Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Friday. New Hope-Solebury/Lower Moreland photos courtesy of John Gleeson, and Upper Dublin/Wissahickon photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for galleries of both games. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ BASEBALL GALLERIES.
SOL Liberty Division
Upper Dublin 4, Wissahickon 0
Behind the pitching of ace Austin Dahl, Upper Dublin finished off the season sweep of rival Wissahickon with the 4-0 road win on Thursday.
It was the first game of the week for the Flying Cardinals, who defeated the Trojans twice two weeks ago by 7-0 and 7-3 final scores. Dahl threw six shutout innings in the first win of the series.
On Thursday, Dahl pitched a complete-game four-hitter, walking just two and striking out nine. He also went 2-for-3 with a RBI at the plate.
By the Numbers: UD: Austin Dahl (W) (7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K; 2-for-3, 1 RBI), Eddie Stoffel (2-for-3, double, 1 run), Eric Berman (1-for-3, triple, 1 RBI, 1 run)
Key Inning: Top of the 3rd: Leading 1-0, UD struck for two, as Eric Berman led off with a triple and later scored. Austin Dahl also had a RBI single in the inning.
Coach Ed Wall said: “Austin Dahl and Eric Berman played well today. Austin, on the mound, threw seven scoreless and showed his best command of the season.
“Berman, Dahl and Eddie Stoffel had good results at the plate today. Eddie got us going with a double in the second and scored on a tapper by David Morris. Berman unloaded on a triple off the wall in the third. He’s been pressing. It was really good to see him connect like that.
“One other guy who’s been playing great baseball has been Oliver Gill. His glove has been a huge highlight for us and continues to impress.”
Up next: Upper Dublin (5-2, 4-2 SOL) will travel to William Penn Charter for a non-league game Monday, and Wissahickon (3-4, 0-3) will be on the road at Abington for game one of its three-game series Monday.
Upper Dublin 012 100 0 – 4 6 1
Wissahickon 000 000 0 – 0 4 1
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2, Hatboro-Horsham 0
After a pair of close losses to Hatboro-Horsham earlier in the week, Plymouth Whitemarsh needed this one, and again it was close, but behind the standout pitching effort of Max Eagland the Colonials were able to salvage one of three.
Eagland went the distance in picking up the shutout, allowing just two hits, three walks and striking out three.
“After two losses to start the game, there was definitely some pressure to salvage one,” said Colonials coach Chris Manero. “Sometimes, when you need it most, you get a big start from one of your starting pitchers, and that was definitely what we got today.”
By the Numbers: PW: Max Eagland (W) (7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K), Mason Eagland (2-for-3, triple, 1 run), Brody Stump (2-for-4)
H-H: Shane Mills (LP, 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K)
Key Innings: Top of the 5th: After a pair of strikeouts to start the inning in a scoreless game, Gabe Caucci singled for PW, stole second, stole third and scored on a wild pitch.
Top of 7th: With two outs and no one on, Mason Eagland lined a triple to center, and he scored an insurance run when Ryan Heincer singled.
PW coach Chris Manero: “Max was outstanding again this week. He stayed in control all afternoon and seemed to be his strongest at the end.
“Behind him, we played flawless defense, which was very important for our psyche following a rough day yesterday.
“We spread out eight hits today and got some big ones late. Mason Eagland and Brody Stump have been seeing the ball really well, and production from Gabe Caucci and Ryan Heincer in the top half of the order was key again for us today.
“We like our depth, and we gave some new opportunities to guys today. We were happy with the way they responded.
“We are also thankful on a day like today to have an artificial turf field. We had a lot of rain this morning, and coach (Bill) DeBoer agreed to move the game to our field so that neither of us would get stuck with a four-game week later on. Great job by our grounds department to make sure our JV team got to play today as well.”
Up next: Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-5, 3-3 SOL) is off until Wednesday, April 16, when the Colonials will host Central Bucks East for a non-league game on Hatboro-Horsham (3-4, 2-1) will host Quakertown Monday in its first game of the three-game series.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 010 1 – 2 8 0
Hatboro-Horsham 000 000 0 – 0 2 1
SOL Freedom Division
Springfield Township 3, Cheltenham 2
Quality pitching and clutch hitting in the second was enough for Springfield in this one as the Spartans won their second one-run game over visiting Cheltenham this week.
Max May picked up the win with five strong innings, and then Ryan Trader locked it down with two shutout innings in relief to get the save.
