Jarrad Saffren recaps all of Tuesday’s SOL baseball games. North Penn/Souderton photos provided courtesy of Cindy Manero.
By Jarrad Saffren
Quakertown clinched at least a share of the SOL American baseball title on Tuesday, its first conference title since 2007, according to coach Jon Pallone.
“It feels great. We got a lot of good coaches and the kids are willing to work,” Pallone said. “The guys work year-round. Whether it’s on baseball or something else, they are getting to be better athletes, which helps.”
The Panthers finished second in the American last year, and they have been gradually improving for years. Tuesday’s accomplishment was a culmination for Pallone and his players.
North Penn successfully defended its SOL Continental Conference title, clinching sole possession on Tuesday. A lot of other SOL district playoff contenders also earned much-needed wins. Each team had a few individuals who stepped up and led the way. Read about them all below, in recaps of all 11 games.
SOL American
Quakertown 5, Upper Moreland 3
In the bottom of the fifth, with Quakertown down 3-2, JJ Paul roped a double to left centerfield. Justin Guidos, Dennis Pierce, and Brian Robison raced home to give the Panthers a 5-3 lead.
Paul worked the count to 1-and-1 and then got the pitch he wanted, a fastball in. The senior got the biggest hit of Quakertown’s season, and he has been doing that all year, as he entered Tuesday batting over .500 in 2018. Paul played on junior varsity last year because Quakertown had 13 seniors.
“He continued to improve, which is huge. Some guys as juniors on JV see it as a waste year. He came up and became a starter because he worked,” Pallone said. “He was able to shorten his swing and put the bat on the ball, and he definitely has some pop.”
Paul also pitched a scoreless inning on Tuesday, lowering his ERA under 1.00 for the season.
“His composure and maturity has gotten so much better,” Pallone said. “If he doesn’t get a call, he’s like, ‘Ok, we’ll get the next one.’”
Guidos, Quakertown’s second hitter, scored two runs on Tuesday. He is seeing four to five pitches per plate appearance this season and taking extra bases whenever he gets on.
“Justin just found ways to get on base,” Pallone said. “Then he took bases on wild pitches and errors and on a mistake in the outfield.”
Q-town leadoff man Sean Brennan has also been seeing four to five pitches per plate appearance, and he also scored a run on Tuesday.
Quakertown’s Matthew Ciarrocchi tossed three shutout innings.
Upper Moreland’s Kevin Walder, who had three hits, drove in two runs and scored another. John Reice scored two runs.
Quakertown (13-3, 11-1 SOL) plays Springfield on Thursday at 3:30. Upper Moreland (5-9, 3-8 SOL) hosts Wissahickon on the same day and time.
Quakertown 1-0-1-0-3-0 5
Upper Moreland 0-0-1-0-2-0-0 3
Springfield Township 10, Upper Dublin 2
Springfield Township strengthened its district playoff position with this comfortable win. The Spartans moved up to third in the District One Class 4A Power Rankings, and four teams make the playoffs.
“We’re still vying for a playoff spot so we needed to win, and we did. The kids played well,” Springfield coach Dennis Primavera. “We scored six of 10 runs by moving runners, hitting balls well with men on, everything we do in practice. We executed baseball theories, so that was good to see.”
Springfield overcame an early 1-0 deficit with two runs in the second, two more in the third, and four more in the fifth, putting the game out of reach. Macleod Farley paced Springfield at the plate, collecting three hits, scoring one run and driving in two.
“Farley’s been struggling lately but he broke out of it today. He jumped on balls and hit them sharply. They were line drives up the middle and to right,” Primavera said. “The triple was to right center and it was a shot. He has the ability to do that, and this was a good time for him to get hot.”
Nick Pave and McCaffrey each had two hits. Brian Murphy (three) and Morgan D’Amico (two) combined for five RBIs. Max Perry, Tim Dahme, Trevor McCaffrey, and Mitchell McCann all scored two runs.
“It was a team effort, which was a really good thing,” Primavera said. “We’ve been trying to harp on the little things all year that end up winning games.”
Riley Brink and Julian Gimbel scored Upper Dublin’s runs. Garrett Breslin and Jacob Womelsdorf knocked in the runs.
