North Penn edged Council Rock South in yet another classic battle between the SOL powers to earn a berth in Thursday’s District 1 6A title game against Owen J Roberts.
District 1 6A semifinal
#11 NORTH PENN 1, #2 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
One swing of the bat, one sweet swing of Alana Drummond’s bat.
That’s all it took to determine the outcome in Tuesday’s riveting battle that was a rematch of last year’s PIAA 6A state title game (also a 1-0 North Penn win).
Drummond – a JV player for a major part of the season – led off the top of the seventh inning of a scoreless ball game and smashed a 3-1 pitch over the right field fence for a solo home run that stood as the game-winner.
“The crack of the bat sounded really good,” Drummond said. “I saw the ball was going far, but I didn’t think it was going that far.
“I was at second and I heard a bunch of cheering. It was very exciting. It was a close game, and it felt really good to score a run.”
It was the sophomore’s second round tripper in as many games.
I’ve never really considered myself a power hitter before, but I’ve hit two of them,” Drummond said. “It feels great. I’m excited for states, and I love the team.”
The Knights’ shortstop has made quite an impression on her teammates.
“It’s amazing,” NP junior Teaghann Bowman said. “It’s such a great opportunity for her, and I love every second of it. She’s been doing so well.”
One run was all Felicia Connolly needed as the junior standout tossed her third shutout in four district playoff games, allowing four hits and fanning 11.
“Felicia is just such a good pitcher, but I also believe that her confidence and her staying composed within herself really takes her to the next level,” said Bowman, who is Connolly’s batterymate.
Connolly’s confidence was never more apparent than in the third inning. With two outs, Rock South freshman Jenna Pesapane lined a single to right field and advanced to second on a Knight miscue.
The Knights elected to intentionally walk both Julia Scannapieco and Kelly Delise to load the bases. Shannon Williams couldn’t have hit a ball much harder than she did for the inning’s final out, ripping a line drive that was snagged by third baseman Tallie Smink.
“I have all of the faith in Felicia to get her job done because I know her – I’ve been catching her for a while, and I know if there’s runners on, she’s going to do her best to excel where she needs to and get her pitches there,” Bowman said.
In the bottom of the fifth, Bowman gunned down a runner attempting to steal second after collecting a one-out single.
“It was a low pitch, and I had bobbled it right underneath my glove, and I just picked it up and threw it because I had no other choice,” North Penn’s junior catcher said. “I think the key to throwing them out is just staying composed.
“I have to do a job for my team, and I have to get this done, and I just have to get the ball there as quickly as I can and on target. I love helping my team out and being there for my pitcher.”
Both teams had their chances, but it wasn’t until the seventh inning that either team was able to push a run across.
“It had that atmosphere of a championship game because it was a repeat of the state game, and it was every bit as intense,” NP coach Rick Torresani said. “It was a great game, and nobody’s knocked out, which is another good thing.
“We both had chances, and neither team scored, but then we had somebody hit a home run to win the game, like in last year’s game.”
In last year’s state title game, it was Gianna Cimino hitting a solo home run. This time it was Drummond.
“She’s unbelievable,” Torresani said. “She did it on Saturday, and she does it today. She got a big hit in the Souderton game.
“She’s a talented young lady, and I think she’s going to be a star. She’s got that ability to do everything. She’s lightning fast too, and so far, she’s playing a really, really good shortstop for us.”
Lexi Waring tossed a gem of her own for the Golden Hawks, scattering seven hits and striking out six.
By the numbers: North Penn: Felicia Connolly (W) (7 IP, 4H, 0R, 2BB, 11K)
Alana Drummond (2-for-2, HR, 1RBI, 1R), Cailin Halfpenny (2B)
Council Rock South: Lexi Waring (7 IP, 7H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 6K)
Kelly Delise (2-for-2)
Key inning: Top of seventh: Drummond led off the inning with a solo home run to right field.
North Penn coach Rick Torresani:
–Bowman a leader behind the plate: “Teaghann has been doing everything right for us basically the whole year. She got hurt and had to sit for three games, but she’s come back and done everything I could ask of her. I don’t have her hitting because I just want her to concentrate on catching Felicia and leading the team behind the plate. She’s very vocal.”
North Penn junior Teaghann Bowman on the game: “Obviously, we had a big win against them in the state championship game, but we’re a whole different team this year, and we wanted to come out and just prove ourselves again this year. This really does mean a lot.
“We’ve all been working hard individually and working hard as a team to get to where we are now because we had a rough start in the beginning of the season. We all decided to put the effort in one another and all come together and have trust in ourselves and our coaches and really just put in the effort to go where we want to be.”
Up next: North Penn (14-7, 8-1 SOL) will face #4 Owen J Roberts in Thursday’s District 1 6A title game at Spring-Ford High School. Council Rock South (19-4, 9-1 SOL) will travel to Perkiomen Valley for Thursday’s third place game.
North Penn 000 000 1 1-7-1
Council Rock South 000 000 0 0-4-1
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