Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday. (Hatboro-Horsham/CR North photos courtesy of Jessica Cassel/HH softball)
Non-league
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 5, HATBORO-HORSHAM 3
The Indians – after trailing the entire game – scored three runs in the top of the seventh to earn the come-from behind win.
“The weather made the game a tough battle for the pitchers on both sides,” Rock North coach Susan Yee said. “It was difficult to stay warm and keep control of the ball. I thought Alyssa Tooley did a fantastic job in the circle for the Hatters and really has a great season ahead of her.
“I was extremely proud of Olivia (Schlindwein) and how she battled for us in the circle today. She was really struggling initially with her control and being able to feel the ball, but she worked both physically and mentally to overcome the challenges and really settled down and pitched a great game for us.”
Schlindwein had a tough first inning, walking three straight after striking out the leadoff batter. Madison Karpovich’s single to left plated a run, a second run scored on a groundout, and the third came home on an error, and the Hatters led 3-0.
The Indians’ sophomore pitcher followed the 3-run first with six shutout innings. She walked just one the rest of the way and struck out nine while allowing just four hits.
“After three walks, a hit, and battling some shaky defense to the tune of a three-run first inning, for her to settle down and finish the game with a total of four walks, nine Ks and six goose egg innings deserves a lot of credit,” Yee said.
The Indians put a run on the board in the third without the benefit of a hit and added another run in the sixth when Chelsea Seiler, who singled with two outs, scored on Sierra Klein’s clutch two-out double to center field to make it a 3-2 game.
In the top of the seventh, Taylor Gearhart lined a one-out double to center. Molly Sheehy followed with a single, and it was a 4-3 game when Edelman lined a two-run triple to right field. Seiler followed with an RBI double to center, and the Indians led 5-3.
In the bottom of the inning, Maya Ravi lined a leadoff single to center, but Schlindwein struck out the next batter she faced and then coaxed fly ball outs out of the next two batters she faced to close out the game.
“Today was a total team win,” Yee said. “Every girl had a hand in our success. From the top of the order to the bottom, they all came through at one point or another – nine different players all reached base at least once, and our bench was also extremely involved, from being ready to sub in when needed to pitch charting and helping call out steals, everybody was focused and working together.
“In fact, one of the biggest moments in the game came when senior captain Molly Sheehy worked her way on base in the seventh and yielded to sophomore Ellie Bonn to run for her. When fellow sophomore Haley Edelman got ahold of a ball, Ellie used her speed to race all the way around the bases, diving into home to score the go-ahead run. It was just a really perfect way for the girls to each work together and play to their diverse strengths in order to succeed. This total team involvement and refusal to ever give up on one another is what we hope will carry us to meeting our goals as we move through the rest of our schedule.”
Seiler’s 3-for-4 effort led the Indians and included a double, RBI and run scored.
For the Hatters, Ravi was 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot.
Alyssa Tooley threw six innings for the Hatters, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out eight and walking five. Bella Karpovich threw the final inning.
“Hatboro Horsham is going to be a contender this year,” Yee said. “They are well coached and have a really nice team, so it was a great way to get our season started.”
Council Rock North (1-0) will host Harry S Truman in Thursday’s SOL opener, and Hatboro-Horsham (0-1) will host Wissahickon in Thursday’s league opener.
Council Rock North 001 001 3 5-9-2
Hatboro-Horsham 300 000 0 3-4-1
ABINGTON 3, STRATH HAVEN 2
Danica Santiago was in complete command in the circle, and the Ghosts showed their resiliency, scoring a run in the top of the sixth to knot the score and winning it with a run in the top of the seventh.
“She had 11 strikeouts and one walk – that is phenomenal,” Abington coach Tina Hedson said of Santiago. “She was lights out. The composure and the mindset of one batter at a time and just never giving up – the focus was just amazing.”
In the top of the seventh, Grace Meehan drew a leadoff walk, and Santiago was safe on an error. Meehan scored a run that held as the game-winner when Natalie Broskley grounded a single to right field.
“She was kind of in her head a little bit at the beginning of the game,” Hedson said of Broskley. “They just keep overcoming mental, physical obstacles. They never count themselves out.
“If this would have been a year before, they would have counted themselves out, they would have said, ‘No, we’re done,’ but they just kept going, cheering from beginning to end.”
Earlier, the two teams exchanged first-inning runs, and Strath Haven went on top 2-1 with a run in the fifth. In the top of the sixth, Hailey Hernandez, who drew a leadoff walk, scored on a passed ball to knot the score 2-2.
The stage was set for the Ghosts to close it out with a run in the seventh, winning despite collecting just three hits.
“My team never gives up,” Hedson said. “It’s unbelievable. We made some things happen, we made some changes. We were lucky, we were aggressive on the bases.
“We were just resourceful. We had a few bunting plays where we advanced runners, we took advantage of some (passed) balls. Mikayla Hedson battled the pitcher – fouled off a bunch and then she got hit by a pitch and got on base after battling. All these little things make a difference. We’re just gritty.”
