Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Wednesday. Pennridge/CB South photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f1073113899
SOL Freedom Division
Springfield Twp 5, Cheltenham 4
The road to the four-team District One Class 4A playoffs wasn’t exactly a clear path this week for Springfield.
In other words, the Spartans need two wins and hope for the best.
They beat rival Lower Moreland on Monday, and then Wednesday, they needed a three-run fifth inning to rally past Cheltenham 5-4.
Unofficially after Wednesday, Springfield (7-13, 7-9 SOL) is No. 4 in the power rankings, just edging out Bishop Shanahan for the last spot in the tournament, to earn a semifinal game with Pope John Paul II on Tuesday. The playoff seedings will not be official until Friday at noon.
“In order to get into the playoffs with the formula, we needed to have the win against Cheltenham, and we needed some help,” said Springfield coach Dennis Primavera. “We needed wins from teams that we beat during the season. “
“Two of them were playing each other – Tennent and Lower Moreland, so we knew we would get some bonus points there. There were two more teams – one of them was Cheltenham, who we were playing, and we had to beat them so that didn’t help. We needed New Hope to beat Upper Moreland because we beat New Hope, and New Hope won. Without New Hope beating Upper Moreland, we don’t get in.
“We’ve had a good season, but we’ve had some bad games with the young kids. That’s how it goes. In any event, we look forward to another day.”
Wednesday’s game was far from an easy win, as Cheltenham jumped ahead with two runs in the first and one in the second. Trailing 3-0, Springfield answered with two in the bottom of the second, as Colby Sabin had an RBI single and Mike Capoferri an RBI double.
It was a 4-2 game heading into the fifth. Matt Caruso led off with a double, followed by a Brett Smith single. Then, with one out, Jack Hartman smacked a three-run home run to right to give Springfield its first lead of the game.
Will Hastings went the distance on the mound for Springfield, allowing just two earned runs and throwing just 80 pitches.
“We had to win two games this week,” Primavera said. “We played Lower Moreland on Monday, and we had to win that game to even get to this point, which we did. Ryan Marcino had a great game with eight RBIs – he had two three-run home runs, and he came up again with second and third and hit a two-run single.
“I had to bring in Will Hastings on Monday, and he came in and just threw strikes. He got us out of it, and we ended up winning the game.
“I always wanted him to throw today because he’s a senior, and it’s Senior Day. He ended up cranking up a good one. I think it’s the only complete game we had this year other than Nolan Kidwell.
“We didn’t hit that well, but we got timely hits – the three-run home run that put us up 5-4.
“Now, we have a bunch of days to get healthy. We’ll see what happens. If I have to say good-bye to the kids, it will be a better way than today.”
Cheltenham finished its season with a 3-14 overall record and it was 2-14 in the SOL.
Cheltenham 211 000 0 – 4 5 2
Springfield 020 030 x – 5 7 4
New Hope-Solebury 7, Upper Moreland 6 (9 innings)
Senior Saul Carmenini went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, including the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth inning, as New Hope-Solebury concluded its season with a dramatic 7-6 win over Freedom Division champ Upper Moreland.
“A ninth-inning walk-off by a senior on Senior Day was a wild way for us to end our season with seven wins,” said Lions coach Tony Vlahovic, who celebrated career win No. 150 at New Hope.
“Our three seniors, Nate Wiseman (with) clutch hitting, solid defense, Matt Rickert (with) defense and leadership, and Saul Carmenini (who had the) game-winning hit in the ninth and was the winning pitcher throwing four solid innings where his fastball and curveball were on.”
After Upper Moreland scored three runs in the top of the fourth, it led 3-2, only to see New Hope answer with four in the bottom half of the inning, as Joel Carmenini, Saul Carmenini and Wiseman all had RBI singles.
UM came right back with three in the top of the fifth to tie it at 6-6 and that’s where the score stood until the ninth.
Brooks Saft led off the inning with a double and scored on Saul Carmenini’s game-winning single to left.
“We started hitting and playing solid defense until the fourth and fifth inning and I think our bench started playing circus music as we committed 3 errors and Upper Moreland tied the game at 6,” Vlahovic said.
