SOL District 1 Softball Preview (5-24-21)

Nine SOL softball teams will be in action in Monday’s opening round of the District One Tournament. Check back for recaps of all the games. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Garber https://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p659822)

#1 PENNSBURY (Opening round bye)

19-1 overall
16-0 SOL Patriot Division champions
Junior Ainsley McClure has been a study in consistency in the circle.
Caitlyn Martell, Rowan Mulholland and Jessica Rowe lead the Falcons at the plate.
Wins over #2 North Penn (4-3), #11 Neshaminy (9-3, 4-2), #13 Central Bucks East (5-4), #16 Souderton (4-2), #17 Plymouth Whitemarsh (11-0), #18 Harry S Truman (3-0, 11-1) and #23 Bensalem (7-2, 4-0)
Only loss to #3 Hatboro-Horsham (6-2) on April 24
Falcons bring a 12-game winning streak into districts

Next up: The Falcons will play the winner of the #16 Souderton/#17 Plymouth Whitemarsh game.

#2 NORTH PENN (Opening round bye)

19-1 overall
15-1 SOL Colonial Division champions
Senior Mady Volpe boasts a 0.92 ERA with 11 shutouts. In 122 innings, the Coastal Carolina commit has struck out 256. Also, she is hitting .344 with 21 RBIs and two home runs.
The Knights – who have a team batting average of .365 – have scored 135 runs and gave up 16.
Sophomore leadoff batter Julia Shearer (CF) is hitting .590 with 8 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs and 15 RBIs. Sophomore Brie Wilmot (1B) is batting .517 with six doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 26 RBIs.
Other key contributors at the plate are Gianna Cimino (F/DP/2B, .471), Annabelle Smink (So/3B, .344, 21 RBIs, 2 HR), Sophia Collins (Jr/SS, .296, 12 RBIs, 2 HR), Sarah Sabocsik (So/C, .279, 12 RBIs, 3 HR) and Carley DiGiuseppe (Sr/LF, .278, 3 HR).
Wins over #3 Hatboro-Horsham (1-0), #7 Haverford (4-1), #8 Quakertown (1-0), #11 Neshaminy (5-2), #13 Central Bucks East (10-2, 3-2), #16 Souderton (8-0, 4-3), #18 Harry S Truman (12-0), #21 Perk Valley (11-1) and #23 Bensalem (11-0)
Only loss at the hands of Pennsbury (4-3) on April 20
Knights bring a 13-game winning streak into districts

Next up: The Knights will play the winner of the #15 Owen J Roberts/#18 Harry S Truman contest.

#3 HATBORO-HORSHAM (Opening round bye)

19-1 overall
16-0 SOL Liberty Division champions
Junior captain Kendal Leitner has been outstanding in the circle and at the plate.
Leading the team are senior captains Kayla Tauber, a St. Joseph’s University commit, who anchors the infield at shortstop, and Kristen Myers, a University of Rochester commit.
Wins over #1 Pennsbury (6-2), #8 Quakertown (4-1, 9-0), #14 Wissahickon (5-1, 3-2), #16 Souderton (1-0), #17 Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-5, 5-0) and #19 William Tennent (8-4)
Only loss at the hands of #2 North Penn (1-0)

Next up: The Hatters will play the winner of the #14 Wissahickon/#19 William Tennent game.

#8 QUAKERTOWN (Opening round bye)

17-3 overall
13-2 SOL Liberty Division second place behind Hatboro-Horsham
The Panthers, who start four or five freshmen every game, had just two returning players with varsity experience.
Junior Syd Andrews has 13 wins and boasts a 1.605 ERA with 181 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 104.2 innings. She also is hitting .450.
Key contributors at the plate include LauraRose Morelock (Jr/C, .482), Ava Beal (Fr/SS, .478), Mary Wilkinson (Fr/1B, .354), Emma Hilton (So/LF, .381), Maya Hellyer (So/DP, .333) and Skyler Williams (Fr/2B, .373).
Wins over #13 Central Bucks East (3-2), #14 Wissahickon (4-0, 11-1) and #17 Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-2, 5-3)
Only losses came at the hands of #2 North Penn (1-0) & #3 Hatboro-Horsham (4-1, 9-0)

Coach Dave Scott says: “We’ve exceeded our expectations for the season. Knowing how young we are, we weren’t quite sure what we had coming into the season. It’s been a fun year with a great group of hardworking players. How they handle the pressure of playoffs is the biggest question mark at this point.”