Santiago scattered seven hits and allowed two runs – only one earned.
Hedson had high praise of Santiago’s batterymate.
“Hailey Hernandez is our catcher, and I put a lot of faith in her,” Hedson said. “She’s smart, and she calls a great game. She called some amazing pitches in some amazing situations.
“It was a really good game. We have a nice group of girls, and (Strath Haven) – what a wonderful group of girls as well. It was one of the best games I’ve ever coached – just sportsmanship on both sides.”
Abington (1-0) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh for Thursday’s SOL opener.
Abington 100 001 1 3-3-4
Strath Haven 100 010 0 2-7-3
PENNRIDGE 1, METHACTON 0
Forget the frigid conditions. Junior Averi Dockery was in mid-season form.
The Florida State commit scattered four hits and fanned 10 in seven shutout innings. She did not walk a batter
“Strong pitching in the circle by Averi,” Pennridge coach Kristyn Marinelli said. “And we were strong defensively.”
The Rams scored the game’s only run in the fifth inning. With one out, Kylee Hangey singled, and Ryleigh Lilly drew a walk. The Warriors could see their way out of the inning when they recorded the second out on an infield fly.
Taking no chances with the dangerous Dockery at the plate, they walked the gifted junior to load the bases, a play that backfired when Lizzie Flexer was hit by a pitch, forcing home Hangey for a run that stood as the game-winner.
The Warriors’ Courtney Freese turned in a standout effort of her own in the circle, allowing just five hits while striking out 12 and walking five in 6.1 innings.
“They’re strong,” Marinelli said. “It was good to play a game like that.”
Lilly was 2-for-3 out of the leadoff spot for the Rams.
Pennridge (1-0) will host North Penn in Thursday’s SOL opener at Druckenmiller Park (4 pm).
Pennridge 000 010 0 1-5-1
Methacton 000 000 0 0-4-0
WILLIAM TENNENT 8, UPPER DUBLIN 5
Tennent used a four-run sixth inning to take the lead on its way to a non-league road win Tuesday.
The Panthers broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the top of the third inning. The inning was highlighted by Morgan Kocher’s RBI double. In the bottom of the inning, the Cardinals put three runs on the board. Maddie Small had an RBI single in an inning that saw UD benefit from an error and a walk.
The Cardinals took a 5-4 lead after scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, but the Panthers took a lead they would not lose with four runs in the top of the sixth. Sydney Teufel’s two-run single was the big hit of the inning.
Teufel finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored, and Sammi Wood was 2-for-2 with an RBI and two stolen bases. Madison. Pirolli was 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Kocher was 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
For the Cardinals, Madden Reilly was 2-for-3 with a double, Lizzie Tambourino was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, Kaitlyn Zacharia was 2-for-3 with one RBI, and Small was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Katie LaPlaunt notched the complete game win, allowing eight hits and five runs (four earned). She struck out seven and walked four.
Kya Garrison absorbed the loss, allowing 10 hits and eight runs (five earned) while striking out eight and walking two.
William Tennent (1-0) will host Springfield Twp in Thursday’s SOL opener, and Upper Dublin (1-1) will travel to Quakertown (Veterans Park) for its league opener Thursday.
William Tennent 004 004 0 8-10-3
Upper Dublin 003 020 0 5-8-2
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 15, LOWER MORELAND 0 (5 innings)
The Patriots broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the top of the first, and once they found their offensive stride, they could not be stopped, scoring in every inning in the abbreviated mercy rule win.
“We needed this,” East coach Karl Knapp said. “It was a good confidence builder for what they’re going to face the rest of the year.”
In the circle, freshman Sarah Zmuda was impressive in her varsity debut, tossing a five-inning no-hitter while walking one and striking out eight.
“She did a nice job,” Knapp said. “She moved the ball pretty good.
“This is a young team. I have three pitchers, and they’re all freshmen. Never pitched varsity.”
Sophomore Elena Bhatt had a huge day at the plate, leading the Patriots 14-hit attack with a perfect 3-for-3 effort that included a home run, four RBIs, four runs scored and a stolen base.
After plating three unearned runs in the second, the Patriots scored four in the third. Run-scoring doubles by Maggie Funston and Hailey Helmstetter highlighted the inning that also included two-out singles by Lyla Becker (RBI) and Olivia Owtscharuk that put the Patriots on top 7-0.
In the fourth, Maggie Funston ripped a solo home run to left field, and Bhatt, who singled, scored on a passed ball.
The six-run fifth was highlighted by Bhatt’s three-run home run to center field. Grace Michvech, Anna Devine (RBI) and Lily Hewitt (RBI) each singled.
In addition to Bhatt, Funston was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, two RBIs and four runs scored, and Owtscharuk was 2-for-3 with a run scored out of the leadoff spot.
