Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Thursday. Neshaminy/Truman photos provided courtesy of Jesse Garber: https://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p519445304
SOL Patriot Division
Pennsbury 13, Bensalem 2
With a chance to clinch the SOL Patriot Division title, Pennsbury left little room for error on Thursday, jumping out to a 9-0 lead in its first four innings on the way to the 13-2 win on the road at Bensalem.
“We scored in every inning but the sixth,” said Falcons coach Joe Pesci. “We went up 9-0 and I was getting subs in, which is awesome. It was great. I got 15 kids at-bats, and three pitchers in. The only kids that didn’t play pitched recently or are kids that are going to pitch Saturday. It was awesome to have every kid be a part of the game that clinched the league.”
Freshman Keller Bradley started for Pennsbury and went five innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits and three walks, while striking out four. Relievers Isaac Galarza and Ian Pollack each pitched scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
“Our pitchers have thrown eight shutouts,” Pesci said. “We’ve had three games where we’ve given up two runs, one game where we gave up one run. Even though we’re hitting, we’re not giving up runs. The two we lost, we lost both games because of walks and errors. The pitching has been phenomenal. We know if we put a couple runs across, we’ll be OK and vice versa.
“Defensively, we’ve played great too. The outfield covers so much ground, and we’ve got three or four Division I infielders. Each piece of the game has been able to complement the other.”
Offensively, Pennsbury had 13 runs on 13 hits, and had nine batters reach on walks. Joe Tiroly was 2-for-3 with a double, triple, three runs scored and two RBIs. Ryan Zuckerman was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Tyler Boraski also had two hits, one of which was a double. Sam Labrecque also had a double.
With the division title wrapped up, the Falcons can now turn to securing the best possible District One Class 6A playoff seeding. They went into Thursday in the No. 6 position.
“We have Senior (Recognition) on Saturday,” Pesci said about the team’s annual nonleague game against Hopewell Valley (NJ) in Trenton. “That’s a fun night. We definitely want to win that game. We want to win every game … I tell the kids, ‘Every single game we play is Game 7 of the World Series, for us and the teams we’re playing.”
Pennsbury (14-3, 11-3 SOL) also has division games next week at CR South on Monday and home against CR North on Wednesday.
Bensalem (5-13, 3-12 SOL) has a nonleague game at Springfield on Saturday morning.
Pennsbury 122 420 2 – 13 12 2
Bensalem 000 200 0 – 2 3 4
Council Rock North 8, Council Rock South 3
With its season on the line, CR North has picked a good time to catch fire, as Thursday it won its fifth straight game, three in a row in Patriot Division games this week, this one at home against visiting rival CR South.
“It’s not only difficult to get a win in our league, it’s even more difficult to get a win against a rival high school, who is loaded with talent,” said Indians coach Matt Schram. “Not only is South loaded with talent, but they’re well coached, and hungry. So, today turned out to be a real test for my guys who have quietly turned a corner and are starting to find success on the field.”
CR North got things started with two runs in the second inning, as Nick DiGiacomo scored one with an RBI groundout and Nolan Riesenberger scored the other with an RBI single.
After CR South got one back in the top of the fourth, the Indians struck for four in the bottom of the fourth to make it a 6-1 game. Riesenberger drove in one with a sacrifice bunt, Will Scibona had an RBI single, one scored on an error and Leor Kedar had an RBI double.
“Leor Kedar and Brian Curry have been real strong offensively this entire week,” Schram said. “Both of them had multiple hits today, as well as great, key quality at-bats from Nolan Riesenberger.”
Kedar was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Curry was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
On the mound, Jake Ruple allowed one earned run through four innings, and reliever Peyton Shaw went the final three innings to close out the game.
“Jake Ruple started and didn’t give up a hit in his four innings – had some control issues and ran some deep counts,” Schram said. “Sophomore Peyton Shaw did a great job the final three innings, closing the door on a hard-fought win in the SOL.”
With the win, CR North is now 9-8 overall and 7-7 in the SOL. It started Thursday at No. 23 in the district power rankings. The Indians play at Neshaminy on Monday.
CR South (8-8, 7-7 SOL) was No. 18 in the district rankings before Thursday. It hosts Pennsbury on Monday.
