Council Rock South advanced to the District 1 6A semifinal round while New Hope-Solebury fell in its District 1 4A title game. Upper Moreland, which has already earned a state berth, also came up short. CR South/Haverford photos courtesy of John Gleeson, and New Hope-Bristol photos provided courtesy of Greg Lindsay. Check back for galleries of both games.
Distrct 1 2A title game
#1 BRISTOL 9, #2 NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 4
Chris Marchok didn’t need a long team meeting after Friday’s season-ending loss in the District 1 2A title game. The Spartans’ coach had a simple message for his squad.
“What I just told them - and we’re going to tell them again in our next meeting - is that I love them,” the Lions’ coach said. “I know they did everything they could, and today, Bristol just played better, and that was it.”
The Lions led early and were very much in the game until the sixth inning when the Warriors erupted for four unearned runs to up their advantage to five runs.
NH-S will lose three starters to graduation – Emily Wilson at shortstop, Devon Maguire in right field and Izzy Elizondo at third base.
“I’ve been with them for four years,” Marchok said. “They are hard workers, really, really good, high quality kids. We will miss them.”
Wilson, a three-sport standout, has been part of the remarkable turnaround of the softball program that – during both her freshman and sophomore years – won just three games each year. Wilson, out of necessity, found herself in the circle during those lean year.
An influx of young talent helped the Lions turn their program around, and after a 13-8 season last year, the Lions were 15-6 this time around.
“I knew we always had the potential, and if everybody came out and really tried, I knew we could do it,” Wilson said. “I think I would have been pretty surprised (to see where we are today), but all the right girls came in with the positive attitudes, and it’s just been so cool to see.
“I’m just so thankful for the whole experience. It’s really amazing. I don’t think I ever pictured my senior year of softball being like this, but now that I’m here, I’m so thankful. I just think it’s so cool.”
The game started out on a promising note when the Wilson sisters – Danielle and Emily – hit back-to-back singles in the top of the first inning. A walk to Rachel Sim loaded the bases for Mabel Klossner, who singled home a pair. A third run scored on a bunt by Riley Sim.
“We knew what she was going to be doing pitching-wise, but after that, I think our bats kind of just died a little bit,” Wilson said. “I’m not sure why. We were still making contact, but we couldn’t get on the bag, which was hurting us, but nobody stopped trying. Everybody kept a positive attitude which is good.”
The Lions managed just two hits the rest of the way, and the Warriors rallied to take a 5-3 lead after three innings. In the fifth, Klossner lined a one-out double to center, and Riley Sim doubled to center, plating a run to make it a 5-4 game, but not for long.
The Warriors put four runs on the board – all unearned – for the 9-4 final.
New Hope-Solebury closed out its season with a 15-6 overall record.
New Hope-Solebury 300 001 0 4-5-1
Bristol 131 004 x 9-9-0
District 1 6A quarterfinals
#2 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 1, #10 HAVERFORD 0
This is rapidly becoming something of a habit.
For the eighth time this season – the third time in the last three games, the Golden Hawks found themselves in a one-run game.
“It’s what we do,” senior captain Shannon Williams said with a laugh.
And what they also do is find a way to win those one-run games. It was their third consecutive one-run win and seventh in eight games, and this one ensured the defending state runner-up Hawks a berth in the state tournament.
“It means so much to our team,” Williams said. “We made it last year, and we had a lot of seniors that graduated who played such a big role on our team, and to know we did it again – we have so many underclassmen and people stepping in, and it's been just amazing to see all of them grow and step into the roles that we needed to fill from last year.”
Friday’s win followed a familiar pattern. Senior Lexi Waring tossed a two-hit masterpiece while Molly Gabriele was once again working her magic at the plate, delivering yet another successful suicide squeeze to drive in the game’s only run.
“It’s just amazing,” Williams said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Every time she does it, it’s incredible, and she deserves that because she’s worked so hard to be where she is and the leadership role she’s in now. It’s just amazing to see her be successful with that and do that for our team.”
Gabriele also came up with another gold glove defensive play in center field.
