CB South, CR North and Upper Moreland are featured in this week’s notebook, which also highlights the SOL’s top performances last week.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks South head coach Brian Klumpp and his first place Titans have been playing too much ‘baseball golf’ recently.
“The time off (weather created) has been brutal, and last Thursday we just decided to have a laid back practice,” said Klumpp. “The kids played some basketball – played some baseball golf – and just had some fun at indoor practice.
“Obviously we have a big week ahead of us with four games to play,” added Klumpp as the Titans host Pennridge (5/9), play at Souderton (5/10), host Quakertown (5/12) and host Hatboro-Horsham (5/14). “And then we finish with CB West (5/17) and CB East (5/18) the next week.
“We are 6-2 right now, but we have to keep our focus on each game as it comes,” continued Klumpp. “The scary thing is that you can go out and win some games – or lose some games – in a hurry. Your season can fall apart quickly.”
CB South will feature a foursome of pitchers to help weather the scheduling storm. Ace Dan Klepchick, Dan McCartin, Alex Bendzlowicz, and Chris Palkovics will take the mound for the Titans this week.
“We want to get Dan Klepchick as many starts as we can,” said Klumpp. “And for him to be able to go against Pennridge is a good thing.
“We are going to have to manage innings and pitch counts very closely,” added Klumpp. “In this league you can’t count any game as an easy win, and this week is going to be very challenging for everyone.
“Kyle Rossi, Andrew Dietz, and Tommy Dugan have been hitting the ball well,” continued Klumpp. “We have a lot to play for this week and next.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL Continental Conference
Luke Irons of Central Bucks West fired a gem as the Bucks edged North Penn 1-0 in eight innings. Irons fired a complete game, two-hit, shutout for the winners. Frank Amsler drove home the game-winning run for CBW in the eighth inning.
Cooper Johnson of Quakertown lost a no-hit bid in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Panthers earned the win as Q-town defeated Hatboro-Horsham 3-2 in 11 innings. Victor Morelock delivered the game-winning hit for the Black Cats.
Joe Robinson of Pennridge drove home two runs as the Rams captured a 4-0 victory over Souderton. Andrew Mayhew, Danny Long, and Nate Coyle combined to hurl a one-hit shutout for the Green & White.
Jared Gorman of North Penn was a tough luck loser as the Knights were beaten 1-0 by Central Bucks West. Gorman did not allow a run in his 6.1 innings of work.
SOL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks South Titans 6 2
Pennridge Rams 6 3
Souderton Indians 6 4
Central Bucks West Bucks 5 4
Quakertown Panthers 5 5
North Penn Knights 4 5
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 3 6
Central Bucks East Patriots 1 7
‘On Deck’ in the SOL Continental Conference
Monday – May 9, 2016
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Central Bucks East Patriots
North Penn Knights @ Quakertown Panthers
Pennridge Rams @ Central Bucks South Titans
Tuesday – May 10, 2016
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
North Penn Knights @ Pennridge Rams
Central Bucks South Titans @ Souderton Indians
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Quakertown Panthers
Wednesday – May 11, 2016
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Pennridge Rams
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Central Bucks East Patriots
Thursday – May 12, 2016
Quakertown Panthers @ Central Bucks South Titans
Souderton Indians @ North Penn Knights
Friday – May 13, 2016
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Central Bucks South Titans (suspended game)
Monday –May 16, 2016
Central Bucks East Patriots @ North Penn Knights
Souderton Indians @ Central Bucks West Bucks
Tuesday – May 17, 2016
Pennridge Rams @ Quakertown Panthers
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Souderton Indians
North Penn Knights @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Wednesday – May 18, 2016
Central Bucks East Patriots @ Central Bucks South Titans
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Council Rock North Indians
Council Rock North head coach Matt Schram’s Indians are the defending PIAA Quad-A District One champions – but the 2016 edition of Rock North is focused on keeping its grasp on first place in the conference standings.
“The only talk I want to hear from our team is about the game we’re getting ready to play,” said Schram. “We have four games this week and all we have talked about is Neshaminy on Monday.
“We as a coaching staff are going to have to creative in getting pitch counts and innings from our pitching staff,” added Schram. “I felt all along that we have seven or eight pitchers that can pitch on this level, and with all the games, we have kids are going to get a chance.”
The Indians have had 10 long, raw, rainy days to deal with since their last game.
“We do a lot of chalk talk in the classroom,” said Schram. “We go over game situations – look at some film from previous games – and concentrate on eliminating the mental mistakes. The mental approach to the game can be just as important as the game on the field.
“Getting a week off can heal the body and is a time to get refreshed,” added Schram. “We’ve done some team activity stuff – but we’re ready to play the games.”
Council Rock North will have three away games this week against Neshaminy (5/9), Council Rock South (5/10), and Abington (5/12). The Indians will host Truman (5/11) in a make-up contest.
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL National Conference
Greg Troyer and Paul Poppert of Abington each collected wins as the Ghosts won both conference games last week. Troyer allowed just four hits and a single run as Abington defeated Bensalem 6-1, while Poppert threw a complete game in the Ghosts 11-3 victory over Council Rock South. In the Rock South win, Poppert had two hits and an RBI, Chris Clewell had two hits and three runs scored, and Collin Kelly had two RBI.
