Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Thursday. (Hatboro-Horsham photos provided courtesy of Jessica Cassel/Hatboro-Horsham SB)
Non-league
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 7, NORTH PENN 1
The Indians broke a scoreless tie with a five-run outburst in the top of the fourth.
That turned out to be more than enough for freshman Mia Kiskurno, who notched the complete game win.
The freshman pitcher – who scattered six hits and did not allow an earned run – was one of four Rock North players with multiple hits, joining Sierra Klein, Zoe Hardy and Olivia Schlindwein. Alison Bodick hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh.
North Penn broke up Kiskurno’s shutout bid with a run in the sixth.
By the numbers: Council Rock North: Mia Kiskurno (2-for-4, RBI), Sierra Klein (2-for-4, $), Zoe Hardy (2-for-4, 2R), Olivia Schlindwein (2-for-4, RBI, R), Alison Bodick (1-for-4, HR, 2RBI, R)
Mia Kiskurno WP (7.0 IP, 6H, 1R 0ER, 2BB, 3K)
North Penn: Tallie Smink (2-for-3)
Key inning: Top of fourth: Sierra Klein led off the inning with a single, and Zoe Hardy doubled. A bunt single by Katie Wilkoski loaded the bases. With two outs, Schlindwein (RBI), Kayla Ripper (2 RBIs) and Kiskurno (RBI) singled. A fifth run scored on an error. (5-0)
Council Rock North coach Susan Yee on win over formidable foe: “I could not have been more proud of how our girls played today. It was the most complete game they have played so far this season, and we knew that’s what we had to do if we had a chance to come away with a win today against a team like North Penn. They are so well coached and so deep every year. They are without a doubt the most prolific program in all of Pennsylvania in recent history. For a while, it looked like it was going to be a big-time pitcher’s duel (which is always nerve wracking when you have a freshman in her first varsity start, and it’s against the defending state champs). (Brandi) Groarke was doing a great job spinning the ball and Coach Torresani did his usual fantastic job calling pitches and getting our batters out of their rhythm.
“We have struggled tremendously to score runs against North Penn the past several years, and starting the first two innings getting K’d four times with only seven batters coming to the plate it looked like it would be more of the same. The girls deserve a lot of credit for not accepting that fate and changing their approach at the plate mid game, making the necessary adjustments and getting some runs on the board. They also deserve equal credit for keeping that mental focus the rest of the way, because we all know that one wrong move and North Penn will make you pay. Knowing how quickly a game can turn, our girls showed a tremendous amount of poise getting out of situations with North Penn runners in scoring position including escaping a bases loaded no out jam that could have completely changed the outcome of the game. Every kid played with poise but to be honest we were definitely all holding our breath until the final out was made.”
–Rookie excels in debut in varsity debut in circle: “Mia Kiskurno had a first varsity start to remember today. She kept the ball over the plate, fielded her position well when North Penn went to small ball, and her teammates all did their part in securing the outs behind her.”
–Props: “I was particularly proud of the job Liv Schlindwein did today. With our normal left fielder out due to injury, she stepped in to her first ever outfield start at CR North and really put out a performance that would make you never think it was her first time out there for us. She also came up absolutely clutch, winning some really long battles at the plate today offensively.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to freshman Alison Bodick on her first varsity homerun. Our two freshmen really showed a lot of mental toughness today coming in fearlessly against the defending state champs.”
Up next: Council Rock North (2-1) will host Conestoga in a non-league contest Friday, and North Penn (1-2) will host Central Bucks South in its SOL opener Saturday (11 am).
Council Rock North 400 510 1 7-13-1
North Penn 000 001 0 1-6-1
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 5, ABINGTON 2
The Patriots – winners of just five games all of last year – notched their third win in as many games, and they are 3-0 less than a week into the season.
“The key – and we focused on this in our winter workouts – is defense and not making errors because last year we had 53 errors for the season, and it just killed us in games,” East coach Karl Knapp said. “Plus, we had freshmen pitchers. (Sophomore Sarah) Zmuda has really stepped up her pitching. She came back this year, and you could see she really learned a lot in the offseason with her travel team and so forth, so that was a big thing – having her pitching. Really, in all three games, we have played just great defense.”
Freshman Carly Franklin was one of four players with two hits – both were solo home runs. Sarah Zmuda earned the win in the circle with six strong innings. Lyla Becker threw a scoreless inning in relief.
By the numbers: Hailey Helmstetter (2-for-3, 2B, 2RBI), Mae Mahony (2-for-3), Carly Franklin (2-for-3, 2 2B, 2RBI, 2R), Sarah Zmuda (2-for-3, 2B)
Sarah Zmuda WP (6 IP, 5H 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 6K), Lyla Becker S (1 IP, 0H, 0R, 1K)
Abington: Sami Clewell (2-for-3, 2B), Mia Lucke (1-for-3, HR, RBI, R)
Key innings: Bottom of first: Helmstetter delivered a two-out RBI double. (1-0)
Bottom of third: Zmuda led off the inning with a double to left, and Kaylee Masterson followed with a single, and the bases were loaded when Anna Devine legged out a bunt single. Maggie Funston had a sacrifice fly, and then it was Helmstetter hitting an RBI single to left. (3-0)
Bottom of fifth: The Patriots took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth when Mahony led off with a single, and Franklin lined a two-run home run to center. (5-1)
Central Bucks East coach Karl Knapp:
–Timely hitting: “We’re getting timely hitting. We’re getting hits where we need them where last year we got hits, but they weren’t timely. We weren’t moving runners. We’ve gone a lot to the short game to move runners. They’re doing better on bunting, which has helped us get runners in scoring position.
