Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Tuesday. Pennsbury/CR South photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Patriot Division
Pennsbury 6, Council Rock South 4
After a couple of close league losses, Pennsbury let a three-run lead slip away late Tuesday, but a dramatic bottom of the seventh helped the Falcons pull out a key win over Council Rock South.
Sophomore shortstop Ryan Zuckerman provided the dramatics in the seventh with a line drive, two-run home run to win the game.
“We gave up the tying run in the top of the seventh,” said Pennsbury coach Joe Pesci. “In the bottom of the seventh we had our leadoff hitter, Charlie Evans, coming up and he hit a triple over the right fielder’s head.
“Then our sophomore (Zuckerman), who has committed to Pitt, hit a missile to left center field for a home run. It was his second home run of the season. He had one against Bensalem that tied the game.”
Evans, a junior who has committed to Winthrop, went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Zuckerman was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Alex Martin also drove in two runs for the Falcons. Four pitchers threw for Pennsbury, including Gavin Hawks, who allowed just one earned run in four innings, and Mateo Arteaga, who struck out the one batter he faced to end the top of the seventh inning.
After losses to Bensalem and Neshaminy, this one was important for Pennsbury.
“In the two games we lost, we had the bases loaded and nobody out in the first inning and only came away with one run and that sets the tone that it’s going to be a rough game,” Pesci said. “Today, we went up 4-1 in the third inning, but then we didn’t do anything for three innings and (CR South) was able to come back, as we struggled with walks and hits.”
The Evans-Zuckerman combination at the top of the Pennsbury lineup got things started in the bottom of the first, as Evans led off with a single and Zuckerman followed with a RBI double to center field. Zuckerman later scored as he stole home on a double steal.
After CR South scored one in the top of the third on a RBI groundout by Joe Purcell, Pennsbury countered with two in the bottom half of the inning, as three walks set up a two-run single by Martin.
A two-run single by Alex Cucinotta cut the lead to 4-3 in the sixth and then the Golden Hawks tied the game in the seventh on the RBI single by Blake Booth.
Pennsbury was then able to win the game thanks to Evans and Zuckerman in walk-off fashion.
“In this league, we’re going to have teams beat each other up, and that’s what’s happening,” Pesci said. “Against Bensalem, we had the lead and we lost. Against Neshaminy, we had the lead and we lost. Today, we had the lead, lost it and we’re able to come back and win it.”
Pennsbury (3-3, 1-2 SOL) looks to make it two straight at Harry S. Truman on Wednesday. CR South (2-2, 1-2 SOL) plays at first-place Bensalem.
CR South 001 002 1 – 4 9 0
Pennsbury 202 000 2 – 6 8 0
Neshaminy 3, Harry S Truman 1
Dan Fus came out of the bullpen and allowed just one run on one hit, while striking out nine in 5 1/3 innings as Neshaminy squeaked out the close win against visiting Truman on Tuesday.
“We had a little trouble getting the bats going today, but our defense and pitching helped guide us to the win,” said Neshaminy coach Dan Toner. “Dan Fus did a nice job carrying us on the mound.”
Neshaminy fielders did not commit an error in the game.
Offensively, things started well for Toner’s squad, as Jake Kozlowski was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two out in the first, and Matt Edwards then walked to drive in another run.
But Truman starter Christian Culver found his groove at that point, and the Tigers cut it to 2-1 on a solo home run by George Cairns in the top of the third.
In the fourth, Neshaminy picked up an insurance run, as Chris James doubled with one out and scored on a Josh Martoccio RBI single.
Over the final three innings, Fus allowed just one base runner and he struck out the side in the top of the seventh to finish off the game.
Neshaminy (3-1, 2-1 SOL) hosts Council Rock North on Wednesday. Truman (0-6, 0-3 SOL) will host Pennsbury.
Harry S. Truman 001 000 0 – 1 2 0
Neshaminy 200 100 x – 3 3 0
SOL Colonial Division
North Penn 7, Souderton 5
Sophomore Dylan Brown pitched five strong innings as North Penn shook off an early deficit to post an important road win over Souderton on the heels of a tough loss to Pennridge on Friday.
Brown, a Notre Dame commit, allowed two earned runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings, but it was the way he took command after allowing two runs in the bottom of the first that impressed coach Kevin Manero.
“Dylan Brown threw the best innings for us he has all year for us,” Manero said. “He was doing all the things we’ve seen him do for a long time now. He came back after one big inning, settled in and had command of the strike zone.”
Brown ended up striking out seven, before giving way to reliever Eric Hamilton, who struck out three in the last two innings and worked out of trouble to close the game out.
Offensively, senior Steve Corrado went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while Jeff Sabater had two runs scored and two RBIs.
North Penn took advantage of six walks and five hit batters, while the two teams combined for nine errors. The Knights trailed 3-1 at one point, before taking command of the game with a four-run sixth innings.
“Once you get into your key league games, the result of the game is what matters most,” Manero said. “You have to find ways to win. We’re not playing our best basell right now. We’re making mistakes and showing our inexperience. But hopefully, we’ll learn from this and get better throughout the season.”