Justin Massielo and Josh Tesarck of Pennsbury each had two hits and two RBI as the Falcons soared to a 9-0 victory over Harry S Truman. Zach Conley, Nick Price, and Alec Wilson combined to throw a shutout for the winners.
Ryan Lucas of William Tennent collected a win in relief and Nick Cataldi had two RBI as the Panthers captured a 7-6 victory over Council Rock South.
Cody Kutler of Council Rock South drove home two runs as the Hawks were defeated by William Tennent, 7-6.
Keith Parrish of Bensalem drove home the one run as the Owls were defeated 6-1 by Abington.
SOL National Conference Standings
Council Rock North Indians 8 1
Pennsbury Falcons 7 3
Neshaminy Redskins 6 3
Abington Ghosts 5 5
William Tennent Panthers 5 5
Bensalem Owls 4 5
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 2 7
Harry S Truman Tigers 1 9
‘On Deck’ in the SOL National Conference
Monday – May 9, 2016
Council Rock North Indians @ Neshaminy Redskins
Tuesday – May 10, 2016
Abington Ghosts @ William Tennent Panthers
Bensalem Owls @ Truman Tigers
Pennsbury Falcons @ Neshaminy Redskins
Council Rock North Indians @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Wednesday – May 11, 2016
William Tennent Panthers @ Neshaminy Redskins
Truman Tigers @ Council Rock North Indians
Thursday – May 12, 2016
William Tennent Panthers @ Bensalem Owls
Council Rock South Golden Hawks @ Pennsbury Falcons
Truman Tigers @ Neshaminy Redskins
Council Rock North Indians @ Abington Ghosts
Friday – May 13, 2016
Bensalem Owls @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Tuesday – May 17, 2016
Abington Ghosts @ Truman Tigers
Neshaminy Redskins @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Bensalem Owls @ Council Rock North Indians
Pennsbury Falcons @ William Tennent Panthers
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Moreland head coach Ken Irwin and his Golden Bears have waited all season for their showdown Monday with Upper Dublin.
The Golden Bears (8-1) will finally face the (conference) unbeaten Flying Cardinals (8-0) to begin a week that has the Purple & Gold with three critical conference games.
“This game will determine whether or not we can control our own destiny,” said Irwin. “If we win we do – if we lose we don’t.
“We get to play them again next Monday,” added Irwin. “The kids are looking forward to those games with Upper Dublin, but we know we have to keep winning the other games.
“Before the (weather created) layoff we were playing our best baseball,” continued Irwin. “The kids have been great, though, and we have done a lot of competitive things in practice.
“We have had a chance to do some extra weight lifting and running,” added Irwin. “But everyone is anxious to get back on the field.”
Upper Moreland went into the ‘break’ hitting the ball extremely well. Randy Meehl is currently hitting .414, Jon Searles is hitting .407, Brandon Kohn is batting .400, and Nick DeLucas is hitting .348.
“Joey (Bates) and Brandon (Kohn) have started most of the games,” said Irwin. “And Tommy (Jacobs) has done a great job and has pitched in most of our games.
“We are going to have to use other pitchers this week with all the games and all the innings coming up,” added Irwin. “We have great kids and we will be ready.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SOL American Conference
Andrew McDermott and JT Breslin of Upper Dublin swung hot bats as the Cardinals soared to a 9-3 victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh. Cole Swiger threw the first five innings – struck out five batters – and earned the win.
Joey Bates, Brandon Kohn, and Tommy Jacobs of Upper Moreland combined to shut down the Springfield offense in a 7-3 victory. Paul Ciampoli had two RBI for the Golden Bears, while Connor Casey and Ryan Lowry each had two hits and an RBI.
Kieran Versaw-Barnes of Cheltenham was masterful as the Panthers captured a 6-0 victory over Norristown. Versaw-Barnes fired a complete game and struck out seven Eagle hitters.
Logan Willans of Wissahickon fired a complete game three hitter as the Trojans marched to a 2-1 victory over Upper Merion.
SOL American Conference Standings
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 8 0
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 8 1
Wissahickon Trojans 7 3
Upper Merion Vikings 4 6
Cheltenham Panthers 3 5
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 3 7
Norristown Eagles 2 7
Springfield Spartans 1 7
‘On Deck’ in the SOL American Conference
Monday – May 9, 2016
Springfield Spartans @ Cheltenham Panthers
Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ Upper Dublin Cardinals
Tuesday – May 10, 2016
Norristown Eagles @ Wissahickon Trojans
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Springfield Spartans
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Upper Merion Vikings
Cheltenham Panthers @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Wednesday – May 11, 2016
Wissahickon Trojans @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ Norristown Eagles
Thursday – May 12, 2016
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Cheltenham Panthers
Springfield Spartans @ Upper Merion Vikings
Wissahickon Trojans @ Upper Dublin Cardinals
Monday – May 16, 2016
Norristown Eagles @ Springfield Spartans
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Tuesday – May 17, 2016
Cheltenham Panthers @ Wissahickon Trojans
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Springfield Spartans
Upper Merion Vikings @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Wednesday – May 18, 2016
Cheltenham Panthers @ Upper Dublin Cardinals
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Norristown Eagles
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Council Rock North Indians
2. Central Bucks South Titans
3. Pennsbury Falcons
4. Neshaminy Redskins
5. Upper Dublin Cardinals
6. Pennridge Rams
7. Souderton Indians
8. Upper Moreland Golden Bears
9. Central Bucks West Bucks
10. Wissahickon Trojans
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