Pennridge 9, Central Bucks West 2
Make no mistake about it – Emily Hofmann is an emerging star.
In Wednesday’s 9-2 win over West, the sophomore hurler had nine assists, one putout and two strikeouts. That’s 12 outs with only two coming on strikeouts from a pitcher who was penciled in to play behind the plate this season.
But when pitcher Erica Smale opted to not come out for the team this year, Hofmann – who sees action on the mound for her summer league team – volunteered. So far, so good for Hofmann and the Rams, who improved to 4-0 on the young season.
“Last year she played first base for us, and she had never played first base,” coach Scott Didra said of Hofmann. “I think she was one of the best first basemen in the league by the time the season was over.
“We thought she was going to be our rock behind the plate for the next three years, but it didn’t work out that way. She’s doing it all for us right now. She’s an incredible kid.”
For good measure, Hofmann also had a pair of hits, including a triple and an RBI.
“It was like the Hofmann show,” Didra said.
Hofmann’s batterymate – freshman Paige Decew – also had a pair of hits. Decew is a converted pitcher, and one day earlier, the two players reversed roles. In her first varsity game, Decew tossed a one-hitter in the Rams’ win over Quakertown.
“It’s kind of neat, and they’re getting along great,” Didra said.
In addition, senior Alicia Detweiler had a big day, contributing a triple and double and two RBIs. Sarah Yerk also had a pair of hits.
“We have a really nice young team, and the girls are taking this so much in stride,” Didra said. “They’re not crazy happy. They’re just taking it all in, which is kind of neat.”
The Rams will face a huge test on Friday when they travel to Central Bucks South.
Hatboro-Horsham 6, Souderton 0
Maggie Shaffer struck out 14 and did not walk a batter, tossing a dazzling perfect game against the Indians. The sophomore hurler insists she had no idea she’d attained perfection.
To read more about the season’s first perfect game, click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/content/shaffer-perfect
Pennsbury 6, Council Rock North 1
Kait Schilling allowed just four hits and struck out four in a solid outing on the mound, leading the Falcons to the impressive win.
“She did a nice job,” coach Frank McSherry said. “She stayed ahead of the hitters most of the day and made three great plays up the middle on balls that could have potentially gone through, and who knows what would have happened if they had.
“She is not going to strike out 13 or 15 kids, but she makes kids mishit the ball a lot, and we play really solid defense.”
The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, but the Falcons - sparked by Samantha Grantham’s lead-off triple - responded with two in the bottom of the inning. They blew the game wide open with a four-run outburst in the fifth that featured a two-run double by Kelsi Bunda.
“Council Rock North has really improved,” McSherry said. “You can tell they want to hit the ball. They came out swinging the bats.
“I told (coach) Hollie (Woodward) – be proud of them. They did a nice job.”
Rebecca Erb and Dannielle Fox both added a pair of hits for the Falcons.
Harry S. Truman 8, Council Rock South 5
Council Rock South sprinted to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second, sparked by a double from Jess Spivey, a single by Alexis Deal and several Truman miscues.
Truman answered with three runs in the third when Bridget Hunt and Stevie Van Schaick delivered back-to-back doubles.
Rock South went on top 5-3 after scoring a run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Spivey.
In the fifth, Truman knotted the score, and the Tigers won it with a three-run outburst in the sixth.
Coach Gretchen Cammiso credited the Tigers’ speedy one and two hitters – Ashley Black and Hunt – as well as timely hitting by Van Schaick and Nichole King, both of whom drove in a pair of runs.
“I’m really please with my one and two hitters,” the Tigers’ coach said. “Those two girls combined for five runs scored, three hits and three stolen bases. They did real well.”
Rachael Alligood rebounded from a shaky performance in a loss to Norristown the preceding day by striking out 12 while walking four and allowing three hits.
“Rachael struggled with her command yesterday, and I actually pulled her after the fourth inning,” Cammiso of the Tigers’ non-league loss to the Eagles. “We talked with her today during school, and I think she was a little more focused and knew what she had to do – felt a little more comfortable.
