Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action. Souderton, Quakertown, CR South, CB South & Hatboro-Horsham were winners in the District 1 Tournament, and New Hope-Solebury earned a non-league Senior Night win. CB South/CB West photos courtesy of Kim Supko. (PW/Quakertown photos courtesy of Cindy Manero/PW baseball). CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ BASEBALL GALLERIES.
District 1 Class 6A
#17 Souderton 1, #16 Boyertown 0 (8 innings)
First-round district playoff games can produce pitchers’ duels, and this one certainly fit that bill and more, as the lone run scored on a two-out error in the top half of the eighth inning, and Souderton emerged with the 1-0 road win over Boyertown Monday.
“We’re riding a high right now,” senior Tyler Lutz said. “The win was super exciting – the team loved it. We struggled at the end of the season, and to have this win – I think that brings a lot of confidence for tomorrow’s game.”
Lutz was dominant for seven innings, allowing just two hits and a pair of walks, while striking out 12. He departed after seven, and picked up the win after his teammates plated the game’s only run in the eighth.
Reliever Ben Divens worked around an error to record the final three outs in the bottom of the eighth.
“My mentality was just to go in there and attack them, be aggressive,” Lutz said. “I trusted my defense, I trusted my team. It was just confidence out there. Everybody had high confidence, and that was my mentality.
“In the eighth, Ben Devins came in and shut them down. He’s been doing a heck of a job this season.”
For Lutz, it was yet another in a long line of brilliant outings, and the Indians’ ace pointed to his fast ball as key.
“I was riding on that,” he said. “Their approach was to take a first pitch strike, and then I just keep living in there – they couldn’t catch up, so I just rode it out, and when I needed to use my other pitches, I used them, but it was definitely – work with the fastball.
Boyertown’s Jonah Mayer was just as good himself with seven shutout innings, and he started the eighth.
“It was definitely a pitchers’ duel, without a doubt,” said Souderton coach Mike Childs. “We kind of expected that. We heard the scouting report on their pitchers and knew he throws hard, throws for strikes, and we know what Tyler can do on the mound, obviously.
“He’s been our No. 1 all year, one of our top pitchers for three years. It boosts the confidence of the whole team with him on the mound.
“Tyler had 12 Ks, their guy had nine. We knew whoever made the least amount of mistakes was going to win. Fortunately for us, we made the least amount of mistakes.”
The Indians don’t have a lot of time to celebrate Monday’s impressive win since they will be right back at it on Tuesday since all of Wednesday’s second round games were moved up a day in preparation for bad weather.
“We’re riding a high right now, so we’re going to take that in tomorrow and bring the same energy,” Lutz said. “The disadvantage, I’d say, is back-to-back days, but we’ve been doing that the whole season, so we’re kind of used to that, so I don’t think that will make much of a difference for us.”
By the numbers: Souderton: Tyler Lutz (W) (7.0 IP 2H, 0R, 2BB, 12K), Ben Divens (S) (1.0 IP, 1H, 0R)
Boyertown: Jonah Mayer (7.0 IP, 5H, 1R, 0ER, 1BB, 9K) L Hagan (1.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB)
Key inning: Top of the eighth: Patrick Wendell led off for Souderton with a single to center field. Charlie Hunsinger bunted Wendell to second, and then after a second out, Lutz walked.
Cody Ricko’s grounder to third wasn’t fielded cleanly, allowing Wendell to score the go-ahead run from third.
Bottom of the eighth: Boyertown’s leadoff batter reached base on an error but was erased at second on a grounder to short. A fly ball to left field accounted for the second out, but Brett Boyer singled, and the Bears had runners on first and second. Divens coaxed a ground ball to short out of the next batter he faced for the game’s final out.
Souderton coach Mike Childs: “The scouting report was that the ball doesn’t carry well there. Plus the wind was blowing in. We knew we had to generate runs somewhere. I’m not the traditional guy gets on base, bunt him over type, but you have to look at the scoreboard and execute.”
