Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Thursday. Neshaminy/Father Judge photos provided courtesy of Greg Lindsay. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ BASEBALL GALLERIES.
SOL Patriot Division
PENNSBURY 12, BENSALEM 9
The Owls scored four runs in the first, serving notice that they would not go down quietly after Wednesday’s 15-3 loss to the Falcons.
And they certainly didn’t, but the Falcons persevered, eking out the win to take a 2-0 advantage in the three-game series.
Bensalem’s four-run first was highlighted by a two-run double by Logan Savage as well as a two-run single by Cole Hasson. The Falcons answered with three runs in their half of the inning, benefitting from a leadoff double by Carlton Crane, an RBI single by Pierce Perry and a two-run single by Casey Shannon.
The Falcons went on to open up a 10-5 lead only to watch the Owls score four in the top of the sixth to make it a 10-9 game. Pennsbury answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning of a game that was halted after six.
By the numbers: Pennsbury: Carlton Crane (2-for-3, 2B, 3R), Pierce Perry (2-for-3, 2RBIs, 4R), Tyler Lee (2-for-4, 4RBIs), Casey Shannon (1-for-4, 2RBIs)
Bensalem: Lukas Wilson (2-for-4, 1R), Logan Savage (2-for-3, 2B, 4RBIs, 2R), Cole Hasson (2-for-3, 3RBIs, 1R)
Pennsbury coach Joe Pesci:
–The game: “We hadn’t felt much pressure in our scrimmage and three games so far as they all ended by 10-run rule. Today Bensalem flipped the script and jumped on us right away. They had four runs on five hits in the first inning, and it was the first time we have trailed this season. I’m proud of our team for answering back with three in the bottom of the first and another three in the second. Bensalem didn’t let up, and our kids kept answering back.
“Bensalem out-hit us, but we took advantage of free bases with some timely hitting. The top four in our order came through again with seven hits.
“This league is tough. We knew after Wednesday’s game Bensalem would be coming out angry and they did. But our guys really showed some resilience. It wasn’t pretty, but you have to find different ways to win, and our kids did that.”
–Props: “Connor O’Brien came in relief in the second inning and did a great job getting out of jams with a K in three straight innings. It was big for him to come in and give us four solid innings.
Up next: Pennsbury will close out its three-game series at Bensalem Friday.
Bensalem 401 004 0 9-11-2
Pennsbury 330 042 x 12-8-0
SOL Freedom Division
CHELTENHAM 4, WILLIAM TENNENT 0
Finn Kopp and Nate Leary combined for a five-hit shutout, as Cheltenham opened up Freedom Division play in style with a 4-0 win over William Tennent in a game played on Thursday afternoon.
Kopp was the starting and winning pitcher, going five strong, allowing just two hits, he didn’t walk a batter and he struck out nine.
Leary pitched the sixth and seventh inning, scattering three hits and two walks to keep the shutout intact.
Key Players: C-Finn Kopp (WP, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K), Nate Batiancila (2-for-3, 2B, 2 runs), Wolf Brown (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Ahsaiah Upchurch (1-2, 2 RBIs), Jack Haugen (1-3, 2B,1 RBI); WT- Perotti (2-for-3)
Key Inning: Bottom of the 2nd – Nate Batiancila led off the inning with a double and the next batter, Wolf Brown, singled him home with the game’s first run.
Cheltenham coach Lukas Nakkula:
“It was a great team win. Finn Kopp and Nate Leary pitched great, and the defense was solid the whole day. We were a little slow getting the bats going, but we got going by the end of it to put some runs on the board to help our pitching out.
“Overall, a great win and a great way to start the league season.”
Next up: Cheltenham (2-1, 1-0 SOL) starts a three-game division series against Springfield on April 7. William Tennent (1-2, 0-1 SOL) hosts Upper Moreland for the first of three on April 7.
Tennent 000 000 0 – 0 5 2
Cheltenham 010 012 x – 4 7 1
Non-league
NESHAMINY 10, FATHER JUDGE 0 (5 innings)
Chase Bonner had himself a day, tossing a one-hit shutout in the abbreviated mercy rule win. He also had a pair of hits, including a double, and drove in a pair of runs.
Neshaminy took care of business in a hurry in this one, putting three runs on the board in both the first and second innings. Mike Sassano led off the first with a triple to right, and he scored on a Judge miscue. Bonner doubled to left field and scored on an error.