By the Numbers: Springfield: Chris Cahill (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Matt Caruso (2 RBIs), Gus May (WP, 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K), Ryan Trader (Save, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)
Cheltenham: Jack Haugen (2-for-3, double, 1 RBI, 1 run), Eamon Ivory (4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K)
Key Inning: Bottom of the 2nd: Trailing 1-0, Chris Cahill got the Spartans on the scoreboard with a two-out RBI single. One batter later, Matt Caruso drove in two with a single to make it a 3-1 game.
Springfield coach Rob Bond said: “It was a great pitcher’s game. Max May, our senior, started (and) did a great job for his first outing of the year. He only allowed two runs, one earned, while going five innings.
“Ryan Trader came in and was lights out for the last two innings.
“They had great defense behind them, with our left fielder John Matthews making two great plays.“
“It’s always nice when you can get a league win.”
Up next: Cheltenham (1-2 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland Monday for the first game of its three-game series, and Springfield Twp (3-0, 2-0) will travel to Dock Mennonite Academy for a non-league game Saturday (12 noon) and will begin its three-game series against Lower Moreland at home on Monday.
Cheltenham 100 100 0 – 2 4 2
Springfield 030 000 x – 3 4 1
New Hope-Solebury 6, Lower Moreland 5
Blake McCagg had a big day at the plate and then came through on the mound with the game on the line, as New Hope took the season series with the 6-5 road win at Lower Moreland on Thursday afternoon.
McCagg, who starts at shortstop, went 4-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Coming on in relief of freshman starter Andrew Whelan in the bottom of the seventh, he was able to get out of a jam to pick up the save and secure the win.
By the Numbers: New Hope: Blake McCagg (4-for-4, double, 3 runs), Lukas Kevorkian (3-for-3, 3 RBIs), Joe Rickard (2-for-4, double, 2 RBIs), Andrew Whelan (W) (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 5 K, 2-for-4, double), Sam Morrin (2-for-4, 1 RBI), Joel Carmenini (2-for-3)
Key Inning: Top of the 7th: For New Hope, Blake McCagg and Joe Rickard both doubled, as two more runs scored to up the team’s lead to 6-2.
Bottom of the 7th: LM scored three runs to make it interesting, as James Cronin had an RBI single, followed by a Bradley Horsnall two-run double, all with two outs, before McCagg, who earlier came on in relief of starter Andrew Whelan, was able to get out of the jam with a flyout to secure the win.
New Hope coach Tony Vlahovic: “The rubber game between NH-S and LM was a wild one. The freshman battery of Anthony Whelan and Lucas
Kevorkian was impressive. Anthony picked up his first victory. He threw six solid innings moving his pitches around the plate. We have been working on his mental approach and today the rookie put the pieces together.
“Our lineup hit the ball well and jumped out to an early lead, but coach Mike Guido’s team is scrappy and clawed back into the game. Both teams didn’t create a baserunning instructional video today. It was ugly at times, and we understand that our team is making young mistakes. We had two injuries in one inning and guys had to play some unfamiliar positions and handled it well.
“Blake McCagg, Anthony Whelan, Lucas Kevorkian and Joe Rickard were all barreling the ball today. We had clutch hitting with runners in scoring position from Sam Morrin.
“Both coach Guido and I agreed the new format of three game series is definitely great for our league.”
Up next: New Hope-Solebury (5-1, 2-1 SOL) will host William Tennent in game one of its three-game series on Monday, and Lower Moreland (3-4, 1-2) will travel to Bensalem Saturday for a non-league game (11 am) and Monday will travel to Springfield Twp for game one of its three-game series.
New Hope 201 001 2 – 6 17 2
Lower Moreland 101 000 3 – 5 5 0
SOL Colonial Division
Central Bucks West 3, Central Bucks South 2
For the third time in three days, these rivals played tight ones, and with two runs in the top of the seventh, CB West emerged with the 3-2 win to take the season series against CB South and improved to 7-1 overall on the season.
Gavin Shiffler tied it with an RBI double and then Noah Gerstein drove home the go-ahead run to put the Bucks in front for good.
Freshman Steven Verdolini picked up the win in relief, with three shutout innings.
By the Numbers: CB West: Connor Grzywacz (double, 1 RBI), Gavin Shiffler (double, 1 RBI, 2 runs), Stephen Verdolini (W) (3 IP, 1 H, O ER, 1 BB, 5 K)
CB South: James Schaefer (1-for-3, 1 RBI), Jake Friedman (4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K)
Key Inning: Top of the 7th: Michael Koldhoff got things started with a one-out double, and scored as Gavin Shiffler followed with an RBI double of his to tie it up. Noah Gernstein’s singled home the go-ahead run one batter later.
CB West coach Thomas Spratt: “Steven Verdolini, in his first appearance on varsity, entered the game in a big spot down 2-1 going into the last inning and holding them the rest of the way was huge.
