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By Scott Huff
The only official point about my projections for the upcoming PIAA Quad-A playoffs for the Suburban One League baseball teams is that the projections are unofficial.
That will all be decided for certain on Thursday when the seeding committee gets out its computers and calculators to decide who goes where and when.
The number of teams is ten – with two guaranteed spots from the SOL National, two guaranteed spots from the SOL Continental, and one from the SOL American Conference.
There will be five at-large selections.
And here’s how I figure – using my abacus - those slots will be filled after Monday’s results.
In the SOL National Conference, Neshaminy (11-2) and Council Rock North (11-2) will meet for the conference title tomorrow. The Redskins and the Indians must play a suspended 14-14 game to its conclusion. Both Neshaminy and CR North are in as the #1 and #2 teams from the conference.
Truman (10-4) and Council Rock South (9-5) should also be selected to the Quad-A 10-team field from the SOL National.
In the SOL Continental Conference, Pennridge (9-5), North Penn (9-5), and Central Bucks South (9-5) all tied for first place in the standings. And if I know my tie-breakers (which I don’t), both Pennridge and North Penn would be #1 and #2, while CB South should also be given a berth in the district playoffs.
In the SOL American Conference, Wissahickon (10-4) claimed both the title and the only guaranteed slot in the Quad-A district playoffs. Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-5) was the runner-up and should get a position in the post season.
The tenth spot is between Central Bucks West (8-6) from the SOL Continental Conference and Upper Dublin (8-6) from the SOL American Conference. I will let the committee burst that bubble.
SOL Continental Conference - Monday
North Penn (9-5) did what it had to do to create a gridlock at the top of the conference standings by beating Pennridge (9-5).
The Knights scored three runs in the first inning and made those runs stand up as they defeated the visiting Rams, 4-1.
North Penn freshman starting pitcher Bryce Mengel started the game with 3-0 record and with a dazzling 1.10 ERA, and finished the game with a perfect 4-0 mark and an impressive ERA under 1.00.
“I was really nervous before the game,” said Mengel who limited the Rams to only an unearned run in the seventh inning. “My teammates told me before the game how important it was, and not to blow it.
“I have a great defense behind me,” added Mengel who managed a meager two strikeouts. “I used my curveball a lot today, and I threw some fastballs and a changeup.”
Freshman Mengel was caught by senior catcher Jimmy Smith. Smith – who drilled a key RBI double to fuel the three-run first inning – was masterful in handling his young hurler.
“I just try to let him do his thing,” said Smith. “I check with the coaches, and then we call the pitches. He doesn’t shake me off, unless I tell him to.
“The first inning was great for us because we needed to swing the bats and get off to a good start,” added Smith. “We can be a dangerous team when we hit the ball.”
The North Penn climb from the middle of the standings should land the Knights in the district playoffs.
“We knew at the beginning of the season that we had the ability,” said North Penn head coach Bob McCreary. “We had a rough stretch where we didn’t hit the baseball, but I think we are coming out of that now.”
The loss was very disappointing for Pennridge.
A Ram victory would have given Pennridge an outright conference championship.
“We had a chance to grab a hold of the title, but we didn’t do it,” said Pennridge head coach Tom Nuneviller. “We were playing for a championship, but we let it go.
“You have to give that young pitcher a tip of the hat,” added Nuneviller in reference to Mengel’s outstanding performance. “We had some opportunities, but we let them slip away.”
Central Bucks South (9-5) joined both North Penn and Pennridge in the nine-win category with a 9-6 conference win over rival Central Bucks East (5-8).
Rich Delgado earned the victory for the Titans with a complete game effort that included five strikeouts.
The offensive load was carried by Jeff Gyza (three hits and an RBI), A.J. Trunk (two hits and two RBI), and Brian Happ (two hits and two RBI).
Central Bucks West (8-6) may have let its chance for the post-season slip away after its loss to Hatboro-Horsham (7-7).
The Hatters defeated the visiting young Bucks by a 3-1 margin.
Souderton (2-12) stopped a nine-game conference losing streak with a 6-4 victory over Quakertown (6-7).
