Wissahickon, Plymouth Whitemarsh and Upper Moreland were winners in SOL baseball action Saturday. Check out the recaps.
SOL American Conference
WISSAHICKON 6, CHELTENHAM 2
(By Michael Steitz, Wissahickon Baseball)
First pitch on Saturday between the Panthers and the Trojans was scheduled for 10 a.m., and Sam Nakulla, Cheltenham's hurler for the day, would be the beneficiary of the early start. Mike Gorman was in opposition of Nakulla for the Trojans, and he would find himself at a quick disadvantage after allowing a two spot in the top of the first. A balk with runners at second and third plated Cheltenham's first run, and a ground ball to the right side resulted in a fielder’s choice RBI for Cheltenham's Garrett Schmidt.
The Trojans were anxious to respond but found themselves struggling to square up balls against Nakulla. Gorman would find his rhythm as the game progressed, featuring a perfect nine-pitch, three-strikeout second inning. Gorman's effort seemed to inspire the Trojan lineup, which came alive in the bottom of the third. A five-run rally was all the Trojans needed to take command for the remainder of the game.
The Trojans loaded up the bases with no outs, and they made sure not to waste the opportunity. Michael Steitz put the Trojans on the board with a single to left, and Andrew Booth added another two runs with his own base knock. A walk with the bases loaded, as well as an error in the field tacked on another two runs. Gorman cruised through the final frames and found himself back on the bump in the seventh to go for the complete game. The Trojans played crisp defense all day in support of Gorman's strong seven-inning win. Wissahickon's Tyler Caso added a spark for the Trojans, going 2-3 while coming around to score twice.
Wissahickon (7-2, 5-1 SOL) welcomes Quakertown on Tuesday, and Cheltenham (3-8, 0-6) looks to get hot against Upper Moreland on Monday.
Cheltenham 200 000 0 2-2-3
Wissahickon 005 100 x 6-5-0
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 12, HATBORO-HORSHAM 7
In a game that featured 24 hits and 19 runs, it was the Colonials having the advantage on both counts. Leading PW’s 13-hit attack were the top three batters in its lineup: Jacob Nunez (2-for-4, 2B, 2 runs), Jack Mangan (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 3 runs) and Ben Mascio (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBIs, run). Anthony Tomassetti also had a productive day, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Kevin Reilly, Matt Mitchell and Brett Bottinger each had a hit and RBI.
The Colonials scored early and often, putting four runs on the board in the first, one in the second and six more in the third to go on top 11-3. The Hatters never threatened.
The Hatters had some big offensive performances of their own, and no one had a better day than leadoff batter Jake Bianchini, who was 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Sean Gledhill and Kevin Lastowka both were 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Jimmy Tooley was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Adding one RBI each were Jake Mayson, Anthony Bruno and Benny Wilson.
Zach Chandler notched the win, allowing eight hits and six runs (four earned) while striking out two and walking one in four innings. Steve Gallagher closed it out, scattering three hits and allowing one run in three innings in relief. He struck out four and walked three.
Eric Thron absorbed the loss for the Hatters.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-3, 5-2 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland on Tuesday, and Hatboro-Horsham (3-7, 3-4) will be on the road at Springfield Township on Tuesday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 416 010 0 12-13-1
Hatboro-Horsham 102 300 1 7-11-5
Non-league
UPPER MORELAND 7, HARRY S TRUMAN 2
Mike Burns and Luke Martin combined for a solid outing in Saturday’s non-league game, allowing just five hits and two runs (both unearned) while striking out nine and walking none.
Burns notched the win, allowing two hits and two runs (unearned) while striking out four in four innings. Martin scattered two hits in three shutout innings in relief. He fanned five.
At the plate for the Golden Bears, Jack Dombroski was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Dawson Ruggles was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs, and Thomas Longstreth was 2-for-3. Curtis Ray was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Kevin Walder also had an RBI, and Connor O’Donnell had a hit and two runs scored.
The Golden Bears scored three runs in the first inning and all but put the game out of reach with four more runs in the fifth.
Upper Moreland (2-4, 1-3 SOL) will travel to Cheltenham on Monday, and Harry S Truman (4-6, 3-3) will be on the road at Council Rock North on Tuesday.
Harry S Truman 000 020 0 2-5-4
Upper Moreland 030 040 x 7-10-1
About the Author
