Five SOL baseball teams are scheduled to be in action Monday when the PIAA Tournament begins. Check back for Jarrad Saffren’s recaps of all the games. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Manero)
Pennsbury baseball is a program on the rise.
The Falcons brought an end to a 23-year drought between district titles when they defeated North Penn last Thursday to capture the District One 6A crown. The district championship came on the heels of winning their second SOL National Conference title in three years. Their 2015 conference crown was the program’s first since 1996 and also represented Pennsbury’s first trip to the state tournament in 23 years.
Life wasn’t always this good for the Falcons, who were 23-35 in Joe Pesci’s first three years at the helm, but two years later, the Falcons earned a berth in districts and a year after that won a conference crown.
“You look at the kids like Tyrone (Hodges), Billy (Bethel), Dave (Murphy), Vaughn Ward and Justin Ward who have been varsity players for three years, and they’re 53-19,” Pesci said. “A lot of those kids were at my camps. I remember them being in the middle school and playing in little tournaments. They’ve come up in the program, and they’ve known nothing but success and want to keep it that way.
“This is the most successful group I’ve had and that Pennsbury has had in a while. We hope to keep moving forward and try and make a run here in states.”
The Falcons’ journey to the district crown was anything but easy. They earned a come-from-behind win over Central Bucks East in their second round game and followed that with a walk-off win over Downingtown East that saw the Falcons erase a 4-0 deficit with five runs in the seventh.
Pennsbury followed that with a 2-0 win over archrival Neshaminy in a nail biter in the district semis, setting the stage for the district title win that saw the Falcons fall behind 1-0 but rally for the 5-3 win.
“We’ve had a lot of emotional games, and the kids are showing their desire to win and their resiliency,” Pesci said. “It’s one more step in the process.”
Billy Bethel is the undisputed ace of the Falcons’ pitching staff. He earned first team all-league honors as a pitcher and third team recognition at third base.
“I think he’s arguably the best pitcher in our league,” Pesci said. “I think he’s one of the best pitchers in the district and the state.
“He’s very unassuming, and he’s not flashy, but he’s just solid. He throws hard, and when the pressure’s on, he throws harder, and he gets more control. He throws pitches for strikes.
“As a sophomore, he was surrounded by seniors. Last year, he was asked to be ‘the man,’ and he struggled a little bit with that role, but he pitched well. This year there was an article at the beginning of the year saying Billy had to be successful for us to win. That’s a ton of pressure to put on a kid, but he’s real even keeled.”
Bethel – who has committed to continue his career at Chestnut Hill College – is 8-2 this season.
“He’s been money,” Pesci said. “He’s pitched a lot of big games. He pitched against Neshaminy three times and gave up one earned run. That was incredible. He has been so consistent for us the past couple of years.”
Ryan McCarty, the Falcons’ second baseman, earned the win on the mound in Thursday’s district title game.
“He had a mid-season slump,” Pesci said. “After he hit a home run, he struggled a little bit because he thought he should be doing more.
“He’s really come on. We saved him to keep him fresh. He threw the last week of the year against Council Rock South, he picked up the win in the district title game, and except for one pitch – a three-run home run, he threw a great game against Downingtown East. He’s been a great defensive player (at second), and he’s been coming on offensively.”
Sophomore shortstop Justin Massielo – a first team all-league selection – has had the team’s top batting average in each of the last two years.
“The combination of him and McCarty in the middle – they turn a lot of double plays,” Pesci said. “Nick Price was third team all-league at third base, but he started a bunch of games on the mound for us. He’s just a great defensive third baseman.
“We have a very fast and solid outfield – three outfielders that were on the 2015 team and played a lot. One of my kids – Alex Ritter – said it best. He sent out a tweet that said, ‘We don’t have any D1 commits, but we sure have heart.’”
The squad also has plenty of veteran leadership with 13 seniors on its roster.
“You look at a lot of these teams that have all these commits that have kids that play showcase and travel baseball and are getting big offers,” Pesci said. “I have 13 seniors and probably less than half of them are going to play college baseball, but they just want to be a part of something special for their last year. We have great team chemistry.”
The list of contributors is a lengthy one. There’s center fielder Vaughn Ward, who earned first team all-league honors and has been clutch for the Falcons at the plate.
“It’s different guys,” Pesci said. “Everyone plays a different role.
“Tyrone Hodges has a great on-base percentage at the top of the order.”
Senior Nate Derry stepped into a tough spot in Thursday’s title game, inheriting a bases-loaded, no-out situation with the tying run on first.
“He comes in and induces a ground ball and then a double play ball – that stuff doesn’t always make the paper and get all the accolades,” Pesci said. “He’s a kid who got a start early in the year, he pitched some relief innings, but we have 13 seniors and nine senior pitchers, so the innings are so few.