Suburban One League Continental Conference Standings
1. North Penn Knights (9-5)
Pennridge Rams (9-5)
Central Bucks South Titans (9-5)
4. Central Bucks West Bucks (8-6)
5. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (7-7)
6. Quakertown Panthers (6-7)
7. Central Bucks East Patriots (5-8)
8. Souderton Indians (2-12)
On-Deck-Tuesday
Central Bucks East @ Quakertown
SOL American Conference - Monday
Wissahickon (10-4) needed a victory over visiting Upper Moreland (8-6) to both clinch a Quad-A district playoff spot and – more importantly – clinch a conference title.
And the Trojans got that critical win with a 5-4 victory over the Golden Bears.
“We asked the players to stay positive all year, and we asked our seniors to step and show leadership,”
said Wissahickon head coach Shannon Gunby. “And we accomplished both of those goals.”
Upper Moreland didn’t make it easy for the champions, though, and led 3-0 after the first inning.
“In other years, with other teams, the game might have been over at that point,” said Gunby. “But not this year or with this team.”
The Trojans scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning on an RBI single by junior Alex Lineberger. Lineberger singled home Brian Kaissi, who had led off the inning with a single.
Brian O’Donnell tripled home a key run and scored the game-tying run on an RBI single by Kaissi.
Wissahickon received another terrific effort from senior Rob McKenna. McKenna earned his sixth win of the season – all on complete games.
“Rob really learned how to spot his pitches, and he keeps everything down in the zone,” said Gunby. “It was Senior Day, and it was a great way for him to celebrate.”
McKenna didn’t celebrate alone – the Trojans celebrated the 2010 SOL American Conference title.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-5) most likely played its way into the Quad-A playoffs with a 6-4 conference win over Springfield (4-10).
Bobby Slagle came up with the critical hit – a two-run homerun in the seventh inning to win the game. Slagle went 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Steve Wallace did a nice job in registering the win for the Colonials. He threw a complete game and had five strikeouts.
Upper Dublin (8-6) put itself on the Quad-A bubble with a 6-4 loss to Upper Merion (7-7).
The Vikings – who halted a six game conference losing streak with the win – had Craig McCuch throw a complete game three hitter.
Cheltenham (4-10) closed out its season with a 13-11 conference win over Norristown (6-8).
Anthony Caringi threw a complete game for the Panthers and had 11 strikeouts.
Robert Mansell gave Cheltenham the final lead with a two-strike, two-out triple in the last of the sixth inning.
Final Suburban One League American Conference Standings
1. Wissahickon Trojans (10-4)
2. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (9-5)
3. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (8-6)
Upper Moreland Golden Bears (8-6)
5. Upper Merion Vikings (7-7)
6. Norristown Eagles (6-8)
7. Cheltenham Panthers (4-10)
Springfield Spartans (4-10)
SOL National Conference – Monday
Neshaminy (11-2) and Council Rock North (11-2) will finally be able to determine the champion of the conference.
Both the Redskins and the Indians won Monday to set up Tuesday’s showdown for the title. The teams will finish a 14-14 suspended game that was called due to darkness.
“Trying to finish this game is like arguing with your wife,” said Neshaminy head coach Dennis Cox. “After a while, you know neither one of you is going to win.”
Someone will win, though, sometime today. And that winner will be crowned champion.
Neshaminy earned its shot at the title with an 8-1 victory over Pennsbury (7-7).
Frank Leonhardt tossed a complete game for the Skins and had a pair of strikeouts. Tim Reardon had two hits and two RBI to lead the hitting attack.
Council Rock North punched its ticket to the championship tilt with a 5-0 win over Council Rock South (9-5).
Jared Weed fired a complete game shutout for the Indians.
Truman (10-4) took over sole possession of third place in the conference with a 6-2 win over William Tennent (1-13).
Steve Arthur was the complete game winner for the Tigers and had a couple of strikeouts. Zach Philippi knocked home a pair of key RBI for the winners.
Abington (4-10) closed out its season with a 7-4 conference victory over visiting Bensalem (2-12).
Sam Sparhawk started his first game of the season for the Ghosts and notched the win. Justin Emerich and Dave Hoover delivered key hits for Abington.
Suburban One League National Conference Standings
1. Council Rock North Indians (11-2)
Neshaminy Redskins (11-2)
3. Truman Tigers (10-4)
4. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (9-5)
5. Pennsbury Falcons (7-7)
6. Abington Galloping Ghosts (4-10)
7. Bensalem Owls (2-12)
8. William Tennent Panthers (1-13)
On-Deck Tuesday
Neshaminy @ Council Rock North (suspended game)
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