Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Tuesday. CB West/CB East photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko, and PW/Abington photos courtesy of Michael Rice. Check back for galleries of both games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f899671345 (Neshaminy/Pennsbury photos courtesy of Jesse Garber: https://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p321282842 )
SOL Patriot Division
Neshaminy 9, Pennsbury 2
Looking to hone in on a Patriot Division title, first-place Neshaminy notched its second big win over Pennsbury this season and did so in convincing fashion by a 9-2 score on Tuesday afternoon.
“It was nice to get back to our division and the feel of a rivalry game today,” said Neshaminy coach Dan Toner. “It was just what we needed. That rivalry feel allowed us to bring an energy you don’t always get from crossover games. That energy led to fantastic play in every single aspect of the game.”
On the mound, Ryan Fox blanked the Falcons for five innings, and then after giving up a pair of runs in the sixth, pitched a scoreless seventh to close out the game. He allowed just two hits and three walks, while striking out five.
“Ryan Fox had an absolutely dominant performance,” Toner said. “For him to pitch a complete game while throwing only 81 pitches says it all. At no point was he in trouble, and there was only one ball that I can remember being hit hard.
“Ryan dominated the strike zone and pitched to soft contact the entire game. It was very impressive to watch.”
Neshaminy broke a scoreless tie with five runs in the bottom of the third inning.
Chase Bonner, Stone Powell, Fox, and Dom Nocito each had RBI singles, while the other run came home on a groundout by Plebani.
Anthony Trommer went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Joel Bonner, Powell, and Fox had two hits each.
“Offensively, we matched Fox’s performance on the mound and were able to put up double-digit hits again,” Toner said. “The top of our order did a lot of damage today.”
Neshaminy (12-2, 10-2 SOL) will host Council Rock South today, the third of four games in four days.
Pennsbury (9-5, 7-5 SOL) will be on the road at Harry S Truman today.
Pennsbury 000 002 0 – 2 2 2
Neshaminy 005 021 x – 9 12 0
Council Rock South 6, Bensalem 5 (10 innings)
There are times you take a hit by pitch.
After Sam Serpiello was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning of a wild marathon of a game Tuesday, Jake Maurer was hit by a pitch that brought in the game-winning run as the host Golden Hawks survived against upstart Bensalem, 6-5.
It was a back-and-forth game that saw Bensalem go ahead 5-4 with two runs in the top of the seventh, including a bases-loaded walk and then an RBI single by Ryan Strazziere.
Chase Ennis led off the bottom of the second with a double and after being bunted to third, Ennis scored the tying run on a Ryan Curtier RBI single.
Neither team scored in the eighth or ninth innings, setting the stage for the dramatic finish in the 10th.
Curtier led CR South, going 4-for-4 with an RBI. Ennis was 2-for-2 with two doubles. Serpiello also had two hits.
Jake Wilkinson pitched three scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win for the CR South.
Strazziere and Logan Savage had two hits each for the Owls.
Council Rock South (7-7, 6-5 SOL) will be on the road at Neshaminy today.
Bensalem (3-11, 1-9 SOL) will host Council Rock North Thursday.
Bensalem 000 030 200 0 – 5 9 2
CR South 110 001 100 1 – 6 12 3
Council Rock North 7, Harry S Truman 4
CR North trailed for most of the afternoon, but with the game on the line, the Indians came through in a big way over the final two innings, rallying from a four-run deficit to get past Truman 7-4 on Tuesday.
“Nothing short of a typical battle in our league again,” said CR North coach Matt Schram. “Their pitcher, (Ryan) Kerns, was on a roll for five innings and just shutting us down. Scoring a few runs in the sixth opened the door for the momentum to swing.”
The host Tigers started well, scoring a run in the bottom of the first as Aqual Chapman led off with a single, advanced to second on an error, stole third, and scored on a Nate Gilson RBI groundout.
In the fifth, the lead grew to 4-0.
Gavin Kenworthy and Charley Carney reached on back-to-back singles, Chapman followed with an RBI single, and later a Gilson single scored two more.
Meanwhile, Kerns did a good job working out of trouble and keeping CR North off the scoreboard … until the sixth.