Jacob Horton went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI for Souderton, while Luke Pollock also hit a solo home run.
North Penn (4-1, 2-1 SOL) is back on the road Wednesday at Central Bucks South. Souderton (2-2, 1-2 SOL) looks to bounce back at Pennridge (6:15 p.m. start).
North Penn 101 104 0 – 7 6 7
Souderton 210 001 1 – 5 8 2
Central Bucks West 7, Pennridge 6
Three runs in the top of the sixth helped CB West come all the way back from an early five-run deficit to edge out Pennridge on the road Tuesday for its first win of the 2021 season.
Trailing 6-4, two errors and a walk started the critical sixth and loaded the bases for the Bucks, and then with one out a single to left by Andrew Kohl scored two and tied the game at 6. After another walk, James Carbone singled home the game-winner to right field.
Kohl and Carbone each had big games at the plate. Kohl went 3-for-4, with a double, triple and three RBIs. Carbone was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs.
“The top of our lineup saved the day today,” said CB West coach Brian Weaver. “Andrew Kohl and James Carbone have been seeing the ball well, and today everything clicked. And Mike Boyle had a loud 0-for-3. He scored two runs, including a phenomenal read on a wild pitch that crept away from their catcher. Boyle finds a way to help us compete in every game.”
Julio Ermigiotti, who did not allow an earned run in five innings of relief, set Pennridge down in the final two innings to pick up the win out of the bullpen.
“Julio Ermigiotti was a dude today,” Weaver said. “He came in to stop the bleeding in the second, and the only run he gave up was a ball that one-hopped off his calf into no-man’s land. We’ve struggled to throw strikes this year, and he came on and lived in the zone.”
Pennridge was led by Nick Chellew, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs.
The Rams were plagued by eight walks and three errors in the field, but early on looked to have this one in control, taking advantage of three West errors and an RBI double by Chellew to go up 3-0. Chellew then had a two-run double in the second to make it a 5-0 game.
“The first two innings were a nightmare,” Weaver said. “Pennridge scored three in the first, batted around, all with just one hit. We were lucky to claw back from that, but we still need to eliminate walks and errors. Pennridge jumped on every mistake we made today in those first two innings.”
Kohl had an RBI double and Carbone a two-run double to cut it to 5-3, but Pennridge pushed it to 6-3 in the bottom half of the inning on a RBI infield single by Atchley.
The Bucks scored a run on a wild pitch in the fifth, setting the stage for the big sixth inning.
CB West (1-4, 1-2 SOL) hosts rival CB East on Wednesday. Pennridge (2-2, 1-2 SOL) hosts Souderton in a night game at James Memorial Park.
CB West 003 013 0 – 7 7 3
Pennridge 321 000 0 – 6 8 3
SOL Freedom Division
Upper Moreland 8, Springfield 5
Sophomore Jimmy Torpey pitched five strong innings before tiring in the sixth and led Upper Moreland to its second straight win, as the Golden Bears jumped up on Springfield and held on late.
“He did a nice job getting ahead in counts, and making his pitch, rather than give them a chance to hit balls they want to drive,” said Upper Moreland coach Dan Heiland. “Jimmy was dominant on the mound, especially those first four innings, and the defense was very sound behind him when Springfield did put the ball in play. It was a good team win.”
Torpey struck out four in 5 2/3 innings before giving way to reliever Ryan Lennox, who finished the Spartans off.
Offensively, Greg Wiley and Connor English each went 3-for-4 for the Bears, while Sean McAfee was 2-for-3 and Paul Meyers finished with three RBIs.
UM took the lead early with two runs in the bottom of the first. McAfee led off with a single, advanced to second and later stole third, before scoring on a Shawn Townsend RBI single. English had an RBI single later in the inning.
The Bears upped that lead to 3-0 in the third on a bases-loaded walk to Meyers, before adding one in the fourth and two in the fifth to make it a 6-0 game.
Springfield rallied with five runs in the top of the sixth on RBI singles by Jack O’Malley and Brett Smith, a two-run double by Dan Matthews, and a RBI single by Joe Smith. Lennox came out of the bullpen to get the final out of the inning, and UM escaped still up 6-5.
Heiland’s squad added two key insurance runs, on a two-out RBI single by Meyers.
After three straight losses to start the season, in which it scored two runs total, UM has put together back-to-back wins in which it has scored a combined 22 runs.
“We didn’t get off to the start we wanted to,” Heiland said. “We knew we played two very good teams in Lansdale Catholic and Neshaminy, but when you look at the boxscores, I knew that wasn’t the team I thought we were going to have this year.
“They just had to stick with it and trust it. Hopefully, now we’re heading on the right path.”
UM (2-3, 2-1 SOL) plays at William Tennent on Wednesday. Springfield (2-2, 2-1 SOL) looks to bounce back at Lower Moreland.
Springfield 000 005 0 – 5 8 3
Upper Moreland 201 122 x – 8 11 0
SOL Liberty Division
Abington 5, Hatboro-Horsham 3
The Galloping Ghosts took advantage of a leadoff walk, a wild pitch and then a costly error to score two runs in the top of the seventh to break a 3-3 tie and post the SOL Liberty Division win.