“I loved our guys’ mental toughness to hang in there and respond under pressure. I am really proud of these guys finishing strong.
“Brooks Saft was a wall behind the plate throwing out two runners and then coming up big in the ninth with a leadoff double and then scoring the winning run.”
For the Golden Bears, Colson Campbell was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Patrick Kilgus and Jackson Townsend both had two hits, one RBI and a run scored.
New Hope ends its season 7-13 overall and 4-12 in the SOL.
The loss may prove costly for Upper Moreland (9-9, 8-8 SOL), which unofficially dropped to No. 13 in the District One Class 5A power rankings, just behind Oxford for the 12th and final spots in the tournament.
UM 000 330 000 – 6 9 2
New Hope 110 400 001 – 7 10 7
William Tennent 11, Lower Moreland 7
With 10 runs in the last three innings, William Tennent won its third straight game to close the 2023 season on a positive note, knocking off Lower Moreland 10-7.
“It was a great team win,” said Panthers coach Lucas Denzi. “All season we have found ourselves in tough spots. The same went for today as we went down early. However, the boys refused to give up and battled back for a huge win to end the season.”
Tennent trailed 6-1 going into the fifth inning. After a run in the fifth, the Panthers took over the game with six runs in the top of the sixth. They had six hits in the inning, including RBI doubles by Jackson Archibald, Julio Ybarra and Luke Torok.
In the seventh, Tennent added three more runs, taking advantage of two walks and an error, as well as a Danny Scheller RBI single.
Torok finished 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Ybarra was 2-for-2 with the double, two runs scored and three RBIs. Seven different players had hits.
Archibald was also the winning pitcher, allowing just one earned run while striking out four in four innings of relief.
“I cannot say enough about the team’s efforts this season, especially the seniors, who demonstrated strong leadership these last few weeks and finished the season off strong,” Denzi said. “Although we are sad to see some key pieces move on to graduation, we have a strong returning core who hopefully can pick up where they left off.
“The finish we were able to put together is one that can really turn things around for the program moving forward.”
Lower Moreland was led by Matt Dymowski, who went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs and Donato Incollingo, who was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Tolan Stahl was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Tennent finished its season with a 7-13 overall record and was 5-11 in the SOL.
Lower Moreland ended up 7-11 and 5-11 SOL.
Tennent 001 016 3 – 11 12 3
LM 320 101 0 – 7 9 2
SOL Liberty Division
Hatboro-Horsham 8, Upper Dublin 5
With its postseason fate hanging in the balance and having lost five of its six previous games, Hatboro-Horsham faced long odds on Wednesday, as it took on Liberty Division champ and likely District One Class 5A No. 1 seed Upper Dublin on the road.
All of the Hatters’ rough patches lately were forgotten almost from the jump, as they took the lead in the second inning and never looked back, scoring eight runs on 11 hits to post the 8-5 win that secured them a spot in districts.
“Today, we were the team that all of our guys have wanted to be all year,” said H-H coach Pete Moore. “I couldn’t be more proud of my guys. They showed how badly they wanted to get in the playoffs and how much they believe in themselves. Every single guy on our roster committed to ‘doing their job’ to help us win.
“We invited three alumni out to practice yesterday – Zach Greenberg, Justin Kahrimanian, and Jimmy Tooley – and asked them to speak to the team about what high school baseball and the playoff run, in particular, meant to them. I really think it connected with our current team.
“Yesterday, we had our best practice of the year…by far. They lit up my assistant coach, Matt Cavagnaro in live at-bats. They parlayed that into today.
“My guys played their hearts out and had great at-bats all day against a very talented and well coached team.”
Five different pitchers threw for the Hatters, starting with senior Brady Pagano, who went three innings, and ending with Jackson Bumpas, who recorded the final out in the seventh.
“Senior Brady Pagano, who has been a reliever all year, reached out and told me he wanted the ball and I knew that he would deliver,” Moore said. “I couldn’t be more proud of him. I knew he was the guy all of our kids would rally around.”
