Quakertown & North Penn advanced to Tuesday’s District 1 6A semifinals. Photos of that game are provided courtesy of Keith Clemens Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f860927651
District 1 6A semifinals
#3 QUAKERTOWN 5, #11 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 4
Abbey Wagner made no attempt to hide her emotions when shortstop Ava Beal fielded a popup for the game’s final out in Friday’s battle with the Bucks.
The win not only propelled the Panthers into the District 1 6A semifinals but also ensured the team a spot in the PIAA 6A State Tournament.
“It was exciting, a little nerveracking,” Wagner said. “As a senior, it means a lot because last year we lost in the first round, and that really made a lot of the seniors upset, so from my perspective, it’s my turn – I need to get the job done because a lot of these girls won’t ever play again.
“When my shortstop, Ava Beal, caught that last out, I knew how important this game was, and I got really emotional. I started crying because she got that out for me, and it felt really good.”
Wagner was part of the Panthers’ 2022 squad that also advanced to the district semifinals.
“It feels different,” the senior pitcher said. “I was not pitching – Sydney Andrews was pitching. I was in that playoff environment, but I really didn’t understand what the playoffs were because I backed up Sydney. I wasn’t going in because it was her show, not mine yet, so I really didn’t understand the pressure and how it affected everybody else, but now I understand what playoffs are all about.”
Friday’s game figured to be a good one between the SOL squads, and it was.
“I told the girls – we needed that game,” Scott said. “Those are good games to win.”
The Bucks got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second when Laila Murray, who walked to lead off the inning, scored when Taylor Hooven lined a double to right field.
Quakertown plated three runs in the third inning to go on top 3-1, benefitting from a pair of West miscues as well as singles by Ava Beal and Ellie Hilton (2 RBIs).
In the bottom of the fifth, Beal stroked a triple to center field to lead off the inning, and she scored when Skyler Williams hit a two-run home run to left field that put the Panthers on top 5-1.
That 5-1 lead stood until the top of the sixth when the Bucks rallied. Chloe Dryden hit a one-out single, and with two outs, Molly Gibson singled, setting the stage for Hooven’s three-run blast that pulled the Bucks to within one, 5-4.
In the top of the seventh, Wagner retired the first two batters she faced and then allowed a two-out single to Jill Boyle. A popup brought an end to the hard-fought contest.
“Oh my gosh, it was so crazy,” Wagner said. “I’ve been in a lot of situations like that, so at this point, I’m kind of used to it, but still, I do get anxiety – my heart rate goes up, and I need to focus on my breathing and slowing down. I just need to slow everything down. When I do that, everything goes well.”
Wagner notched the complete game win, allowing seven hits and four runs while striking out seven and walking two, and on another hot day, the Panthers’ ace took precautions.
“I drink a lot of water and Pedialytes before really hot games because I know I’m consistently pitching, and I know if I go down, there’s no way we will come back,” Wagner said. “On the mound, when I really lock in, I focus on breathing and my catcher’s glove, and everything else is just shut out.”
For the Panthers, Beal was 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored, and Hilton was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Williams was 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.
Scott credited several players for coming up big defensively.
“Ava Eatherton made some great catches in right field,” the Panthers’ coach said. “She had one ball that actually went in her glove, popped out, and as she was falling to the ground was still able to catch it. It was in deep right field, so that was huge. She had a big game in right field because with Abbey’s pitching, a lot of people hit it to right field.
“Skyler Williams made a catch of a line drive running to her right that she turned into a double play. She doubled the girl that was on second base, so that was a big play too.”
Williams plays second base, and her inning-ending double play came when the Bucks had runners on first and second with just one out.
“That was a big help double play,” Wagner said. “That was a huge play by Skyler that helped a lot.
“Those big plays they make – they make me feel so happy because I see those balls, and I’m like, ‘Oh no, crap, please,’ and when they catch it, it’s just relief, and it brings up our energy. It makes the other team’s energy go down, and that means we have a fighting chance to keep going up.”
For the Bucks, Dryden was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Gibson was also 2-for-3 with a run while Hooven was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, four RBIs and a run scored.
With the win, the Panthers are ensured at least three more games.
“It means a lot to the players,” Scott said. “After the last out, Abbey Wagner came off the field in tears. You could see the joy in her face. She’s in every play, she’s an absolute workhorse, a wonderful kid.”
Quakertown (21-1,15-1 SOL) will host #6 Downingtown East in a District 1 6A semifinal game on Tuesday. Central Bucks West (15-6, 12-4) will travel to #2 Council Rock South for a playback game Tuesday. The winner will earn a state berth while the losing team will go home.
Central Bucks West 010 003 0 4-7-4
Quakertown 003 020 x 5-7-1
#4 NORTH PENN 8, #12 BOYERTOWN 0
Liv Stevens clutched the game ball she’d just received.