CR South 000 100 2 – 3 4 4
CR North 020 402 x – 8 8 4
Neshaminy 4, Harry S Truman 3
Robert Harrison had an RBI single and a fielder’s choice grounder by Rob Del Buono in the bottom of the sixth was the difference, as Neshaminy won a tight one over visiting Harry S. Truman on Thursday.
“We didn’t play a great game today but getting the ‘W’ is the only thing that matters at this point of the season and we were able to get it done,” said Neshaminy coach Dan Toner.
“The offense came through when they needed to and we have done a nice job at coming back late in the game.”
Truman, which has now lost five straight, took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Gabe Marrero drove in a run with a two-out double and then Caleb Wright followed with an RBI single.
Neshaminy answered with a two-out rally in the bottom of the second, as Anthony Trommer had an RBI single with the bases loaded and another run scored on an error.
The visiting Tigers went back in front with an unearned run of its own in the third and held a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.
A single by Stone Powell and a walk to Mike Amrhein put the first two runners on for Neshaminy and Harrison followed with the game-tying RBI single to left. With one out and the bases loaded, Del Buono grounded into a fielder’s choice and the go-ahead run scored from third.
Reliever Steven Martin retired the side in order in the top of the seventh to secure the win. Martin pitched three shutout innings, not allowing a hit or a walk, while striking out one, to pick up the victory.
“Sophomore Steve Martin has been our guy all year out of the pen and he was on point again today, cleaning up and closing out the game,” Toner said.
Neshaminy (13-6, 9-6 SOL), which started the day No. 16 in the District One power rankings, next plays Monday at home against Council Rock North.
Truman (8-8, 6-7 SOL), No. 22 in the power rankings, has a makeup crossover game at CB South on Saturday.
Harry S. Truman 201 000 0 – 3 4 2
Neshaminy 020 002 x – 4 8 1
SOL Colonial Division
Central Bucks South 13, Central Bucks West 2 (5 innings)
A huge, nine-run fourth inning broke the game wide open for CB South, which avenged a previous loss to CB West with a dominating 13-2, mercy-run shortened win at West on Thursday.
“This was huge,” said Titans coach Kevin Bray. “I challenged our guys at the beginning of the week to stay on course. The ups and downs of the season have been tough on the group, especially coming off the tough loss to East the other night. We knew we had to put something together over the last couple of games, get our playoff push going in the right direction.”
The Titans scored 13 runs on 12 hits and also benefited from nine walks and four hit batters.
Senior Jack Carver played a big role with his arm and his bat. He pitched all five innings, allowing just two earned runs, while scattering three hits and three walks over 90 pitches. He also struck out four.
At the plate, CB South had battled back to take a 3-2 lead early in the fourth on an Owen Wheeler two-runs single. Then, with the bases loaded, Carver hit a grand slam to left field to put his team in command.
“Today was just our day,” Bray said. “Our guys were locked in. We had a lot of success at the plate, and obviously, Jack Carver was very effective on the mound.
“Wheeler stayed hot with two more hits and two RBIs. Connor Wojciechowski has been great for us behind the plate, and today he came through for us offensively.
“And Jack Carver, I can’t say anything more about his performance. He gets the win with five solid innings, and smacks the grand slam that broke things open for us.”
Wojciechowski went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, Carver was 2-for-4 with four RBIs, Wheeler was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Flynn Carroll was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
CB South (9-7, 7-6 SOL) has a nonleague game Friday night against Hatboro-Horsham, before returning Saturday with a makeup crossover game against Harry S. Truman. The Titans are currently No. 19 in the District One Class 6A power rankings.
CB West (11-6, 8-6 SOL) has a nonleague game at Quakertown on Friday. It currently sits at No. 13 in the power rankings.
CB South 000 94 – 13 12 0
CB West 020 00 – 2 3 0
Souderton 4, North Penn 3
Souderton needed a win to strengthen its District One Class 6A playoff case, and the Indians played a team they’ve been kryptonite for, at least this season.
For the second time this season, Souderton pulled off an upset over Colonial Division champion North Penn, this time by a 4-3 score at home.