Next up: The Panthers will play the winner of the #9 Methacton/#24 Conestoga game.

#13 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST @ #20 DOWNINGTOWN EAST (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Central Bucks East

13-7 overall
10-6 SOL Colonial Division tied for second place behind North Penn
Speedy sophomore centerfielder Elizabeth Gray leads the Patriots with a .403 batting average and a .500 OBP. She has 27 hits and has stolen 20 bases on 20 attempts. She is also covers a lot of ground in the outfield
Alex Frenia and Soleil Dooner have anchored the Patriots in the circle and have played key roles in the team’s success.
Junior catcher Amerlia Funston calls all the pitches and has been a rock behind the plate. She is batting .350 and leads the team with 22 RBIs and five home runs.
Wins over #16 Souderton (8-1, 3-2) #18 Harry S Truman (9-5) & #19 Wissahickon (15-0).

Downingtown East

12-9 overall
10-8 Ches-Mont League

Cougars’ offense led by senior leadoff batter Ainsley Robinson, junior outfielder Julia Thornton and junior catcher Nicki Sudall.
Pitching duties shared by freshman Rachael Shumann and senior Lina Romano
Wins over #24 Conestoga (12-2), Class 5A #4 West Chester East (12-0, 3-2) #8 Kennett (5-1)

Next up: The winner will travel to #4 Spring-Ford.

#17 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH @ #16 SOUDERTON (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Souderton

13-7 overall
10-6 SOL Colonial Division tied for second place behind North Penn
Junior Abby Burns has an ERA of 2.48 with 171 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 121 innings.
Junior left fielder Riley York, a St. Joseph’s University commit, leads the Indians and is batting .603 with nine home runs (three in one game), nine doubles and 28 RBIs.
Senior third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is batting .403 with two home runs and 20 RBIs, and sophomore shortstop Kayley York is hitting .400 with nine combined doubles/triples.
Wins over #11 Neshaminy (3-0), #17 Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-3), #18 Harry S Truman (8-3) & #23 Bensalem (5-1)

Coach Carol Atkinson says: “We played (#1) Pennsbury and (#2) North Penn to extra innings and (#3) Hatboro-Horsham to a 1-0 loss. Souderton has demonstrated that they can hang with anyone in District 1. Those teams are remarkable and don’t make a ton of mistakes. We have to play really good softball in the playoffs and minimize errors.”

Plymouth Whitemarsh

12-8 overall
11-5 SOL Liberty Division third place
Senior captain Carly Rosenberger (2B) battled back from an early injury to hit .350 with 18 runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Junior captain Lauryn Kane (3B/P) had a slugging percentage of .701 with 5 HR, 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored with a batting average of .343. She notched 3 wins in the circle. Senior captain Regan Gehman (LF) leads the team with 5 doubles and a .431 batting average. Senior Captain Emily Caffey (RF) is a contributor in the outfield and at the plate.
Starting lineup also includes Molly Moore (So/P/3B) who has eight wins in the circle and 127 strikeouts. She batted .350 with three home runs and a 1.009. OPS. Charley Tassoni (So/C) anchors the Colonials behind the plate. Hannah Suh (Jr/1B) led the team with 27 hits and a .415 average and brings a 12-game hitting streak into the postseason. Marissa Perez (Fr/SS) had a team high .444 batting average and .464 OBP. Talia Carr (Jr/CF) hit .381 with 4 doubles, 3 triples and 3 home runs and is a ball hawk in the outfield.
Win over #14 William Tennent (4-1)
Split season series with #14 Wissahickon (3-4, 4-2)

Next up: The winner will travel to #1 Pennsbury.

