Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action in the District 1 6A Tournament. CR South, North Penn, Upper Moreland & New Hope-Solebury were winners. Check the recaps. PW/Conestoga photos courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ SOFTBALL GALLERIES.
District 1 6A second round
#2 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 2, #15 PENNSBURY 1 (10 innings)
It’s not much of a secret, and opposing teams are not all that surprised when coach Scott Molle calls for a suicide squeeze with a runner on third, less than two outs and Molly Gabriele at the plate.
“Recently, the defense actually has been playing me up,” Gabriele admitted. “But it’s mainly just location of the ball. It’s where I’m placing it. When I go up to bat – every single time I’m reading my field. I’m reading where runners are on bags, and that’s what gives me the location of where to put the ball.”
And where Gabriele puts the ball has created nothing but trouble for the Hawks’ opponents. The Rock South junior has turned walk-off squeeze bunts into something of an art form. Or at least something that’s almost impossible to prevent.
The Falcons found out as much in the bottom of the 10th inning of Tuesday’s second round district game when – with courtesy runner Mickey DeYoung on third and one out in a 1-1 tie – Gabriele laid down a perfectly placed bunt that plated the game-winner.
“I’m pretty confident at this point, but it’s still kind of nerve-wracking when we’re in the 10th inning of the game,” Gabriele said. “It’s just about having a clear mind, confidence and just knowing you’ve done it before so you can do it again.”
And again and again. Tuesday’s walk-off suicide squeeze was Gabriele’s third of the season, and this one was by far the sweetest and most significant because it kept the season alive for the defending state runner-up Golden Hawks. There was no escaping the pressure on both sides in Tuesday’s win-or-go-home contest.
“The whole time I was just thinking about my team, the seniors, and not wanting this to be our last game,” Gabriele said. “So, we just had to give it our all. This was it. You just have to give everything you have. That’s what was going through my brain and just wanting to apply the pressure to them and not us.
“I had a feeling it would work because I bunted on the girls earlier in the game, and they were able to field it, but it ended up getting me to first, so it worked. I was more focused on placing it down the first-place line because we had a runner at third. Mickey (DeYoung) played that ball wonderfully. It felt amazing.”
Gabriele, the Hawks’ speedy center fielder, also played a role in the Hawks’ flawless defense that delivered a game-saving play in the top of the 10th when – with Pennsbury runners on second and third with one out – left fielder Victoria Herzog came up with a highlight reel catch and turned it into an inning-ending double play.
“Vic had a great game today,” Gabriele said. “She made two diving plays and then she had that double up. She did amazing. If she hadn’t caught that ball and played it the way she did with how smart she was, that could have been the end of the game.”
Gabriele also had a diving catch in Tuesday’s win. Diving is not without risks, but Gabriele is willing to take that risk.
“Honestly, I’m not worried about (the ball getting past me) because I know my outfielders and I know they’re there to back me up,” she said. “So even if I do dive and miss, they’re right there to back me up every single time. It just comes from trusting them and trusting that I know they’re backing me up every single time.
“I kind of just play a little fearless. You have everything to give, so why not give it, just always give your 110 percent, and that’s all you can do. And if you do miss that ball, it’s okay because you tried and you gave your all.”
It’s undoubtedly safe to say no one appreciated the defense’s big plays more than senior ace Lexi Waring, who earned the complete game 10-inning win and says she wasn’t a bit surprised the game went into extra innings.
“Our games have been close to them before, but we just kept trying to keep our approach at the plate, and our defense was really good today,” Waring said. “It got us out of some tough innings
“Vic (Herzog), our left fielder, turned a double play was huge. It’s just like a big relief, especially going into extra innings, just being able to get out of the inning and just trusting the bats and our defense. We had a lot of great plays today.”
Waring turned in another impressive outing in the circle, scattering six hits and allowing one run while walking two and striking out seven. Anything less would not have been good enough on a day when Pennsbury’s Kylie Dressel was turning in a gem of her own that – one that on most days would have netted the Falcons a win.