John Dzielawa led off the inning with a walk, stole second and went to third on a ground out. Dzielawa then scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, and an error on a grounder scored Henry Tyler from second to make it a 5-3 game.
Luke Sydlowski worked around a leadoff single to start the bottom half of the inning to earn the save on the mound for Abington. Jameson Giannattsio picked up the win with four innings pitched, one earned run, four hits and two strikeouts.
Offensively, Abington was led by Ryan Van Buren, who went 2-for-4.
Jack Elwell went 2-for-3 to lead Hatboro-Horsham offensively. Jimmy Tooley pitched six innings for the Hatters, allowing just two earned runs on five hits, while striking out five.
This one was back-and-forth early.
Hatboro-Horsham started things off with a run in the bottom of the first, with three walks and a hit batter, only to see Abington answer right back in the second on a RBI sac fly by Dzielawa. The Hatters then grabbed the lead again in the bottom half of the inning, as Nick Katherine walked, stole second and later scored on a wild pitch.
Abington jumped up 3-2 with a pair in the third on a RBI single by Worek and then a two-out error.
In the bottom of the fifth, H-H tied it again, as Jimmy Tooley led off the inning with a single and scored on an RBI double by Logan Fischer.
Abington (2-3, 2-1 SOL) hosts first-place Plymouth Whitemarsh on Wednesday, while H-H (2-4, 1-2 SOL) looks to bounce back at Quakertown.
Abington 012 000 2 – 5 5 0
Hatboro-Horsham 110 010 0 – 3 6 3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 15, Upper Dublin 3
An eight-run fifth inning erased a deficit, as PW scored 13 runs over the last three innings and remained undefeated in pulling away from upset-minded Upper Dublin.
Senior Joe Jaconski continues his red-hot start to the season for the Colonials. Tuesday, he went 3-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored, three RBIs and two walks.
Catcher Mike Miller went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
An RBI single by David Sharp put the Flying Cardinals in front in the bottom of the second, and another runner scored as Lombardo was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded
PW tied it up in the fourth on a one-out, two-run single by Miller, only to see UD retake the lead on a Kyle Rizzo RBI single in the bottom of the fourth.
The lead would prove short-lived, however, as PW exploded offensively in the fifth. After three straight one-out walks, one run scored on a passed ball and then Jack Hildebrand drove in a run with an RBI groundout to second to put the Colonials in front for the first time at 4-3. Miller followed with an RBI single. Dominic DiCiurcio had an RBI single, Tyler Gartland drove in two with a double, Joe Redmond had an RBI single and Jaconski then made it 10-3 with an RBI single.
DiCiucio added an RBI single in the sixth, and then in the seventh, Jaconski hit a two-run home run and Redmond rounded out the scoring with another RBI single.
In all, PW pounded out 15 runs on 14 hits and nine bases on balls.
On the mound, Joe Rauscher went four innings, striking out five and allowing just one earned run to pick up the win. Alex Wilkie-Viscio threw three shutout innings out of the bullpen.
PW (5-0, 3-0 SOL) is back in action Wednesday when it plays at Abington. Upper Dublin (0-5, 0-3 SOL) looks for its first win at Wissahickon.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 281 4 – 15 14 3
Upper Dublin 020 100 0 – 3 6 1
Wissahickon 7, Quakertown 5
The Trojans pounded out seven runs on nine hits to win a back-and-forth struggle against visiting Quakertown on Tuesday.
Ben Junker went 3-for-3 with two RBIs to lead Wissahickon.
“Ben Junker continued to stay hot for us at the plate,” said Trojans coach Andy Noga. “He helped us score both our runs in the first inning with a clutch RBI single and then executed a first and third play to help score Ryan Culp from third. Overall, it was a solid day for us offensively. We got a lot of good swings in yesterday at practice so it was good to see that carry over into today’s game.”
Joe Hornig, Jackson Tappen and Seth Floyd added two hits each for the Trojans, while Bobby Haasz drove in two runs.
On the mound, Grayson Lovitz picked up the win in relief of starter Danny Crump. Crump allowed just one earned run in 3 2/3 innings, while Lovitz did not allow an earned run in 2 1/3 innings. Nate DeVincent picked up the save with a scoreless seventh inning.
“Danny Crump and Grayson Lovitz did a good job battling through some adversity and minimizing their opportunities to have a big inning,” Noga said.
Brandon Pierce went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs to lead the Quakertown offense.
After Wissahickon’s two-run first inning, the Panthers tied it up with two in the third as Pierce drove in one with a double and another run came across on an error. Pierce’s two-out single in the fourth gave his team a 3-2 advantage, but that lead wouldn’t last long.
The Trojans scored three in the bottom of the fourth on a pair of ground ball errors, and they would never trail again.
The teams combined for nine errors.
Wissahickon (3-3, 2-1 SOL) plays host to Upper Dublin on Wednesday, while Quakertown (1-3, 1-1 SOL) looks to bounce back at home against Hatboro-Horsham
Quakertown 002 111 0 – 5 7 4
Wissahickon 200 311 x – 7 9 5
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