#18 HARRY S TRUMAN @ #15 OWEN J ROBERTS (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Harry S Truman

11-9 overall
7-9 SOL Patriot Division third place
Second straight district berth for the Tigers
Leading the Tigers are Mara McKeon (.468, 4 3B, 21 RBIs), Teyana Towner (.426, 27 runs, 21 SB), Jada Moran (.406, 10 2B, 16 RBIs), Emily Kavulic (.372, 5 HR, 1.070 OPS), and Emily Merrigan (.356, 2 HR, 12 RBIs)
Jalecia Blackston has eight wins in the circle with 87 strikeouts
Wins over #23 Bensalem (9-8, 6-5), Class 4A #3 Nazareth Academy (7-6) and Class 2A #1 Bristol (13-1)

Owen J Roberts

11-6 overall
5-5 PAC Liberty Division
Senior second baseman Sam Walsh, who also sees action in the circle, is committed to play softball at Manhattanville College
Sophomore Natalie Alldred has been a key contributor in the circle and at the plate.
Wins over Class 5A #6 Phoenixville (5-0) & #12 Pottsgrove (10-0)
Split season series with #21 Perkiomen Valley (11-2, 9-11)

Next up: The winner will travel to #2 North Penn.

#19 WISSAHICKON at #14 WILLIAM TENNENT (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Wissahickon

11-9 overall
11-5 SOL Liberty Division fourth place
Emma Clayborne and Danielle Ciliberto have split duties in the circle and both have sub 2.00 ERAs. “When we play defense, we win or are in our fair share of games,” coach Mike Borkowski said.
Grace Franczyk anchors the Trojans behind the plate, calling games and holding runners on base.
Katelyn Fitzgerald (1B) who hits out of the three hole, and leadoff batter Luca Penna (CF) have been consistent contributors in the field and at the plate. Emma Dutill (2B) and Charlotte Horvat (SS) anchor the middle of the infield. Emmi Fox (RF) and Maren Carter (LF) have stepped up after beginning the season playing infield for the jayvee.
Wins over #17 Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-3, 4-2) and #19 William Tennent (13-2) as well as Class 5A #9 Upper Dublin (6-4, 10-3).

Coach Mike Borkowski says: “We value this experience because we didn’t get to play last year. The girls have worked hard, and we basically played with nine players this year, so we are very excited to be playing this week.”

William Tennent

13-4 overall
11-4 SOL Freedom Division champions
Mackenzie Clee has been hitting close to .600 out of the leadoff spot.
Win over Class 5A #9 Upper Dublin (7-6)

Next up: The winner will travel to #3 Hatboro-Horsham

#22 UNIONVILLE @ #11 NESHAMINY (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Neshaminy

14-5 overall
12-4 Patriot Division second place behind Pennsbury
Junior Kennedie Ruth (P/OF) is batting .391 and tied for team lead in RBIs with 15 to go along with 3 doubles, two triples (tied for team high), four home runs (tied for team high). Senior Mia Barone (P/OF) has a .400 batting average and shares the team lead for RBIs with 15. She has six doubles, two triples (tied for team lead) and two home runs. Senior Kylie Jones (SS) has a .439 batting average to go along with 10 RBIs, seven doubles (team high), one triple and three home runs. Sophomore Lindsey Gorka (DH) is batting a team leading .600 with 10 RBIs, three doubles, one triple and three home runs.
Also making major contributions are Danielle Monaco (Sr/C , .370, 13 RBIs, 2 2B) and Kylie Siwek (Sr./2B, .385, 11 RBIs, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR).
Wins over #13 Central Bucks East (9-1), #18 Harry S Truman (8-2, 10-1) and #23 Bensalem (16-5, 14-4).

Unionville

11-9 overall
Senior Quinnipiac commit Sydney Horan is the centerpiece of the Indians’ squad. A left-handed pitcher, she also carries a big bat.
Wins over #20 Downingtown East & #24 Conestoga (20-6)
Split season series with Class 5A #5 West Chester Rustin (7-11, 1-0)
Lost four of five games to close out regular season.

Next up: The winner will travel to #6 Ridley.