It started in the second for H-H, as Bumpas was hit by a pitch and Jamie O’Neill singled. Anthony Tiburcio bunted the runners into scoring position, Bumpas scored on a passed ball and Kenny Lutz drove in a run with an RBI single.
It added three in the second, including an RBI double by O’Neill and an Aiden Eckley two-run double.
And then three more in the fifth as Chase Canney had an RBI single and Trey Porter a two-run triple to right field.
“We also got huge performances from two freshmen, Kenny Lutz and Chase Canney,” Moore said. “They might be freshmen on paper, but they have the guts and talent that it takes to help a team win now.
“Our sophomore shortstop, Jamie O’Neill, has grown so much this year and today he was just a flat out stud.
“Senior catcher, Aiden Eckley, had a couple of great at bats that really helped us extend our lead.
“When I was a sophomore in high school, one of my coaches, Jim Sullivan, told me, ‘Big time players step up in big time games,’ and I have never forgotten that.
“Today, Trey Porter, who is the best player I have ever coached, had the biggest hit of the game in the biggest game we had to this point all year.
“When Greenberg talked to our guys yesterday, he told them that bunting is ‘bonita’ and senior Kyle Dittus took that advice and used it. He plays hard and that translates to the other guys.
Senior catcher Aidan Eckley was huge for us today. That kid would literally run through a trash can for his team. He delivered for us today.”
With the win, H-H (12-8, 9-7 SOL) unofficially jumped to No. 7 in the power rankings, securing its spot in the 12-team field.
Upper Dublin (14-5, 14-2 SOL) remains the No. 1 seed in Class 5A.
H-H 023 030 0 – 8 11 1
UD 001 101 2 – 5 6 1
Abington 2, Quakertown 1 (8 innings)
A one-out single by Logan Moss to center field scored Matt Worek, as Abington pulled its regular-season finale out in extra innings, defeating visiting Quakertown 2-1.
The win, the fourth in a row and the 11th in the last 12 games for the Galloping Ghosts, likely will vault them up in the District One Class 6A power rankings. Unofficially, after Wednesday’s game, the Ghosts (13-6, 12-4 SOL) are No. 4 and would draw a first-round bye in the district playoffs.
Pitching was the story for both teams.
Abington’s Calvin Judge was dominant, throwing all eight innings (92 pitches), allowing just one earned run on six hits and one walk, while striking out four.
Cooper Natisin gave Quakertown threw six great innings, allowing just one run on three hits, walking two and striking out six.
The Ghosts got on the scoreboard first with a run in the bottom of the second. Jake Kaplan led off the inning with a walk, stole second and went to third on a ground out. A two-out single by LJ Wolff drove in the run.
And that lead held for most of the game, but in the seventh, Quakertown, which was 8-3 in its previous 11 games to sneak back into the playoff picture, tied it up.
Down to its last out, Brayden Schuler singled to left to keep the inning alive. Danny Qualteria then was hit by a pitch, and the tying run scored as Cole Reich singled to left.
That set the stage for Abington’s dramatic finish, which started when Worek led off the eighth with a double to right field. Worek went to third on a groundout, and Quakertown then opted to intentionally walk Ghosts catcher Alex Dardaris. The next batter, Moss singled and Abington walked off with the win.
Quakertown (9-11, 8-8 SOL) ends the regular season, unofficially, in the No. 23 position for the 24-team Class 6A tournament.
Quakertown 000 000 10 – 1 6 0
Abington 010 000 01 – 2 6 0
Wissahickon 4, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0
Gavin Malloy and Adam Hajdak combined on a four-hit shutout, as Wissahickon turned in an impressive performance as it wrapped up the regular season with a 4-0 win over rival Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Malloy allowed four hits and walked three in six innings, striking out four. Hadjak worked around two walks to finish off the Colonials in the seventh.
“Today was our best and most complete performance of the season,” said Trojans coach Andy Noga. “We had a role reversal on the mound, with Gavin Malloy starting for us and Adam Hajdak closing the game out.