“Once the one run scored, we were confident in Ben Divens. He’s been stepping up for us all year. He’s a senior, good velocity, good off-speed. Is he Tyler? No, but we have full confidence with what he can do. He’s confident, and that makes the team confident.
“(In the bottom of the eighth, Boyertown) hit a ground ball to shortstop, there’s a bad hop and an error on his brother, Evan Divens. He doesn’t get mad, he claps to his brother, tells him to relax, and that eases and calms his younger brother down. It’s okay. We’re going to get this.
“They had some guys in scoring position, but he did his job, got a ground ball to second for the last out. Cool, calm and collected, that’s what you get from seniors.”
Up next: With the win, Souderton (11-9-1) moves on to play at #1 Haverford in the second round on Tuesday. For the Indians, it’s their second win-or-go-home game in as many days.
“You definitely want to keep it going,” Lutz said. “I think that might be every senior’s thought before the game – ‘I don’t want this to be the last game’ because the team we have this year – I’m definitely going to miss it. No one wants it to end.”
Souderton 000 000 01 – 1 5 1
Boyertown 000 000 00 – 0 3 1
#13 Quakertown 6, #20 Plymouth Whitemarsh 5
A wild seventh inning was a fitting conclusion to a wild, back-and-forth game between these Liberty Division rivals, as Quakertown took advantage of a two-out error on a ground ball for the walk-off win over Plymouth Whitemarsh in a first-round game played at DeSales University.
“I’m so proud of our guys for battling all the way through the game,” said Panthers coach Jon Pallone. “We had two, one-run games against PW this year in our series, so we knew it was going to be tight.”
Both teams were resilient on Monday, and they traded runs through the first three innings, which ended with Quakertown up 5-4 after an RBI single by Nick DePiero. But in the top of the fifth, PW tied it up on a two-out RBI single by Lucas Fresta.
The teams and relievers Macen Probithon (Quakertown) and Bobby Pasquarello (PW) settled in for a few innings, setting the stage for the Panthers dramatics in the seventh.
By the numbers: Quakertown: Carter Tucholski (2-for-3, 2 2B, 1RBI, 1R), Cole Reich (2-for-4, 2R), Nick DePiero (3-for-4, 2RBI), Macen Probithon (W) (2.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 5K).
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Mason Eagland (2-for-3, 2 HG, 2 RBI, 3R), Lucas Fresta (2-for-3, 2RBI), Dan Molony (2-for-3, 1RBI)
Key inning: Bottom of seventh: Freshman Carter Tucholski got things started with a one-out double to left field. PW then opted to intentionally walk both Gunner Rahn and Brady Martin to load the bases. After a fielder’s choice ground ball back to the mound for the second out, an error on a grounder by DePiero, scored pinch runner CJ Peacher from third for the game-winning run and the walk-off win.
Quakertown coach Jon Pallone:
–Tip of the hat to PW’s Eagland: “Mason Eagland had a monster day against us, hitting two home runs on the hill to right field. I saw a lot of hits like that from Brett Vargo at DeSales my freshman year. We walked him to start the fifth. He ended up hitting .500 against us with two home
runs and a triple in 16 plate appearances.”
–Props: “I loved how our guys did a great job defending the plate if they got two strikes and had some clutch hitting with two outs. Carter Tucholski had two clutch doubles, one to knock in Cole Reich, and another to get the bottom of the seventh going. He might be (a freshman), but he certainly doesn’t play like it.
“Nike DePiero got an RBI single with two outs and a full count. He added another RBI on an intelligently-executed run and hit, with Brady Martin’s speed and excellent read. He also hit a hard grounder to walk off the game.
“Then Macen came in with the game tied, and brought a lot of energy with him, striking out five of seven batters that he saw.”
Up next: With the win, Quakertown (11-10) moves onto play at #3 Coatesville in the second round on Tuesday afternoon.