The Falcons got on the scoreboard in the top of the first. Bella Morales hit a one-out single and immediately stole second. She scored when Jenna Thompson collected her first of three hits on the day – a ground single to right field.
Pennsbury took that 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning when the Hawks evened the score, and the season hung in the balance for both sides until the bottom of the 10th.
“It’s definitely scary,” Waring said. “If we lose, that’s our season, so we just try to remember that and play for each other and just know that any game could be our last. So, we just try to leave it all out there”
“This team does not quit and today was a total team win with so many heroes of the game,” Rock South coach Scott Molle said. “We look forward to the next two days of practice to prepare us for our game against Haverford.”
By the numbers: Council Rock South: Lexi Waring (W) (10.0 IP, 6H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 7K)
Molly Gabriele (2-for-4, 1RBI), Shannon Williams (2-for-4)
Pennsbury: Kylie Dressel (9.1 IP, 8H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 4K)
Jenna Thompson (3-for-4, 1RBI)
Key inning: Bottom of sixth: Trailing 1-0, Jenna Pesapane lined a one-out single to left, moved up to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Julia Scannapieco.
Bottom of 10th: With the international tiebreaker in effect, DeYoung opened the inning on second base and moved up to third on Margot McLean’s sacrifice bunt, setting the stage for Gabriele’s successful suicide squeeze.
Council Rock South coach Scott Molle: “What an incredible game and outcome for us in this second round of playoffs. From the beginning till the end of the 10th inning, this team showed up and played their hearts out. We have been preaching great defense will help us win in the playoffs and I don’t recall a game the last two years where this was more true.”
–Waring a winner: “And. of course, great pitching has to be on point to have any chance of winning, and Lexi Waring was that today. Lexi gained so much experience last season, and she knows what she needs to do to help win us games in the playoffs. Lexi has been under the weather since this past weekend, and we all just prayed that she would be feeling better today, after she missed practice yesterday. She showed zero effects of not feeling good and was absolutely amazing today. Being able to push yourself and expel all that energy and be as effective as she was isn’t something you will see with most athletes. She’s an amazing girl off the field and helps lead this team, and those attributes are more important than anything else. It’s a true honor to be able to coach her, and as she said after the game, “Coach Scott, we were on the same wave length today with our pitch calling.” Lexi and I started out a little slow this season with getting on the same page, but now we know what we are going to call the next pitch before the sign is even given. We know each other pretty well in this regard and it truly helps us get through these games.”
–Golden gloves: “We numerous girls today make absolutely incredible plays in the field. Let’s start off with freshman Victoria Herzog, this kid made two just incredible ESPN highlight reel catches and one that she turned into a double play in the top of the 10th inning. Pennsbury had runners in second and third with one out. A ball was lined to left field. Vic was able to make a great break in the ball, dove to catch the ball – got up quickly and threw the runner out at second base That was the play of the year for us and couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only that, earlier in the game, a ball was hit deep to her, and she was able to adjust perfectly and dive backwards to steal an extra base hit. Vic plays an incredible left field, and we are so confident having her out there and today all of her hard work at practice paid off for her and her team.
“Another big play in the outfield was Molly Gabriele, who once again laid out for a diving catch to end an inning. We have talked about Molly a bunch of times this year, and she is just so consistent for us in center field, and we know if a ball is hit short to her she will lay her body on the line to get the out. The definition of someone who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Super proud of our outfield today as they came ready to play!
“Our infield also had a great day. Freshman Jenna Pesapane just locks down third base and had some great plays today. She fielded a few bunts perfectly and was once again in the right spot for a line shot right at her to record yet another big out. We can’t talk enough about what Jenna means to this team. Whether it’s playing lockdown third base to being our leadoff hitter. Jenna is willing to put her body in harm’s way for the team.
“Shannon Williams, who plays shortstop for us, just makes plays on every ball that is hit her way. She has not missed one play all year at her position. And to have that at her position is unheard of. Shannon leads our defense and team in a way that any coach would love to have. Today she completed an out while on her stomach to get a force out at second base. This kid competes and prepares herself for every game and practices hard to make sure she can be perfect at her position.