The North Penn senior’s grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning gave the Knights complete control of what was a close game.
“When I hit the ball, I kind of felt it, it was really exciting.”
Last year, Stevens did not play softball, but she has been welcomed back with open arms this season and has played a key role in the Knights’ successful season.
“I just really wanted to come out again and support my school,” Stevens said. “I just really wanted to give it a shot. I’m glad I did this year.
“It was an adjustment, but I really just clicked with the girls when I came, and everyone was so welcoming and so nice.”
Stevens’ grand slam in a five-run fifth inning broke open a close game and propelled the Indians to their 20th win of another remarkable season.
“I really think (the key) is communication and working together and always being open and talking with each other so we know what’s going on,” Stevens said. “Also, timely hitting and just really playing as a group.”
In a contest bogged down by 11 walks handed out by a pair of Boyertown hurlers, it was easy to lose sight of the fact that Bella Nunn was turning in another masterpiece for the Knights. The senior standout allowed just one hit while striking out 12 and walking one. She threw exactly 100 pitchers – 68 for strikes – and faced just 24 batters. Nunn retired 10 straight before allowing a one-out single in the top of the fourth.
“I just give myself little goals throughout the game,” Nunn said. “Get the next three outs, and try not to give up another hit, even if we’re up a lot and a hit wouldn’t matter – it’s still good to focus on trying to not give those up.”
The Knights scored all the runs Nunn would need in the bottom of the third when Gabby Battavio drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a passed ball, moved up to third on a wild pitch and scored on another wild pitch.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Knights loaded the bases with none out after three straight walks. A grounder back to the pitcher set up a force at home for the inning’s first out, and the fourth walk of the inning to Gianna Cimino forced home another run.
That set the stage for Stevens, who smashed her grand slam to straightaway center field. In the bottom of the sixth, Casey Sokol drew a leadoff walk, and Sophia Orth brought her home when she lined a home run over the center field fence, giving the Knights an 8-0 lead.
Friday’s win not only vaulted the Knights into the District 1 6A semifinals but also ensured the defending state champions a coveted spot in the state tournament.
“This is really important because we’ve had a lot of people say we’ll never make it back (to states) and we’re not as good as last year, and it’s good to prove everyone wrong,” Nunn said. “Also, as a senior, it’s nice because we’ve guaranteed ourselves three more games to play.”
The significance of Friday’s win was not lost on their coach.
“It was really important for these girls to make states again and to compete for a district championship they’ve won the last two years,” said NP coach Rick Torresani. “That’s a goal of theirs.
“Everybody downplayed Bella’s pitching, everybody downplayed our fielding and hitting, and they’re just coming into their prime right now in all facets of the game. We have to continue it. We have a big game on Tuesday against Downingtown West.
“The kids are playing good. They really want it, they’re working hard, and the senior captains – Casey Sokol, Bella Nunn and Gianna Cimino – have just been awesome.”
Last year, Nunn was an outfielder in a perfect season that was capped with a state title.
“I’m honestly enjoying it more this year,” she said. “I like the pressure. I like playing with a lot of pressure on me. I think it makes me play better, and it’s more exciting to play like that.”
North Penn (20-2, 14-2 SOL) will travel to top-seeded Downingtown West for a district semifinal contest on Tuesday.
Boyertown 000 000 0 0-1-0
North Penn 001 502 x 8-6-2
#7 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 11, #2 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 6
There were early signs of trouble for the Golden Hawks when Downingtown East senior Jade Jenkins hit a three-run home run to right field in the top of the first inning.
Granted, it looked as though the Hawks had righted the ship when they evened the score with three runs of their own in the bottom of the second. Avery Tumulo drew a leadoff walk, and one out later, Kelly Delise singled. A walk to Katie Aamland loaded the bases for Shannon Williams, who hit a two-run double to right field. Gabby Bloom’s sacrifice fly evened the score.
In the third inning, the Golden Hawks took a 4-3 lead when – after back-to-back singles by Lexi Waring and Delise – Aamland hit a sacrifice fly to left field.
The Cougars evened the score in the top of the fourth, and the tide began to turn back in their favor when Jenkins led off the fifth with her second home run of the game. A two-out double set the stage for a two-run home run by Lucia Giuliano, and the visiting Cougars led 8-4.
The Hawks battled, plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, but the Cougars scored two runs in the sixth and another in the seventh for the 11-6 final.
Delise’s 3-for-4 effort with an RBI and run scored led the Hawks’ nine-hit attack. Helen Woloshyn was 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot.
Council Rock South (18-3, 13-2 SOL) will host #11 Central Bucks West in a must-win game for both squads. The winner will advance to states, and the losing team will go home.
Downingtown East 300 232 1 11-13-1
Council Rock South 031 020 0 6-9-4
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