Peyton Shaw and Johnny Mulder had back-to-back RBI singles to cut the lead to 4-2. One inning later, North started with three straight singles, including an RBI by Will Scibona. A fielder’s choice groundout by Preston Martin tied the game at four, and then Leor Kedar belted a two-run double to give the Indians the lead. Jude Hamilton later made it 7-4 with an RBI single.
Martin picked up the win with two scoreless innings in relief of Shaw.
“Peyton Shaw battled and kept us in the game and Preston Martin was sharp enough to close the door,” Schram said. “Offensively, Will Scibona had a big day with three hits, as well as Leor Kedar, Jude Hamilton, and Nick DiGiacomo all had two hits.
“Proud to see our guys never gave up.”
Council Rock North (8-6, 5-5 SOL) will be on the road at Bensalem on Thursday.
Harry S Truman (2-10, 2-9 SOL) will host Pennsbury today.
CR North 000 002 5 – 7 13 1
Truman 100 030 0 – 4 8 1
SOL Colonial Division
Central Bucks West 5, Central Bucks East 4
CB West jumped in front early with five runs in the first three innings and then held late to knock off first-place CB East in a night game played at Hanusey Park.
“The SOL schedule always has us playing East first in the division schedule, so it’s almost a foregone conclusion we’ll get each other’s number-one pitchers,” said Bucks coach Brian Weaver. “We knew coming in it would be Sam Bliss again, and to his credit, Bliss has been tremendous in his three starts against us over the last two seasons.
“Tonight, though, Quinn Illig set the tone with a homer in our third at-bat. That got our engine going, and two innings later we got a pair of long balls from Jack Hogenauer and Sam Greer. Michael Graban set the table for both Illig and Greer, adding the run on each of their homers. So after three innings we flipped the narrative and had a lead to play with.”
CB West starter Greer held the Patriots to just one run through the first five innings. In the sixth, however, CB East started to heat up, as Chase Harlan and Jack Mislan both hit home runs to cut the lead to 5-3 going into the seventh.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Sean Hill doubled and then Reece Moody walked. A run scored on a Nolan Behm ground out, but after an intentional walk and another walk loaded the bases, reliever Ernie Sanchez recorded a huge strikeout to end the game.
“Sam threw a heck of a game against a dangerous East lineup,” Weaver said. “He’s been one of the best pitchers in District One for the last two years,
and this year we’ve needed him to put the team on his shoulders every time he takes the hill. On the mound and at the plate, he’s given us a chance to win over and over.
“Ernie Sanchez has emerged as one of the brightest spots on the season for us, and stepping in today to gut out the sixth and seventh is a huge testament to how hard he’s worked and how much he’s grown as a pitcher. To stare down 1-6 in that lineup, in that kind of rivalry game pressure-cooker, takes a lot of resolve. He stayed level and finished the job.”
Central Bucks East (10-4, 9-2 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South Thursday.
Central Bucks West (6-7, 5-6 SOL) will host North Penn on Thursday.
CB West 203 000 0 – 5 7 0
CB East 010 002 1 – 4 5 2
Souderton 5, Central Bucks South 3
Tyler Deery hit a pinch-hit home run as Souderton scored five runs in the sixth to rally past visiting CB South on Tuesday.
“At this time of year and the position we are in, we are treating every game like a playoff game,” said Indians coach Mike Childs. “We have to play tough and never give up. Our bats started a bit slow today, but we were able to string some things together later in the game.”
CB South started quickly, as Jake Yang hit a one-out solo home run in the first inning.
Both pitchers were solid through the first four, as Souderton’s Jeremy Fallon kept it at a one-run game and CB South’s Michael Liu pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings.
Flynn hit a two-out, two-run double in the top of the fifth to up the Titans’ lead to 3-0.
Then, Souderton had its chance in the sixth.
Chris McKenna and Tyler Lutz led off with singles, Austin Kreyenhagen reached on a bunt single, and then a Connor Klock sac fly scored Souderton’s first run.
An error on an Evan Divens sac bunt loaded the bases again and tied the game up. Deery followed with a two-run homer to put Souderton in front 5-3.
“We were in a good spot with our 3, 4, 5 hitters up in the sixth,” Childs said. “Chris, Tyler, and Austin came up big leading off the inning with three singles. Tyler Deery came off the bench and hit a big home run to give us a two-run lead.
“We keep telling our guys to be prepared for when your number is called. Tyler’s home run was a great lift for our team.”