“Sophia Salamon who is our catcher this year threw out another runner today. Sophia has picked off and has thrown runners out all year and has been a staple for us behind the plate. Her development this season has been an impressive thing to watch. So has worked so hard to be the best she can be for her team and for that we are all thankful that she is part of this team.
Finding some offense: “Julia Scannapieco was able to come up clutch today for us in the sixth inning – hitting a line drive single to score the tying run. This was a huge hit for us today and got the team pumped up and gave us the confidence to get the win today.
“Shannon Williams and Molly Gabriele both had two hits today for us and both had great at-bats. Freshman Margot McLean’s sacrifice bunt in the 10th moved runner Mickey DeYoung to third base with one out was one of our biggest sac bunts all year. Margot has worked hard to get into the lineup and has been a steady force and will do anything that is asked of her. Today she did just that and helped propel our team to a win.
“The star of the day was once again Molly Gabriele who laid down again an incredible squeeze to get us the win today. This is Molly’s third squeeze walk off win for us this year. Molly can hurt you with small ball or with line drive singles and will do whatever it takes at the plate. We chatted before her at-bat, and we set a plan in motion on when she would lay the squeeze down along with our runner Mickey. Mickey got a great jump on the pitch and with the great bunt laid down my Molly – Mickey was able to slide home safe to win it in a walk off. “
Up next: Council Rock South (18-3, 9-1 SOL) will host #7 Haverford in a District 1 6A quarterfinal contest Friday. Pennsbury closed out its season with a 12-9 record overall
Pennsbury 100 000 000 0 1-6-2
Council Rock South 000 001 000 1 2-8-0
#11 NORTH PENN 8, #6 SOUDERTON 0
Felicia Connolly has found her stride.
The Knights’ junior ace silenced the bats of a Souderton team that had not been shut out all season. The Indians had scored four runs or more in every game since a 9-1 loss to Owen J Roberts in their season opener 19 games ago. In Tuesday’s loss, they managed just three singles. Connolly fanned five and did not walk a batter. It was her second shutout in as many days.
“Felicia’s on it,” Knights’ coach Rick Torresani said. “She pitched a great game. Like I said last night, one of these days you’re going to see her throw the game she can for seven innings.
“And she did that tonight. She can pitch a little better, but I’ll take this. She just was on. And once we got started scoring runs, these kids were ready to go.”
For Connolly, who received the game ball, it was her third win over the Indians in as many outings but by far the most impressive (the Knights won the first two 7-5 and 6-4).
“I think the key tonight was just knowing what has worked in the past and knowing what they expected me to come out like tonight,” the Knights’ junior said. “So I tried to change up my game plan coming into the game and just focused on hitting my spots, so that even if they hit the ball, I had a full confidence in my defense, so I wasn’t really worried about if they hit it or not, I just wanted to keep it in the park.”
The Knights scored a run in the third but put the game out of reach with a six-run fourth that was highlighted by doubles from Mady Archer, and a two-run home run by Connolly, who had three RBIs on the night.
Connolly is following in the footsteps of state champion pitchers Julia Shearer, Bella Nunn and Mady Volpe.
“I think because we’ve had such a big legacy to follow, we’ve tried to step up for the people before us, but also for ourselves,” Connolly said. “Because most of us are new, we’re trying to make our own legacy here at North Penn, but we remember who came before us every single day, and we work hard.”
By the numbers: North Penn: Felicia Connolly (W) (7.0 IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 5K) (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, 1R)
Tallie Smink (3-for-3, 1RBI, 1R), Gabriella Brigidi (3-for-4, 2 2B, 2RBI, 2R), Alana Drummond (2-for-4, 2B, 1RBI, 1R), Mady Archer (2B, 1RBI)
Key inning: Top of fourth: After taking a 1-0 lead on a bases-loaded walk to Connolly in the third, the Knights exploded for six runs. Gabby Battavio was hit by a pitch, and one out later, she scored when Drummond doubled to left field. Brigidi followed with an RBI double, and the Knights led 3-0. With two outs, Smink singled home a run, and then it was Archer collecting her team’s third double of the inning – an RBI double to center. That set the stage for Connolly’s two run blast to center field that put the Knights on top 7-0.
