This week’s notebook features Wissahickon, Quakertown and William Tennent and recaps last week’s SOL action.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Wissahickon Trojans
Wissahickon head coach Shannon Gunby has built a successful program over his nine years – but this season to date has been something special.
“Never in my career in coaching have I had the pitching depth that I have this season,” said Gunby. “I have total confidence in eight varsity pitchers this year – they can all get the job done.”
That impressive list includes senior Jake Segal, senior Julian Osterneck, sophomore Logan Willians, sophomore Alex Tapen, sophomore Matt Shilling, senior Joe McGlade, junior Jeremy Spittle, and junior Connor Freeston.
“With the way that the weather has been – we are going to be playing a lot of games in a short period of time,” said Gunby. “It is real blessing to have quality pitchers to run out there – if one is not having a good day, we can go right to someone else.
“We have gotten a lot of our offense from both Nick Falso and Ryan Becker,” continued Gunby. “It seems like they get two or three hits every game. We expected a lot from them at the beginning of the season – and they have come through.
“Our goal every year is to win our conference,” added Gunby. “We have such a competitive conference – it is a conference filled with strong rivalries. Any ‘down’ team can beat any other team at any time.
“We have a big game with Upper Dublin on Friday,” continued Gunby. “But first we play Upper Merion on Monday – and Norristown on Wednesday. We can’t think about Upper Dublin until 7 o’clock on Wednesday night.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Upper Dublin (4-0) remained unbeaten in the conference with a pair of wins last week. The Cardinals opened the week with a 6-0 victory over Cheltenham and closed the week with a 6-4 win over Upper Moreland. In the win over the Panthers, Christian Huckfeldt threw a complete game two-hitter and struck out 11 batters, while Justin Horn had two hits. In the win over the Bears – Cole Swiger earned the win in relief and also had two hits and an RBI, while Huckfeldt hit a two-run double.
Wissahickon (3-0) remained unbeaten in the conference with a pair of wins last week. The Trojans opened the week with a 5-4 win in 11-innings over Upper Moreland and closed the week with a 7-6 victory in nine innings over Plymouth Whitemarsh. In the win over the Bears – Matthew Shilling earned the win in relief, while Nick Falso, Alex Tappen, and Julian Osterneck each had two hits. In the win over the Colonials – Falso fueled the offense with four hits and Ryan Becker added three hits for the winners.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-1) split a pair of conference games last week. The Colonials opened the week with a 20-3 win over Upper Merion and closed the week with a 7-6 loss to Wissahickon in nine innings. In the win over the Vikings – Dutch Reardon hit a homerun and had four RBI, while Zach Metz had four hits and three RBI. In the loss to the Trojans – Nick Satterthwaite had three hits, while Connor Burke had two hits and two RBI.
Cheltenham (2-1) split a pair of conference games last week. The Panthers opened the week with a 6-0 loss to Upper Dublin and closed the week with a 5-1 victory over Springfield. In the loss to the Cardinals – Amari Cathay and Josh Ryan collected the only hits. In the win over the Spartans – Alex Haasz had two RBI, while Jacob Petrisko threw a complete game to earn the win and did not walk a batter.
Norristown (1-2) split a pair of conference games last week. The Eagles opened the week with a 17-11 loss to Springfield and closed the week with a 9-5 victory over Upper Merion. In the loss to the Spartans – Anthony Wayne hit for the cycle and had three RBI. In the win over the Vikings – the Eagles scored in five of the six innings and collected eight hits.
Springfield (1-3) split a pair of conference games last week. The Spartans opened the week with a 17-11 win over Norristown and closed the week with a 5-1 loss to Cheltenham. In the win over the Eagles – Christian Binet hit two homeruns and drove home eight runs for the winners. In the loss to the Panthers – Corey Cottone drove home the lone run for the Spartans.
Upper Moreland (0-2) lost a pair of conference games last week. The Golden Bears opened the week with a 5-4 loss to Wissahickon in 11-innings and closed the week with a 6-4 loss to Upper Dublin. In the loss to the Trojans – Connor Casey had three hits, while John Searles had a double and an RBI. In the loss to the Cardinals – Paul Ciampoli had two RBI, while Searles had a double and an RBI.
Upper Merion (0-3) lost a pair of conference games last week. The Vikings opened the week with a 20-3 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh and closed the week with a 9-5 loss to Norristown. In the loss to the Colonials – UM had just a single hit. In the loss to the Eagles – Alex Del Giudice led the offense with a homerun.
