CB West, Norristown & Abington are featured in this week’s notebook, which also recaps last week’s SOL action.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks West Bucks
Central Bucks West head coach Brad Tracy and his Bucks saw the losses painfully pile up at the outset of the season. After a winless preseason, CB West lost three straight conference games to Quakertown (4-3), Pennridge (8-5), and Souderton (5-1) to begin the season.
“We pitched well and played good defense during that stretch, but we just didn’t hit,” said Tracy. “The players on this team play with a great attitude, and they rose to the occasion and turned things around last week.”
And those crazy Bucks did so against two of the elite teams in the conference – defending state champion North Penn – and perennial conference power Hatboro-Horsham.
“To win our first game of the year against North Penn did a lot for our confidence,” said Tracy as CB West won a 2-1 thriller in 11 innings. “Luke Irons pitched the best year of his career and went deep into the game.
“And then we came back and hit the ball hard against Hatboro,” added Tracy in reference to the Bucks 9-8 victory over the Hatters. “Now we have a huge week ahead of us playing both CB East (Tuesday) and CB South (Thursday) in the same week.
“These games are absolutely more emotional for the kids at all the Central Bucks schools,” continued Tracy. “They have been playing with or against the kids from South and East since they were eight years old.”
The CB West offense has been carried in recent outings by junior Thomas Philipps. Philipps delivered the game-winning hit in the crucial win over the Knights, and collected four key RBI in the victory over the Hatters.
“Thomas is our clean-up hitter and hits the ball hard to all fields,” said Tracy. “He is an extremely hard worker and has spent time working with our hitting coach after practice.
“But this is a team that is going to win by playing good defense and getting good pitching,” added Tracy. “We really don’t have a pitcher that is going to blow the ball past hitters, but we have pitchers that throw strikes and trust the defense to make the plays behind them.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
Dan Klepchick and Dan McCartin of Central Bucks South both fired impressive games as the Titans won two of three games last week. Klepchick was masterful in a 4-0 complete game, two-hit, victory over Pennridge, while Will Moller had two hits and two runs scored for the winners. McCartin limited Central Bucks East to a single earned run over six innings as the Titans defeated the Patriots 4-2. Kyle Rossi sparked the CBS offense with two runs batted in.
Luke Irons of Central Bucks West threw seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and Thomas Philipps delivered the game winning hit as the Bucks edged North Penn 2-1 in 11-innings. Philipps had two hits and four RBI as the Bucks collected a 9-8 victory over Hatboro-Horsham.
Jared Gormon of North Penn tossed a complete game and allowed no earned runs as the Knights defeated Pennridge 7-3. Jake Schuster led the offense in the win over the Rams with a pair of RBI. Matt Stevenson was a tough luck loser as NP fell to Central Bucks West in 11-innings – 2-1. Stevenson was brilliant throwing nine scoreless innings and had six strikeouts.
Dan Knechel of Souderton fired a complete game four-hit shutout as the Indians edged first place Central Bucks South 2-0. Thylar Summerall had both RBI for the Big Red.
Nate Coyle of Pennridge threw a one-hit gem as the Rams captured a 4-0 victory over Souderton. Kyle Yoder fueled PHS offense with three hits and a pair of RBI.
Andrew Collins of Central Bucks East collected a pair of RBI as the Patriots suffered a 4-2 loss to Central Bucks South.
SOL Continental Conference Standings
1. Central Bucks South Titans 4 1
2. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 3 2
North Penn Knights 3 2
Pennridge Rams 3 2
Souderton Indians 3 2
6. Central Bucks West Bucks 2 3
Quakertown Panthers 2 3
8. Central Bucks East Patriots 0 5
‘On Deck’ in the SOL Continental Conference
Tuesday – April 19, 2016
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Central Bucks West Bucks
Central Bucks South Titans @ Quakertown Panthers
Pennridge Rams @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
North Penn Knights @ Souderton Indians
Thursday – April 21, 2016
Central Bucks South Titans @ Central Bucks West Bucks
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ North Penn Knights
Quakertown Panthers @ Pennridge Rams
Souderton Indians @ Central Bucks East Patriots
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Norristown Eagles
Norristown head coach Rich Campbell and his Eagles hope to soar into the PIAA Quad-A District One 
playoffs this season, and the trio of conference games scheduled this week will go a long way in getting to postseason baseball.