North Penn coach Rick Torresani:
–Rookie shortstop excels: “What I’m really pleased with is our shortstop, Alana Drummond. She came up from the JV about three-and-a-half weeks ago. She was hitting real well, and she can field. We needed somebody to give us confidence. For a sophomore coming up from JV, she’s just playing really well. She got the big hit to start that rally in the fourth inning, and she’s been flawless – knock on wood – in the infield.”
North Penn sophomore shortstop Alana Drummond: “I was nervous at first, but I got through it, and I’m just really excited to keep playing. It’s really fun. We have a great team bond, and it’s just a really great experience.
“I think I’m a little bit of a perfectionist during games, and I want to make sure I do my absolute best. Recently, my hitting’s been off and on, but this game really got my confidence up with hitting more.”
North Penn senior Felicia Connolly on:
–The growth of the team: “I think because we’ve gotten so close as a team, and we’ve found ways to work together in the most extraordinary circumstances. We’ve continued to get stronger as a team because we’ve found ways to get across runs even when we’re not having our best hitting days, and in the field, we communicate. We‘ve worked so hard in practice to make sure we know whose ball is whose and who should call it and just the plays that you don’t always see in games but you have to be ready for. I think that just working hard in practice and showing it on the field has been so important throughout the season.”
–Getting stronger every day: “Without hesitation, I can say I think I’ve gotten more accurate, and I think I’ve gotten more spin on my ball. Each game I’m just focusing on what’s going happen in that game, and I think that was key to just moving on from the middle of the season. I think I was overwhelmed a little bit, but I just know like we have to focus on our own season, and we’re going to get better.”
Up next: North Penn (13-7, 8-1 SOL) will travel to #3 Avon Grove for a quarterfinal game Friday. Souderton – which graduated 10 seniors from last year’s squad – finished a successful season with a 16-4 record.
North Penn 001 610 0 8-13-1
Souderton 000 000 0 0-3-0
#10 HAVERFORD 7, #7 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4
The visiting Fords opened up a 3-0 lead in the third inning, and the Indians spent the rest of the day playing catchup.
“Today was a really rough day for our team, and that is entirely on me as a head coach,” Rock North coach Susan Yee said. “Haverford came in prepared, and I didn’t do a good enough job for my girls. Haverford is a good team, and they did all the things they needed to do to stay alive in the district one tournament.”
The Indians pulled to within one with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to singles by Kayla Ripper, Chelsea Seiler (RBI), Sierra Klein (RBI) and Katie Wilkoski.
Haverford added three runs in the top of the seventh to go on top 7-2 before Wikoski – after a Klein double – hit a two-run home run.
Despite the disappointing ending, the Indians had plenty of reasons to remain positive.
“I am so proud of everything our players achieved this year,” Yee said. “They came into the season with three big team goals – win the league, get a bye in the playoffs, and make it to states.
“We fell short on that last goal, but ultimately the girls accomplished so much this year and should be extremely proud of themselves. They played hard, they represented themselves and the community in a positive light, and they accomplished things no softball team at CR North has done in over two decades. After the sting from today wears off, I hope our girls will look back and focus on all the positive things they achieved.”
Council Rock North closed out its season with a 14-7 record overall. The Indians captured a share of the SOL Patriot Division with a 9-1 record.
Haverford 003 001 3 7-11-1
Council Rock North 000 020 2 4-9-1
#9 CONESTOGA 3, #8 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2
The 8-9 game in district play is supposed to be tightly contested, and Tuesday’s game certainly was, but nothing could have prepared the Colonials for coming up short in such a heartbreaker.
