Souderton & Neshaminy were winners in Monday’s opening round of the District One 6A Tournament. Photo provided courtesy of Cindy Hanson (https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p475808795)
Class 6A
SOUDERTON 2, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
Abby Burns was in some kind of groove.
The Indians’ senior ace allowed a leadoff single to Kalina Childers to open the second inning and then retired the next 17 batters she faced before Childers collected a two-out single in the seventh. The PW freshman accounted for two of the Colonials’ three singles in Burns’ complete game shutout. She struck out 12 and did not walk a batter.
“Abby came out early and was throwing strikes – five of her first six pitchers were strikes, whether they were called or swinging, so we knew they were going to be near the zone, so we told them, ‘Go in there and get aggressive,’” PW coach Mike Perez said.
Burns – who faced just 24 batters in the seven-inning contest – needed just 74 pitches to get the job done with 63 of those strikes, and the Indians’ senior ace had no complaints about a home plate umpire with a generous strike zone.
“I try to hit the spots where he is generous because in my mind – I wouldn’t be swinging at those pitches, so I know what they’re thinking in the batter’s box,” Burns said. “If I’m going to hit those corners, I’m not the one swinging, so I have a feeling it’s either just going to be a foul ball or I’ll get lucky and they’ll miss it completely, which is the goal.
“(The umpire) really liked the high outside corner at one point, and that was my area that I kind of stuck to.”
Monday’s meeting was the third between the two teams in the past two years. The Indians have won all three, and two of those came in the opening round of the District One 6A Tournament.
“All three this year and last year have been the same, and we knew that coming in,” Perez said. “We knew Abby was going to do what Abby does, and we knew the York sisters (Kayley and Riley) were going to come in and mash the ball, and that’s exactly what happened. That’s what got us.
“We just didn’t adjust fast enough to Abby on the mound, for sure. I thought we did a good job defensively, and I thought Molly (Moore) did a great job even with a couple big hits. They loaded the bases, and I thought we did a good job of working out of that with minimal damage. We just couldn’t come back and get the hits that we needed.”
In the fourth inning, Riley York picked up the Indians’ first hit, smashing a leadoff double down the left field line and then moving up to third on Kendell Clemmer’s bloop single over the infield. Taylor Nelson laid down a bunt on a squeeze play that plated York.
“They’re a good team – they almost got us last year (a 2-1 Souderton win), so we knew we had to bring our ‘A’ game,” York said. “In a pitcher’s duel, we really just have to bring our bats, and we have to adjust. After the first round through the lineup, we learned what pitches we have to swing at and stay back on the change-up.
“I really just looked for the change-up, and instead of just taking it as a strike, we as a team decided to go for that pitch.”
One inning later, York ripped a two-out double off the fence in deep left that – off the bat – appeared destined to go over the fence. Again, Clemmer followed and hit a single just over the infield to plate York with a run that made it 2-0
“We were torn defensively, knowing the power they have, the bats they have in their lineup,” Perez said. ‘We didn’t want that to beat us. They hurt us last year with that, so we didn’t want to get beat with that again. A couple dropped in. There’s not much you can do there.”
Burns took care of the rest, allowing only a two-out single in the seventh.
Last year’s district game was played at Souderton in the 16-17 game. This year’s was on PW’s home field.
“Honestly, we kind of love that as a team because we get to hit first and that gets our momentum going,” York said of playing road games. “We really don’t care.”
Moore – who worked her way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the second, allowed seven hits and two runs while striking out nine and walking one.
The Colonials lose just one player to graduation from this year’s roster – senior Lauryn Kane.
“It’s very difficult,” Perez said after his team’s emotional postgame meeting. “That was an emotional temporary good-bye. I’ve been watching her play softball since she was a little kid. I was lucky enough to have her three years here. It’s been amazing.
“She’s been a great leader for our team, she’s been a great coach in the field. It’s not easy being the only senior on an extremely young team – we start two freshmen and five sophomores. It’s not the situation she wanted to be in as a senior I’m sure, but she was wonderful. She was all I could ask for.”
Souderton (13-8, 9-7 SOL) will travel to second-seeded Spring-Ford in Wednesday’s second round.
“We’re really excited because we never played Spring-Ford before, and we’re ready to play good team,” York said.
“I can’t wait for Wednesday,” Burns said. “I’m excited. If we cause an upset, great. As long as we have a great game and go out with a bang, I will be very happy with it.
“I hope we pull off a miracle and bump out a team that we’re not expected to win against. That would be a great way to finish off my senior year.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (11-5 SOL) closed out its season with a 14-7 record.
Souderton 000 110 0 2-7-0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 000 0 0-3-3
#11 NESHAMINY 8, #22 PERKIOMEN VALLEY 1
The Redskins pounded out 12 hits and capitalized on four walks, opening up a 2-0 lead in the second and scoring six runs over the final three innings.