Norristown (2-2 conference) will play at Upper Moreland (3-1) on Tuesday, will host Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-3) on Thursday, and will be on the road against Cheltenham (0-3) on Friday.
“We have four all-league seniors back from last year, and their goal is to get to the playoffs,” said Campbell. “Tom Detwiler, Charles Grello, Reggie Collins, and Terell Dale are all excellent players and are the core of the team.
“Tom has a perfect 1.000 average with runners in scoring position, and Charles has been terrific as our catcher,” added Campbell. “Reggie and Terell give us great flexibility in being able to play more than one position.”
The seniors may be the core of the team – but the top two starters on the Eagle pitching staff are junior Nick Edling and freshman Dominic Proietto.
“Nick has thrown good games every time out but has been victimized by us making some mental mistakes,” said Campbell. “And Dominic has been phenomenal and has been outstanding both as a pitcher and hitting the ball as our first baseman.
“The secret to our success pitching this year has been throwing strikes,” added Campbell. “Right now we have a 2:1 ratio of strikeouts to walks.
“The measuring sticks for us will be the games with Wissahickon, Upper Dublin, and Upper Moreland,” continued Campbell. “Our game with Upper Moreland this week is going to be an important game for us. We felt we gave the game away the first time we played them, and we should play better this time.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Connor McFadden and Cole Swiger of Upper Dublin each pitched remarkable games as the Flying Cardinals soared to a pair of conference wins last week. McFadden excelled in the Cardinals 7-0 win over Plymouth Whitemarsh with a complete game – four-hit – shutout. Swiger was dominant in Upper Dublin’s 3-1 win over Upper Merion. Swiger threw a complete game – struck out nine hitters – and allowed just three hits.
Brandon Kohn and Joey Bates of Upper Moreland each hurled an impressive game as the Golden Bears remained in contention for a conference title with a pair of wins last week. Kohn did not allow an earned run over six innings as UMHS defeated Springfield 6-0, and Bates also went six strong innings with seven strikeouts as the Bears defeated Cheltenham 6-1. In the win over the Spartans, Randy Meehl had three hits and an RBI, and in the win over the Panthers Jon Searles had three hits and two RBI.
Logan Willans of Wissahickon was impressive in the Trojans 7-1 victory over Norristown. Willans fired a complete game and had five strikeouts in the win. The Wissahickon offense was fueled by Alex Tappen with two hits including a homerun, while Matt Shilling had three hits and an RBI.
Mike Hutchinson of Upper Merion was both the pitching and hitting standout in the Vikings 3-1 victory over Wissahickon. Hutchinson tossed a complete game two hitter– did not allow an earned run – and had five strikeouts. Hutchinson also had a pair of doubles and an RBI to spark the UMHS offense.
Dillion Famous of Plymouth Whitemarsh fired a complete game and struck out six hitters as the Colonials marched to a 9-1 victory over Springfield.
Dominic Proietto of Norristown drove home the lone run for the Eagles in a 7-1 loss to Wissahickon.
Nissim Lebovitz of Cheltenham had two hits in the Panthers 6-1 loss to Upper Moreland.
SOL American Conference Standings
1. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 5 0
2. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 3 1
3. Upper Merion Vikings 3 2
Wissahickon Trojans 3 2
5. Norristown Eagles 2 2
6. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 1 3
7. Cheltenham Panthers 0 3
8. Springfield Spartans 0 4
‘On Deck’ in the SOL American Conference
Tuesday – April 19, 2016
Cheltenham Panthers @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
Norristown Eagles @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Merion Vikings @ Springfield Spartans
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Wissahickon Trojans
Thursday – April 21, 2016
Wissahickon Trojans @ Cheltenham Panthers
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Norristown Eagles
Springfield Spartans @ Upper Dublin Cardinals
Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ Upper Merion Vikings
Friday – April 22, 2016
Norristown Eagles @ Cheltenham Panthers
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Abington Ghosts
Abington head coach Dave Torresani and his veteran Ghosts opened the conference season with an unexpected 0-2 record after losses to Pennsbury and Neshaminy.