Central Bucks East (1-0) will host Central Bucks West in its SOL opener Thursday, and Lower Moreland (0-1 ) will be on the road at Upper Moreland for Wednesday’s SOL opener.
Central Bucks East 034 26 15-14-1
Lower Moreland 000 00 0-0-5
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 14, GARNET VALLEY 0 (5 innings)
The Titans had a score to settle when they made the trip to Glen Mills.
Turns out they hadn’t forgotten last year’s season-ending loss to Garnet Valley in a District 1 6A playback game for a berth in states that saw the Jaguars rally in the seventh for the come-from-behind win.
Tuesday’s non-league opener included no late-game heroics. This one was over soon after it began as the Titans rolled to the abbreviated mercy rule win, pounding out 11 hits and riding the one-hit shutout of Riley Theis in the circle.
A four-run second inning began with a leadoff bunt single by Lane McLaughlin, who immediately stole second and third and scored on an error. It marked the beginning of an inning that included some small ball by the Titans, who also benefitted from two more walks and an error.
In the third inning, the Titans added two more runs to go on top 6-0, and a four-run fourth put the game completely out of reach. Stephanie Bendziowicz singled to lead off the inning, and Maura Flemming drew a walk, Madeline McClintock followed with a two-run double to center field, and when the inning ended the Titans led 10-0. They added four more runs in the fifth to close out the scoring.
McClintock’s 3-for-3 effort included a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Hollie Schaub was 2-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored. Ella Wheeler had a pair of RBIs while Bendziowicz, Camryn Lee, Hannah Tracey and Keira Im each had one RBI. Lee and McLaughlin both had four stolen bases while Schaub had two.
Theis fanned seven and walked one in five strong innings in the circle.
Central Bucks South (1-0) will travel to Methacton for a non-league game Friday.
Central Bucks South 042 44 14-11-0
Garnet Valley 000 00 0-1-4
UPPER MORELAND 10 PHOENIXVILLE 0 (5 innings)
Freshman Delaney Stout was impressive in her varsity debut, striking out 11 and allowing just one hit in five shutout innings to lead the Golden Bears to the non-league win.
“Delaney had a great game,” UM coach Melanie Martino said. “Her defense also did a great job behind her.
“We were happy to see several players have a good day at the plate.”
Stout also led UM’s offense, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Jocelyn McCellan had two hits, including a double and two RBIs, and Makenzie Leo had two hits with a double and one RBI.
The Golden Bears broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the third and then erupted for seven in the fourth on their way to the mercy rule win.
“Overall, we were pleased with how well we played today and are looking forward to watching this group grow as players and together as a team,” Martino said.
Upper Moreland (1-0) will host Lower Moreland for its SOL opener on Wednesday.
Phoenixville 000 00 0
Upper Moreland 002 71 10
HARRY S TRUMAN 15, WISSAHICKON 1 (5 innings)
The Tigers erupted for nine runs in the third and five more in the fourth on their way to the mercy rule win in Tuesday’s non-league game.
The five-run fourth was highlighted by the two-run home runs of both Charlize Deshields and Emily Davis.
Contributing three-hit games for the Tigers were Jordyn Loy, Marley Montgomery and Jillyan Saperstein. Also finishing with multi-hit games were Davis, Kaitlyn Erhard, Gabriella Lavertu, Skyler Mahler and Caitlyn Smith.
In the circle, Devin Becker allowed four hits and one run in three innings, striking out three and walking none. Montgomery did not allow a hit in two scoreless innings, walking a pair and striking out a pair.
Harry S Truman (2-0) will travel to Council Rock North for Thursday’s SOL opener, and Wissahickon (1-1) will be on the road at Hatboro-Horsham for its league opener Thursday.
Harry S Truman 019 50 15
Wissahickon 001 00 1
DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY 7, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 5
The Lions fell behind 3-0 but rallied to go on top 4-3 only to see the visiting Pioneers score four in the top of the seventh to earn the non-league win.
Trailing 3-0, the Lions loaded the bases with none out in the third, thanks to singles by Bianca Elizondo and Kaylee Harris sandwiched around a walk to Helen Knapp. With one out, Mabel Klossner collected a single that plated Elizondo, but that’s where the rally ended for the Lions, who left the bases loaded.
In the three-run fifth, the Lions loaded the bases with one out, thanks to a walk, hit batter and a single by Elena Shire. Emily Wilson’s two-out single plated a run, Shire scored on a wild pitch, and when the inning ended, the Lions led 4-3.
A four-run seventh propelled Dock to the win.
Klossner (2-for-4, 2B, RBI), Shire (2-for-4, 2 runs) and Wilson (2-for-4, RBI) led the Lions’ eight-hit attack.
Klossner absorbed the loss in the circle, allowing six hits and seven runs but only one was earned. She struck out 15 and walked two.
New Hope-Solebury (0-1) will travel to Cheltenham for Thursday’s SOL opener.
Dock Mennonite 210 000 4 7-6-2
New Hope-Solebury 001 030 1 5-8-5
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