Scott Huff highlights the conference races and recaps all of Monday’s SOL action.
By Scott Huff
Hatboro-Horsham (12-2) will be able to add a Suburban One League Continental Conference championship trophy to its trophy case as the Hatters collected an outright title with a 4-1 victory over host North Penn (8-5).
“It was an awesome feeling to be able to win this championship, and (pitcher) Casey O’Donnell was just tremendous today,” said Hatboro-Horsham head coach Peter Moore. “Before he took the mound, he just had that certain look in his eye. He was pitching with just three days rest, but there was no question that he wanted the baseball.”
O’Donnell retired 18 of the first 19 hitters he faced – struck out eight Knight batters – and allowed just two hits.
“This was the best velocity that Casey had the entire season,” said Moore of his senior lefthander. “He was in total command on both sides of the plate, and he was in total control of the game.”
Tyler Zingle and Connor Crookham collected key RBI for the Hatters to lead the offense.
“This was a great way for us to end the regular season,” said Moore. “We should have a bye in the first round (of the district playoffs), and now we can sit back and see who we get to play.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 002 001 1 - 4 8 0
North Penn Knights 000 000 1 - 1 2 0
The Rest of the Story in the SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks South (8-6) took out the paddle and spanked visiting Central Bucks West (9-4) as the Titans routed the Bucks – 10-1.
CB South scored six runs in the first inning and added four more runs in the fourth inning to cruise to the win. Brian Happ and Will Sasser each homered for South, while Bobby Witteman collected the win with a three hit effort.
Central Bucks West 001 000 0 - 1 3 3
Central Bucks South 600 400 x - 10 9 1
Central Bucks East (4-10) closed out its season on a successful note as the Patriots marched to a 6-4 victory over visiting Souderton (6-7).
Central Bucks East gave a start to Tyler Zeleny in the season finale, and Zeleny came through with a six-inning effort. Blair Killough collected a save by throwing the seventh inning. Senior Zach Grace provided the offensive firepower for the Patriots with an RBI double and a three-run triple that highlighted a five run fifth inning.
Souderton Indians 021 000 1 - 4 9 3
Central Bucks East Patriots 100 050 x - 6 6 0
Quakertown (3-10) scored the only run of the game in the fourth inning on a Matt Roberts single as the Panthers edged rival Pennridge (4-10) – 1-0. Q-town will close out its season Tuesday with a conference game against Souderton, while the defending conference champion Rams saw their season come to a close.
Quakertown senior Brandon Kulp was masterful with a four-hit shutout, while tough-luck Pennridge senior Evan Myers took the loss despite throwing a three hitter.
Quakertown Panthers 000 100 0 - 1 3 0
Pennridge Rams 000 000 0 - 0 4 2
The Suburban One League Continental Conference has two games left on the schedule to complete its regular season. Both games are scheduled Tuesday (weather permitting) as Souderton will host Quakertown and North Penn is at Central Bucks West.
Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland
Share Suburban One League American Conference Championship
Upper Dublin (14-4) and Upper Moreland (14-4) completed the conference season with victories as the Flying Cardinals soared to an 8-1 victory over Upper Merion (4-13), while the Golden Bears captured a 4-1 win over host Wissahickon (10-7).
There is an 18-game season in the SOL American Conference with each of the seven teams playing the other six teams three times each.
Over the course of the season, Upper Dublin defeated Upper Moreland all three times by scores of 5-4, 9-7, and 8-5. Upper Moreland’s fourth conference loss came against Wissahickon by a 6-4 count. Upper Dublin lost twice to Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-6 & 5-3) and twice to Cheltenham (5-3 & 5-1).
“I understand that the championship is decided by overall record – not head-to-head play,” said Upper Dublin head coach Ed Wall. “We did a great job to come out and win a championship, but I can’t say we were satisfied by sharing it.”
Upper Dublin received a nice effort on the mound by Jesse Kohler in the Upper Merion victory. Kohler threw a complete game and permitted just four hits. Andrew Carber collected three hits and sparked the Cardinal offense.
“After our loss to Cheltenham, I thought we did a good job of taking control of the conference,” said Wall as the Cardinals will enter PIAA Quad-A District One play winning eight of its last nine games. “We wanted to finish the season strong, and we did that.”
Upper Merion Vikings 010 000 0 - 1 4 4
Upper Dublin Cardinals 200 042 x - 8 8 0
“We got a great effort from (sophomore) Charlie Hooker in what is a championship game,” said Upper Moreland head coach Ernie Rehr. “He threw a no-hitter in his last outing, and he was almost as good today. We wanted to win the title outright, but Upper Dublin deserved its share.”
Upper Moreland had a pair of homeruns in the contest as Sean Valenza belted a homer in the sixth inning and Robert Knox followed with a homerun in the seventh inning.
“We had a great year, and now we get ready for the playoffs,” said Rehr as the Golden Bears compete in the PIAA Class AAA District One playoffs. “We have some solid pitchers in Kyle Walder, Charlie Hooker, and Robert Knox.”
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 100 002 1 - 4 6 1
Wissahickon Trojans 001 000 0 - 1 6 1
The Rest of the Story in the SOL American Conference
Plymouth-Whitemarsh (10-8) scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Colonials stunned visiting Norristown (3-15) – 7-6.
Teddy Slagle came up with the huge hit for the winners as he lined a two-run single with one out and the bases loaded. Mitch Weikert came on in relief to pick up the win for the Colonials.
Norristown Eagles 003 300 0 - 6 7 1
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 110 101 3 - 7 9 2
The Suburban One League American Conference has one game left on its regular season schedule as Upper Merion has an away contest at Wissahickon. The game will be played (weather permitting) on Tuesday.
What a SOL National Conference Mess!
Nothing is going to be easy when it comes to the completion of the SOL National Conference as there are two suspended games– and one makeup game – that will determine both the conference championship and seedings for the upcoming PIAA District One Quad-A playoffs.
Consider: Council Rock South (12-1) has the inside track on a conference title as the Golden Hawks hold a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning Monday in their suspended game @ Bensalem (10-2).
Consider: If Bensalem would come back and win that game – then the Owls would have to win the make-up game with Neshaminy (7-5) in order to share the title with the Hawks.
Consider: Council Rock North (9-4) is fighting for a district playoff berth, but the Indians are losing their suspended Monday game with Neshaminy after two complete innings – 2-1.
The bottom line is that both Bensalem and Neshaminy have one full game plus suspended games to finish, and both CR North and CR South have suspended games to play. The weather does not look like it will cooperate with getting these games in – the nightmare of a schedule is sure to follow.
Stay tuned.
William Tennent (4-10) collected its second straight conference win as the Panthers rallied for a 9-8 victory over host Pennsbury (5-9). It was the season finale for both teams.
A two RBI outing by both Mike Wasserleben and Danny Halbruner highlighted the Panther offense. Chuck Delagol was the winning pitcher by throwing three shutout innings of relief.
The Pennsbury offense showcased a pair of homeruns - one by Paul Gosselin and the other by Brandon Birkhead.
The Abington (2-11) @ Harry S Truman (3-10) Suburban One National Conference gamewas postponed and is scheduled for Tuesday.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
2. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
3. Bensalem Owls
4. Central Bucks West Bucks
5. Council Rock North Indians
6. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
7. Upper Moreland Golden Bears
8. North Penn Knights
9. Central Bucks South Titans
10. Wissahickon Trojans
- Log in to post comments