“He earned the win and had two strikeouts in the top of the seventh against Downingtown East. To have a win and a save in a huge situation, that takes a lot of guts.”
This year’s team has plenty of guts, plenty of heart, and so far, it’s been quite a season. On Monday, the Falcons will open play in the state tournament when they will travel to Boyertown to face District 11 runner-up Parkland.
CLASS 6A
#1-1 PENNSBURY vs. #11-2 PARKLAND (at Boyertown, 4 p.m.)
Pennsbury
- 18-6 overall
- 10-2 SOL National Conference champions
- District One 6A champions after entering tournament as the fourth seed
- Score 4.9 runs per game and allow 2.6
- Falcons have shut out opponents six times and have been shut out just twice
- Offense led by senior Tyrone Hodges, sophomore Justin Massielo, senior Dave Murphy and senior Vaughn Ward
- Pitching staff led by seniors Billy Bethel, Nick Price and Ryan McCarty
- Enter states on a nine-game winning streak
How they got here:
- Pennsbury defeated #6 North Penn 5-3 in the district title game. Ryan McCarty earned the win, allowing eight hits and two runs in six innings while striking out two and walking one. The Falcons, who had just five hits, took a lead they would not lose in a four-run fourth.
- In a 2-0 district semifinal win over #8 Neshaminy, Billy Bethel tossed a complete game three-hit shutout, striking out three and walking none. Kyle Dear, who was 1-for-2 with a double, drove in both runs.
- Pennsbury defeated #12 Downingtown East 5-4 in a district quarterfinal contest. The Falcons trailed 4-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh when they exploded for five runs, winning it on Ryan McCarty’s walk-off RBI single. McCarty had two of his team’s three hits. The Falcons benefitted from seven free passes and a pair of Cougar errors. Nate Derry, who pitched a scoreless seventh, earned the win.’
- In a second round district game, Pennsbury defeated #13 Central Bucks East 4-2. John Tesarck, who doubled, drove in a pair, and Justin Massielo was 3-for-3 with an RBI.
Parkland
- 18-8 overall
- 12-2 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference champions
- Advanced to fifth straight District 11 title game
- Pitching staff led by La Salle-bound Michael Jenkins, who is 8-1 with a 0.88 ERA (71.2 IP, 39 hits, 71 K, 6 BB). Senior Ryan Giovenco, who will continue his career at Haverford College, is 8-0 with a 0.82 ERA (59.2 IP, 37 hits, 48 K, 17 BB).
- Led offensively by Cullan Wadsworth (.371, 36-of-97, 20 run, 9 RBI), Ethan Emler (.348, 16-for-46), Matthew Mellinger (.329, 26-for-79, 18 runs, 17 RBI, 6 2B, 3 3B, 12 SB), Christian Kinsley (.324, 24-for-74, 11 RBI) and Austin Mueller (.321, 25-for-78, 14 runs, 10 RBI, 5 2B).
Top seed in the District 11 6A Tournament
How they got here:
- Parkland fell to #2 Liberty 2-1 in nine innings in the District 11 6A title game. Ryan Giovenco allowed only a first-inning run and four hits in seven strong innings. The Trojans managed just five hits.
- In the District 11 semifinal, Parkland defeated #5 Pocono Mountain East 10-3. Michael Jenkins earned the win while Ethan Emler drove in three runs and Will Algard (4-for-4) had a double and a pair of RBIs.
- In a second round district game, Parkland edged #8 Stroudsburg 3-2 in 10 innings. Michael Jenkins allowed seven hits and two runs (one earned) in seven innings. Ryan Giovenco threw four scoreless innings to earn the win. The duo combined for 13 strikeouts.
#1-2 NORTH PENN vs. #12-2 SAINT JOSEPH’S PREP (at Immaculata University, 4 p.m.)
North Penn
- 20-4 overall
- 9-3 SOL Continental Conference champions
- Offense led by junior Tyler Siddal, junior Ryan Bealer, sophomore Zack Miles and senior Corey Stouffer
- Senior Matt Stevenson and junior Danny Kirwin anchor the Knights’ pitching staff.
- Six-game winning streak snapped in District One 6A final
- Sixth seed in the District One 6A Tournament
How they got here:
- In the district title game, North Penn fell to #4 Pennsbury 5-3. The Knights took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, but the Falcons answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Zack Miles, who had a pair of hits, doubled and scored a run.
- The Knights defeated #7 Perk Valley 3-1 in a district semifinal contest. Danny Kirwin earned the win, allowing three hits and one run (unearned) in 6.1 innings. Jon Udzinski recorded the final two outs and earned the save. Zack Miles and Trace Colter both had two hits.
- In a second round district game, North Penn defeated #11 Boylertown 6-3. Danny Kirwin earned the complete game win, allowing four hits and one earned run. Billy Collins (2-for-2, 2 RBIs) and Tyler Siddal (2-for-4) led the Knights.
