bucks have relied heavily on both the pitching arm and bat of Marty Martens the first half of the season. CB West has won three close conference games in succession (4-2 over CB East – 4-3 over Hatboro-Horsham – 4-3 over Pennridge) after a one-run loss to North Penn (6-5). Championship teams have to win the close games, and West has done that so far this season.
But don’t concede the title to the Bucks just yet. There are three teams just a single game off the pace with 4-2 conference marks – North Penn, Souderton, and Hatboro-Horsham. The Knights have a ‘bad’ loss to Pennridge (1-5), while the Indians have a ‘bad’ loss to Quakertown (1-5). It is clear to see that no loss in the conference is a ‘bad’ loss due to the competitiveness top to bottom in this conference.
Central Bucks East (5-4 overall), Central Bucks South (5-3) and Pennridge (6-5) all have winning records but are a collective 5-11 within the conference. All three of those teams are more than capable of playing with the top of the conference standings.
1. Central Bucks West Bucks [5-1]
2. North Penn Knights [4-2]
3. Souderton Indians [4-2]
4. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters [4-2]
5. Central Bucks East Patriots [2-3]
6. Central Bucks South Titians [2-3]
7. Pennridge Rams [1-5]
8. Quakertown Panthers [1-5]
In the SOL American Conference, Upper Moreland is at the top of the leader board by percentage points over both Upper Dublin and Plymouth Whitemarsh. The Golden Bears (6-2) are one game ahead of both the Cardinals (7-3) and the Colonials (7-3) and have two games in hand as the season rushes to a close.
But don’t concede the title to the Bears – or the Cardinals or the Colonials for that matter. Both Wissahickon (5-4) and Cheltenham (5-4) have winning programs and are far from being eliminated from what truly is a five-team race to the championship wire. Unlike the SOL National and Continental Conferences, which play a 14-game schedule, the SOL American Conference plays 18 games – and that leaves a lot of baseball to be played over the last three weeks of the season.
1. Upper Moreland Golden Bears [6-2]
2. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals [7-3]
3. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials [7-3]
4. Wissahickon Trojans [5-4]
5. Cheltenham Panthers [4-4]
6. Norristown Eagles [2-8]
7. Upper Merion Vikings [1-8]
SOL National Conference Snapshot
Bensalem Owls
Bensalem has put itself in the conversation with perennial conference powers Council Rock South and Council Rock North when its come to conference supremacy for this 2012 season. And when the Owls dropped their first game of the season – to CR North by a 5-4 score – it stung more than in season’s past.
“I have never seen a Bensalem baseball team as upset as after that loss,” said Bensalem head coach Rick Lee. “We have a special team this year that knows what is at stake each and every game, and this is a team with a definite goal.
“We had opportunities to win the game, and for the first time this year we didn’t take advantage of those opportunities,” added Lee. “We have a core of senior leaders like Harry (Daut), Jesse (Dannin) and Zach (Hizer) who understand what it takes to be successful on the varsity level. But really, the entire team takes a leadership role, and they watch out for each other and pick each other up.
“The attitude in school has been great, and there is a real interest in the baseball team,” continued Lee. “We have to go out and show people that our 9-1 record isn’t a fluke.”
Bensalem will have a huge shot at proving that point as the Owls travel to Council Rock South to meet the first place – and unbeaten – Golden Hawks.
“Council Rock South has a great team with a lot of good players,” said Lee. “But I have faith in my kids, and the have faith in themselves.”
SOL Continental Conference Snapshot
Pennridge Rams
Pennridge is the defending SOL Continental Conference champion and the Rams knew that their title defense would be a long shot at best as the Rams graduated every key member from last year’s title team.
“We came into the season knowing that we were going to have to replace almost the entire team,” said Pennridge head coach Tom Nuneviller. “We had a tough week last week – lost some close games that we had leads in – but we have battled and have gained a great deal of experience.”
Pennridge – which owns a winning record overall (6-5) but is in last place in the conference (1-5) – lost gut wrenching games last week to Hatboro-Horsham by a 4-3 score, to Souderton by a 6-3 score, and to first place Central Bucks West by a 4-3 score in ten innings. The Rams may not be able to defend its conference title, but Pennridge may decide who wears the crown this season.
“Our goal is to finish off games and get some wins in the second half of the season,” said Nuneviller. “We are still very young and still learning how to play at the varsity level. But our young kids have played hard all season and will get better.”
The Rams start three freshmen – Dave Tatoian, Danny Shane, and Joe Unangst – and their top two pitchers – Evan Myers and Trevor Dalton – are juniors.
“Some of the younger guys have been put into a tough spot, but they have played with confidence,” said Nuneviller. “We haven’t played a team where we haven’t thought we could win. The second half of the season should be fun.”
SOL American Conference Snapshot
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Plymouth Whitemarsh will challenge Upper Moreland for the conference title, and in the showdown game this Wednesday, don’t be surprised if the Slagle trio has a lot to say about the outcome of the game.
Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Robert Slagle is the 20-year mentor of the Colonials. Plymouth Whitemarsh senior Bobby Slagle – son of the coach – is a magnificent catcher that will play baseball next season at Villanova University. Plymouth Whitemarsh sophomore left-hander Teddy Slagle – son of the coach – along with senior Steve Wallace has been the one-two punch in the Colonial rotation.
“We are a baseball family,” said PW head coach Robert Slagle. “Sometimes we joke that someday I’ll send Bobby a sign – he will give it to Teddy – and Teddy will shake it off. It hasn’t happened yet, but the season isn’t over. I have been fortunate that the boys have proven to be good players and that I have been able to coach them. It is a neat situation, and I am a lucky guy.
“Upper Moreland is still the defending champion and the team to beat,” continued Slagle. “If we can beat them on Wednesday, it would allow us to drive our own ship. The last three weeks of the season – in this conference – is going to very competitive. It should be a great way to end the season.”
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (9-0, 6-0)
2. Bensalem Owls (9-1, 5-1)
3. Central Bucks West Bucks (8-2, 5-1)
4. North Penn Knights (8-2, 4-2)
5. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (6-3, 6-2)
6. Souderton Indians (7-2, 4-2)
7. Council Rock North Indians (5-4, 4-2)
8. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (7-3, 4-2)
9. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (8-3, 7-3)
10. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (7-4, 7-3)
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