Reliever Grayson Norris worked around two base runners to close the game out in the seventh.
Souderton (7-8, 6-6 SOL) will be on the road at Pennridge Thursday.
Central Bucks South (5-8, 5-8 SOL) will host Central Bucks East Thursday at 6 p.m.
CB South 100 020 0 – 3 8 1
Souderton 000 005 x – 5 7 1
North Penn 8, Pennridge 3
Ben Farley had a big day at the plate, rallying North Penn from an early deficit to post its third straight win, an 8-3 victory at Colonial rival Pennridge on Tuesday.
“Ben Farley really had a day at the plate,” said North Penn coach Kevin Manero. “His two-out, bases-loaded triple was obviously the defining moment in the game and he came up in the green there at such a clutch spot.
“We don’t have a lot of seniors, but when the ones we do have pick us up in those spots, it’s a huge lift.”
Farley, the Knights’ first baseman, finished the game 2-for-4 with a triple, a double, and five RBI.
This was not a game North Penn had in the bag from the beginning, however, as the host Rams came out strong with a run in the first and two in the second against lefty Trevor Lugara.
Noah Keating got Pennridge on the board with an RBI single in the first, and Kyle Watson made it 3-0 with a two-run home run in the second.
Chase Jones’ RBI single put the Knights on the board, followed by a game-tying two-run double by Farley and an RBI single by Kevin Brace in a four-run third.
Jones added an RBI double in the fourth, and then Farley knocked a three-run triple in the sixth.
Leadoff hitter James Criger, Jones, and Farley went a combined 6-for-11 with five runs scored and seven RBI at the top of the lineup.
“We were a little slow out of the gates today,” Manero said. “But from the third inning on, I thought we played some of our best total baseball of the year. And that’s what we need to string together this time of year.”
Lugara settled down and put up zeros the rest of the way. He ended up going six innings, allowed three runs on seven hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven.
“Trevor really went into shut-down inning mode after we took the lead and gave us exactly what we needed,” Manero said.
Henry Wetzel recorded the final three outs to close it out in the seventh.
North Penn (9-5, 7-5 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks West Thursday.
Pennridge (7-5, 4-5 SOL) hosts Souderton on Thursday.
North Penn 004 103 0 – 8 10 0
Pennridge 120 000 0 – 3 7 2
SOL Liberty Division
Wissahickon 2, Hatboro-Horsham 0
Gavin Malloy was the story in this one, tossing a complete-game four-hitter as Wissahickon edged Hatboro-Horsham 2-0 in a Liberty Division pitchers’ duel on Tuesday.
Malloy threw just 75 pitches and did not walk a batter, while striking out four.
“Today was a completely dominant performance from Gavin Malloy,” said Trojans’ coach Andy Noga. “Coming off an all-league closer role last season, we’ve asked him to step into a starting role this season, and he’s been up for the challenge.
“We’ve preached the importance of limiting walks to him; today, he had none. We have stressed that it’s OK for him to pitch to contact; today he only had four strikeouts, scattered four hits and was able to go the distance because of it.”
Hatters’ pitcher Stephen Plefka matched up for most the day, but in the critical fifth inning, the Trojans cashed in on a rare opportunity.
After a leadoff walk to Gulio Carbo, Jonnie Klinger singled and after an error, the runners moved up to second and third. Josh Palutis followed with a two-run single and that proved all it would take for Malloy.
“Behind (Malloy) we played stellar defense,” Noga said. “Gulio Carbo, a freshman, stepped in today in a big spot at shortstop and was spectacular. We executed a perfect double cut to throw a runner out at third, and we executed a play at the plate after a dropped third strike, which was huge for us.
“Offensively, we still find ways to make things happen, play small ball, run the bases well, and find ways to grind out at-bats to scratch runs across.
“Today was a big get for us, and five wins in a row is a big accomplishment for us moving into a huge game against Upper Dublin on Thursday.”
Wissahickon (10-4, 7-4 SOL) will host Upper Dublin on Thursday.
Hatboro-Horsham (7-6, 6-6 SOL) will travel to Abington on Thursday
Wissahickon 000 020 0 – 2 4 1
H-H 000 000 0 – 0 4 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3, Abington 1
A little run support was all that PW starter Colin Brady needed Tuesday, as he pitched a complete-game four-hitter to hold off visiting Abington.