The three-run second included a walk and two hit batters as well as a sac fly by Bonner and a two-run single by Brandon Lall that put the ‘Skins on top 6-0 on their way to the win.
By the numbers: Neshaminy: Mike Sassano (2-for-3, 3B, 1R), Brandon Lall (2-for-3, 2B, 3RBIs
Chase Bonner (W) (5.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 2BB, 6K) (2-for-3, 2B, 2RBIs, 2R
Neshaminy coach Dan Toner:
“Our offense, all in all, played very good. We put the ball in play, ran the bases well, moved runners into scoring position, and got the hits at the right times.
“Chase Bonner had a fantastic performance on the mound today. He is a top tier competitor. It is enjoyable to watch him pitch.”
Up next: Neshaminy will host Central Bucks West on Wednesday.
Father Judge 000 00 0-1-2
Neshaminy 330 22 10-9-1
UPPER MORELAND 10, METHACTON 0 (6 innings)
The visiting Golden Bears scored early and often on their way to the abbreviated mercy rule win. Nick Simons was in command on the mound, tossing four scoreless innings to earn the win. Chase Moore closed out the game with two shutout innings.
A two-run single by Luke Sword spotted the Bears a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. They added four runs in a second inning that was highlighted by an RBI double by Moore and another two-run single by Sword that gave the ears a 6-0 lead on their way to the impressive non-league win.
By the numbers: Upper Moreland: Luke Sword (2-for-2, 4RBIs), Josh Darsney (1-for-1, 2RBIs)
Nick Simons (W) (4.0 IP, 2H, 0R, 1BB, 5K), Chase Moore (2.0 IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 1K)
Upper Moreland coach Jim Fasano:
“A great outing from Nick Simons, a senior LHP Holy Family commit. Simons is a tireless worker who has transformed himself from a kid who didn’t make 11 and 12u travel teams to our presumptive ace. Every time he’s on the mound, there’s a chance for him to do something special.
“Luke Sword, a Temple football commit, went 2-for-2 with four RBIs, and both hits were big. Lukie’s had a nagging hamstring injury that has impacted his availability, but he’s working his way back and makes our lineup even better.
“Great to see Josh Darsney and Jake Spaetti come through with pinch hits. Both kids are huge parts of our program, show up to everything in the offseason and lead by example. In games where we can only bat nine, there are some hard decisions to be made, and those guys took their opportunities and made the most of them.
“Chase Moore battled an arm injury last year so couldn’t pitch much, but has worked his way all the way back and threw two scoreless innings against a quality opponent who’s competing annually to win their league, the district, and make a run in the state tournament.
“We have a deep, experienced group of kids who’ve played together for years and genuinely love each other. It’s such a privilege to come to practice and spend time with these guys and now, after five games/scrimmages, it’s an even better feeling knowing we have a chance to win every game we play.
“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined run ruling Methacton. They have a great coaching staff, Paul Spiewak (their head coach) has won a couple hundred-plus varsity games, and I’m just proud to be on the same field competing with those guys.
“We have a week and a half before we start league play, we’ll play our purple and gold World Series next week and then it’s on to William Tennent. I’m just trying to enjoy our time together, I can’t say enough about our boys, coaches, administration and community in general. These are good people who make a positive impact in the world. I believe and expect the best is yet to come.”
Up next: Upper Moreland is off until Tuesday, April 7, when the Golden Bears will travel to William Tennent.
Upper Moreland 241 201 10-7-0
Methacton 000 000 0-5-5
PENNRIDGE 7, THE HAVERFORD SCHOOL 5
The visiting Rams found themselves on the short end of a 3-0 score but rallied for seven unanswered runs to earn the non-league win.
Ascher Hamburg’s two-run home run in the fourth made it a 3-2 game. The Rams put five runs on the board in the sixth. Highlights included a two-run double by Wyatt Moyer, an RBI single by Tim Croyle, and a two-run blast to center field by Tommy Ginnetti.
Oliver Olson – one of three hurlers to see action for the Rams – earned the win with three scoreless, no-hit innings in relief.