SOL American Conference ‘Game of the Week’
Friday – April 17, 2015
Wissahickon Trojans @ Upper Dublin Cardinals
Wissahickon and Upper Dublinboth enter the week with unbeaten conference records. The Trojans open the conference week with a game Monday (4/13) at home versus Upper Merion and will host Norristown on Wednesday (4/15). The Cardinals will play at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Monday and at Upper Merion on Wednesday.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Quakertown Panthers
Quakertown head coach Jon Pallone is just in his second season as the boss of the Panthers.
“This is a group of hungry players who are all about changing the mentality of the program,” said Pallone. “The idea we want to promote is to work hard – but have fun.
“We all talk about what a tough conference we play in,” added Pallone. “North Penn, Pennridge, the Central Bucks schools (East, South, and West), Hatboro-Horsham and Souderton all have established programs that are successful.
“This is the league you want to play in,” continued Pallone. “In order to be the best – you have to play the best.”
Quakertown has yet to play a home game, as Quakertown Memorial Park has not been playable.
“We have really worked hard to get on the field,” said Pallone. “We hope to be able to have our home opener on Wednesday.”
The Panthers will host Central Bucks East in that home opener. Q-town will play at Hatboro-Horsham on Monday and at Central Bucks South on Friday.
“This week is going to be a real challenge for us,” said Pallone. “Our goal is to go out there and make sure we don’t beat ourselves – we want to make sure that teams beat us. We know that we are playing good teams – but we aren’t going to make any excuses.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
North Penn (2-0) won its only conference game of the week as the Knights defeated Central Bucks East 9-0. James Witner threw five innings to earn the win. The North Penn offense was fueled by Mason Nadeau who had two hits and three RBI, while Jared Melone had two hits and two RBI.
Pennridge (1-0) played just a single game last week – and that game was suspended due to weather. The Rams hold a comfortable 16-4 lead over Central Bucks West in that contest that will be completed at a future date.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-1) won its only conference game of the week. The Hatters defeated Central Bucks South 3-0 behind the fine pitching of Colin Kennedy who struck out six hitters in six innings. Kennedy had two hits – a double – and a stolen base. Ryan Murphy had two hits and an RBI for the Hatters.
Quakertown (1-1) won its only conference game of the week. The Panthers defeated Souderton 3-0 behind the excellent pitching of Zack Metz. Chris Curry led the Q-town offense with three hits.
Souderton (2-1) split a pair of conference games last week. The Indians opened the week with a 3-0 loss to Quakertown and closed the week with a 12-3 victory over Central Bucks West. In the loss to the Panthers, David Schreffler led the offense with two hits. And in the win over the Bucks – Connor Lennon had four hits and two RBI, Dylan Morrissette had three hits and two RBI, and Aaron Gulibon earned the win, throwing six innings.
Central Bucks West (1-1) lost to Souderton 12-3 and also played a suspended game against Pennridge. In the loss to the Indians – Matt Catner and Matt Peralta each collected RBI. The Bucks trail Pennridge 16-4 in the suspended game that will be completed at a future date.
Central Bucks East (0-2) lost its only conference game last week. The Patriots fell to North Penn 9-0 and collected just three hits in the setback.
Central Bucks South (0-2) lost its only conference game last week. The Titans fell to Hatboro-Horsham 3-0. Mike Anastasia had two hits for CBS to lead the offense, while Mike Kuypers was a tough-luck loser throwing five strong innings.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Game of the Week’
Wednesday – April 15, 2015
North Penn Knights @ Pennridge Rams
Pennridge and North Penn both enter the week with unbeaten conference records. The Rams open the conference week with a game on Monday (4/13) at Souderton and will then face off against NP for first place on Wednesday. Pennridge will host Hatboro-Horsham on Friday (4/17). The Knights open the conference week with a game on Monday at Central Bucks West and will face off with Pennridge for first place on Wednesday. North Penn will host Souderton on Friday to close out the conference week.
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
William Tennent head coach Rick Penecale hasn’t been able to see a whole lot of his young Panthers this season.
“The weather this spring sure hasn’t helped,” said Penecale. “We have a whole lot of freshmen and sophomores on this team – and having practice time is important.
“We are jumping right into the league schedule with three games this week – and that is tough for a young team,” added Penecale. “If you have a veteran team, it isn’t quite as difficult. But we have a lot to learn.
“When you take the field in a varsity game – you have to know what you are doing,” continued Penecale. “We have been a little shaky defensively – but that was expected.”
Junior Ryan Lucas and sophomore Nick Cataldi have given the Panthers some good innings on the mound thus far this season – and senior Tim Brodhag and junior Paul McElroy have carried the offense.