“Gavin has been a shut-down reliever for us all year, and Adam has been our go-to starter and innings eater, yet both of them shined in their roles. I was really impressed with how aggressive in the zone Gavin was today, only walking three, and really going after the meat of a very good lineup.
“Defensively, I think we looked stellar all around. Luke Frank continues to be a revelation behind the plate, and Tyler Schilling was absolutely wonderful today at shortstop. He has bounced back-and-forth in the middle for us, but he made some stellar plays today at short. He got us out of some spots and situations that really impressed me.”
Offensively, Shane Henrick had the big hit, a two-run double in the third that gave Wissahickon a lead it would never give up. Henrick finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Jack O’Donnell was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
“Offensively, I think we did a lot of things well,” Noga said. “I think we were more aggressive in the zone than we were against Abington. We also ran the bases extremely well, we put a lot of pressure on them to make plays and manufactured runs with our legs.
“We are a very fast team, and we take pride in how well we run the bases, and how aggressive we are. Against two good pitchers today, we were able to manufacture runs by being aggressive, and keeping our foot on the gas for seven innings.
“I think this was a great way for us to round out league play, and we have a lot of positives to take with us into the postseason next week.”
Wissahickon (13-6, 10-6 SOL) unofficially is No. 13 in the Class 6A power rankings.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (14-5, 12-4 SOL) is No. 5.
PW 000 000 0 – 0 4 1
Wissahickon 003 010 x – 4 10 0
SOL Colonial Division
Central Bucks East 13, North Penn 4 (8 innings)
With five wins in its last six games, CB East ends the 2023 season playing the way it had hoped it would back in March, especially with Wednesday’s dramatic win on the road against Colonial Division-winning North Penn.
But, the Patriots (7-13, 7-9 SOL) will likely find themselves just out of the postseason picture, as unofficially, they were No. 26 on Wednesday night.
“It’s tough to look back and know if we only had one more win,” said CB East coach Kyle Dennis. “North Penn is a very good team. Our guys are 5-1 in the last six games. We’re just flat out hitting the last couple of games. Up and down the lineup, it’s been really fun to watch.
“We had 14 hits today, 16 against Souderton, 11 against Pennridge. The guys are hitting really well and pitching well enough to win games.
“I would have loved to have seen this team sneak in. They’re just playing really well.”
Wednesday’s game saw CB East jump ahead 2-0 on Matt Rowland’s RBI double and a fielder’s choice grounder by Chase Harlan in the second.
Chase Jones then homered to lead off the bottom of the second for North Penn, which then took the lead with two in the fifth. The Knights took advantage of a dropped third strike, a single by Mario Sgro and a bunt by Justin Egner that was played for an error, scoring one run. A bases loaded walk to Mike Cliver later in the inning put North Penn up 3-2.
In the top of the sixth, East’s Gabe Amendola led off with a walk, but NP reliever Nolan Walker was able to get the next two batters. Then, with two out, Harlan tripled to drive in the run and tie the game at 3.
“That’s, kind of, as big as you get, late in the game against a pitching staff in North Penn that doesn’t give up a lot of runs,” Dennis said. “Anytime you can get a run, especially late, that’s a big hit. Chase had one hit today, and that was a big one.”
That sent the game into extra innings, and in the top of the eighth, CB East’s bats exploded for 10 runs. Jared Laff and Luke Herbine led off with singles, and Nolan Behm followed with an RBI double. After Harlan was intentionally walked, Joey Wilga doubled to drive in all three and blow it wide open.
The Patriots took advantage of an error, Aidan Golderer had an RBI single, a hit by pitch scored a run and Behm smacked a two-run home run.
Behm finished 3-for-6 with three RBIs, Wilga was 2-for-5 with three RBIs.
Jackson Wojnicki picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief. John Hoderny finished the game off in the bottom of the eighth.
“Today, we got every single senior involved,” Dennis said. “We have 12 seniors. Some are role players, some are backups. We got every one of them in the game, with multiple at-bats in a tight game against one of the best teams in the state. I was really happy to give them that opportunity. I think every senior I put in that wasn’t originally in, got a hit and they were able to contribute to wrap up their high school career with a win.”