“We made adjustments at the plate,” Neshaminy coach Tim Quense said. “Their first pitcher, Bella Reedy, was mainly staying away, away, away, and our second time through the lineup, we made a simple adjustment by moving up on the plate and trying to hit the ball where it was pitched. That’s where our bats started coming alive. Instead of trying to pull everything, we made adjustments closer to the plate and tried to go with the pitch.”
In the Redskins’ two-run second, Laura Chorba doubled to center field to plate the game’s first run.
“Laura Chorba had a big day,” Quense said. “Her first at-bat, she made the adjustment at the plate. The girl (threw) one on the middle out, and she was on the plate, and she one-hopped it off the center field fence over the center fielder’s head.
“Her second at-bat she had another really good at-bat and drove a single up the middle. She had a good day, and she’s done a fantastic job handling our pitching staff and bringing along a sophomore catcher. She’s done really well for us.”
Amanda Slabicki followed with an RBI single, and the Redskins had a lead they would not lose.
In the fourth, Zoe Shimp drew a one-out walk, and Chorba was safe when her bunt was misplayed. A walk to Amanda Slabicki loaded the bases. Kennedie Ruth drew a walk that pushed a run across, and Meryn Bellacima singled to left to plate Chorba. Gorka’s sacrifice fly and an error allowed two more runs to cross the plate, giving the Redskins a 6-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, Shimp led off with a single and scored two outs later when Ruth ripped a triple to right field. An error allowed her to circle the bases, and Neshaminy led 8-0 before the Vikings put a run on the board in the top of the sixth.
Amanda Slabicki and Kennedie Ruth once again combined for the win. Slabicki threw the first three innings, and Ruth closed it out, throwing the final four. They combined for a 4 hitter, striking out nine and allowing 3 three walks.
“Our defense over the last five or six games has been spot on – we’re playing really well,” Quense said. “They both threw well. It’s a good mix.
“They’re both very good pitchers but two very different pitchers. It gives a completely different look. It’s worked out for us the last couple of games, so I’m very happy with them. They’ve pitched well all year.”
Chorba finished the day 2-for-3 with a double, run scored and RBI, Bellacima was 2-for-4 with an RBI, Shimp was 2-for-2 with a walk, Gorka was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Carena Barr was 3-for-4. Maddie Nelson was 1-for-1.
Neshaminy (16-3, 12-4 SOL) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham for a rematch of last year’s district quarterfinal contest – a 3-1 Redskin win.
Perkiomen Valley 000 001 0 1
Neshaminy 020 420 x 8
#16 COATESVILLE 3, #17 BENSALEM 1
The visiting Owls had their opportunities but managed just a fourth inning run and saw their successful season come to an end.
“It’s not the way we wanted to end the season, but it was a successful season all the same,” Bensalem coach Erin Smith said. “We had runners on base – we just couldn’t capitalize. We actually outhit Coatesville, but the difference was they were able to score their runners.”
The Owls took a 1-0 lead when Lina Sponheimer smacked the first pitch she saw to lead off the second inning over the left field fence.
In the fourth inning, Ayva Knowles and Maggie Formichelli led off with back-to-back singles, but the Owls weren’t able to capitalize. Coatesville pushed its first run across in the fourth with a two-out single by Ashley Stringer and an RBI double by Caity Hinton.
Ashlyn Merz led off the top of the fifth with a single, and Destiny Howard walked. Courtesy runner Delaney Bell attempted to score on a Megan Klein single but was thrown out at the plate.
In the sixth inning, the Owls loaded the bases with a single by Sponheimer, Keira Seidman hit a hard ball to short and reached on fielder’s choice and Merz hit a hard ball to third and reached base on an error, but again the Owls came up empty.
Coatesville added two insurance runs in the sixth with a solo home run by Olivia Springer and singles by Stringer, Hinton and Cait Friel.
“Maggie (Formichelli) pitched a heck of a game like she has all season,” Smith said. “She tossed six innings, giving up six hits and striking out four. With her final strikeout, she set Bensalem’s single season strikeout record of 120.”
Meg Klein led the team with three hits. Lina Sponheimer and Maggie Formichelli each had two hits.
“It sucks to end the season with a loss especially a close game like this, but it was a strong season for the Owls,” Smith said.
Bensalem (10-6 SOL) closed out its season with a 13-8 record.
Bensalem 010 000 0 1
Coatesville 000 102 x 3
#14 AVON GROVE 5, #19 WISSAHICKON 3
The Red Devils opened up a 4-1 lead after four innings, and although the Trojans battled gamely, trimming that lead to one, they never could get over the hump.
Morgan Risnychok was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs to lead the Trojans, who were without senior Danielle Ciliberto (injury). Gracie Franczyk was 1-for-2 with a double, run scored and RBI.
Wissahickon (11-5 SOL) finished its season with a 13-8 record.