PW concludes its season with a 10-11 record.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 112 010 0 – 5 8 3
Quakertown 311 000 1 – 6 9 1
#24 Council Rock South 16, #9 Great Valley 0 (3 innings)
CR South went on the road and wasted little time with a four-spot in the top of the first and never looked back on its way to the mercy rule win.
The Golden Hawks scored 16 runs on 11 hits and drew nine walks – all in just three innings, and Reed Curtier took care of business on the mound in the shortened blowout on Monday.
“About as good a win as we’ve had all year,” said CR South coach Greg Paprocki. “As soon as we snuck in the playoffs as the #24 seed, the guys have been excited for the opportunity to take part in playoff baseball.”
Billy O’Neill and Johnny Mendola each ended up with three RBIs. Jack Reynolds and Jake Andrews had two RBIs.
Curtier threw 53 pitches on the day, allowing only two hits and one walk, and striking out five in three innings.
By the numbers: Council Rock South: Reed Curtier (W) (3 IP, 2H, 0R, 1BB, 5K)
Reed Curtier (3-for-3, 2RBI), Owen McLean (2-for-3, 3R), Billy O’Neill (2-for-2, 2B, 3RBI, 2R), Johnny Mendola (1-for-1, HR, 3RBI, 2R), Jake Andrews (2-for-2, 2B, 2RBI)
Key inning: Top of first: The first four batters set the tone. Curtier singled, McLean singled and O’Neill roped a two-run double to right to get the Hawks on the scoreboard. One batter later, Mendola hit a two-run home run to make it 4-0.
Up next: With the win, CR South (12-9) earned a spot in the second round Tuesday at #8 North Penn.
“Tomorrow is as good a matchup as you can ask for,” Paprocki said. “North Penn is one of the most talented teams in the district, with a history of success. We look forward to the challenge and are excited to compete.”
CR South 439 – 16 11 0
Great Valley 000 – 0 2 1
#15 Central Bucks South 6, #18 Central Bucks West 4
Round 4 between rivals CB South and CB West was bound to be a wild one, and it delivered early.
After CB West scored four runs in the top of the second, CB South answered with five of its own in the bottom half of the inning. The Titans managed another in the fourth and their pitching settled down to hold off the Bucks on the way to the 6-4 win.
“It was collectively an hour, or 45 minutes, or something like that,” CB South coach Kevin Bray said about the second inning. “Once that inning concluded, we were kind of able to settle back in, both pitchers, and we rode it out from there.
“When they put up four, we knew we would have to respond. That’s what we told our guys. The look on their faces coming in, they weren’t concerned, they weren’t panicking. They had a job to do. They put the ball in play, ran the bases well and we managed to scratch five, which was huge. That was the turning point of the game. It could have gone a lot of different ways.”
South starter Brett Barrett bounced back and went five innings, striking out 10, before giving way to Landon Hinds, who picked up the save with two shutout innings and a pair of strikeouts in the sixth and seventh.
“(Barrett) gave up a couple hits that inning – flare to right, looper to center field and (West) scored a couple of runs,” Bray said. “Brett’s been a great asset to us the entire year. He had the mental toughness to power through that second inning and lock it down. I’m not surprised. I don’t think anyone on our team was surprised to see him dig in and pound strikes. He did a great job for us.”
By the numbers: Central Bucks South: Shane Farrell (2-for-3, 3RBI), JakeRuddell (2-for-3, 2B, 1RBI, 1R), Jake Yang (2B, 1RBI)
Brett Barrett (W) (5.0 IP, 4H, 4R, 4ER, 4BB, 10K), Landon Hinds (S) 2.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 2K)
Central Bucks West: Jack Hogenauer (2-for-4, 2B, 2RBI), M Koldhoff (1-for-2, HR, 1RBI, 1R)
Key innings: Top of second: Mike Koldhoff led off the second with a home run for the Bucks, who then took advantage of four straight walks, and RBI singles by Mike Graban and Jack Hogenauer to make it a 4-0 game. West would manage just one hit the rest of the game.