North Penn (15-4, 13-3 SOL) will play a nonleague game Friday night against Ridley. Unofficially, the Knights remain No. 2 in the District One power rankings.
CB East 020 001 0 (10) – 13 4 3
North Penn 010 020 01 – 4 6 2
Central Bucks West 5, Souderton 2
Trailing going into the bottom of the sixth, CB West pulled this one out with four runs, rallying to knock off visiting Souderton in the regular-season finale for two playoff-bound squads out of the SOL Colonial.
“This was a big win for us and for the program,” said Bucks coach Brian Weaver. “For the seniors, what they’ve done to get us from where they were in their freshman year to now is pretty special. But they’re locked in on bigger things, and they’re doing a great job keeping the guys focused and bringing everybody along with them. Come what may next week, I don’t know if I’ll ever be more proud of a group of guys.”
Shortstop Kevin Bukowski got the Bucks started with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first. But from that point on, Souderton starter Jeremy Fallon was very tough.
“This was a playoff-type of baseball game,” Weaver said. “Kevin Bukowski homered on the first pitch of the game, which was obviously huge. Unfortunately, Jeremy Fallon then spent the next five innings doing Jeremy Fallon things. He crushed the zone and really held us at bay. Our lineup had trouble getting anything going off him until the sixth.”
Souderton went up 2-1 in the third on a two-run single by Joey Crecca, and that lead held until the sixth.
“In the sixth, the game broke open on a couple of really timely plays,” Weaver said. “Bill Zentmayer ripped a single to left, then Julian Kim worked a big walk.
“After a pitching change, we loaded the bases, and with two outs Jack Hogenauer hit one of those Bermuda Triangle pop-ups back behind the first base bag. Any other situation, nothing really happens because the runners all have to wait to see if it gets down and you probably get forced out somewhere. Instead, with two outs, all of our runners were flying on contact, and when that ball gets down, it scores three.
“This was Jack’s first game, and if he goes in there timid he never puts the ball in play. Instead, here’s another freshman making something happen for us in the last week.”
Bukowski followed with a RBI double to make it 5-2, wrapping up a 3-for-4, 2-RBI game.
Alex Jenkinson picked up the win on the mound for CB West, throwing 4 1/3 innings out of the bullpen and not allowing a run, scattering three hits and no walks, while striking out four.
“On the mound, we needed Sam Greer and Alex Jenkinson to get work done for us, but since we need them next week we had them both on a really strict pitch count,” Weaver said. “Sam worked an effective (2 2/3) innings and really didn’t give up any hard hit balls.
“Then, Alex worked 4 1/3 scoreless in 53 pitches. He was just surgical. In any season where things go right, you always need somebody who becomes the X-factor. Alex has thrown 19 innings for us this year and given up one unearned run, and from the beginning of our bullpens to now, his (velocity) has gone up and his accuracy has gotten better every game.”
CB West finishes the regular season 14-6 overall and 10-6 in the SOL. Unofficially, it sits at No. 14 in the power rankings.
Souderton (10-10, 8-8 SOL) is No. 21.
Souderton 002 000 0 – 2 6 0
CB West 100 004 x – 5 7 0
Pennridge 7, Central Bucks South 1
It wasn’t the season Pennridge envisioned, but Wednesday at least, it played its best game and went on the road to knock off CB South, and also
likely knock the Titans out of the postseason playoff picture.
The Titans (10-10, 7-9 SOL), unofficially, were sitting at No. 25 in the District One power rankings, just a fraction of a point behind Council Rock South for the 24th and final playoff spot.
The District One Seed Meeting is Thursday night, and the power ratings are not official until noon on Friday.
Wednesday, Pennridge’s Patrick Mill, set the tone early with four straight scoreless innings, and his offense was able to jump ahead and eventually go up 5-0 through the first four and a half innings.
Noah Keating had an RBI single, and then with two outs, a bases loaded walk brought home another run to put the Rams in front 2-0.
In the fourth, Joey Santora doubled to lead off the inning, went to third on a wild pitch and then scored on another wild pitch.