“As we come down to the final weeks of the regular season, we know that every game will be tough,” said Colonials’ coach Chris Manero. “And Abington proved that today. They didn’t give an inch.
“Colin was outstanding for us again today. His command of the strike zone and his ability to have quick, efficient innings has been a huge factor for us this season.
“He pitched into a little bit of trouble in the fifth, and it looked like his day was close to being done. But he wanted the ball. He wanted to have a shot to finish, and he came out and was maybe the best he had been all day in the sixth and the seventh.”
Brady allowed just the one earned run, walking two and striking out eight. He threw 90 pitches.
Offensively, the Colonials didn’t have much luck against Abington starter Chase Wolf, but took an early lead with one in the first and one in the third.
Gavin Moore had an RBI single to break open the scoring, and two innings later a Mason Eagland groundout with the bases loaded plated another.
Abington cut the lead to 2-1 on a Chase Goodson RBI single in the fifth, only to see PW come back in the seventh as Ryan Moore scored from third on a wild pitch.
“We left far too many on base today,” Manero said. “Ten LOBs (left on base) is less than ideal, and many of them were in scoring position.
“So that emphasized some big moments where we were able to get guys across the plate.
Gavin’s big two-out RBI in the first was huge, Mason Eagland put a ball in play for an RBI groundout that scored our second run, and Ryan Moore (in as a courtesy runner for Chase Olszyk) flew home on a wild pitch that didn’t get too far away to score an important third run in the sixth.
“That’s a sophomore, a freshman, and a senior all making a big impact. Spreading out that success is what we hope can continue to build confidence up and down the lineup.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (13-2, 12-0 SOL) will travel to Quakertown on Thursday.
Abington (4-6, 4-6 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham Thursday.
Abington 000 010 0 – 1 4 2
PW 101 001 x – 3 7 0
Quakertown 0, Upper Dublin 0 (Suspended)
Lightening brought a halt to Tuesday’s game with one out in the top of the eighth inning of a scoreless contest. The game will be resumed on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Pitching on both sides was the story of the first seven innings. Upper Dublin’s Austin Dahl allowed three hits in seven shutout innings, striking out seven and walking none.
For the Panthers, Cooper Natisin also threw seven shutout innings, allowing one hit while striking out five and walking two.
Quakertown (10-4, 9-2 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday, and Upper Dublin (10-3, 8-1) will host Wissahickon on Thursday.
Upper Dublin 000 000 0 0-1-2
Quakertown 000 000 0 0-3-0
SOL Freedom Division
Cheltenham 11, New Hope-Solebury 1 (5 innings)
Cheltenham needed this one.
Shortstop Sam Batiancila went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI as the Panthers snapped a three-game losing streak and finished off visiting New Hope-Solebury in five innings by an 11-1 final score.
“Prior to today’s game, I had a heart-to-heart talk with them to remind them we have seven games left – six league games – and we control our own destiny,” said coach Kevin Hite. “We definitely got off to a great start with Finn ‘Chosen One’ Kopp pitching well with great defense behind him.”
Kopp pitched 2 2/3 inning, allowing just two hits and one walk, while striking out two. Reliever Pablo Diaz Jr. finished off the game, allowing just one run in 2 1/3 innings.
Offensively, Cheltenham pounded out 10 hits, drew nine walks, and ran the bases well with four stolen bases. Jack Haugen and Emile Chanoine each had two hits and two RBI.
“I told them we need to be aggressive and hit the ball so we came out swinging, which got us off to a good start,” Hite said. “Sam ‘Smooth’ Batiancila led us with three hits and senior relief pitcher Pablo Diaz Jr. gave us a strong effort in relief for Kopp.
“Thursday’s game against Lower Moreland will be another must win game. so we must carry this momentum.”
Cheltenham (4-9, 3-8 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland Thursday.
New Hope-Solebury (3-12, 1-11 SOL) will host Springfield Twp Thursday.
New Hope 000 01 – 1 4 0
Cheltenham 700 22 – 11 10 2
Springfield Twp 12, William Tennent 3
An eight-spot in the top of the seventh inning blew open a close game as Springfield snapped a five-game losing streak, earning an important win as it remains in the running for a division championship.