#23 BENSALEM @ #10 AVON GROVE (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Bensalem

10-10 overall
6-10 SOL Patriot Division fourth place
Owls young lineup includes Emma Lostracco (Sr/Catcher), Jess Klein (Sr/IF), Maddie Buechner (Sr/IF), Maggie Formichelli (Jr/P), Kira Hutchinson (Jr/IF), Ayva Knowles (So/OF), Destiny Howard (So/OF), Lina Sponheimer (Fr/IF), Mackenzie Kramer (Fr/IF), Meg Klein (Fr/IF) and Kayla Clarkson (Fr/P)
Meg Klein (33 hits) and Lina Sponheimer (25 hits) have had the most hits in recent memory for freshman starters.
Catcher Emma Lostracco has thrown out and picked off 16 base runners.
Wins over #13 Central Bucks East (3-2) and Class 4A #2 Villa Joseph Marie (10-2)

Coach Dan Schram says: “We receive tremendous support from the school community.”

Avon Grove

16-4 overall
14-4 Ches-Mont second place behind Downingtown West
Led by captains Caitlin Long,( Jr., C) Lauren O’Neill, (Sr, OF) Maddie Grablewski, (Sr, P) and Bri McKeown, (Sr, IF)
Wins over #20 Downingtown East (6-5, 11-7), #22 Unionville (5-1) & Class 5A #8 Kennett
Split with Class 5A #4 West Chester East (6-1, 1-6)

Next up: The winner will travel to #7 Haverford.

Class 5A

#9 UPPER DUBLIN at #8 KENNETT (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Upper Dublin

9-10 overall
7-9 SOL Liberty Division
Chloe Foster has been a workhorse in the circle and has135 strikeouts this season. She is also one of several hitters in the line-up hitting over .300
Lauren Carboni anchors the Cardinals behind the plate and has the team’s top batting average of .350. She has hit safely in 13 of 19 games this year, which includes an 8-game hitting streak earlier this season. “She also is a terrific complement to Chloe on the mound and does a great job receiving her pitches and framing them,” coach Heather Boyer said. “She has worked hard at improving her skills as a defensive catcher.”
Anchoring the defense at first base is Gretchen Wolpert, who – according to Boyer – is the team’s defensive “magician” with the top fielding percentage on the team. She is also the Cardinals’ top power hitter with 5 home runs on the season.
Ally McDaid (LF) is hitting over .300 and leads the team with 10 stolen bases. “Ally’s grit, speed, and natural instinct make her an outstanding base runner and a good leadoff hitter,” Boyer said.
Rounding out the infield are Anna Levin (2B), Dani Lucidi (3B) and Kaelin Penna (SS), who have played solid defensively all season. Penna has also been a consistent offensive threat with a .302 batting average and 8 stolen bases
Solidifying the outfield are Brianna Kesslick (RF) and Avery Lennon (CF). “Both players have been aggressive in the outfield and have strong arms to keep extra base hits to a minimum,” Boyer said.

Coach Heather Boyer says: “After getting a taste of success in the 2019 playoffs with a first round win over Chichester before losing to Upper Perk, we are excited to return this year with a bit of experience. On paper, we appear to match up well with Kennett. We have a team Batting Average of .278 to their .212 and we also have an on-base percentage of .364 to their .314. Kennett has an edge on ERA behind the arm of Genevieve Ebaugh (1.91) and they also have a slight advantage on fielding percentage (.917 to UD’s .889). Overall, it should be a good match-up for an 8 v 9 game. Solid defense and timely hitting need to be the priorities on Monday to win this matchup, which is definitely achievable by this squad.”

Kennett

13-7 overall
11-6 Ches-Mont League
Junior Genevieve Ebaugh, a University of Maryland commit, is batting .510 with nine home runs, 26 RBIs and 27 runs scored. She is 13-5 in the circle and has 264 strikeouts in 124.1 innings.
Senior Hannah Slicer is hitting .392 with 13 RBIs.
Wins over Class 6A #22 Unionville (5-3, 4-1)
Split season series with #5 West Chester Rustin (7-6, 1-11)