Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action. CR North/PW photos provded courtesy of Michael Rice Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2 (8 innings)
As season openers go, this was a good one.
Seven innings could not determine a winner, and with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Jake Yang – with two hits already to his credit – stepped to the plate. The Northwestern commit did not disappoint, singling to center to drive in a run for the walk-off win.
“It was definitely a good win, for sure,” South coach Kevin Bray said. “I didn’t think it would be so dramatic this early in the season, but that’s all right.”
Landen Hinds notched the win with three scoreless innings in relief. Luke Hillegass was impressive in his start, allowing one hit in three shutout innings while striking out five.
By the numbers: Central Bucks South: Jake Yang (3-for-5, 2 RBIs, 1R)
Luke Hillegass (3.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 3BB, 5K), Landen Hinds WP (3.0 IP, 1H 0R, 2BB, 3K).
By the innings: Bottom of third: Connor Thompson drew a one-out walk, Jake Ruddell sac bunt, Yang two-out RBI single. (1-0)
Top of fourth: UM’s Jack Reynolds leadoff single to left, one-out single by Hickey, two-out RBI single by Reed Curtier. (1-1)
Bottom of fifth: With one out, Jake Yang reached first on a dropped third strike and stole second, James Schaefer delivered a two-out RBI single. (2-1)
Top of sixth: Ryan Hickey and Jake Andrews led off inning with back-to-back walks. Both advanced on a groundout to the right side by Curtier. Hickey scored on Owen McLean’s sac fly to left. (2-2)
Bottom of eighth: Dallon Smith safe on error to lead off inning. With one out, Thompson drew a walk. Jake Madden singled to load bases for Yang, who singled to center to plate Smith for the walk-off win. (3-2)
Central Bucks South coach Kevin Bray: “Offensively, we didn’t do as well as we had hoped, but when it mattered the most we were able to manufacture a couple of runs early in the game, and when the lights were brightest, we were able to get guys on in scoring position, and Jake Yang took us home.”
–The eighth inning: “Dallon Smith had a really good AB to lead off that inning. He put the ball in play, and we were fortunate enough to get him on base on an error. We had a walk after that and then we had a pinch hitter come up in Jake Madden, and he laced a hit to right field.
“I had a decision to make to send Dallon from second base, but knowing who we had up next, that was a pretty easy decision for me because Jake Yang was stepping to the plate.”
–Props: “Jake Yang filled up the stat sheet today. His leadership trumps any stat that would be recorded. He’s a calming force for our guys, and he leads by example, and he did that to the T today.
“In an early game like this, we don’t want to stretch our guys out too much. Luke Hillegass started the game for us and did a really nice job. He deserved to be the opening day starter all the way.
“From there, we had a game plan that we wanted to see some guys perform in some quality varsity innings, and those guys did what they needed to do to keep us in the game.”
Up next: Central Bucks South (1-0) will travel to Myrtle Beach for spring break and will face Bethel Park on Thursday (6pm). Council Rock South (0-1) will host Archbishop Ryan in a non-league game Friday.
Council Rock South 000 101 00 2-5-3
Central Bucks South 001 010 01 3-6-2
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 7, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3
The Indians rode several strong pitching performances to earn the non-league win. The Colonials managed just one hit off five Rock North pitchers. Will Seiler and Will Godonis both pitched three shutout innings while Mike Godonis and Preston Martin each threw one scoreless frame.
Jude Hamilton had a big day at the plate for the Indians, collecting three hits including a double and home run. He had three RBIs.
By the numbers: Council Rock North: Jude Hamilton (3-for-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBIs, 2R), Kyle Book (2-for-4, RBI, R), Connor Schmidt (1-for-2, 2B), Noah Furman (1-for-4, 2B, RBI, R)
Will Seiler (3.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB 6K), Mike Godonis (1 IP) 0H, 0R, 2K), Will Godonis (3.0 IP, 0Y 0R 0BB 3K), Preston Martin (1 IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 2K)
Key innings: Top of third: After plating an unearned run in the second, Rock North added a run. Hamilton lined a one-out single to center and moved up to second on a wild pitch. He scored when Book hit a two-out single. (2-0)
Top of fourth: Connor Smith hit a one-out double and was replaced by courtesy runner James Halikman, Colin Wallace drew a walk, and with two outs, Hamilton doubled to left, plating a pair. (4-0)
Bottom of fourth: PW benefitted from a hit batter, a double by Mason Eagland and three walks to score three runs (4-3).