The Pioneers won it in the ninth when Janie Lofland doubled home Charlotte Friel, who singled to lead off the inning. This came on the heels of the Colonials leaving the bases loaded in both the seventh and eighth innings.
PW needed some late-game heroics to knot the score after the Pioneers put a pair on the board in the fifth. Gia Bono evened the score when – after a Madison Moran two-out single – she ripped a two-run home run to center field.
Rian Reed’s 3-for-4 day at the plate led the Colonials nine-hit attack. Moran added a pair of hits, including a double.
Moran absorbed the loss, despite tossing four strong innings that saw the Pioneers manage just two hits and one run (unearned).
Plymouth Whitemarsh closed out its season with a 13-6 record overall. The Colonials were 9-0 in league play and captured their second consecutive division crown.
Conestoga 000 020 001 3-8-2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 002 000 2-9-2
#1 PERKIOMEN VALLEY 5, #17 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1
CB South knew it would have its hands full with top-seeded Perkiomen Valley.
The Titans fell behind 3-0 and scored their only run in the top of the fourth. Maddie Motley hit a one-out double and was replaced by courtesy runner Kayla Wigo. Cam Lee followed with a single to put a pair on board. Wigo scored on a groundout that saw the Titans’ lead runner thrown out at third for an inning-ending double play.
“Tough loss and sad to see the season end,” Titans’ coach Matt McLaughlin said. “Super proud of our team.
“I want to wish each of our seniors all the best as they move on to life’s next challenge. Wish you all the success in the world Ella Wheeler, Maura Fleming, Riley Theis, Chrissy Ivers, Maddie McClintock, and Kate Muntz. Thank you all for the memories and allowing me to be your coach. To the rest of the South girls I wish you all the success this year with your travel teams.”
PV’s Maci Strechay notched the win, allowing five hits and one run while striking out eight and walking two.
Central Bucks South closed out its season with a 12-10 record.
Central Bucks South 000 100 0 1-5-1
Perkiomen Valley 021 002 x 5-7-1
District 1 Class 5A quarterfinal
#5 UPPER MORELAND 2, #4 UPPER DUBLIN 0
Delaney Stout is only a sophomore.
A fact that’s easy to forget as she’s accumulating wins and piling up strikeouts – she surpassed the 400-strikeout mark in Tuesday’s win. For Stout, the milestone was secondary to the outcome.
“It was fantastic,” the sophomore standout said of the win. “I mean, we’ve been battling all season, and especially going against a D1 commit is kind of scary, especially knowing that you’ll be eliminated if you don’t win. So, it was really great that we could pull out the win today.
“I knew it was going to be a tough game, just based on the level of Kyla (Garrison), and the way that both teams are playing. So, we knew it was going to be a close game.”
Games don’t get much closer than this one that was the very definition of a pitchers’ duel. The two teams combined for just four hits and two runs. Stout and Garrison combined for 29 strikeouts. Stout allowed just one hit – a single by Lizzie Tambourino in the fifth inning. She struck out 15 and walked three.
“The key thing for me has been just keeping my composure and making sure that even if I don’t like a call, making sure I stay under control and knowing that my team can back me up,” said Stout, crediting also freshman catcher Sofia Magagna. “She’s a freshman, so this is our first time working together, but it’s been great having her behind the plate.”
Tuesday’s win vaulted the Golden Bears into Friday’s district quarterfinals and punched their ticket to the state tournament.
“We were definitely thinking about how we wanted to continue our season,” Stout said. “We didn’t want to end it today. We wanted to win, especially because we lost to Upper Dublin first round (of districts) last year in the playoffs. It was huge that we beat them and can continue to states. We all knew we could do something special together.”
Freshman Layla Knecht, on the heels of delivering a big hit in Monday’s win over Strath Haven, once again came up big. Her triple in the top of the sixth plated the game-winner, and she scored on a single by Stephanie Jones.