“She still wasn’t on her ‘A’ game today but enough to trust her defense to do their thing. It was definitely a big win. Our bats came through.
“Coming off of a loss in a game we should have won and going down 4-0 – Council Rock South is much improved this year, and we could have easily just fallen apart. I was happy to see them hang in there and have that determination to get a win under their belts.”
Norristown 6, Upper Moreland 3
On the heels of their big non-league win over Harry S. Truman one day earlier, the Eagles rallied for a 6-3 win over Upper Moreland.
“Yesterday was a big win – Truman has a very good team,” coach Jon Kandrick said. “They have a very good coach, and Rachael (Alligood) is a good pitcher, but unfortunately, she didn’t have her control yesterday.
“We were focused. The girls opened the season with two losses last year, and they didn’t want to do that again. I’m very proud of the girls.”
Shari Lynne Kluth and Gina Pellechio led the Eagles’ offense with two hits each. Maggie Creciun, Gabbie Berry, Julia Santoro, Devon King (double) and Stephanie Dinolfi (triple) rounded out the Eagles’ attack with one hit each.
Daisy Foster earned the win on the mound, scattering seven hits while striking out 10 and walking none.
“This was a big win,” Kandrick said. “Upper Moreland is not a bad team. They’re a very scrappy team, they’re well coached.”
Upper Moreland catcher Erin Dixon was injured in a collision at home plate and was lost for the duration of the game.
Wissahickon 8, Springfield 2Katie Ziegler earned the win on the mound and also had a pair of hits as well as an RBI. Teammate Hope Daniel had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs while freshman Keli Gilman contributed an RBI triple.
“We played well,” coach Jerry Hartman said. “Katie pitched well, but she also runs the bases well.”
Ziegler also had a pair of stolen bases for the Trojans, who did not start a senior in their win over the Spartans.
Upper Dublin 1, Cheltenham 0
The Flying Cardinals plated the game’s only run in the second inning when Julia Angelos delivered an RBI single, plating teammate Anna Gourlay, who led off the inning with a walk.
Angelos also notched the save on the mound, working two scoreless innings. Kristin Ganderton threw the first five innings to earn the win, allowing five hits and walking five while fanning one.
Cheltenham’s Lesenia Santiago absorbed the loss, allowing just three hits while striking out seven and walking two. Holly Powell led the Panthers with a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate. Cheltenham left the bases loaded on three different occasions, including the top of the seventh inning.
Sam Haber collected two of Upper Dublin’s three hits.
North Penn 7, Central Bucks East 1
Mary Ward had herself a day on Wednesday.
The Maidens’ speedy leadoff batter was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs and a home run. Steph Farrar was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
On the mound, Kellianna Bradstreet – 24 hours removed from a combined no-hitter with teammate Steph Kulp one day earlier – allowed just two hits while striking out eight and walking one. Robyn Ziegler absorbed the loss for the Patriots.
Brittany Devlin drove in East’s only run.
Central Bucks South 12, Quakertown 0 (five innings)
Haileigh Stocks fanned nine and walked two in an abbreviated five-inning no-hitter - her first at south. Jae Epstein got the ball rolling with the Titans' first hit of the game, a home run. Sami McDonald, Shana Steigerwalt and Haileigh Stocks each contributed a double. Stocks was 2-for-3 while Michelle Gessner was 2-for-2. Epstein, McDonald, Stocks, Gessner, Morgan Decker, Lauren Klepchick all contribute RBIs with Stocks (3) and Decker (4) contributing multiple RBIs. Gessner and Klepchick combined to make a clutch play at the plate for the final out of the game to prevent a Quakertown runner from scoring.
Neshaminy 6, Abington 0
Sarah McGowan and Brianna Guidos combined to toss seven shutout innings, striking out 11. Kelsey Ryan and Guidos were both 3-for-3. Guidos, Courtney Clee and Samantha Creamer contributed RBIs for the Redskins, who improved to 2-0.
William Tennent 10, Bensalem 1
Nichole Meleta picked up the win on the mound and also collected a pair of hits. Katie Gross also had a pair of hits and three RBIs while Emily O'Donnell was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs.
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