Check out the results for SOL baseball teams in action Friday.
American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 7, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
Upper Dublin and Plymouth Whitemarsh joined forces on a day designated to raise Pediatric Cancer Awareness through the Go4theGoal program. In an effort coordinated by UD parent Susanne Swiger, players purchased Go4theGoal golden laces with the proceeds to help children who are being treated at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“We try to give back,” UD coach Ed Wall said. “I called (PW coach) Chris Manero, and right away, he was on board. It just turned out to be a great day, and we were able to raise money for pediatric cancer, which is obviously the ultimate goal.”
Senior Conor McFadden made sure a good day got even better by tossing a complete game gem on the mound. The Cardinals’ veteran allowed just four hits while striking out six and walking three.
“Conor has really stepped up this season as a senior,” Wall said. “Conor and Cole (Swiger) are both four-year starters for us, and he’s really coming up big.
“One of the question marks we had this season was pitching, and both Cole and Conor have just shown a tremendous amount of leadership on the field and taking charge of games.
“Cole was pounding strikes yesterday against Upper Merion, and Connor did the same thing today. He really kept them off balance with good off-speed mixed with well-placed fastballs. Neither one of these kids throws really hard – they don’t have a lot of velocity, but they’re just really good pitchers. They’re smart kids out there, and they’re disciplined.”
In Thursday’s 3-1 win over Upper Merion, Swiger struck out nine and did not walk a batter. UM’s only run was unearned.
“Conor had three walks, but once he got into a good rhythm, he was able to regain his command and right the ship and go the distance, which was fantastic for him,” Wall said. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Swiger and McFadden also led the Cardinals at the plate. McFadden was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and Swiger was 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and four runs scored.
“Those guys are a tough three-four,” Wall said. “When we get to the top of the order, especially with (Justin) Horn getting on in front of those two guys, and JT Breslin has been doing a great job (in the two hole).
“He’s a huge pickup for us as a junior first-year varsity player. He’s been putting the ball in play.”
Wall also pointed to the emergence of Noah Ruiz as significant.
“Noah came out of his shell a little bit for us as well,” the UD coach said. “He didn’t register any hits, but he put two balls pretty deep in the outfield for us.
“That was good to see him get going a little bit with the bat because he’s been fantastic with the glove. He’s been one of the best third basemen we’ve had in quite some time, and it’s really nice to have the hot corner locked down with him. He’s made some really nice diving plays and some good plays on the run coming up on slow rollers and some bunts. We don’t always get those plays – at least with a good accurate throw. He’s been a big bonus.”
Tommy Reilly pulled the trigger on a pair of double plays
“Tommy had a good day today,” Wall said. “He turned two double plays with Horn on balls up the middle. Tommy also had a big two-strike hit.”
The Flying Cardinals seized early control of the game, plating three runs in the first and never looking back.
“Today was probably one of our most complete games – adding the offense where we scored throughout the game, the dominant appearance by Conor and our defense having the double plays,” Wall said. “I think this season we have three or four double plays, and some years we’re struggling to get that.
“The double play combination is really solid up the middle. A lot of it is attributed to coach (Rob) Albert who works with our infielders and does an amazing job with our pitchers. With our pitching and defense, a lot of that has to do with coach Albert right now.”
Matt Cooper absorbed the loss for the Colonials.
Upper Dublin (6-0, 5-0 SOL) will be on the road at Wissahickon on Tuesday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-5, 1-3) will host Cheltenham.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 000 0 0-4-2
Upper Dublin 301 201 x 7-10-0
Continental Conference
HATBORO-HORSHAM 6, QUAKERTOWN 0
Brian Edgington turned in yet another stellar outing for the Hatters, this time tossing a four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts. He did not walk a batter.
“He dominated all day,” coach Pete Moore said. “He has been unreal all year.”
The stats underscore Edgington’s remarkable season. In three league starts, he has three complete games and two shutouts. He has allowed just one run.
“If there is a better pitcher in the league or someone with better stats, I would love to see them,” Moore said. “He’s an outstanding competitor.”
Edgington also was 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot with a pair of runs scored. Shaun Thomas (2-for-2), Drew Passerini (2-for-4, one run) and Kyle Katz (2-for-3, double, one run) also had multi-hit games for the Hatters, who collected 12 hits off a trio of Quakertown hurlers.
The Hatters scored the only run Edgington would need in the top of the first when Colin Kennedy delivered a two-out RBI single. They added three more runs in the second. Passerini led off the inning with a single, and Katz followed with a double, putting a pair on board. Billy Carr’s groundout plated Passerini, and Katz raced home when Eddie Schultz singled. Edgington, who singled, scored on Ryan O’Donnell’s single, giving the Hatters a 4-0 advantage.
In the fourth, the Hatters used singles by Edgington, Thomas and Jarrett Prendergast (RBI) to add a pair of runs, closing out the scoring for both teams.
Hatboro-Horsham (5-3, 3-2 SOL) will host Pennridge on Tuesday, and Quakertown (3-5, 2-3) will host Central Bucks South on Tuesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 130 200 0 6-12-1
Quakertown 000 0000 0-4-1
Non-league
BENSALEM 7, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
After a special senior recognition ceremony, the Owls went to work on the diamond. A trio of Bensalem pitchers limited the Bucks to just four hits in Friday’s non-league contest. Sophomore Stephen Aldrich earned the win, allowing three hits and one run in four innings. He struck out four and walked one. Freshman Dom Grady followed and did not allow a hit in two scoreless frame. He fanned two and walked one. Senior Tiernan Ryan allowed one hit in a scoreless seventh. He struck out one batter.