“This was a great team win.”
Up next: Central Bucks South (3-3, 1-2 SO) will travel to North Penn for its first game of the three-game series, and Central Bucks West (5-1, 2-1) will host Pennridge in game one of its series on Monday.
CB West 001 000 2 – 3 6 1
CB South 100 100 0 – 2 5 1
Game 1: Souderton 13, Pennridge 0
Game 2: Souderton 6, Pennridge 4
Doubleheaders are a rarity in high school baseball, but with a sketchy week of weather, Souderton and Pennridge opted to play two on Thursday, and the host Indians emerged with a pair of wins to sweep the season series with their archrivals.
“It was definitely interesting playing in your first high school series and ending it in a double header because of weather this past week,” said Souderton coach Mike Childs. “I am glad the result ended in our favor.
“This series was definitely team wins. A lot of players contributed. Starting with our pitching staff who really stepped up today, letting up four runs with 26 Ks in the last two games of this series.
Trent Lutz and Gavin Wisnoski both got their first high school wins against a gritty Pennridge team. Gavin showed me a lot today when we went down early, giving up a 2-run home run, but he didn’t get rattled, kept his composure and almost recorded the complete game.
“At the plate, Nick Tuccillo has been sparking our team in the leadoff spot. He had 2 hits in each game today. He has set the tone for the rest of our team.”
Game 1
By the Numbers: Souderton: John Byrwa (1-for-2, HR, 4 RBIs, 3 runs), Nick Tuccillo (2-for-4, 1 RBI), Connor Klock (2-for-2, 1 RBI), Charlie Hunsinger (2-for-2, double, 3 RBIs, 1 run), Trent Lutz (W) (5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 12 K)
Key Inning: Bottom of the 6th: Leading 2-0, the Indians exploded with six to break the game wide open. Charlie Hunsinger had a double, Nick Tuccillo, Cody Ricko, and Connor Klock had three straight singles, they were aided by a pair of errors in the field, and Hunsinger got up again and finished the inning with a two-run single.
Pennridge. 000 000 – 0 2 3
Souderton 011 614 – 13 13 1
Game 2
By the Numbers: Souderton: Nick Tuccillo (2-for-3, double, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Gavin Wisnoski (WP, 6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 11 K)
Pennridge: Murray (1-for-2, HR, 1 RBI), Hamburg (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBIs)
Key Inning: Bottom of the 5th: Tied at 3, after Connor Hunsicker drew a leadoff walk, Nick Tuccillo put Souderton back in front with an RBI double to center field. Cody Ricko followed with an RBI sac fly to make it 5-3.
Pennridge 201 000 1 – 4 3 2
Souderton 012 021 x – 6 6 1
Up next: Souderton (8-0, 3-0 SOL) will host Central Bucks East in game one of its three-game series Monday, and Pennridge (3-3, 0-3) will be on the road at Central Bucks West for the opening game of its three-game series Monday.
North Penn 3, Central Bucks East 0
Playing the same opponent for the third time this week, and with two wins already under its belt, North Penn turned to junior Jake Nunn on Thursday, and Nunn helped deliver the series sweep for his team with a two-hit shutout, as the Knights blanked visiting CB East.
Nunn walked one and struck out six.
By the Numbers: North Penn: Jake Nunn (W) (7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K), Mason Coyne (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs), Kevin Brace (2-for-3, double, 1 run, 1 RBI)
Key Inning: Bottom of the 1st: After Josh Martinell drew a one-out walk, Kevin Brace hit an RBI double to center field to put North Penn on the scoreboard. Later, with two on and two out, Mason Coyne ripped a two-run double to left to make it a 3-0 game.
NP coach Kevin Manero: “I would have thought the third game of a three-game series might be the highest scoring game of the week. Maybe because it’s the third in a row and there was a little fatigue it didn’t turn out that way.
“Jake Nunn threw an outstanding game today. He was efficient in the strike zone, had good defense behind him and that was a nice way to start the year.
“He only threw 85 pitches. He’s a junior, has been in the program a couple years and has gotten a little bit better every year. We have a few guys in the running to be our third starter, and he’s one of them. When it was time to go out and pitch, he made a good case for himself today.”
–Offensively: “We only had four hits – two for Kevin Brace and two for Mason Coyne. Those two guys are good examples of our team this year. They’re both seniors who’ve had their ups and downs, but both have shown themselves to be much better baseball players than they were a year ago.
“I thought offensive production – it was important to come out early and we did.”
CB East 000 000 0 – 0 2 1
North Penn 300 000 x – 3 4 2
SOL Patriot Division
Council Rock North 3, Pennsbury 2
Pennsbury won the first two this week, but Thursday it was CR North’s turn, as the Indians rode solid pitching and timely hitting to edge the Falcons on the road, 3-2.