By the numbers: Pennridge: TJ McGuigan (2-for-4), Wyatt Moyer (1-for-1, 2B , 2RBIs, 1R), Tommy Ginnetti (1-for-2, HR, 2RBIs, 1R), Ascher Hamburg (1-for-3, HR, 2RBIs, 2R)
Oliver Olsen (W) (3.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 3K)
Pennridge coach Danny Long:
–The game: “All three of our guys did a good job of challenging on the mound. Oliver Olson really settled the middle of the game down for us. We threatened several times offensively early in the game but came up empty. Timely swings from Wyatt Moyer, Ascher Hamburg, and Tommy Ginnetti propelled us offensively.”
Up next: Pennridge will host Faith Christian Academy in a non-league game Friday.
Pennridge 000 205 0 7-8-0
Haverford Sch 030 000 2 5-6-0
NORTH PENN 11, WILSON 10
The Knights opened up a 10-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth and then withstood a Wilson rally to escape with the non-league win.
Bud Murphy’s three RBIs led the Knights, and it was his solo home run in the top of the seventh that turned out to be the difference in the game.
The Knights had eight hits but benefitted from seven Wilson miscues as well as eight free passes.
By the numbers: North Penn: Bud Murphy (2-for-3, HR, 3RBIs, 1R), George Apostolidis (1-for-3, 2B, 2RBIs), Grayson Fontaine (1-for-3, 2B, 1RBI, 2R), Trey Brennan (2B, 1R)|
North Penn coach Kevin Manero:
–The game: “It was obviously a wild final score, but I don’t think the final is really inductive of the way we played.
“We had some great approaches offensively and really played with our foot on the gas which I think is important coming out of the gates with a new lineup this season.
“We asked a lot of sophomore Isaac Whaley to start this game in the mound as well, and once he settled in, he threw up some real key shutdown innings in the second and third.”
–Props: “Bud Murphy led our offense and his HR in the seventh proved to be a big one. I really liked how we kept coming after them with the bats and baserunning in the middle innings. We don’t win this game if we didn’t do that.”
Up next: North Penn will host Hazleton in a non-league game Saturday (1pm).
North Penn 310 240 1 11-8-3
Wilson 200 015 2 10-13-7
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 6, NORTH HUNTERDON 3
The Indians head into their extended break on a high note after an impressive non-league win on Tuesday, a win that upped their record to 4-1.
Rock North took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Noah Furman doubled to left field, plating Kyle Book who singled earlier in the inning.
A four-run fourth was highlighted by an RBI single by Preston Martin and a two-run single by Book.
Ben Hindenberger earned the win, working three scoreless innings.
By the numbers: Council Rock North: Kyle Book (3-for-4, 2RBIs),Noah Furman (1-for-4, 2B, 2RBIs), Colin Goldman (1-for-4, HR, 1RBI, 1R)
Ben Hindenberger (W) (3.0 IP, 2H 0R, 4BB 6K)
Council Rock North coach Matt Schram:
“A strong team win for us today. Ben Hinderberger did a nice job on the mound. While he ran into some command issues at times, he showed resilience and worked his way out of trouble. He competed well against a very good team.
“We set the tone early, as Noah Furman led off with a double to the fence off Division I commit Hunter Brown. Getting that first run on the board was crucial to our success.”
Up next: Council Rock North is off until Monday, April 13, when the Indians will host Neshaminy.
Council Rock North 100 400 1 6-8-0
North Hunterdon 000 210 0 3-6-0
ARCHBISHOP WOOD 4, SPRINGFIELD TWP 2
The Vikings opened up a 4-0 lead after two innings, and the Spartans never could dig themselves out of that early hole. They put two runs on the board in a sixth inning highlighted by an RBI single by Mike Capoferri as well as an RBI groundout by Rocco Lugrine.
Gus May tossed three scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits.
Up next: Springfield Twp is off until Tuesday, April 7, when the Spartans will travel to Cheltenham for game one of its three-game series.
Springfield Twp 000 002 0 2-4-1
Archbishop Wood 310 000 x 4-7-0
POPE JOHN PAUL II 8, LOWER MORELAND 0
Blaise DeSanto tosses a seven-inning perfect game in Thursday’s non-league game, retiring all 21 batters he faced – fanning 13 and walking none. He needed just 78 pitches (54 strikes) to notch the win.
Up next: Lower Moreland will travel to Bristol for a non-league game Friday.
Pope John Paul II 002 130 2 8-12-0
Lower Moreland 000 000 0 0-0-1
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