The Owls took a 1-0 lead in the first, but the Bucks came back to knot the score in the third. The Owls went ahead for good with a run in the bottom of the inning. They scored two runs in the third. Seniors Bill Kohler and Ryan Marietta both had RBI singles in the frame. Bensalem added three runs in the sixth to close out the scoring.
Senior Joey Benedetti reached base on all three trips to the plate, leading the Owls with a 2-for-3 effort with one RBI and one run scored. Kohler finished the day 1-for-2 with one RBI and two runs scored. Senior Kenny O’Connell singled and drove in a run, and sophomore Brian Swentkowski was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Senior Ryan Molz had a pinch run scored, senior Luke Metz drew a free pass, and senior Ricky Massott was hit by a pitch. Senior Shawn Puskar doubled for the Owls’ only extra base hit as eight of the team’s nine seniors produced for the offense. The only senior that did not – Tiernan Ryan – was on the mound, closing out the game.
For the Bucks, Kai Masters was 1-for-3 with an RBI out of the leadoff spot. Matt Carver contributed a double.
Bensalem (8-1, 4-1 SOL) will travel to William Tennent on Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (2-5, 2-3) will host Central Bucks East on Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 001 000 0 1-4-0
Bensalem 101 203 x 7-9-1
SOUDERTON 8, LANSDALE CATHOLIC 5
One day after tossing a complete game shutout to lead the Indians to a big win over first place Central Bucks South, Dan Knechel was the hero at the plate. With the score tied 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth, Knechel hit a solo home run to give the Indians a lead they would not lose. He finished the day a perfect 2-for-2 with a double, home run, two RBIs and a run scored.
Luke Barnum also was 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. Dave Schreffler had a pair of RBIs for the Indians, who collected seven hits.
The visiting Crusaders took a 3-0 lead in the first and added single runs in the third and fourth to go on top 5-0 before the Indians scored four in a fourth inning that included a two-run single by Barnum, an RBI double by Knechel and an RBI groundout by Jack Despain. The Indians knotted the score with a single run in the fifth and then won it in the sixth.
Twenty Souderton players saw action, including five pitchers. Thylar Summarell allowed one hit in two scoreless innings, fanning five and walking two. Cole Niles also threw two scoreless frames, allowing one hit while striking out four and walking one. Brandon Glass threw a scoreless seventh to close out the game.
Souderton (4-3, 3-2 SOL) will host North Penn on Tuesday.
Lansdale Catholic 301 100 0 5-5-5
Souderton 000 413 x 8-7-2
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2, ARCHBISHOP RYAN 1
In a non-league contest that saw the two teams combine for us seven hits, it was the Patriots – who made the most of their three hits – benefitting from some standout performances on the mound.
Ari Silverstein earned the win, allowing four hits and one run in 4.1 innings. Tyler Quinlan did not allow a hit and fanned two in 1.2 scoreless innings in relief. Kyle Feasby earned the save with a scoreless seventh.
Andrew Collins delivered an RBI double to put the Patriots on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. Jason Narkoff drove in East’s second run in the second inning, and the Patriots’ pitchers made those two runs stand.
Central Bucks East (3-5, 0-5 SOL) will travel to William Tennent on Monday for a non-league contest.
Archbishop Ryan 000 010 0 1-4-0
Central Bucks East 110 000 x 2-3-1
ABINGTON 5, HARRITON 4
Coach Dave Torresani used Friday’s non-league contest to give 18 players time on the diamond. He spread the pitching duties between four pitchers.
Jack Larini had the big offensive blow, delivering a three-run double in the third inning. His bases-clearing hit erased an early 3-0 deficit for the Ghosts. The Ghosts plated a single run in the fifth and another in the top of the seventh.
Closer Brian Close did the job out of the pen. He entered the game with none out, a runner on base and the Ghosts clinging to a two-run lead. After Harriton made it a one-run game, thanks to a Ghost error on the first batter he faced, Close retired the next three batters on a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to close it out with the Rams’ stranding the tying run on base.
Abington (5-2, 2-2 SOL) will be on the road at Council Rock North on Tuesday.
Abington 003 010 1 5
Harriton 210 000 1 4
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 12, CONWELL-EGAN 2 (5 innings)
The Titans exploded for seven runs in the fifth inning to bring an early end to Friday's non-league game against the Eagles. Kyle Rossi delivered the big blow in the fifth with a grand slam home run. He finished the game 2-for-2 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored. Also in that inning, Justin Mauz had a two-run single and Ben Berger added an RBI single.
In the abbreviated contest, the Titans pounded out 16 hits. Berger was 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Andrew Dietz was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and one run, and Alex Bandzlowicz was 2-for-3 with one RBI. Chris Farrell was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Chad Steinberg was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored.
After the Eagles plated a run in the top of the third, the Titans got on the scoreboard with three in the same inning. Egan answered with one run in the top of the fourth, but South got two in the bottom of the frame to go on top 5-2, setting the stage for the big fifth inning.
Justin Anderosky earned the win on the mound, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) while walking two and fanning five in 4.2 innings. Mauz closed out the fifth with a strikeout.
Central Bucks South (6-2, 4-1 SOL) will travel to Quakertown on Tuesday.
Conwell Egan 001 10 2-3-0
Central Bucks South 003 27 12-16-1
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