“We are to the point this week where we don’t want the season to get away from us,” added Penecale. “We have some crazy parity in our league – we have to hang in there.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Pennsbury (3-1) captured a pair of conference games last week. The Falcons opened the week with a 7-6 victory over Council Rock North and closed the week with an 18-2 win over William Tennent. In the win over the Indians – DJ Endler hit a homerun to tie the game, while Ethan Mackenzie and Tyrone Hodges each had hits hits. In the win over the Panthers – Endler had five hits and four RBI that included a double and triple, while Pat Lawrence had three hits and four RBI.
Abington (2-1) captured a pair of conference games last week. The Ghosts opened the week with a 5-3 victory over Neshaminy and closed the week with a 13-3 win over Council Rock South. In the win over the Redskins – Greg Troyer was the complete-game winner and Justin Yerkes had the game-winning hit. In the victory over the Golden Hawks – Jack Larini had 3 RBI, Brendan Gallagher had 3 hits and 2 RBI, and Aiden Coyle was on base all five times with 2 hits and 3 walks.
Neshaminy (2-1) had a good week winning two of three conference games. The Skins opened the week with a 7-6 victory over Bensalem – followed with a 5-3 loss to Abington – and closed the week with a 9-3 win over William Tennent. In the win over the Owls – TJ Arnao was the winning pitcher, Matt Smith had three hits, and Jake Stricker had two hits and two RBI. In the loss to the Ghosts – Bill Ritchey had two hits and had a two-run homer. And in the win over the Panthers – Kyle Skeels had two hits, Ritchey had two RBI, and Matt Graham had two RBI.
Bensalem (1-2) won one of three conference games last week. The Owls opened the week with a 7-6 loss to Neshaminy – followed with a 3-2 victory over Council Rock South – and closed the week with an 18-2 loss to Pennsbury. In the loss to the Skins – Joe Benedetti and Nick Mulvey each had three hits and two RBI. In the win over the Golden Hawks – Benedetti was the winning pitcher and Bill Kohler delivered the game winning hit. In the loss to the Falcons – Rick Massott drove home the only run for the Owls.
Council Rock South (2-3) won one of three conference games last week. The Golden Hawks opened the week with a 3-2 loss to Bensalem – followed with a 13-3 loss to Abington – and rebounded to close out the week with a 4-2 victory over Council Rock North. In the loss to the Owls – Nick Fabiano hit a homerun and Josh Kim collected an RBI double. In the loss to the Ghosts – Fabiano, Sean Lowney, and Shaun Stackhouse each had RBI. In the victory over the Indians – Jordan Silverman was the winning pitcher in relief while Dean Obarowski had a double and two RBI.
Council Rock North (2-2) won one of three conference games last week. The Indians opened the week with a 7-6 loss to Pennsbury – followed with a 12-0 victory over Truman – and closed the week with a 4-2 loss to CR South. In the loss to the Falcons, Brandon McIwain threw five strong innings, while Cole Hofmann led the offense with two hits. In the win over the Tigers – Juliano Kovalcik was the winning pitcher, while Cole German had two hits and two RBI and Matt Hand had three hits and two RBI. In the loss to the Golden Hawks – McIlwain hit a homerun and Tyler Nowmos delivered an RBI.
Truman (1-1) lost a conference to Council Rock North and played a suspended game with William Tennent. The Tigers were tamed by the Indians 12-0 in a game that was halted due to the mercy-rule – and HST played the Panthers to a 2-2 deadlock after nine innings as Matt Walczak and Collin Pool each had two hits. The game with William Tennent will be completed at a future date.
William Tennent (1-1) lost a conference game to Neshaminy and played a suspended game with Truman. The Panthers were humbled by the Redskins 9-3 – and WT played the Tigers to a 2-2 deadlock after nine innings as Ryan Lucas scored the tying run. The game with Truman will be completed at a future date.
SOL National Conference ‘Game of the Week’
Wednesday – April 15, 2015
Neshaminy Redskins @ Pennsbury Falcons
Neshaminy and Pennsbury enter the week with a single conference loss and renew a fierce rivalry with first place on the line. The Redskins will travel to Council Rock North on Monday (4/13) before the showdown with the Black & Orange on Wednesday. Neshaminy will close out the week hosting Truman. The Falcons will travel to Truman on Monday before the showdown with the Skins on Wednesday.
Suburban One Sports.com
Super Seven
1. Pennridge Rams
2. North Penn Knights
3. Pennsbury Falcons
4. Abington Ghosts
5. Upper Dublin Cardinals
6. Wissahickon Trojans
7. Neshaminy Redskins
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