Springfield (7-7, 7-4 SOL) hosts Quakertown on Thursday at 3:45. Upper Dublin (3-10, 2-8 SOL) plays Hatboro-Horsham on the same day and time.
Springfield Township 0-2-2-0-4-0-2 10
Upper Dublin 1-0-0-0-0-1-0 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 10, Hatboro-Horsham 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Chris Manero changed his lineup before Tuesday’s game, moving Jacob Nunez from leadoff to cleanup, and Brad Krenicky from fourth to third. Krenicky had two hits, three runs and three RBIs on Tuesday. Nunez had two hits also drove in three runs.
“We were going through a funk and were just looking at different guys. We wanted to get guys who were getting on to the top of the order, and our RBI guys to the middle spots. We wanted to move some guys to some spots in the order that they were better suited for,” Manero said. “Brad has been our best big hit hitter. He’s gotten big RBIs in big spots. He’s an extra base guy.
“Nunez works hard, man, and is really a great kid. He’s been playing varsity since his freshman year, so to see him coming into his own as a junior is really cool. Our big push lately has been putting the ball in play, and they both did that today. We liked Nunez leading off because he has a good eye and can take counts, but he’s not a prototypical leadoff hitter. He’s not a huge base stealer and he can be an extra base guy.”
Krenicky tripled to center in the first inning, driving in Ben Mascio to give PW a 1-0 lead. “It turned out to be the biggest one we scored because it was the only one we needed,” Manero said.
That was because of Brett Bottinger, PW’s starter, who struck out eight and allowed no runs in six innings.
“Brett missed his last start because he had a stomach virus. He really wanted to get back out there and he threw well and commanded the strike zone,” Manero said. “From the first inning on he just looked sharp today.”
Matt Mitchell added two hits and a run for the Colonials.
Sophomore Jake Bianchini led off the game with a single and later stole second, but he would be the only Hatter base runner to reach second all game. Freshman Jimmy Tooley collected the Hatters' only other hit.
Senior Alex Crim started but had to be lifted after the third batter of the game due to an injury. Sophomore Eric Thron threw well in relief.
PW (10-6, 7-5 SOL) plays Cheltenham on Thursday at 3:45. The Colonials are 15th in the District One 6A power rankings, and 20 teams make the playoffs. Hatboro-Horsham (4-12, 4-8 SOL) hosts Upper Dublin on Thursday at 3:45.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2-0-2-0-4-2 10
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-0-0-0-0 0
Cheltenham 5, Wissahickon 4
In the bottom of the seventh, in a 4-4 game, Cheltenham had a man on first with two outs. Garrett Schmidt ripped the ball down the right field line. The right fielder dove and missed the ball. Alex Bugg raced home all the way from first to give Cheltenham the walk-off win.
“Garrett is fearless. He had a big two-out hit for us yesterday. It looked pretty close to the right field line and it dropped, and I was sending Bugg the whole way. He’s just got that personality (Schmidt). He’s a humble kid and he just does his job. He never really gets too up or too down,” said Cheltenham coach Craig Stein. “It was nice to have one go our way. We’ve had a few of those go against us. Bugg actually hesitated but then he realized it was two outs and he took off. He busted it and he scored. Once the ball got away, there was no doubt that we were sending him.”
Schmidt had two hits, including a double, and one RBI. Dale Jacobs had two hits, including a triple, and drove in three of Cheltenham’s runs. Ben Kaplan scored two of them.
Steve Loden had two hits and scored two runs for Wissahickon. Eddie Fortescue had three hits and two RBIs. Brian Hynes and Brian Mendhart each had two hits.
Cheltenham (6-11, 3-9 SOL) plays PW on Thursday at 3:30. Wissahickon (11-4, 9-3 SOL) plays Upper Moreland on Thursday night at seven.
Cheltenham 3-0-0-1-0-0-1 5
Wissahickon 1-0-0-1-1-0-1 4
SOL National
Council Rock North 7, Neshaminy 0
CR North starter Eric Hoefer pitched a complete game shutout, allowing one hit and one walk. He also fanned six.
“He threw a gem. He located his fastball, which was great. We build off that pitch. If you can do that, you’re in great shape, and he kept the ball down in the zone. All of his pitches were working pretty well,” said North coach Matt Schram. “As the game went on, he started to locate better, and he was very efficient.
