SOL-BAL fell to Mid Penn 4-2 in Wednesday’s opening round of playoffs in Carpenter Cup action. (Photos courtesy of SOL-BAL)
The SOL-BAL saw its Carpenter Cup run end with a loss to Mid-Penn in Wednesday’s playoff opener, and the only regret when it was over was that a memorable experience ended too soon.
“I was really excited to keep going with them, but sadly, we didn’t,” Jaylynn Rodweller said.
The Pennsbury rising junior was a newcomer to the Carpenter Cup squad this year.
“I enjoyed meeting the girls from different teams, and I enjoyed working with them and creating bonds,” Rodweller said. “I met a few of them at a practice a month ago, and we had another practice.
“In the beginning, it was a little nerveracking, but once we started playing together and getting to know each other, it was pretty good. I enjoyed it a lot, and I’m sure everyone did too.”
North Penn rising senior Mady Archer enjoyed last year’s Carpenter Cup experience so much, she returned again this summer.
“I really liked the environment the coaches created last year, and knowing that coach (Mike) Perez was staying with them this year made me want to come back,” Archer said. “He just has a fun personality, he’s a very likable person. He doesn’t come off too overbearing, but you know he wants what’s best for you as well.
“And then the fun of meeting new girls that you play against – it’s fun.”
Last year, the SOL-BAL did not advance beyond the first day.
“It’s fun no matter what, but it’s definitely fun making it to day two and getting another chance to play with these girls you’re going to be playing your high school season,” Archer said. “You definitely get more of a connection with the girls – knowing you have powerful hitters and powerful pitchers and knowing what you can do makes you more confident on day two.”
Archer – like Council Rock South’s Julia Scannapieco – is just four days removed from a trip to Penn State University for the state title game.
“I haven’t stopped playing since Friday night,” said Archer, who plays travel softball for Sellersville Scream.
The SOL-BAL squad saw its season end at the hands of a strong Mid-Penn squad.
For five innings, neither team scored. In the bottom of the fifth, Mid-Penn broke a scoreless tie with three runs.
In the top of the sixth, Kayla Ripper, a rising Council Rock North junior, was hit by a pitch, and Rodweller drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a passed ball, and both scored when Julia Scannapieco , a rising senior at Council Rock South, doubled to left field.
Mid-Penn added a run in the bottom of the inning to go on top 4-2.
In the top of the seventh, MaST Charter’s Jordan Jennings ripped a one-out triple to right field where she was stranded as Cumberland Valley’s Sydney May, a Fordham commit, retired the next two batters she faced on an infield popup and a ground out.
Council Rock North rising junior Zoe Hornstein delivered the defensive play of the game with two outs and the bases loaded on a line drive to center field.
“It was one of the greatest catches I’ve ever seen,” said PW coach Mike Perez, the head coach of the SOL-BAL. “If she doesn’t make the play, it clears the bases, and we’re down 3-0 early on, and against a great team like Mid Penn, that would’ve been devastating.
“As soon as it was hit, everyone on the bench held their breath, but we had Zoe out there for a reason because she makes spectacular plays like that all season long. She was running straight back to the fence and laid out and made a diving catch on the warning track, diving into the fence to end the inning.”
Hornstein was greeted by ecstatic teammates after the inning-ending play.
“I like how my teammates hyped me up after I made the catch,” said Hornstein, who is playing travel for Rock Gold 18U this summer. “I feel like I made a lot of friends.”
Hornstein was the flex player in center field for the SOL-BAL on Wednesday.
“She is such an awesome kid and great ball player,” Perez said. “We had a lot of really talented outfielders on this team, so the struggle was finding them all time, but I was happy she was able to make that play when her number was called.”
Rising New Hope-Solebury sophomore Mabel Klossner had another big game, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. She also threw three shutout innings, allowing two hits while striking out three and walking none.
Rodweller started in the circle and tossed a scoreless first inning.
“Overall, it was such a great experience,” Perez said. “It was such an honor to coach these girls. They’re all such wonderful people and great ball players. I look forward to following their success this summer and catching back up with them during the school season.”
The SOL-BAL coach pointed to meeting players in a different setting as one of the things that makes his job coaching them so enjoyable.
“A lot of girls we’ve played against over the years – you read about them, and it’s cool to meet them, and it’s cool to see them come together,” Perez said. “Some play together in travel or play against each other in travel. They all know each other in a different capacity.
“It’s interesting to see them come together and jell and meet friends. We’ve done this for a couple of years, and you see some of those relationships actually stick around after one or two days of playing together. It’s kind of cool.”
SOL-BAL was 2-2 in four games played.
SOL-BAL 000 002 0. 2-6-3
Mid-Penn 000 031 x. 4-7-2
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