Matt Atchley added to the lead with a two-run homer in the top of the fifth.
That was plenty for Mill, who allowed just one earned run on six hits and three walks, striking out two in 6 1/3 innings.
Atchley came in to record the final two outs and close out the win, wrapping up a day that saw him go 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and four RBIs.
Ashton McCloskey also went 2-for-4.
Pennridge wraps up its season 2-18 overall and 2-14 in league play.
Pennridge 020 120 2 – 7 6 0
CB South 000 010 0 – 1 6 3
SOL Patriot Division
Council Rock North 6, Pennsbury 4 (9 innings)
CR North might just be the hottest team going into the District One playoffs, and Wednesday it showed why, as the Indians won in dramatic fashion with two runs in the top of the ninth over Patriot Division champion Pennsbury on the road.
“It was a typical Patriot Division heavyweight fight,” said Indians coach Matt Schram, whose team has won its last seven games. “We were just happy to be in the fight and find a way to win. It’s been a long time since we beat Pennsbury and had to win to get in (the playoffs). I am proud of them.”
CR North (11-8, 9-7 SOL) is unofficially listed at No. 18 in the district power rankings. Four of those seven straight wins have been by two runs or less. Wednesday’s game took nine innings to decide.
A two-out rally, highlighted by a Brian Curry two-run double, gave the Indians the early 2-0 lead.
Pennsbury came back with one in the fourth as Charlie Cordisco hit a lead-off triple and scored on an RBI single by Eric David.
But CR North came right back with two more in the fifth, as Curry scored two with a two-out single.
The Falcons would rally to tie it up, scoring two in the bottom of the fifth as Cordisco had an RBI single, and then one in the bottom of the seventh on a leadoff home run by Joe Tiroly.
Pennsbury then loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth and couldn’t bring the winning run home, setting the stage for CR North in the top of the ninth.
Will Scibona reached on a one-out error, and then with two outs, Luke Mullen hit a two-run home run to center field to give the Indians the 6-4 lead.
Pennsbury did put a runner on in the bottom of the ninth, but reliever Jake Ruple got out of it with a double play to end the game.
“Matt Herbert threw six innings and held a powerful lineup in check,” Schram said. “Jake Ruple came in and pitched the final three innings to get the win.”
Offensively, Curry went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, and Will Scibona was 2-for-3.
Pennsbury was led by Cordisco, who went 2-for-4 with the triple and one RBI. Tiroly was 2-for-4 with the homer and one RBI, and Ryan Zuckerman was 2-for-5 with a double.
The Falcons (16-4, 12-4 SOL) were listed at No. 7 in the power rankings after the loss.
CR North 200 020 002 – 6 7 1
Pennsbury 000 120 100 – 4 8 1
Harry S. Truman 2, Council Rock South 1
Two critical errors in the bottom of the sixth were the difference in this pitchers’ duel, as Truman emerged with a 2-1 win, cementing its spot in the District One Class 6A Tournament with its third straight win.
Both teams look like they’re going on to the district playoffs.
After Wednesday’s game, Truman (11-8, 9-7 SOL) is No. 20, while CR South (9-10, 7-9 SOL) is at No. 24. The district seeds won’t become official until Friday at noon.
Both starting pitchers were very good.
Truman’s Ryan Kerns went six innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits and two walks, while striking out six, to pick up the win. Andrew Armstrong pitched the seventh to pick up the save.
CR South’s Chase Ennis allowed one earned run over six, on two hits and two walks, with 10 strikeouts.
Offensively, Truman made the most of its chances, as Ryan Cavanaugh reached on a fielder’s choice and came around to score on an error in the bottom of the first.
The sixth started with an error on a ground ball by Armstrong. After two outs were recorded, Jayden Gaines was hit by a pitch, and then Luke Olivera hit another ground ball that was misplayed, and Armstrong scored what would be the winning run.
CR South had four hits as a team, its run coming in the fourth inning. Johnny Mendola and Ennis led off with singles, and Mendola later scored on an error.
CR South 000 100 0 – 1 4 5
Truman 100 001 x – 2 2 1
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