“Today was a huge win,” said Indians coach Mike Childs. “We knew we are riding on the bubble of making playoffs. After yesterday’s nonleague loss, I told the team our season resets to these final three games to determine their playoff bid.
“They knew it started with a very good North Penn team who is ranked No. 2 in the district. We told them there is a lot of playoff points to get out there today.”
Souderton answered every time North Penn grabbed a lead early.
Back-to-back doubles by Ben Farley and Brady Dolder put North Penn up 1-0 in the second. Joey Crecca led off the bottom of the second with a double for Souderton, and he ended up tying it up on an RBI single by Connor Klock.
In the third, the visiting Knights took advantage of an error and scored runs on an RBI groundout by Jack Picozzi and an RBI single by Chase Jones. Souderton answered with two of its own in the bottom of the third on a two-run home run by Ethan Warner.
The Indians then went ahead 4-3 in the bottom of the fourth, as Chris McKenna doubled and then scored on a Warner RBI single.
“Ethan stepped up big again in the third, tying it up with a two-run homerun,” Childs said. “His three hits today are setting the tone at the plate for the other guys to model. Joey Crecca swung the bat well today, hitting two doubles. We need these guys to keep stepping up to lead the younger guys.”
On the mound, Jeremy Fallon went the first 4 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run, scattering five hits and four walks with four strikeouts.
Tyler Lutz came in and threw 2 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings of relief to pick up the save, with seven strikeouts.
“Jeremy and Tyler did a good job not letting them score a lot of runs,” Childs said. “Tyler Lutz’s performance was phenomenal, striking out the last four batters he faced to close out the game. His composure on the mound to step up in big situations both times we played them showed his confidence and mental toughness.”
Souderton (9-9, 7-7 SOL), No. 21 in District One, closes out the regular season Monday at CB East and Wednesday at CB West.
North Penn (14-2, 12-2 SOL) will look to rebound with a nonleague game at Spring-Ford on Friday night.
North Penn 012 000 0 – 3 5 0
Souderton 012 100 x – 4 7 3
SOL Liberty Division
Plymouth Whitemarsh 9, Hatboro-Horsham 4
First baseman Colin Brady went 3-for-4 with four RBIs as Plymouth Whitemarsh broke open a tie game with four runs in the top of the fourth to get a key road win over Hatboro-Horsham in Liberty Division play on Thursday.
“Colin Brady has played an outstanding first base for us all season,” said Colonials coach Chris Manero. “Yesterday, he threw three shutout innings at Souderton, and today he led us with three hits and four RBIs. That’s a heck of a week.”
Overall, PW had nine runs on 13 hits, with eight of the nine starters collecting at least one hit.
The teams traded runs through the first three innings and were tied at 2 heading into the fourth.
Ty Gartland got things started with a walk, Nick DeLucca bunted him to second and then a Gabe Caucci single put runners at second and third. After a groundout, Johnny Giordano was intentionally walked and Chase Olszyk followed with a two-out, two-run single to center to break the tie. Two batters later, Brady singled to left to drive in two more runs.
“Gabe Caucci has stepped up for us this week in a big way at second base and he has been a catalyst on the bases,” Manero said. “He’s just one example of the depth we’ve been able to utilize.”
H-H cut it to 6-4 in the sixth, as Jackson Bumpus had a two-run double, but the Colonials came right back with three insurance runs in the top of the seventh to put the game away.
Olszyk finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs as well, while DeLucca and Gavin Rocks also had two hits each.
On the mound, Giordano, Matt Krawitz and Chase Fisher all pitched at least two innings, with Krawitz getting credit for the win. Fisher pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game.
“We did a nice job today of playing a full seven innings,” Manero said. “We kept battling, had some really big at-bats with two outs, and got a very effective combined effort from three different guys on the mound.
“We are at the point in the season where we have started to call on a lot of different players to be major role players. In some cases, these are guys who haven’t played a ton of innings, but they have proven to be ready.
“This is one of the deepest pitching staffs we’ve had, and we’ve used every bit of them over the last two weeks.”
With the win, PW (14-3, 12-2 SOL), which started the night No. 3 in the District One Class 6A power rankings, remained one game out of first place in the loss column behind Upper Dublin. The Colonials and Flying Cardinals play at PW on Monday.