“I said to the group after, ‘I watched a really good high school pitcher turn into a dominant pitcher.’ He’s getting stronger and stronger and he put it all together today. The weather helps. He’s in a good routine where we’re consistent with our practices and workouts and arm care. This is the time of year when you want your big-time pitchers to get into a routine.
North improved to 9-3 in league play and maintained its position, at No. 11, in the district power rankings.
Carson Shane drove in two of North’s runs on Tuesday. Cavan Tully scored two runs and knocked in another, on a home run. CJ Donofry scored two runs. Jason Walter and Matt Shenot both had an RBI.
“Carson has been a big RBI guy for us all year. Cavan also had a big game. Putting runs on the board and having your pitcher build off that, if we could do that, we’d be undefeated,” Schram said. “And maybe the biggest thing was, no errors. It was a complete game.”
North (12-4, 9-3 SOL) plays Pennsbury on Thursday at 3:30. Neshaminy (8-10, 5-6 SOL) hosts Harry S. Truman on Thursday at 3:45.
Council Rock North 1-0-1-4-0-1 7
Neshaminy 0-0-0-0-0-0-0 0
Harry S. Truman 6, Abington 0
Cameron Culver did it all for Truman on Tuesday. He pitched a complete game shutout, striking out 10, delivered a pair of hits and scored two runs, leading Truman to a big win. The Tigers, at 6-6 in games that count toward the rankings, are 19th in the 6A rankings, and 20 teams make the playoffs.
“He was dialed in, pounding the strike zone, and his fastball had a lot of life. He was probably throwing mid-80s with a decent curveball, so he kept their hitters off balance in spots. He was going right after them and challenging them early with his fastball. If it’s working, you keep going back to it and make them beat your best pitch,” said Truman coach Tim Monaghan. “He doesn’t say a lot but he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He brings a toughness. His personality is that he plays with an edge, he plays angry. He was able to channel those emotions in a positive way today. I’m going to throw my best at you and you’re not gonna hit it. That’s his approach.”
TJ Brasier led Truman with two RBIs. He also scored a run. Dylan Jackson and Wayne Pekarski, who had a pair of hits, also scored for Truman. Evan Profy, RJ Snyder, and Timmy Foley each knocked in a run.
“TJ hit a ball that would have been out of any field with a fence,” Monaghan said. “His first at-bat he got out on his front foot but he stayed balanced after his first at-bat. He changed his approach, stayed inside the ball, and pulled the ball.”
Truman (6-11, 5-5 SOL) plays Neshaminy on Thursday at 3:45. Abington (4-14, 1-11 SOL) hosts CB East on Thursday at 3:45.
Harry S. Truman 0-0-2-2-1-1 6
Abington 0-0-0-0-0-0-0 0
Council Rock South 1, Pennsbury 0 (14 innings)
CR South and Pennsbury were locked in a scoreless tie in the bottom of the 14th on Tuesday, but the Golden Hawks had a man on third with one out. Matt Smith bunted toward the mound and Bryan Rieser, the runner, broke for home, beating the throw to give South the win.
Rock South improved to 4-7 in power point games and jumped to 22nd in the rankings, two spots behind the last playoff spot.
Brendon Carter pitched nine shutout innings for South on Tuesday, fanning 12. Shane Walter (three) and Jake Barder (two) combined for five scoreless frames.
Shane Ostrowsky tossed nine scoreless innings for Pennsbury, striking out seven. Sean Hochausler allowed no earned runs in 4.1 innings.
CR South (6-9, 4-6 SOL) plays Bensalem on Thursday at 3:45. Pennsbury (8-9, 4-6 SOL) hosts Holy Ghost Prep on Wednesday at three.
Council Rock South 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1 1
Pennsbury 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 0
SOL Continental
North Penn 13, Souderton 3
North Penn remained undefeated in power point games and held onto the number one spot in the power rankings.
“We played very well today,” Knights coach Kevin Manero said. “Souderton was coming in with a lot of momentum and we needed to play well, and our guys played a tight baseball game.”
North Penn leadoff man Tyler Siddal had two hits, scored a run and drove in two. Fifth batter Billy Collins did the same.