“She once again outshined herself as in the bottom of the sixth inning she was able to save a run by grabbing a catch over the fence, stealing a home run,” Rock South coach Scott Molle said.
The Golden Hawks scored the only run of the game in the second inning. They collected just six hits off Haverford’s Ali Daly, two of them in the second inning.
“They were good - their pitcher had a great rise ball and a curve,” Williams said. “I think we were just getting under it a little bit.
“We did really well in the field. We’ve been pretty strong, especially in the playoffs so far, but we just need a little bit more bat on ball.”
Williams has been the glue of the Golden Hawks’ infield at shortstop.
“I took over the position last year,” Williams said. “Previously, I had never played shortstop in my life, so I learned the position last year.
“I learned from the girls who were here last year. The seniors helped me transition to that spot, so this year, it’s kind of just been me taking over that spot even more and then passing on the knowledge that I have to the underclassmen who will take over for me. I think the main thing for me is just doing what I do and then helping carry that over for the underclassmen who are coming up after me.”
By the numbers: Council Rock South: Lexi Waring (W) (7.0 IP, 2H, 0R, 3 BB, 11K)
Sophia Salamon (2-for-3), Julia Scannapieco (2B)
Key inning: Bottom of second: Lexi Waring lined a single to right field to lead off the inning, and she was replaced by courtesy runner Paige Brady, who moved up to second on a groundout to the right side. After a strikeout for the inning’s second out, Gabriele stepped into the batter’s box and did what she does best – laid down a successful suicide squeeze bunt that plated Brady for the only run Waring would need.
Council Rock South coach Scott Molle: “This game meant so much to this team. Coming into this year these girls knew what last year’s team accomplished. We lost five seniors who all contributed and led the team to the State Championship game. We have had the leadership this team needed with seniors Shannon Williams and Lexi Waring and junior Molly Gabriele. Without these young ladies, I really don’t know where we would be. We have three young freshmen who start, and the leadership this trio has given to them has been invaluable. This team set school record after school record last year, and to continue that feat into this year - while not a surprise - it has been so fun to be a part of. When you have seniors like Shannon and Lexi, you know the focus and work-hard attitude will always be top notch and they will make sure this team plays as a team. And today we were able to secure a berth into the State tournament.
“We are happy to be able to host another game on Tuesday and look forward to playing deeper into this season.”
Waring in control: “Lexi Waring was just incredible today. Only allowing two hits and struck out 11. Lexi - like we have said before - knows what this time of year is all about, and it’s not an easy task to score against her when playoff time comes around.”
Props: “Sophia Salamon was our leading hitter today, grabbing two hits on the day and has looked comfortable on her approach at the plate. She works so hard to be successful and when she needs to work on something we know the next game she is going to succeed.
Molly Gabriele once again provided another squeeze to produce our only run. She has been just clutch for us all year long.
“Jenna Pesapane provided another highlight reel play at third base, snagging the hardest hit ball of the day for Haverford by twisting herself around and then secured the out on a bullet throw to first base.”
Up next: Council Rock South (19-3, 9-1 SOL) will host the winner of North Penn/Avon Grove in a District 1 6A semifinal game Tuesday.
Haverford 000 000 0 0-2-3
Council Rock South 010 000 x 1-6-2
District 1 5A semifinal
#1 MARPLE NEWTOWN 17, #5 UPPER MORELAND 6 (5 innings)
The Golden Bears took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Joslyn McCellen lined a two-out double to left field. It was a short-lived lead as the Tigers scored five runs in the second to go on top 5-1.
UM pulled to within one, but a two-run third and a 10-run fourth inning brought an early end to the game.
McCellen had a big day at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with a double, RBI and run scored. Delaney Stout, who absorbed the loss in the circle, was 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Lianna Adames had one hit and a pair of RBIs.
Up next: Upper Moreland (16-6, 9-1 SOL) – which has already punched its ticket to the state tournament - will play the loser of the #2 West Chester Rustin/#3 Springfield-Delco contest in the third place game.
Upper Moreland 103 02 6-9-5
Marple Newtown 052 (10)x 17-13-0
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