Top of sixth: After adding a pair of unearned runs to go on top 6-3 in the fifth, Hamilton hit a solo home run to right field (7-3).
Council Rock North coach Matt Schram: “Will Seiler was pretty electric on the mound the first three innings. Brothers Mike Godonis and Will Godonis back-to-back on the mound in relief used some craft and command to keep PW from coming back. Preston Martin continued his role as a closer from last year.
“On offense, Jude Hamilton and Kyle Book had multiple hit at-bats, as well as Hamilton hitting his first home run of the year. All in all, it was good to get out and play a well-coached, talented team like PW, and we were fortunate to come away with a win.”
Up next: Council Rock North (1-0) is off until Thursday, March 27 when the Indians will host Holy Ghost Prep in a non-league game. Plymouth Whitemarsh (0-1) will travel to Haverford for a non-league game Friday.
Council Rock North 011 221 0 7-7-1
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 300 0 3-13
PENNRIDGE 11, BOYERTOWN 5
The Rams pounded out 12 hits and benefitted from 10 walks to earn the decisive non-league win over the visiting Bears.
Pennridge scored four runs in the first without the benefit of a hit, and a four-run fourth all but put the game out of reach.
The top three batters in the Rams’ lineup – Tommy Ginnetti, Connor Murray and Noah Keating – were a combined 6-for-10 with four RBIs and four runs scored. Ascher Hamburg also had two hits.
By the numbers: Tommy Ginnetti (2-for-3, RBI), Connor Murray (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, 2R), Noah Keating (2-for-4, 2B, 2RBI, 2R), Ascher Hamburg (2-for-2, RBI, 2R).
Key inning: Bottom of fourth: Leading 5-3, the Rams put the game all but out of reach with a four-run inning. Keating doubled to left to lead off the inning. Zach Swanson drew a walk, Hamburg singled, and Keating scored on error on the play. Swanson scored on a passed ball. Andrew Rendler drew a walk, and with one out, Ryder Olson singled home a run, and the fourth run scored on an RBI single by Ginnetti. (9-3).
Pennridge coach Danny Long: “It was nice to pick up the first win of the season in a busy non-league week. We capitalized in some key spots offensively. We hope to continue to build off of the things we did well and clean up some of our mistakes moving forward.”
Up next: Pennridge (1-0) will host Neshaminy in a non-league game Thursday.
Boyertown 120 001 1 5-7-1
Pennridge 410 402 x 11-12-3
BENSALEM 11, DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY 1 (6 innings)
The Owls scored in every inning in their season opener, and Trevor Morris was in complete command on the mound. Morris threw five shutout innings, allowing just one hit while fanning five.
Tommy Jackson and Mikey Kramer each had three hits to lead the Owls’ 15-hit attack.
By the numbers: Tommy Jackson (3-for-4, RBI, R), Mikey Kramer (3-for-3, 2B, 2RBIs, 2R), Lukas Wilson (2-for-4, RBI, 4R), Tyler Anderson (2-for-3, 2 2B, R)
Trevor Morris WP (5 IP, 1H 0R, 1BB 5K)
Key innings: Bottom of first: Wilson and Jackson opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Wilson scored on a double to center by Kramer. Ryan Strazz sac fly to right plated Jackson, Kramer scored on a groundout by Logan Savage (3-0)
Bottom of second: Peter Pasquarella drew a leadoff walk, and with two outs, Jackson and Kramer hit back-to-back singles with Kramer’s plating a run. (4-0)
Bottom of third: Anderson lined a one-out double to left and scored when Joey Doc doubled to left (5-0)
Bensalem Harry Daut Jr: “Trevor Morris had a nice game pitching today. It was nice to get in the win column.”