Saint Joseph’s Prep
- 13-9 overall
- 9-3 Philadelphia Catholic League tied with Neumann-Goretti and Archbishop Carroll atop the PCL regular season standings
- .296 team batting average
- First team All-Catholic pitcher Colin Scanlon leads the pitching staff. The La Salle-bound senior was 6-2 with a 2.13 ERA (46 IP, 40 hits, 55 K, 14 BB).
- Led offensively by first team All-Catholic infielder Jeff Manto (17 RBIs) and third team honorees Greg Martin (.404, 16 RBIs) and Ronnie Cavalier (.319).
How they got here:
- In the District 12 6A title game, St Joe’s Prep fell to Public League champion Frankford 9-7. Frankford scored all nine of its runs in the fourth inning, erasing a 4-0 Prep lead. Colin Scanlon absorbed the loss in a contest that saw Frankford hold an 8-6 advantage in hits.
- In the PCL semifinals, top-seeded St. Joe’s Prep fell to fifth-seeded Archbishop Wood 7-0, collecting just two hits off Kutztown-bound Kody Cracknell. The Hawks committed four errors.
- In the PCL quarterfinals, the Prep defeated eighth-seeded Cardinal O’Hara 5-1.
#1-3 NESHAMINY vs. #12-1 FRANKFORD (at Washington High School, 4 p.m.)
Neshaminy
- 18-5 overall
- 9-3 in SOL National Conference (Finished second to Pennsbury)
- 1.44 team ERA
- Pitching staff led senior Zach Boop (7-2, 1.34 ERA in 57.2 innings) and senior Evan Matthews (6-3, 0.93 ERA in 60 innings)
- Offense led by Evan Matthews (.417), Ben Raab (.364, 15 RBI, 5 2B), Ed Parry (Team-leading 22 RBIs), Brian Nicolas (.310, 20 runs, 14 RBIs, 8 2B), Anthony Rapposelli (.312, 17 runs).
- Eighth seed in the District One 6A Tournament
How they got here:
- In the District One 6A third place game, Neshaminy defeated #7 Perk Valley 6-2, scoring five runs in the top of the seventh to erase a 2-1 deficit. Anthony Rapposelli was 3-for-4 while Ben Raab (double) and Joe Kaleck both had two RBIs.
- In a district semifinal contest, Neshaminy fell to #4 Pennsbury 2-0. Billy Bethel tossed a three-hit shutout.
- In a district quarterfinal, Neshaminy defeated #17 Council Rock South 4-1. Jake Jones delivered the big blow, a two-run home run in the third that broke a 1-1 tie. Evan Matthews (5.2 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 0 ER) earned the win while Zach Tredway was credited with the save.
- In a second round district game, Neshaminy edged #9 Souderton 4-3. Zach Boop earned the win, allowing three hits and two runs in five innings. Zach Tredway earned the save with a scoreless inning to close it out. Ed Parry doubled and drove in a pair. Ben Raab (2 RBIs) and Corey Joyce both had a pair of hits.
Frankford
- 18-3 overall
- Public League champions
- Led by Public League MVP Nick Herrara, who was 5-1 on the mound with a 2.24 ERA (40.2 IP, 22 hits, 55 Ks, 21 BB). He also led the team at the plate with a .500 batting average (31-for-62, 27 RBIs).
- Craig Lugo (.468, 22-for-47, 16 RBIs), Joshua Pagan (.442, 23-for-52) and Jeiko Rodriguez (.312, 12 RBIs) have also been productive.
- Winners of seven straight heading into the state tournament.
How they got here:
- In the District 12 6A title game, Frankford defeated St. Joe’s Prep 9-7. Nick Herrara earned the win, allowing three runs in four innings of relief. Luis Ramos was 2-for-3. Joshua Pagan doubled and had a pair of RBIs.
- In the Public League title game, Frankford defeated Olney Charter 8-6. Craig Lugo’s two-run triple highlighted a five-run first. Nick Herrera’s two-run single gave Frankford a 7-2 lead.
#1-5 HATBORO-HORSHAM vs. #3-1 DALLASTOWN (at Red Lion, 4 p.m.)
Hatboro-Horsham
- 18-7 overall
- 12-2 SOL American Conference champions
- Offense led by Eddie Schultz, Eric Jester and Ryan O’Donnell
- Pitching staff had a 0.28 earned run average in 14 league games
- Pitching staff led by senior Brian Edgington, senior Colin Kennedy and junior Alex Crim
- Second seed in the District One 6A Tournament
How they got here:
- In the district’s fifth place game, Hatboro-Horsham scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning to edge #3 Spring-Ford 3-2. Colin Kennedy threw six innings, allowing six hits and two runs. Alex Crim threw a scoreless seventh and earned the win when the Hatters – as the result of a Spring-Ford error – plated two unearned runs for the walk-off win. Shaun Thomas had a pair of hits and an RBI.
