By Scott Huff
It’s a small world after all.
Suburban One American Conference
Cheltenham has returned from a fabulous trip from the Disney Wide World of Sports in Florida to the schedule of the Suburban One League in good old Pennsylvania.
“It was a great trip, but it always is a great trip,” said Cheltenham coach Frank Decembrino. “They always treat you like a pro.
“We got to play where the Atlanta Braves play their spring training games,” added Decembrino. “They played the World Baseball Classic there, and it was a great experience for everyone.”
Everyone included 20 Cheltenham players, four Panther coaches, and a parent. The trip lasted six days.
“We basically earn the money from an alumni golf outing,” said Decembrino. “Dr. Joel Kramer is a 1972 graduate and helps sponsor the tournament, and we have between 90-100 golfers play at the Northampton Country Club.”
A typical day in the Florida sunshine is breakfast, practice or game, lunch, practice or game, dinner and visits to the theme parks at night. The Panthers also played a night game.
“We lost to Methacton (8-6) in our first game,” said Decembrino. “But we came back to beat Rye High School from New York (6-3) and beat Alexander from Virginia (4-1).”
Cheltenham returned to the Keystone State and defeated rival Abington in a non-league game, 6-0.
Panther senior Jordan Hofferman was the winning pitcher throwing the first four innings. Matt Brown threw the next two frames, while Harry Perilstein closed out the shutout.
Hofferman - who is hitting .460 – will sign a letter of intent to attend Chestnut Hill College on Wednesday.
Cheltenham has also received strong pitching this season from junior Anthony Caringi, who is 3-0 and throws with ‘good velocity’ and has a ‘decent’ curve.
The Panther offense this season has showcased the hitting of Hofferman, Brown, Jake Smith, and Chris Moore.
“So far this league has been very competitive,” said Decembrino. “We have some new young coaches, and everyone is motivated to do well.”
SOL AMERICAN STANDINGS
1. Norristown Eagles (4-1)
2. Wissahickon Trojans (4-2)
3. Cheltenham Panthers (3-2)
4. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-2)
5. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (2-2)
6. Upper Merion Vikings (2-3)
7. Springfield Spartans (1-4)
8. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (0-3)
The Bucks Stop Here
Suburban One Continental Conference
Central Bucks West stopped a six-game losing streak to open the season with a 5-1 conference victory over rival Central Bucks South.
“It’s nice to get a win against anybody,” said Central Bucks West coach Jim Ertel. “Beating CB South was great, but really, we just needed a ‘W’ against anyone.
“Up until this point of the season, we really have been beating ourselves,” added Ertel. “Both the losses to Souderton and Pennridge were games that we gave away defensively. But our fielding has improved.”
Also improved was the terrific start of junior southpaw R.J. Grant who fired a two-hit complete game shutout against CB South.
“If R.J. can get his control down, he can be a big-time pitcher in this league,” said Ertel. “He threw well against Souderton, but we didn’t support him in the field.”
The remainder of the West pitching staff includes senior Pat Welsh and freshman Nick Heller.
“Right now, we only have six extra base hits all season,” said Ertel. “And all of them have been doubles.
“We don’t have a real power hitter, so we are going to have to manufacture runs,” added Ertel. “We did that against South, and you can win games like that.”
The best of the West hitters this season have been senior first baseman Gabe Hurtado – who is hitting .380 – and junior shortstop Buzz Lis – who is batting .340.
“Now that we have beaten South, the players understand what it takes to win at the varsity level,” said Ertel. “At least I hope so.”
SOL CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS
1. Pennridge Rams (4-0)
2. North Penn Knights (4-1)
3. Central Bucks East Patriots (3-2)
4. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (2-2)
5. Souderton Indians (2-3)
6. Central Bucks South Titans (1-3)
7. Central Bucks West Bucks (1-4)
8. Quakertown Panthers (0-2)
Fireworks at Fairless Hills
Suburban One National Conference
Truman and Pennsbury played an 11-innning slugfest with the visiting Tigers coming up with a 14-13 victory.
Truman senior Adam Ashwell crashed an 11th inning home run to provide the game winner. The game was scarred by 17 walks, four hit batters, and six errors.
“The amazing thing about this game was the way that Brian Beyer pitched,” said Truman head coach Jeff Vitale of his sophomore right-hander. “In a game where there were 27 runs scored, Brian came on in relief and gave up just one run in eight innings.
“Brian is a big time prospect as a catcher,” added Vitale. “But we needed him to throw and he proved that if you throw strikes you have a chance.
“We were down to our third catcher, Joe Tepper,” continued Vitale. “All Brian threw were fast balls. Every single pitch.”
Pitching is in short supply for the Tigers as both senior mainstays – Frank Morris and Josh Patman – are injured. Their return is questionable.
“Josh might be back sooner than we originally thought, maybe in a few days” said Vitale. “But we’re not sure how long Frank will be out. It makes it tough when your number three and number four pitchers have to be number one and number two.”
The victory put Truman back into the chase for a playoff spot in the SOL National.
“Beating Pennsbury was a huge win for us,” said Vitale. “Council Rock South is at the top of conference and might be tough to catch. However, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Council Rock North and us are all pretty close.
“We play William Tennent, Council Rock South, and Abington this week,” added Vitale. “If we can win at least two, maybe all three, we are going to stay in the race.”
SOL NATIONAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS
1. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (5-0)
2. Council Rock Indians (4-0)
3. Neshaminy Redskins (2-2)
4. Pennsbury Falcons (2-3)
5. Truman Tigers (2-3)
6. Abington Galloping Ghosts (1-2)
7. William Tennent Panthers (1-3)
8. Bensalem Owls (0-4)
SUBURBAN ONE SPORTS BAKER’S DOZEN
1. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
2. North Penn Knights
3. Pennridge Rams
4. Council Rock North Indians
5. Hatboro Horsham Hatters
6. Norristown Eagles
7. Central Bucks East Patriots
8. Wissahickon Trojans
9. Cheltenham Panthers
10. Neshaminy Redskins
11. Upper Moreland Golden Bears
12. Truman Tigers
+1 Pennsbury Falcons
- Log in to post comments
0