Jude Hamiltion and Will Godonis limited Pennsbury to just two runs – one in both the sixth and seventh innings – on just three hits.
By the Numbers: CR North: Jude Hamilton (W) (5 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K; 1 RBI), Will Godonis (Save) (1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER), Connor Schmidt (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Ryan Bukowski (1 RBI)
Key Inning: Top of the 7th: Up 2-1, Will Seiler led off with a single for CR North and later scored on a Ryan Bukowski RBI single.
Bottom of the 7th: Pennsbury’s Evan Hawkes made it a 3-2 game with a two-out RBI double, but CR North reliever Will Godonis was able to get the final out to secure the win.
CR North coach Matt Schram: “Nothing short of a typical SOL Patriot League game. Jude Hamilton threw a gem for 5 innings and Will Godonis came in and held the high-powered Pennsbury offense.
“I was pleased with how we played considering the first two games we gave them way too many runs by our errors and mistakes. You cannot give a well-coached team like Pennsbury any freebies, as they will capitalize on every mistake.
“This was our first three-game series of the year, and it was as grueling as expected. Our league is so difficult on all levels.”
Up next: Council Rock North (2-3, 1-2 SOL) will begin its three-game series at Neshaminy on Monday, and Pennsbury (4-1-1, 2-1) will travel to Council Rock South Monday for game one of its three-game series.
CR North 100 100 1 – 3 8 2
Pennsbury 000 001 1 – 2 3 0
Bensalem 6, Council Rock South 3
After dropping the first two games of the series to CR South earlier this week by a combined score of 14-3, Bensalem came out with a vengeance on Thursday and led from start to finish, jumping up by four runs early and holding the Golden Hawks at bay the rest of the way.
“It was definitely important to come back from a couple of losses,” said Owls coach Harry Daut, Jr. “Logan Savage came up with a big hit, Joe Dougherty helped with a couple hits as well.
“Our pitchers were getting the first pitch over for strikes consistently and got out of a couple tough jams.”
By the Numbers: Bensalem: Jimmy McGinty (WP, 4 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K), Hayden Sorenson (Save, 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K); Logan Savage (1-for-3, double, 2 RBIs, 2 runs), Joey Doc (2-for-2, 2 RBIs).
CR South: Reed Curtier (2-for-4, 1 RBI)
Key Inning: Bottom of the 5th: After CR South cut the lead to 4-3, Bensalem answered with two to put the game away. Pasquarella scored a run with a sacrifice fly, and Joey Doc picked up his second RBI of the game with a run-scoring single.
Up next: Council Rock South (4-3, 2-1 SOL) will host Pennsbury Monday in its opening round game of the three-game series, and Bensalem (4-3, 2-3) will host Lower Moreland in a non-league game Saturday (11 am) before beginning its three-game series at Harry S Truman on Monday.
CR South 000 300 0 – 3 4 4
Bensalem 022 020 x – 6 6 0
Neshaminy 3, Harry S. Truman 0
On Thursday, it was Chase Bonner and Noah Wallace’s turn, as Neshaminy capped off an impressive week with a dominant pitching performance, completing the three-game sweep over Harry S. Truman in SOL Patriot play.
In the three games, Neshaminy outscored the Tigers 26-1.
By the Numbers: Neshaminy: Chase Bonner (WP, 5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 1-for-3, 2 RBIs), Noah Wallace (Save, 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K), Mike Sassano (2-for-3, double)
Key Inning: Top of the 3rd: Mike Sassano reached on a one-out single, and later with two outs and runners on second and third, Chase Bonner drove both home with an RBI single to right.
Neshaminy coach Dan Toner: “Being able to close out the series was very important for our team. I wasn’t sure how we were going to come out playing the same team three times in four days, but we were able to rally behind our pitching and get the win.”
“Truman’s pitcher did a very good job inducing ground balls and getting us out in front. He didn’t allow our hitters to string hits together.
“It was a fantastic week for us, and we are looking forward to our next series.”
–Props: “Chase Bonner had his first outing of the season and was very impressive. Noah Wallace was once again able to come in and close out the game.
“Chase also did a fantastic job at the plate driving in two runs in a crucial moment of the game.”
Up next: Neshaminy (4-3, 4-1 SOL) will host Council Rock North on Monday in its opening round game of the three-game series, and Harry S Truman (1-4, 0-3) will host Bensalem Monday in game one of its three-game series.
Neshaminy 002 100 0 – 3 6 0
Truman 000 000 0 – 0 4 1
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