Upper Moreland & Springfield Twp were winners in SOL baseball action Thursday. Upper Moreland/Lower Moreland photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports' BASEBALL GALLERIES.
SOL Freedom Division
UPPER MORELAND 10, LOWER MORELAND 0 (6 innings)
Luke Sword threw five shutout innings in a strong outing, and Josh Darsney tossed a scoreless inning in relief. It was UM’s second shutout in as many days and gave the Golden Bears a sweep of their season series with their neighboring rival.
By the numbers: Upper Moreland: Lucas Zipper (2-for-2, 2RBI), Josh Darsney (1-for-2, 3RBI, 1R)
Luke Sword (W) (5.0 IP, 5H, 0R, 2BB, 5K), Josh Darsney (1.0 0H, 0R, 1K)
Key inning: Top of second: Sword was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, Colson Campbell followed with a single, and Jackson Townsend drew a walk to load the bases. Darsney singled to plate a pair of runs, and Zipper followed with an RBI single. The Golden Bears led 4-0 when Darsney scored on Chase Rampulla’s groundout.
Upper Moreland coach Dan Fasano: “Another total team victory for us, led by Luke Sword who went five innings with no runs, five Ks, and most importantly a 48:27 strike-to-ball ratio. Lukie is a huge part of what we do, he’s a starting pitcher, hits in the middle of the lineup, and tracks balls well in the outfield.”
--Props: “Super happy for Dilan Gruenbaum getting his first varsity hit and RBI. He’s a great kid from a great family, and while his playing opportunities have not been what he’d hoped, Dil is a great teammate and practices with an almost unmatched effort level. It would be easy for him to be upset at his situation, but he gives his all and is going to be incredibly successful in life. Not to mention he’s probably the best MLB the Show player on the team!
“Senior captain Max Abbosh had a hard hit sac fly that probably felt like a long time coming for him. Baseball, and hitting specifically, is a game
rooted in failure, and it can really wear on you. Max comes to work at practice, understands his role, but continues to strive for more. Another guy who’s probably going to be signing my paychecks in a few years.
“Senior Mason Loew scored two runs and has proven himself an impact baserunner and defender. Mason pulled his hamstring early in the season and those injuries are notoriously slow to heal. But Mason grinded out his rehab and is now back better than ever. He is also a tremendous influence on the young guys and bench morale.
“It’s easy for seniors to become disgruntled with their roles on the team but we are so lucky to have the group of guys we do, especially Max, Mason, Dilan and Ethan Molt.”
The showdown: “This sets up a big series next week against Springfield. Two undefeated teams squaring off against each other. What more can we ask for than to play meaningful baseball late in the season?
“As said by someone way smarter than me, ‘our best is enough, but our best is required.’”
Up next: Upper Moreland (10-3, 9-0 SOL) will host Springfield Twp Monday in game one of its three-game series. Both teams enter next week’s series 9-0 in division play. Lower Moreland (3-11, 1-8) will be on the road at William Tennent Monday for game one of its three-game series.
Upper Moreland 040 141 10-9-1
Lower Moreland 000 00x 0-5-4
SPRINGFIELD TWP 12, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 3
The Spartans were clinging to a 3-2 lead after four innings, but they erupted for six runs in the top of the fifth to blow the game wide open. Matthew Sokol’s two-run home run capped the big inning. The win gave the Spartans a sweep of their season series with the Lions.
Springfield’s 14-hit attack was led by the two-hit efforts of Nolan Kidwell, Robert Hartman, Owen Hastings, Mike Capoferri, Sokol and John Lynch.
Max May earned the complete game win on the mound.
The Lions were led by Anthony Whelan’s two-hit effort that included a double and RBI.
By the numbers: Springfield Twp: Nolan Kidwell (2-for-4, 2B, 1RBI, 2R), Robert Hartman (2-for-4, 2B, 2RBI, 1R), Owen Hastings (2-for-3, 2B, 2R), Mike Capoferri (2-for-3, 2 2B, 4RBI, 2R), Matthew Sokel (2-for-4, HR, 2RBI, 1R), John Lynch (2-for-2, 2RBI), Chris Cahill (2B)
Max May (W) (7 IP, 8H, 3R, 2ER, 2BB, 5K)
New Hope-Solebury: Anthony Whelan (2-for-4, 2B, 1RBI, 1R)
Key inning: Top of fifth: Leading 3-2, the Spartans blew the game open with a six-run inning. Matthew Caruso drew a leadoff walk, Kidwell followed with an RBI double. Hartman’s double plated a run, and Hastings was hit by a pitch. Mike Capoferri drove in a pair with a double to left field. Sokel’s two-run homer put the Spartans on top 9-2 on their way to the win.
Springfield Twp coach Rob Bond: “The bats finally game alive today which is good to see. We have struggle lately to stack hits and keep the line moving. I thought we had excellent at-bats and moved runners when we had the chance.
“We got behind early, but the guys stayed focus and did all the little things necessary to get us back in the game. Max May pitched very well today. Mike Capoferri drove in four runs. Matt Sokel hit his first varsity home run which was great to see.”
Up next: Springfield Twp (10-2, 9-0 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland Monday for game one of a three-game series between the division’s top squads. Both boast identical 9-0 records in division play. New Hope-Solebury (5-7, 2-7) will be on the road at Cheltenham for game one of its three-game series.
Springfield Twp 011 161 2 12-14-3
New Hope-Solebury 200 001 0 3-8-0
Non-league
METHACTON 10, CHELTENHAM 0 (6 innings)
The Panthers managed just two hits, and the Warriors scored early and often on their way to the win in the abbreviated contest.
Up next: Cheltenham (3-7, 2-6 SOL) will host New Hope-Solebury in game one of its three-game series.
Cheltenham 000 000 0-2-4
Methacton 242 002 10-10-0
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