- In a playback game, Hatboro-Horsham defeated #17 Council Rock South 3-1. Brian Edgington earned the complete game win, allowing two hits and one run (unearned). Eric Jester had a hit and RBI.
- In quarterfinal action, Hatboro-Horsham fell to #7 Perk Valley 2-1. The Vikings opened up a 2-0 lead, and the Hatters plated their only run in the fourth. Brian Edgington was 2-for-3 and drove in the Hatters’ only run. Colin Kennedy absorbed the loss.
- In a second round district game, Hatboro-Horsham edged #18 Avon Grove 5-4, going on top 5-3 after a four-run third and holding on for the win. Ryan O’Donnell’s 2-for-3 effort included a home run and three RBIs. Brian Edgington, who earned the win, also was 2-for-3.
Dallastown
- 20-4 overall
- Defeated Gettysburg to capture second consecutive YAIAA title
- First District One 6A title in program history
- .295 team batting average
- Offense is led by Joe Capobianco, Peter Capobianco, Zach Ness and Bryant Holtzapple.
- Jake Gates and Alex Weakland anchor the pitching staff
- Team ERA of 1.91
- 17-game winning streak heading into the state tournament after opening season 3-4.
How they got here:
- In the District Three 6A title game, Dallastown rolled to an 11-1 rout of #1 Governor Mifflin in a game that was halted after six innings because of the mercy rule. Peter Capobianco was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, and Joe Capobianco was 3-for-4 with one RBI. Alex Weakland, who scattered three hits, earned the win.
- In a district semifinal game, Dallastown defeated #3 Penn Manor 3-0. Nick Parker earned the complete game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out eight.
- In a second round district game, Dallastown routed #10 Manheim Township 9-2. Tye Golden (2-for-2, RBI), Nick Parker (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Peter Capobianco (1-for-3, 2 RBI) led the offense. Alex Weakland earned the win.
CLASS 5A
#1-3 UPPER MORELAND vs. #12-1 ARCHBISHOP WOOD (at La Salle College High School, 4 p.m.)
Upper Moreland
- 15-7 overall
- 9-5 in SOL American Conference (Finished third behind Hatboro-Horsham and Quakertown)
- Offense led by seniors Randy Meehl and Ryan Lowry
- Pitching staff led by seniors Brandon Kohn and Tommy Jacob and junior Dawson Ruggles
- Seeded 10th in the District One 5A Tournament
How they got here:
- In the district’s third place game, Upper Moreland defeated #16 Upper Merion 3-2. Kevin Walder, Jon Searles and Dawson Ruggles each had RBI singles. Brandon Kohn threw four innings, striking out eight. Tommy Jacob closed it out with three shutout innings.
- In a district semifinal, Upper Moreland lost to #6 Marple Newtown 8-3, falling behind 5-0 after two innings and never digging itself out of that early hole. Brandon Kohn was 2-for-4 while Sean Casey had a double and RBI.
- In the second round, Upper Moreland knocked off #2 Holy Ghost 1-0 behind the complete game two-hit shutout of Tommy Jacob. The Bears scored the game’s only run in the top of the first when Randy Meehl, who doubled, scored on a two-out, bases-loaded walk to Dawson Ruggles.
- In an opening round game, Upper Moreland defeated #7 West Chester Henderson 3-0. Brandon Kohn earned the win, throwing 6.1 shutout innings and striking out eight. Tommy Jacob recorded the final two outs. RBI singles by Sean Casey and Matt Wister highlighted a three-run fourth inning.
Archbishop Wood
- 16-7-1 overall
- 8-4 PCL fifth place
- Pitching staff led by Kutztown commit Kody Cracknell and Duke commit Jack Colyar.
How they got here:
- In the District 12 5A title game, Archbishop Wood rolled to an 11-0 win over Franklin Towne Charter, plating nine runs in the second to blow the game wide open. Sean Hughes earned the win. Kyle McNamee (2-for-2, 2 runs) and Dylan Slowinski (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) led the Vikings.
- In the PCL title game, Archbishop Wood fell to second-seeded Neumann-Gorettis 6-4. The Vikings benefitted from a pair of errors to plate three first-inning runs but scored just one more the rest of the way.
- In the PCL semifinals, Archbishop Wood silenced top-seeded St. Joe’s Prep 7-0 behind the strong arm of Kody Cracknell, who tossed a two-hit shutout. Sam Reynolds contributed an RBI double while Dylan Slowinski and John Gifford both had RBI singles.
- In a PCL quarterfinal game, fifth-seeded Archbishop Wood defeated fourth-seeded La Salle 2-1. Jack Colyar, who threw six innings, earned the win. Kody Cracknell earned the save. The Explorers received an RBI single from Mike Ferrara.
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