H-H (10-6, 7-6 SOL) is No. 9 in Class 5A. It has a nonleague game at CB South on Friday night.
PW 110 400 3 – 9 13 0
HH 011 002 0 – 4 6 1
Quakertown 4, Wissahickon 3
Three big runs in the bottom of the first were a huge lift for Quakertown, and then in the seventh it got solid relief pitching from Jackson Gilman to get out of a jam, as the Panthers avenged a previous loss to Wissahickon with a 4-3 win in Liberty Division play Thursday.
“Today was a big win for us over a great team,” said coach Jon Pallone. “We had a tough time through our conference the first time and we dropped two one-run games against good teams. We believe in ourselves and need to keep going.”
Quakertown entered the day squarely on the district playoff bubble in the No. 29 position for the upcoming 24-team tournament, but Thursday’s win should be a big power-point boost.
And that boost started with the big first inning.
Shortstop Danny Qualteria led off the game with a single, followed by a Cole Reich single. Two batters later Vinny Pellegrini had an RBI single, another scored on a bases loaded walk and then Pellegrini scored on a wild pitch to make it a 3-0 game.
“Switch-hitting shortstop Danny Qualteria continued to stay hot for us getting on base multiple times,” Pallone said. “Vinny Pellegrini continued his role knocking in a few runs as needed.”
Starter Cooper Natisin was strong on the mound as well, as he allowed just one earned run through the first six as his team led 4-1 going into the seventh.
Wissahickon rallied, scoring runs on an RBI groundout by Jack O’Donnell and an RBI single by Justin Miller.
But Gilman recorded the final two outs to get out of the jam and secure the win.
“Cooper Natisin had a great outing, almost going the distance,” Pallone said. “At times he was dominant and also worked himself out of a couple jams as well.
“Jackson Gilman has spent most of the year at JV because we’ve had a lot of depth on the mound. I told him yesterday we see him as a varsity pitcher but wanted him to get innings. He came right in with the tying run at the plate in the seventh and worked out of it for the save.”
Quakertown (7-9, 6-7 SOL) concludes a busy week with a nonleague game against CB West on Friday, before a three-game, three-day stretch of league games next week that will determine its postseason fate.
Wissahickon (11-5, 9-5 SOL), which started the day No. 11 in the power rankings, has a nonleague game at Upper Merion Friday.
Wissahickon 000 100 2 – 3 4 1
Quakertown 300 010 x – 4 6 1
SOL Freedom Division
Lower Moreland 12, New Hope-Solebury 1 (5 innings)
Nine runs in the first three innings and 12 runs on 16 hits for the game, combined with a solid five innings on the mound from ace Mason Tammaro gave Lower Moreland its third straight win, keeping its district playoff hopes alive.
“We have to keep this training rolling and see if we can qualify for a spot in the playoffs,” said LM coach Mike Guido. “It would mean a lot to the seniors. (Friday’s crossover at Abington), but we’re going to get after it, and then next week we have two revenge games against Springfield and (William Tennent) at home.
“No matter what happens, these guys have fun playing baseball. They play an exciting brand of baseball.”
That excitement started with the bats on Thursday. Lower Moreland scored three in the top of the first as senior shortstop Donato Incollingo and Andrew Dorval had RBI singles and Pat Kennedy drove in one with a sac fly.
In the second, LM tacked on five more, as Tolan Stahl had an RBI single, Matt Dymowski an RBI double and Pat Kennedy scored two with a single to make it 8-0.
“Before the games, I just want the guys locked in,” Kennedy said. “Put pressure on the defense early and make the plays behind our pitcher every game.”
Before the game was called after five because of the mercy rule, Dymowski was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and Incollingo was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Kevin Cronin, Tammaro, Xavier Gonzales and Stahl had two hits each.
“I feel confident at the plate,” Incollingo said. “Always feel confident up there. I can say the same for the rest of the team too. The boys are hot, and we couldn’t have picked a better time to get hot. I’m excited to see what we could do in this final stretch.”