“We’re struggling,” said Spartans’ coach Dennis Primavera. “Last week was crossover week, and for the first time in five years, I’m getting pitching and defense and no hitting. Our hitters are way behind where they should be.
“We played Plymouth Whitemarsh (a 5-4 loss), and then we go up against Abington – we probably had five or six chances, and all we needed was a hit. That didn’t happen, and we ended up losing 2-0, but the worst was Wissahickon (a 3-2 loss). We had the bases loaded in the first inning with no outs, (and) a popup to the infield, a called third strike looking and another strikeout. They got out of the inning, credit to them.
“We’re not getting blown out by crossover teams, which usually happens.”
Tuesday, Springfield had quality pitching and some timely hits and the result was a big win.
Max May went the distance on the mound, scattering 10 hits and allowing just one earned run, without a walk. He threw 92 pitches and struck out five.
“We’re getting pitching,” Primavera said. “Max May pitched a complete game. He gave up 10 hits, but he spread them around enough. He didn’t walk anyone, and that’s a big deal. That’s a key.
“The other key is our infield defense. We turned three double plays. That gives the team half the innings to score. It basically helps eliminate half the game.
“We had a couple hiccups on defense for the first time in a long time, but we survived.”
Offensively, Nolan Kidwell was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Chris Cahill and Owen Hastings both had two hits.
In the critical seventh inning, the Spartans had seven singles, two walks and two hit batters.
“It came in bunches,” Primavera said. “I’ve been waiting a year-and-a-half for that. Now, we have the rest of the season to hopefully make the playoffs. If we keep up how we’re playing, we should make the playoffs, but we need to get a home game, and that’s tough.”
Primavera acknowledged that 20 games – with an abbreviated preseason – is a short season.
“That’s where those nonleague games come in,” the Spartans’ coach said. “I use those games to get kids into the game that don’t usually play a lot. I get to see what they can do, and there are some surprises, and I use that. That’s where I found out I had two players that could play. They’ve been playing, and they’ve been hitting. One of them is (Chris) Cahill. He’s doing a fabulous job since he got a chance to play, and we got a chance to look at him.”
Springfield (6-7, 6-6 SOL) will be on the road at New Hope-Solebury on Thursday.
William Tennent (3-10, 2-9 SOL) will host Upper Moreland Thursday.
Springfield 001 030 8 – 12 11 3
Tennent 010 001 1 – 3 10 6
Upper Moreland 6. Lower Moreland 1
Upper Moreland bounced back from four straight losses in a big way against Lower Moreland Tuesday, with strong pitching and a solid offensive game with 12 hits to remain very much alive in the Freedom Division title chase.
“Good for us to get back on the right side of the win column,” said Golden Bears’ coach Jim Fasano. “We have a great group of kids who work hard and want to improve. Our season and goals are right in front of us.”
Catcher and leadoff hitter Jackson Townsend had a big night at the plate, starting with a solo home run in the bottom of the first. He also cracked a triple and finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
“He has been maturing and growing all season long and I’m proud of him,” Fasano said. “We are all proud of him. The kid is so talented and wants to be great.”
Wood and Alex Best both had two hits, and Tanner Sharp hit a three-run home run for UM.
“We started a freshman at second base, Chase Moore, with the intention of pinch-hitting for him in most situations throughout the game,” Fasano said. “Colin Fell and Tanner Sharp both came up huge in those spots. Colin with a single and Tanner with a huge home run. And Chase made a tremendous play in the field, too.
“It was so special to see those seniors be great teammates and come through for us in clutch situations.
“Senior Alex Best has injected a spark into our lineup and had two hits today including a ball off the centerfield wall. The kid has patiently waited his turn, working hard in practice and showing that he deserves a shot. And now he’s one of our guys.”
On the mound, Nick Simons went the first four innings, allowing just one earned run, striking out eight. Luke Sword and Nate Kelly came out of the bullpen and closed out the game.
“Nick Simons gutted through four innings today,” Fasano said. “Luke Sword gave us two good ones and Nate Kelly closed it out with an impressive seventh inning.”
Upper Moreland (5-7, 4-6 SOL) will host Roman Catholic today in a nonleague game.
Lower Moreland (6-8, 3-8 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Thursday.
Lower Moreland 001 000 0 – 1 4 0
Upper Moreland 100 500 x – 6 12 1
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