“Really, we only had three bad innings all year and it cost us two games,” said Torresani. “In the five wins we have – we did just enough to win. But after the two losses, the players decided to refocus and look forward.”
Abington rebounded with conference wins over both William Tennent (2-1) and Bensalem (6-0).
“We have both our number one and number two pitchers back from last year,” said Torresani in reference to Greg Troyer and Paul Poppert. “Greg has great location and pitches to contact, while Paul is much more of a power and strikeout pitcher.”
Abington – which has been the only team to knock off Bensalem this season – will attempt to hand first place Council Rock North its first loss of the season. The Ghosts will bus to Rock North for a critical conference game on Tuesday.
“That field has been a ‘field of horrors’ for us over the years,” said Torresani. “And (CR North head coach) Matt Schram told me that our field has been a ‘field of horrors’ for them the last two years.
“CR North has great hitters up and down the lineup,” added Torresani. “It is Paul Poppert’s turn to throw for us, and I’m sure that we will get (CR North ace Matt) Hand. He is a terrific pitcher.
“The win over Bensalem was huge in that it proved to the kids that we could play with the good teams,” continued Torresani. “And if we want to beat Council Rock North we’re going to have to play another good game.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Matt Hand of Council Rock North had 12 strikeouts to go along with a complete game two-hitter as the Indians captured a 2-0 victory over Neshaminy.
Greg Troyer and Paul Poppert of Abington both tossed fine games as the Ghosts won a pair of conference games last week. Troyer threw a complete game – allowed no earned runs – and permitted just three hits as Abington captured a 2-1 win over William Tennent. Poppert allowed just two hits and struck out seven as the Ghosts collected a 6-0 win over Bensalem. In the win over the Owls, Chris Clewell and Josh Pershing each had two RBI.
Matt Grudza of Neshaminy tossed a complete game two-hitter as the Redskins captured a 5-2 victory over Pennsbury. Ed Parry led the Skins offense with three RBI.
Paul McElroy of William Tennent had three RBI to spark the Panthers to a 5-1 victory over Council Rock South. Ryan Lucas Picked up the win for WT with five-plus shutout innings and four strikeouts.
Billy Bechtel of Pennsbury fired six scoreless innings as the Falcons defeated Harry S Truman 2-0.
Trevor McGee of Bensalem allowed just two hits as the Owls soared to a 5-2 win over Harry S Truman.
SOL National Conference Standings
1. Council Rock North Indians 4 0
2. Bensalem Owls 4 1
3. Neshaminy Redskins 3 2
4. Abington Ghosts 2 2
5. Pennsbury Falcons 2 3
William Tennent Panthers 2 3
7. Harry S Truman Tigers 1 4
8. Council Rock South Hawks 0 3
‘On Deck’ in the SOL National Conference
Tuesday – April 19, 2016
Abington Ghosts @ Council Rock North Indians
Bensalem Owls @ William Tennent Panthers
Pennbury Falcons @ Council Rock South Hawks
Neshaminy Redskins @ Harry S Truman Tigers
Thursday – April 21, 2016
Council Rock North Indians @ Bensalem Owls
Council Rock South Hawks @ Neshaminy Redskins
William Tennent Panthers @ Pennsbury Falcons
Harry S Truman Tigers @ Abington Ghosts
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Council Rock North Indians
2. Central Bucks South Titans
3. Bensalem Owls
4. Upper Dublin Cardinals
5. North Penn Knights
6. Pennridge Rams
7. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
8. Souderton Indians
9. Abington Ghosts
10. Wissahickon Trojans
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