By Scott Huff
The scholastic baseball season always has its share of adversity for the teams of the Suburban One League. And the manner in which those teams handle such adversity usually dictates the degree of success or failure each team achieves.
Such is the case for a few select teams in the SOL National, American, and Continental Conferences early this 2009 season.
SOL National Conference
Council Rock North was socked by adversity as it began its season with a 22-0 non-league loss to Central Bucks South.
“I told the players after the game that this was just the first of 20 games this season,” said Rock North head coach Dan Kusters. “It was a tough game for everyone to handle, but it has turned out to be a real learning experience.
“And ever since that game we have continued to get better each game,” added Kusters. “And that is all that a coach can ask for.”
The Indians (2-0 conference) now share first place with district rival Council Rock South (2-0) in the conference standings.
Rock North opened the conference season with a come-from behind 8-7 win over Pennsbury (1-1). The Indians scored six runs in the sixth inning to rally for the victory.
“I remind the players that you have to be resilient in this game,” said Kuster. “You have to play hard in the first inning through the seventh inning.”
CR North won the Pennsbury game in the seventh inning when Ryan Venner scored the game-winning run on an infield single by Ryan Hartley.
“We really have a lineup that can hit from one through nine,” said Kusters. “We should be able to score some runs.”
The power source in the Pennsbury win was a two-run homer by Venner to go along with an RBI double by Lee Marvel. Ty Farrell also added a pair of hits.
Rock North followed with still another come from behind win. This time the Indians rallied to score five runs in the sixth inning to defeat Truman (0-2), 11-7.
“Scott Runzer threw great in the final five innings to throw a complete game,” said Kusters of his senior right-hander. “He gave up six runs in the first two innings, but he only gave up only two hits and an unearned run in the seventh inning.
“Our seniors have really played well together and have lead the younger players so far this year,” added Kusters. “Our division is very competitive, but I expect us to do well. It should be fun and exciting.”
SOL National Conference Standings
1. Council Rock North Indians (2-0)
2. Council Rock South Hawks (2-0)
3. Abington Ghosts (1-1)
4. Neshaminy Redskins (1-1)
5. Pennsbury Falcons (1-1)
6. William Tennent Panthers (1-1)
7. Bensalem Owls (0-2)
8. Truman Tigers (0-2)
SOL American Conference
Wissahickon suffered its adversity in a 10-5 non-league loss to Methacton when the Trojans committed four errors and left the bases loaded three times.
“That Methacton game was just one of those things,” said Wissahickon coach Shannon Gunby. “It was really a game where we beat ourselves.
“We have talent on this team,” added Gunby. “And with the pitching depth that we have, we should have an opportunity to win every game.”
The biggest reason for Gunby’s optimism is a pitching staff that can go five deep. Overall, the Trojans are 6-1 and within the conference Wissy is 2-0.
“One huge advantage for us is that we can run another guy in the game in certain situations,” said Gunby. “We have confidence in our entire staff.”
At the head of the pitching class for Wissahickon is senior Drew Frankenfield (3-0). The Trojans also feature senior lefty Rick Pasceri (2-0 with a save), junior Rob McKenna (1-0 with two saves), senior Steve Hopwood, and senior lefty Kevin Cuff.
“We are going to have to get good pitching if we are going to compete for a championship,” said Gunby. “And we’re also going to have to continue to hit the ball.”
Wissy has gotten excellent hitting in the early season from Frankenfield who is hitting .600 with 18 RBI in just seven games. Junior leadoff hitter Brian O’Donnell is hitting .500 with a .607 on base percentage.
Senior catcher Taylor Franco, sophomore left fielder Brian Kaissi, and junior right fielder Ryan McDonough have also delivered key hits.
The Trojans have opened the SOL American Conference schedule with wins over both Springfield (0-2) by a 5-4 score, and over defending conference champ Plymouth Whitemarsh (0-2) by a 7-5 margin.
“The win over PW was huge,” said Gunby. “Our guys are close to the guys on that team, and it is always nice to beat a neighborhood rival.
“Plus they are the defending champions,” added Gunby. “It’s always great to say that you can knock off the defending champs.”
SOL American Conference Standings
1. Norristown Eagles (3-0)
2. Wissahickon Trojans (2-0)
3. Upper Merion Vikings (2-1)
4. Cheltenham Panthers (2-2)
5. Upper Dublin Cardinals (1-1)
6. Upper Moreland Bears (1-1)
7. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (0-2)
8. Springfield Spartans (0-4)
SOL CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE
Pennridge had adversity pay a visit in the very first inning of its home opener against Neshaminy.
The Rams committed six errors in that fateful inning that led to eight unearned runs in a 15-5 loss to the Redskins.
“Neshaminy was a non-league game, so it was a good time to get it out of our system,” said Pennridge coach Tom Nuneviller. “We have been very good in the field ever since.”
The Rams put together an errorless game in support of junior Kyle Myers in a 4-2 victory over Central Bucks West. Myers threw the first five innings, while senior Brad Herrmann came in to earn the save.
“We used Brad in that role last year, and he did a great job,” said Nuneviller. “He can handle the tight situations when we need a couple of outs at the end of a game.
“And Kyle had a decent fast ball and mixed his pitches well,” added Nuneviller. “Pitching is going to have to keep us in games if we want to compete in this league.”
In addition to Herrmann and Myers, the Rams are going to rely on sophomore Jared Schaffer, sophomore Dylan Tice, and junior Pete Leatherman to get people out.
“We are very strong up the middle defensively with Dan Wolfe at catcher, Eric Kammler at shortstop, Dylan Tice at second, and Herrmann in center,” said Nuneviller. “And I think that we are going to produce runs.”
The Rams produced enough runs against West to give them their opening conference win. Kammler blasted a 2-run homerun in the first inning, while Wolfe delivered a 2-run single to seal the win.
“All the teams in our conference play good baseball,” said Nuneviller. “Moving to the Continental Conference from the National Conference is great.
“We get to play our neighborhood rivals like Quakertown and Souderton,” added the coach. “And it gives parents and families a chance to see the kids play because the games are not so far away.”
SOL Continental Conference Standings
1. Souderton Indians (2-0)
2. Pennridge Rams (1-0)
3. Central Bucks East Patriots (1-1)
4. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (1-1)
5. North Penn Knights (1-1)
6. Central Bucks South Titans (0-0)
7. Quakertown Panthers (0-1)
8. Central Bucks West Bucks (0-2)
Suburban One Sports Baker’s Dozen
1. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
2. Wissahickon Trojans
3. Souderton Indians
4. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
5. North Penn Knights
6. Council Rock North Indians
7. Neshaminy Redskins
8. Pennsbury Falcons
9. Norristown Eagles
10. Central Bucks East Patriots
11. Pennridge Rams
12. Upper Merion Vikings
+1 Central Bucks South Titans
- Log in to post comments
0