Bottom of second: South, meanwhile, also took advantage of walks, loading the bases before an RBI single by Ruddell made it 4-1, followed by a pair of bases loaded walks, and then a two-run single by Farrell to put the Titans up 5-4.
Bottom of fourth: Jake Yang doubled and then scored on another RBI single by Farrell.
Up next: CB South (13-8) will play at #2 Methacton on Tuesday. CB West finished its season with a 12-8 record.
CB West 040 000 0 – 4 6 1
CB South 050 100 x – 6 8 0
#11 Avon Grove 3, #22 Council Rock North 1
It was a struggle offensively all day, as CR North fell behind 3-0 early and ended its season with a 3-1 loss to Avon Grove in the opening round of the District One Class 6A Tournament.
Avon Grove scored one in the second and two in the third, and that was too much for the Indians, who managed just four hits, to overcome.
“Tough ending to a productive season,” said CR North coach Matt Schram. “We were young and had to really dig our cleats in when coaching this team. They are young and talented and now they have a bird’s eye view of what it takes to make it to the playoffs in our league.”
CR North’s best chance came in the top of the seventh, as Joey Rizzo had a two-out RBI single and the tying run was on base, before a groundout ended the game.
Will Godonis pitched two shutout innings in relief, while Preston Martin pitched a scoreless inning as well.
“Today’s game was a continuation of our season,” Schram said. “We just didn’t get the big hit or the big play when needed. The little things fundamentally got to us in each of our losses.
“Our kids will be better next year now that they know the brand of baseball that they train for in the offseason has to relate to playing baseball in the SOL. Sad to say goodbye to four phenomenal seniors.”
The Indians finished the season with a 12-9 record.
Avon Grove will play at #6 Neshaminy in the second round on Tuesday.
CR North 000 000 1 – 1 4 1
Avon Grove 012 000 x – 3 5 1
#14 Downingtown East 3, #19 Wissahickon 1
In a game where offense was at a premium, Wissahickon ended up on the short end in the opening round of the district playoffs, falling to host Downingtown East by a 3-1 final score on Monday afternoon.
The two teams combined for just five hits, and the Trojans had just one of those hits.
“I’m proud of the way our guys battled today,” said coach Andy Noga. “Offensively, we couldn’t really get anything going. We took care of the baseball. (Pitchers) Adam Hajdak and Jack Pogue did their things.”
Hajdak was the hard-luck losing pitcher, allowing three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Offensively, Wissahickon trailed 1-0 going into the top of the fourth. Carbo led off the inning with a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice, and later scored from third on a passed ball to tie the game.
Downingtown East, however, took the lead back for good in the bottom of the inning.
Mark Selverian’s first inning single was Wissahickon’s only hit of the game.
The Trojans finished their season with an 11-9 record.
“This season was all about our senior class and especially our captains, Jack Pogue, Mark Selverian and Adam Hajdak,” Noga said. “All different style leaders, but what they did showing the ropes to our first-year varsity guys put us in the position to have a playoff game today after starting the league season 0-4.”
Downingtown East advances to play #3 Perkiomen Valley in the second round on Tuesday.
Wissahickon 000 100 0 – 1 1 1
Downingtown East 100 101 x – 3 4 0
District 1 Class 5A
#11 Hatboro-Horsham 6, #6 West Chester East 2
Hatboro-Horsham earned a date with an old friend, thanks to Monday’s win.
The Hatters went on the road in the opening round of districts, took advantage of a huge sixth inning and the pitching of ace Jamie O’Neill for the 6-2 upset of West Chester East.
“Jamie O’Neill was once again a dominating force on the mound,” said coach Bill DeBoer. “He was helped by an early caught stealing thrown by catcher Kenny Lutz that seemed to slow (WC East’s) aggression on the base paths, since they did have seven other base runners and no stolen bases.”
