Hatboro-Horsham solidified its hold on first place in the Continental Conference. Check out all of Tuesday’s results.
By Scott Huff
Hatboro-Horsham (9-2) left little doubt that it would end the day as the #1 team in the Suburban One League Continental Conference as the Hatters topped visiting Central Bucks West (8-3) – 10-1.
“It was nice for us to get the early lead, and we were able to build on it,” said Hatboro-Horsham head coach Peter Moore. “The players came into the game wanting something, and then going out and getting it. We want to continue to play the remaining games by being the best team with every pitch that is thrown.”
Hatboro-Horsham had a strong complete game effort from Zach Prendergast who limited the Bucks to just five hits.
“Considering the weather was so bad, Zach was a bulldog out there,” said Moore. “He pretty much stuck with his fast ball, and he did a great job of locating pitches the entire game.”
The Hatters scored eight runs in the first three innings to secure the win. Grant Opalisky – who collected two hits and two RBIs - smoked a homerun for the Hatters. Opalisky – who plays leftfield and hits # 5 in the Hatter lineup – fueled a Hatboro-Horsham offense that generated 13 hits.
“We have been swinging the bats well lately, and today we were able to hit up and down the lineup,” said Moore. “Everybody on our roster made a contribution, and we are going to need that to close out the season.”
Hatboro-Horsham has a pair of key conference games this week as the Hatters play at Souderton (5-4) Wednesday (5/9) and host Central Bucks South (7-5) on Thursday (5/10).
Central Bucks West Bucks 000 001 0 -1 5 1
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 323 011 x -10 13 0
The Rest of the Story in the SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks South (7-5) continues to play winning baseball as the Titans whitewashed district rival Central Bucks East (3-9) – 9-0. It was the fourth straight win for CB South.
CB South had a complete game shutout performance turned in by junior Bobby Whitteman. Whitteman had seven strikeouts for the winners.
Will Foy homered in the first inning to showcase a seven-hit Titan hitting attack. South did not have a single player collect more than one hit.
“We are playing the best baseball of the season,” said Central Bucks South head coach Mike Schaefer. “We are finally playing to where we should have been all season. We have the talent to beat anyone, and we want to finish the season strong.”
Central Bucks East Patriots 000 000 0 -0 5 3
Central Bucks South Titans 104 121 x -9 7 1
Souderton (5-4) scored three early runs to take a 3-0 lead into the top of the third inning against host Pennridge (4-7). The rains came, and the Second Street dirt infield became unplayable which resulted in a suspended game. Souderton has a home game scheduled Wednesday against CB South, and the remainder of the Pennridge-Souderton game will be played either Friday or Saturday. Stay tuned.
The North Penn (6-4) – Quakertown (1-9) game was not played due to rain. The game will be either made up Wednesday (weather permitting) or Friday.
Stuck Between a Rock and a Rock
The Suburban One League National Conference showdown between host Council Rock North (9-2) and Council Rock South (10-1) was suspended in the top of the fifth inning. The score was deadlocked at 0-0; however, CR South had a runner on second base with no outs and a 3-0 count on the hitter.
“The rain just made the field too sloppy to play on, especially with the magnitude of the game,” said Council Rock North head coach Matt Schram. “We all decided the game was to important to have the weather play into who wins the game.”
Brian Donnelly threw four shutout innings for CR South, while Jake Drossner matched him with four shutout innings. Neither pitcher will be able to throw Wednesday as pitchers who throw four or more innings need at least two days rest. Look for Bret DeStefano to get the ball for the Hawks, while either Nate English, Matt Renck, or Brett Newman will get the ball for the Indians.
The Rest of the Story in the SOL National Conference
Bensalem (9-2) pounded out 16 hits as the Owls soared to an 8-0 victory over visiting Abington (2-10).
Jesse Dannin collected the shutout victory with a complete game effort and nine strikeouts.
“Jesse really threw a great breaking ball today,” said Bensalem head coach Rick Lee. “And we had almost every kid in the lineup get a hit. Joe Nieves had two hits and two RBI, and Zach Hizer also had two hits and two RBI.”
Bensalem closes out its conference season with games against Council Rock North (9-2), Council Rock South (10-1), and Neshaminy (7-4).
“That’s an awful tough way to end the season,” said Lee. “But this is a special group of kids, and they will be up to the challenge.”
Abington Ghosts 000 000 0 -0 5 5
Bensalem Owls 320 201 x -8 16 1
Pennsbury (5-7) scored seven runs in the first inning but the Falcons were forced to hold off gutsy Truman (2-10) – 7-6.
“We finally got the big inning that we have been looking for all season,” said Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci. “And then we got content and just stopped hitting. Truman had the bases loaded with no outs in the seventh inning, but Paul Gosselin managed to keep them from scoring and we won the game.”
Gosselin highlighted the seven-run first inning for the Falcons with a two-run triple, and Brendon Campbell delivered a key two-out – two-run – double. Brandon Garrett won his first game of the season for Pennsbury.
Truman Tigers 001 131 0 -6 8 2
Pennsbury Falcons 700 000 x -7 10 1
Neshaminy (7-4) scored five runs in the first inning as the Redskins collected a 5-0 victory over visiting William Tennent (2-10).
Justin Andrews tossed a three hit shutout for Neshaminy had had seven strikeouts. Brendan Smith and Colin Dower each had two RBI in the first inning for the Skins.
William Tennent Panthers 000 000 0 -0 3 1
Neshaminy Redskins 500 000 x -5 6 1
Golden Bears Back On Top
Upper Moreland (11-4) moved back into a first place tie with idle Upper Dublin (11-4) in the Suburban One League American Conference as the Golden Bears clawed Upper Merion (4-11) – 7-3.
“Right now we control our own destiny, and that is all you can really ask for,” said Upper Moreland head coach Ernie Rehr. “We have big games ahead of us, and we need to focus on them one game at a time. We go out on the field with the idea of winning each game.”
Upper Moreland received a fine outing from sophomore Tommy Robinson who fired a complete game with three strikeouts. The Golden Bears rallied from a 2-0 deficit to score four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore Pat Driscoll delivered the key blow with a two-run single.
Upper Merion Vikings 200 001 0 -3 5 3
Upper Moreland Bears 411 100 x -7 5 1
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