By the numbers: Upper Moreland: Delaney Stout (W) (7.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 3BB, 15K)
Layla Knecht (1-for-2, 3B, 1RBI, 1R), Stephanie Jones (1-for-3, 1RBI)
Upper Dublin: Kyla Garrison (7.0 IP 3H, 2R, 1ER, 0BB, 14K)
Key inning: Top of sixth: Lianna Adames reached base on an error and scored on a triple to right center by Knecht. Stephanie Jones singled to plate Knecht, giving UM a 2-0 lead.
Upper Moreland coach Melanie Martino: “I know we were pretty closely seeded with Upper Dublin, but going into this game, I knew both pitchers are just excellent, excellent pitchers. Kyla (Garrison) has had a fantastic career in high school, Delaney just starting out and doing as well as she’s been doing – she seems to get even better as the season goes on and as the game goes on.
“I could not be more proud of them. They never give up. This team has a different level of grit. They never give up on each other, and they never give up on the fact that they want to win, they just want to win all the time.”
–On playing a tough non-league schedule: “I think it’s great for them. I think it shows them what they are capable of. And even in the losses, the fact that we played very closely in all of our losses – we lost by only one or a couple of runs in every loss we had this year. Considering who we were playing, I was pretty happy about it. I think playing those top tier teams only made our team work harder and know what their goal was.”
Up next: Upper Moreland (16-6, 9-1 SOL) will face top-seeded Marple Newtown in Friday’s District 1 5A semifinal (7:30 pm). Upper Dublin closed out its season with a 12-6 record, 7-2 in the SOL.
Upper Moreland 000 002 0 2-3-0
Upper Dublin 000 000 0 0-1-3
#1 MARPLE NEWTOWN 3, #8 HATBORO-HORSHAM 2
The Hatters came oh-so-close to pulling off a major upset, erasing a 1-0 deficit with two runs in the top of the seventh only to see the top-seeded Tigers plate two runs in the bottom of the inning for the walk-off win.
Sophomore Maya Ravi drove in a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to give the Hatters a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, the leadoff batter Siena Adams singled to left and stole second. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Nicole Smerjian, who bats out of the two hole, was intentionally walked and stole second. Both runners scored when cleanup batter Grace Corner lined a double to left field.
“Semerjian came within inches of going yard earlier, and we decided to walk her since we struck out Corner twice earlier in the game,” Hatters’ coach Bob Sadowl said. “Sometimes you play the odds and it works and sometimes it doesn’t. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
Maya Ravi had two of the Hatters’ five hits.
Hatboro-Horsham closed out its season with a 12-10 record.
Hatboro-Horsham 000 000 2 2-5-1
Marple Newtown 000 001 2 3-7-3
District 1 2A semifinals
#2 NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 12, #3 FAITH CHRISTIAN 2 (6 innings)
The Lions earned a spot in Thursday’s district semifinal with a no-doubt-about-it mercy rule win over Faith Christian.
Mabel Klossner earned the complete game win, fanning 11 and allowing no earned runs.
At the plate, the day belonged to Riley and Rachel Sim. Riley’s 3-for-4 day with a two-run home run in the fourth led the Lions. Rachel added a pair of hits and scored three runs. Izzy Elizondo also had two hits.
By the numbers: New Hope-Solebury: Riley Sim (3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 1R), Izzy Elizondo (2-for-4, 2RBI), Rachel Sim (2-for-3, 1RBI, 3R), Mabel Klossner (2B, 2RBI)
Mabel Klossner (W) (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2R, 0ER, 1BB, 11K)
Key inning: Bottom of first: Danielle Wilson led off with a single, moved up to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a sac bunt by Emily Wilson, who advanced to second on a wild pitch. Rachel Sim lined an RBI single to left, and Klossner followed with an RBI double to center. A fielder’s choice plated a run, and with two outs, Riley Sim singled. A fourth run scored on a FCA miscue.
Up next: New Hope-Solebury (15-5, 7-2 SOL) will face #1 Bristol Thursday in the District 1 2A final at Bensalem High School. Bristol defeated #4 Calvary Christian 14-0.
Faith Christian 000 020 2-6-5
New Hope-Solebury 421 302 12-11-2
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