O’Neill pitched six innings, allowing just two earned runs, while striking out seventh.
Connor Cataldi struck out a pair in a scoreless seventh to close the game out.
“(Cataldi) showed his maturity and dominance, getting a 1-2-3 inning using 13 pitches,” DeBoer said. “There were great ABs the guys were having throughout the game. It really was a team effort.”
By the numbers: Hatboro-Horsham: Cole Incudine (2-for-3, 2B, 2R), Jamie O’Neill (1-for-3, 2RBI), Ricky Klenk (2-for-3).
Jamie O’Neill (W) (6.0 IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 7K), Connor Cataldi (S) 1.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 2K)
Key inning: Top of sixth: With the Hatters trailing 2-1, Ricky Klenk opened the inning with a single to left field. Pinch runner Cole Reinheimer stole second and scored on a double error, tying the game at 2. After a single by Isaiah Brown, the next four Hatters walked, Dom Rapino had an RBI single and another runner scored on a ground out.
“Cole Reinheimer stole second base, and the throw was high, going into center field,” DeBoer said. “Cole came to third, and the center fielder seemed to be having problems corralling the ball, so I kept him going and there was a close play at the plate.
“If the catcher holds on to the ball, he may have been out, but the ball popped out. And Cole is scrambling to touch the plate after missing it initially trying to avoid the tag. The catcher is scrambling to college the ball and (the home plate) ump did a wonderful job staying right over the top of the whole plate and let it develop, and he was called safe, tying the game. That seemed to change the momentum again and (we) never allowed it to switch back.”
Up next: With the win, H-H (8-12) will next play archrival and third-seeded Upper Moreland in a second-round game scheduled on Tuesday. UM won a non-league game between the two teams back on March 27 by a 7-5 score.
“We will be ready to play our best against what has been historically a fierce rivalry,” DeBoer said. “Our guys are looking at it as just another baseball game. We’re going to be ready to play.”
H-H 001 005 0 – 6 9 0
WCE 002 000 0 – 2 5 2
Non-league (Sunday, May 18)
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 8, PLUMSTEAD 2
New Hope-Solebury Lions Baseball had a great day of baseball on Sunday. The 10th annual Unified game starting with a clinic for 20 athletes with disabilities and then a five-inning game was played afterwards.
“Our New Hope players did an incredible job of coaching and sharing the fun of baseball,” Tony Vlahovic said. “The smiles were countless. One of the pillars of our program is to give back, and today it was taken to a new level. Friendships developed, and I think our team developed some new fans.”
The second part of the day, our three seniors – Sam Morrin, Joel Carmenini and John Whelan – were honored at Trenton Thunder Stadium playing against a tough Plumstead Christian team.
John “the Professor ” Whelan pitched 6 1/3 innings. He pitched ahead and only allowed 2 hits.
Sam Morrin played a great game at third and had a clutch RBI single to add to our big inning in the fifth.
Joel Carmenini has played a solid center field all year and did a great job keeping the energy up and advancing runners at the plate.
Overall, when our bats warmed up and the running game took off. Blake McCagg, Lucas Kevorkian, Charlie Plebani and Nathan Plebani were clutch at the plate to open up a seven-run lead. Charlie Plebani had three hits and an RBI.
This was a great day to honor our seniors and also honor athletes with disabilities.
By the numbers: New Hope-Solebury: Blake McCagg 2-for-3, 2B, 1RBI), Sam Morrin (1-for-3, 2RBI, 1R), Charlie Plebani (2-for-3, 2B, 1RBI, 1R)
John Whelan (W) (6.1 IP, 2H, 2R, 1ER, 5BB, 8K), Gavin Caponegro (0.2 IP, 0H, 0R)
New Hope-Solebury (6-12, 3-12 SOL) will close out its season Thursday with a home game against Solebury School.
Plumstead Christian 000 101 0 2-2-2
New Hope-Solebury 000 080 x 8-8-0
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