—Getting defensive: “We had catches today in the outfield that were just unbelievable. Kaylee (Masterson) had one of those rising line drives coming into center field, and she jumped up and snagged it. Anna (Devine) had a shoestring catch off the top of her feet coming in on a sharp ball in left field. Elena (Bhatt) made a real great catch out in foul territory on a ball really curling out there. She just ran over and got it for an out. All three of them just had really good catches.
“Abington tried a suicide squeeze, and they put it down the first base line. (Third baseman) Maggie Funston cut clean across home plate, picked up the ball and threw the girl out. They’re just playing great defense”
–Props: “Our freshman shortstop, Carly Franklin, hit two home runs today. They were both solo in back-to-back times at-bat. She’s playing a tremendous shortstop and has never played shortstop at all. She’s an outfielder, and we didn’t have anybody. She’s a tall, lanky girl and a good athlete. We put her in there, and she’s doing a really phenomenal job for someone who’s never played the spot at all She’s really done a great job for us.”
Up next: Central Bucks East (3-0) will open SOL play Tuesday when the Patriots host Central Bucks South. Abington (1-1) will host Hatboro-Horsham in its SOL opener Tuesday.
Abington 000 011 0 2-5-0
Central Bucks East 102 110 x 5-10-0
SOUDERTON 12, PHOENIXVILLE 2 (6 innings)
The Indians bounced back from a loss to Owen J Roberts 24 hours earlier to mercy rule the Phantoms for a non-league road win.
The Indians took a 3-1 lead into the fourth inning when they erupted for seven runs to break the game wide open.
Bella Kreyenhagen was in command in the circle and took a no-hitter into the sixth inning when the Phantoms collected a pair of hits. She struck out 11 and did not walk a batter.
S Byrnes led the hit parade for the Indians with three hits – including a home run – and three RBIs.
By the numbers: Skyler Byrnes (3-for-3, HR, 3RBI, 2R), Kathryn Jones (2-for-4, 2R), Caylee DeSimone (2-for-3, 2RBI, 3R), Josi Tolentino (2-for-3, 2RBI, 2R), Kendal Nelson (2-for-2, 2RBI, R)
Bella Kreyenhagen WP (6.0 IP, 2H 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 11K)
Key innings: Top of third: The Indians took a 2-1 lead into the third inning when Tolentino singled home Jones, who singled and stole second. (3-1)
Top of fourth: Byrnes led off the seven-run inning with a solo home run to left field. With two outs, the Indians received singles from Emma Lewis (RBI), Jones, DeSimone (RBI), Byrnes and Nelson. Emma Messmer hit an RBI double in the inning. (10-1)
Up next: Souderton (1-1) will travel to Pennridge for its SOL opener Tuesday.
Souderton 021 702 12-14-1
Phoenixville 100 001 2-2-1
LOWER MORELAND 4, LOWER MERION 3
Sparked by a 3-run third inning and the 11-strikeout performance of Maddie Menchhofer in the circle, the visiting Lions earned their first win of the young season.
Jordyn MacPhee’s inside-the-park three-run home run accounted for all three of the third inning runs.
By the numbers: Maddie Menchhofer (2-for-4, 2R), Jordyn MacPhee (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, Molly Weber (2-for-3, 2B, RBI)
Key innings: Top of third: Trailing 1-0, Menchhofer led off with a single, and Annika Swanson drew a walk, setting the stage for MacPhee’s 3-run inside-the-park home run to right field. (3-1)
Top of fourth: After Lower Merion pulled to within one, the Lions tacked on a run that turned out to be the game-winner. Menchhofer drew a leadoff walk, and with two outs, Weber roped an RBI double to center field. (4-2)
Up next: Lower Moreland (1-1) will host Norristown in a non-league contest Monday.
Lower Moreland 003 100 0 4-9-2
Lower Merion 101 100 0 3-7-0
IHATBORO-HORSHAM 12, MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 3
(Game info will be included when it is available)
Kennedy Conn earned the win in the circle, and Maya Ravi had a huge day at the plate, finishing 4-for-4.
Up next: Hatboro-Horsham (2-0) will travel to Abington for Tuesday’s SOL opener.
PERKIOMEN VALLEY 3, NESHAMINY 0
The Redskins were the latest victim of a Perk Valley team that has won all four of its games against SOL opponents.
The Vikings scored their three runs in the fourth inning when they collected five of their eight hits and also benefitted from a Neshaminy miscue.
Maci Strechay allowed just four hits in the complete game shutout win, striking out 12 and walking two.
Neshaminy’s Morgan Leonhauser and Jill Rickards each had a double.
Up next: Neshaminy (1-2) will travel to Council Rock South for Tuesday’s SOL opener.
Neshaminy 000 000 0 0-4-2
Perkiomen Valley 000 300 x 3-8-2
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