“Billy Collins is starting to heat up and that’s a big boost for us. Tyler Siddal really hit the ball well today. Everybody in that part of the lineup is really contributing,” Manero said. “Tyler’s been our leadoff hitter and Miles-Picozzi-Collins is our 3-4-5. It’s a pretty tenacious group that puts together good, tough at-bats consistently.”
Zack Miles had two hits, a run, and an RBI for the Knights, and Jake Drelick had two hits and an RBI. Ryan Bealer and Rob Weiss both scored two runs.
Knights starter Joe Valenti earned the win by allowing one earned run in six innings, improving to 4-0.
“We needed Valenti to go deep today and he kept his pitch count down and threw a really good game. It’s a big win for him. He’s a junior getting a chance to start every week for the first time and he’s taking advantage,” Manero said. “He throws three pitches for strikes and isn’t afraid to throw any pitch in any count. He’s a crafty lefty who throws strikes. And in the first couple innings we turned a couple double plays, which always help a lot.”
Ryan Dalton’s 2-for-2 effort led the Indians.
North Penn (14-2, 10-0 SOL) plays CB South on Thursday at 3:30. Souderton (10-6, 6-4 SOL) hosts CB West on Thursday at 3:45.
North Penn 0-0-3-0-6-4 13
Souderton 1-0-0-0-0-2 3
William Tennent 13, Central Bucks East 7
CB East took a 7-0 lead into the top of the fifth. But William Tennent scored 13 unanswered runs over the last three innings.
Tennent leadoff man Joe Shannon had two hits – a double and triple, scored two runs and knocked in three. Greg Delgado scored two runs and knocked in two. Xavier Delgado scored one run and drove in four. Tommy Plunkett, Danny Goodz, and Jason Schweizerhoff all scored a run. Plunkett had a pair of hits.
Nick Bitsko had three hits, three runs and two RBIs for CB East. Sean E’Nama had two hits and scored two runs. Grant Meiers had two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Will Masterson drove in two.
Tennent is 20th in the power rankings after Tuesday’s win, which would make the Panthers the last team in the playoff field if the season ended today. The Panthers (8-8, 4-6 SOL) play Pennridge on Thursday at 3:30.
CB East (9-9, 5-7 SOL) takes on Abington on the same day and time.
William Tennent 0-0-0-0-4-8-1 13
Central Bucks East 2-0-1-4-0-0-0 7
Central Bucks West 10, Pennridge 2
CB West built a 4-0 lead in the early innings and never trailed, scoring in four of six innings. Matt McCarthy and Rhys Nicholas both had two hits and scored two runs for the Bucks. Tyler Dalzell had two hits – including a double – and three RBIs.
Jake Boehm, Trevor D’Arcy, James Owens, Josh Hannon, and Luke Nitschke all scored one run for West.
Jimmy Petrik had a pair of hits for the Rams.
CB West (3-13, 3-8 SOL) plays Souderton on Thursday at 3:45. Pennridge (4-9, 2-8 SOL) hosts Tennent on Thursday at 3:30.
CB West 0-2-2-0-4-2 10
Pennridge 0-0-0-2-0-0-0 2
Non-League
Central Bucks South 3, Bensalem 0
Ryan Rieber pitched a complete game shutout, lifting CB South to a big win. The Titans are 10th in the power rankings and in position to make the playoffs.
“He threw his fastball for strikes early in counts and kept them off balance with his curve. He also pounded the strike zone and let our defense do the work behind him,” said CB South coach Brian Klumpp. “Ryan didn’t really make many mistakes. He just worked the corners in and out. He’s been solid, definitely one of our top two. He bounced back really well after a rough outing against Tennent last week. I wanted to get the ball back in his hands and he responded.”
Joey Loynd and Dylan Gruber drove in runs for CB South. Ben Berger, Jake McKeown, and Justin Yates scored the Titans’ runs. They took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and didn’t need any more, though they did score again in the fourth and seventh.
Bensalem’s Stephen Aldrich (1.2) and Dom Grady (two) combined to pitch 3.2 shutout innings.
CB South (10-6, 7-3 SOL) hosts North Penn on Thursday at 3:30. Bensalem (12-2, 9-1 SOL) hosts CR South on Thursday at 3:45.
Central Bucks South 1-0-0-1-0-0-1 3
Bensalem 0-0-0-0-0-0-0 0
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