Tammaro did his part on the hill too, throwing 64 pitches over five innings, allowing just one run (unearned) on five hits and two walks, while striking out three.
“Locating my pitches was working today and knowing that my fielders had my back the whole time made the outing extremely stress free,” Tammaro said.
LM (7-8, 5-8 SOL) entered the day at No. 7 in the District One Class 4A power rankings and only four teams qualify for districts.
New Hope (5-12, 3-11 SOL) has a nonleague game at South Hunterdon (NJ) on Saturday.
Lower Moreland 351 03 – 12 16 2
New Hope 001 00 – 1 5 3
William Tennent 7, Cheltenham 2
On Senior Night, a four-run second inning and stellar pitching from Lucas Kimbrough gave William Tennent the well-earned 7-2 win over visiting Cheltenham on Thursday.
“Yeah, we celebrated our Senior Night tonight and the boys came to play,” said Panthers coach Lucas Denzi. “We got an outstanding performance by senior Lucas Kimbrough on the mound. I am really proud of the effort he turned in. As a guy who is always willing to take the ball, he has pitched a lot of innings for us this season, and it all came together tonight.”
Kimbrough went the distance and allowed just two runs (both unearned) on seven hits and two walks, while striking out eight. He threw 97 pitches.
The game was tied at 1 when Tennent came to the plate in the bottom of the second. Dominic Ferrara and Mike Woehr had back-to-back RBI singles, and later in the inning, back-to-back bases loaded walks made it 5-1 and the Panthers led the rest of the way.
Ferrara was 2-for-3 with two RBIs to lead the Tennent offense. Jordan Tiburcio was 2-for-5 with two runs scored, and Evan Devor had a double and three RBIs.
“Offensively, our guys were patient at the plate and had a great approach,” Denzi said. “A few timely hits were able to drive some runs across the board.”
Tennent (5-12, 3-10 SOL) finishes its season with two games next week, starting with New Hope-Solebury at home Monday.
Cheltenham (3-12, 2-12 SOL) hosts Upper Moreland on Monday.
Cheltenham 101 000 0 – 2 7 2
Tennent 140 110 x – 7 7 2
Upper Moreland 3, Springfield Twp 0
Upper Moreland scored three runs in the bottom of the first and that’s all the runs that it scored all night.
But, that’s all the Golden Bears would need.
Senior Jimmy Torpey pitched a complete game, one-hit shutout in a dazzling 14-strikeout performance on Senior Night at Masons Mill Park.
“Just an incredible performance by Jimmy Torpey in a big spot for us,” said UM coach Jim Fasano. “He gave up his first hit in the seventh inning and struck out 14 in a one-hitter. He has been incredible for us all year in one of the best high school seasons I’ve ever seen.”
Springfield’s Matt Caruso singled to open the seventh inning to end Torpey’s no-hit bid, but the UM pitcher put down the next three batters to end the game.
Offensively, the Bears started quickly and spotted Torpey all the run support he would need. Sean Townsend led off the bottom of the first with a double, Torpey followed with a single and then Pat Kilgus followed with a two-run double to make it 2-0 before the first out was recorded.
Jackson Townsend singled to put runners on first, and third and a Nate Kelly sac fly drove in the third run of the inning.
“After a three-run first inning, (Springfield pitcher Nolan) Kidwell settled in nicely,” Fasano said. “But we got contributions from our big guys – Townsend, Torpey, Kilgus, Townsend and Nate Kelly. Colson Campbell had another solid game as he always seems to do.”
With the win, Upper Moreland (8-7, 7-6 SOL) remained in first place in the Freedom Division, while it sits at No. 10 in the District One Class 5A power rankings. It closes out division play with games Monday (Cheltenham), Tuesday (Quakertown) and Wednesday (New Hope-Solebury).
“We control our own destiny as far as the league title and playoffs are concerned, which is exactly where we want to be,” Fasano said. “We have a great group of kids who root for each other.
“Tonight was our Senior Night and it was so cool to see the community show up for our kids. Upper Moreland is a special place.”
Springfield (5-11, 5-9 SOL) has a nonleague game Saturday at Bensalem.
Springfield 000 000 0 – 0 1 2
Upper Moreland 300 000 x – 3 6 0
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