Up next: Bensalem (1-0) will host William Tennent in a non-league game Friday.
Dock Mennonite 000 001 1-2-3
Bensalem 311 222 11-15-0
UPPER DUBLIN 12, UPPER MORELAND 4
The Flying Cardinals collected 13 hits and took advantage of nine free passes – six walks and three hit batters, but it took a six-run outburst in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach.
Luke Caron and Wesley Gill slammed the door on any UM comeback, allowing just one hit and striking out seven in three shutout innings combined.
Oliver Gill had a productive day at the plate, picking up two hits – including a double – and driving in four runs.
By the numbers: Upper Dublin: Eric Berman (2-for-3, 2R), Oliver Gill (2-for-4, 2B, 4 RBI, R), Ben Wilkins 2-for-3, 2R), Eddie Stoffel (2-for-4, R)
Luke Caron 2.0 IP 1H, 0R, 1BB, 5K), Wesley Gill (1.0 IP 0H, 0R, 2K)
Upper Moreland: Luke Sword 2-for-4, 2 RBI)
Key inning: Top of fifth: Trailing 3-1, the Cardinals put three runs on the board. Evan Sanders drew a leadoff walk, Braxton Ganz singled, both runners advanced on a sac bunt by Wesley Gill, Berman was hit by a pitch, Oliver Gill emptied the bases with a 3-run double to center. (4-3)
Bottom of fifth: Jackson Townsend leadoff double, back-to-back singles by Sword and Max Abbosh (RBI) (4-4)
Top of sixth: Wilkins leadoff single, advances to second on groundout, RBI single by Sanders, Wesley Gill draws a two-out walk, Berman singled to load bases, Sanders scored on RBI walk to Oliver Gill. (6-4)
Top of seventh: A six-run inning was highlighted by six UD singles. (12-4)
Up next: Upper Dublin (1-0) will host Wissahickon in Thursday’s league opener, and Upper Moreland (0-1) will be on the road at Methacton Wednesday.
Upper Dublin 010 032 6 12-13-0
Upper Moreland 003 010 0 4-8-2
ARCHBISHOP RYAN 13, WILLIAM TENNENT 3
The Panthers managed just one hit and found themselves staring at a 6-0 deficit after two innings in a non-league loss to Ryan.
Up next: William Tennent (1-1) will travel to Bensalem for a non-league game Friday.
Archbishop Ryan 240 034 13-11-2
William Tennent 000 003 3-1-4
Monday, March 17
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 7, PERKIOMEN VALLEY 1
The Bucks did a whole lot of things right in Monday’s non-league win.
Ernie Sanchez turned in a strong outing on the mound, allowing just two hits in five shutout innings. The Bucks collected 10 hits and stole seven bases. It added up a convincing win.
Jack Hogenauer led the Bucks with a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate. He also had three stolen bases. Blake Hager had a pair of hits, including a home run, and three RBIs.
By the numbers: Jack Hogenauer (4-for-4, 3 SB, RBI, 2R), Blake Hager (2-for-3, HR, 3RBI, R)
Ernie Sanchez WP (5.0 IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, 2SOL)
Key innings: Top of first: Leadoff triple by Michael Graban, one-out RBI single by Hogenauer (1-0)
Top of third: Solo home run to right field by Hager (2-0)
Top of sixth: A four-run sixth included a leadoff single by Hogenauer, an RBI single by Colin Lydon and a two-run single by Hager. (6-0)
Central Bucks West coach Thomas Spratt: “(We did a) great job competing and playing all seven innings. Moving on throughout the season, that’s what we must continue to do. I like how we came together as a team. We need to keep this energy throughout the season. Pitching was great, but our baserunning helped win the game.”
Up next: Central Bucks West (2-0) will host Hatboro-Horsham for a non-league game Wednesday.
Central Bucks West 101 004 1 7-10-1
Perkiomen Valley 000 001 0 1-4-0
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