Wissahickon 000 120 0 3-5-2
Avon Grove 100 210 x 5-7-0
#13 BOYERTOWN 1, #20 WILLIAM TENNENT 0
The Panthers – behind a strong outing by sophomore Katie LaPlaunt in the circle – played well enough to win on most days, but they never could find their offense against Boyertown’s Ella Hurter, who allowed just two hits, struck out 16 and walked two.
“I am so proud of what these girls accomplished this year,” Tennent coach Rich Clark said. “As young as they are, it was awesome to see them grow together throughout the season and finish as strong as they did.
“With everyone returning next year, they are only going to get better. Being the lower seed today on the road against a very strong team in Boyertown, they could have mailed it in, but they didn’t. They really showed me what they are made of today with their character and grit. They just battled tooth and nail to the very end.”
LaPlaunt allowed just five hits and one run while striking out two and walking one.
“She pitched her heart out,” Clark said of his sophomore pitcher.
The Bears scored the game’s only run in the bottom of the first, collecting two of their five hits in the inning.
Vicky Colagreco and Chloe Hostettler accounted for the Panthers’ only two hits. Both collected singles.
William Tennent (12-4 SOL) closed out its season with a 13-6 record and the program’s second consecutive SOL Freedom Division title.
William Tennent 000 000 0 0-2-1
Boyertown 100 000 x 1-5-0
#12 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 2, #21 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1
A young Golden Hawk squad gave the Cougars all they could handle, opening up a 1-0 lead early on only to see the home team plate single runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to eke out the win.
“I made a point all year to not talk about South’s prior record, not mention how youthful our group is, and what it was like to take the team in February after having coached Bensalem for so many years,” Bensalem coach Dan Schram said. “We don’t make excuses.
“In the end, I got a chance to coach a hungry group of players, work with supportive families, and build relationships. That’s why we coach, and I have no regrets. The future is bright for South, and I am thankful that it happened. This was a great season and the kids at South are so special. Best of luck to Downingtown East. They played great. Keep Playing!”
The Golden Hawks got on the scoreboard in the second inning, thanks to an RBI single by Devon Wach.
Jordan Bobrin was 2-for-2 with a run scored to lead the Golden Hawks.
Freshman hurler Lexi Waring scattered five hits and allowed two runs while striking out five and walking a pair.
Council Rock South (8-8 SOL) closed out its season with a 10-9 record.
Council Rock South 010 000 0 1-5-2
Downingtown East 000 110 x 2-5-1
#10 RIDLEY 6, #23 PENNRIDGE 1
The Green Raiders erupted for four runs in the second inning and two more in the third, and the Rams never could dig their way out of the early hole.
Although disappointed to see their season end, the Rams closed out their season with no regrets.
“A month ago, we were thinking we wouldn’t make playoffs,” Pennridge coach Wendy Iadonisi said. “To turn the season around and come up with some big wins in our league shows how much the girls have grown this year.
“We were really excited to make playoffs and thought that we would be overlooked being the 23rd seed. We lose a couple of strong seniors, but we have a really strong group of underclassmen that now have another year of experience which will only help us next season. Our infield, including our entire pitching and catching staff, all return next year.”
The Rams plated their only run in the top of the seventh. Reagan Bauman lined a double to center to lead off the inning and moved up to third on a ground out. She scored on a ground out by Erin Leight.
Bauman was 2-for-3 with a double and run scored to lead the Rams.
Freshman Averi Dockery absorbed the loss, allowing seven hits and six runs while striking out 11 and walking one.
Pennridge (7-9 SOL) closed out its season with a 9-11 record.
Pennridge 000 000 1 1-5-1
Ridley 042 000 x 6-7-0
#9 GARNET VALLEY 2, #24 ABINGTON 0
The Ghosts more than held their own in Monday’s opening round district contest, but they never could find their offense, managing just two hits with seniors Sydney Steiner and Ashley Reilly each collecting a single. Garnet Valley’s pitcher fanned 15.
Despite the outcome, Abington coach Bob Baginiski had nothing but good things to say about his team’s improved play this season.
“Our goal from the beginning of the year was to build on 2021 with an 8-11 record and make the playoffs this year,” Baginski said. “From March 7th, we talked about it every practice and game, and our girls bought in and had a drive to get there. We made it, and as a coaching staff, we are very proud of these girls.”
Freshman Sam Wenhold turned in a solid outing in the circle, allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out six and walking three.
“Today we gave it our best effort against a very good team,” Baginski said. “All year the effort, energy and positive attitude has been outstanding.
“I would be remiss not to mention the leadership of our senior captains Ashley Reilly, Sydney Steiner and Aneesa Rohrer along with junior captain Leanna Schenk. These four have helped us build the foundation as we move forward with our underclassmen. As the head coach, I’m so fortunate to have them on our team and look forward to the future with Leanna and our other young leaders.”
Abington (8-8 SOL) closed out its season with an 11-10 record.
Abington 000 000 0 0-2-1
Garnet Valley 101 000 x 2-3-0
About the Author
