Scott Huff recaps Monday's opening round District One AAAA Tournament baseball games that featured SOL squads.
By Scott Huff
Central Bucks South [N-12] received the last invite to the PIAA District One Quad-A playoff dance, and the Titans made the most of its invitation as the Titans dethroned defending state champion Conestoga [S-5] – 6-2.
“To be able to beat the state champion is great, and now we get to play the defending state runner-up in the next round when we play at [S-4] Spring-Ford,” said Central Bucks South head coach Mike Schafer. “We really came out strong with five straight hits in the first inning, and the top five in our lineup was 11 for 20.
“We scored six runs, but we had a lot of opportunities to score a lot more runs,” added Schafer as the Titans pounded out 13 hits and stranded 13 base runners. “We had multiple runners in all but the second inning, and although we left some runs out there, we had some key hits.”
Brian Happ and Will Foy each collected three hits for CB South to spark the offense. The Titan defense also came up huge with a pair of infield 5-4-3 double plays.
Bobby Witteman was efficient as the complete game-winning pitcher. Witteman was not overpowering with only a pair of strikeouts, but he controlled the Pioneer bats the entire game.
“To be able to go out and give us seven innings against the defending state champs is huge,” said Schafer. “We are playing good baseball, and we are playing loose. We are looking forward to playing Spring-Ford on Wednesday.”
Central Bucks South Titans 301 110 0 - 6 13 0
Conestoga Pioneers 010 000 1 - 2 7 3
To read Christopher Bailey’s complete game story, please click on the following PhillyBurbs.com link: http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/high_school/intel/cb-south-upsets-conestoga/article_6708b78f-7928-56b5-af38-c04d76a11139.html
Wissahickon [N-11] stunned favored Garnet Valley [S-6] in the opening round of the PIAA District One Quad-A playoffs as the Trojans caged the Jaguars – 9-2.
“This has to be one of the best games that Randy Frankenfield has thrown all season,” said Wissahickon head coach Shannon Gunby. “He had great location, but this is by far the best velocity he has had all year. And it comes at a great time.”
Frankenfield fired a complete game for the Trojans and limited the Jaguars to seven hits. Frankenfield did not allow a run until the last inning with Wissahickon holding a 9-0 lead.
The Trojans received a lot of mileage out of their eight hitter – sophomore Lee Dugger – who knocked home three runs in the final two innings to break the game open. Brennan Weiss also collected a key hit for the winners.
Wissahickon will advance to a second round game against – Suburban One League American Conference rival Upper Dublin [N-3]. The Trojans lost all three games to the Flying Cardinals during the 18-game conference season.
“Wissahickon-Upper Dublin is always a big game, and playing in a playoff atmosphere makes it all the more exciting,” said Gunby. “Not only is it a rivalry game in the playoffs – it’s a short bus ride. You have to like that.”
Wissahickon Trojans 004 001 4 - 9 12 1
Garnet Valley 000 000 2 - 2 7 1
North Penn [N-9] rallied for seven runs in the sixth inning as the Knights marched to a 7-4 PIAA District One Quad-A playoff victory over host Marple Newtown [S-8].
“We had some chances early, but we kept getting ourselves out,” said North Penn head coach Kevin Manero. “We made some adjustments at the plate and became more patient. That sixth inning was one of our most explosive innings of the year.”
Alec Lashkevich came on in relief to collect the win for the Knights, while Bobby Reddick came on to close out the game.
The big hits for North Penn in the sixth inning came on two-run doubles off the bats of Casey Clauss and Matt Davey.
The second round opponent for the Knights will be at [N-1] top-seeded Council Rock South on Wednesday.
“At this point of the season, you have to be able to beat good teams,” said Manero. “We’re excited to be able to play the #1 seed.”
North Penn Knights 000 007 0 - 7 7 3
Marple Newtown 101 200 0 - 4 8 0
Central Bucks West [N-8] moved on in the PIAA District One Quad-A playoffs as the Bucks edged West Chester Henderson [S-9] – 3-2.
“Marty Martens continues to do almost everything we need to win games,” said Central Bucks West head coach Jim Ertel. “If something has to be done in a key moment in the game, Marty is almost an automatic to get it done.”
Martens fired a complete game for CB West and allowed just four hits.
Martens led the Bucks’ offense with a pair of hits – one a double. Eugene Alpin drove home two runs for CB West, while Martens drove home a key run in the third inning.
“Brennan Snyder made a couple of great catches in right field that saved us some runs,” said Ertel. “We need to just go out and do the best we can in our next game.”
Central Bucks West will be on the road Wednesday when the Bucks meet [S-1] Interboro.
West Chester Henderson Warriors 000 020 0 - 2 4 4
Central Bucks West Bucks 102 000 x - 3 7 3
To read Todd Thorpe’s complete game story, please click on the following PhillyBurbs.com link: http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/pennridge/rams-thump-boyertown-in-district-opener/article_c825499a-056f-567d-96da-7273b49e07f5.html
Bensalem [N-6] showed no mercy as the Owls soared to a 13-0 victory over visiting Glen Mills [S-11]. The game was called after four and one half innings due to the mercy rule.
“This was a nice win, but we have to put this game behind us,” said Bensalem head coach Rick Lee as the Owls prepare for a second round game at Downingtown West [S-3]. “That game should be a dogfight.”
Bensalem took a bite out of the Bulls with a 12-hit attack. Rob Diamond had a pair of hits and four RBI for the Owls, while Zach Hizer and Andy Moser each added a pair of RBI.
Bensalem senior Jesse Dannin received the win and threw just three innings. If needed, Dannin is therefore available against Downingtown West on Wednesday.
Seven Owl seniors cut a senior class trip to Florida short to be able to play in the WCH game. It was worth it.
Glen Mills Bulls 000 00 - 0 3 4
Bensalem Owls 331 6x - 13 12 0
To read Karen Sangillo’s complete game story, please click on the following PhillyBurbs.com link: http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/rustin-routs-indians/article_ade89707-3286-5908-af77-9a542adaca29.html
Council Rock North [N-10] was shown the exit door as the Indians were defeated by host West Chester Rustin [S-7] – 12-3 – in the opening round of the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs.
“We knew going into the game that they could swing the bats, and they proved it,” said Council Rock head coach Matt Schram. “Every pitch we threw – they hit – and hit hard. We made some mistakes, and they took advantage of all of them.”
Council Rock senior ace Jake Drossner did not play in the crucial game. Drossner was ill and attended the game in a hooded sweatshirt.
“We have a very young team, and in some ways we exceeded expectations,” said Schram as he mentioned seven underclassman that played in the Rustin loss. “They know what it takes to get to the playoffs, and now they know what they have to do to win there. Playoff experience is priceless.”
West Chester Rustin will advance to a second round game on Wednesday against host Hatboro-Horsham [N-2].
Council Rock North Indians 000 111 0 - 3 6 1
West Chester Rustin Knights 0(10)2 000 x - 12 13 1
To read baseball beat writer Dan Dunkin’s complete game story, please click on the following PhillyBurbs.com link: http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/rustin-routs-indians/article_ade89707-3286-5908-af77-9a542adaca29.html
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