Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Thursday.
SOL Colonial Division
NORTH PENN 3, PENNRIDGE 0
Bella Nunn patiently bided her time.
The UMBC commit would have had a home in the circle long before her senior year, but she happened to be playing behind Mady Volpe and Julia Shearer, both Gatorade Players of the Year, so Nunn found herself playing outfield instead.
“Honestly, I was fine with it because watching Julia – she was like a generational pitcher, so it was amazing to watch her, and I was able to participate and help out,” Nunn said.
On Thursday, Nunn was in the circle for the Knights 2024 opener.
“I was so excited,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for this for four years – just thinking about it, envisioning it, so it was just really nice for the moment to finally come.
“I was a little nervous in the beginning, but once I got the first out, I locked in, and I was myself – comfortable and confident.”
Nunn might want to add another ‘c’ word to the list -she was also in command, tossing a complete game no-hitter in a brilliant debut in the circle.
“I didn’t even realize until they told me after the game,” she said. “It was freezing, but I honestly didn’t even notice the cold when I was out there.”
The Knights’ ace fanned 16 and walked three in a cold weather masterpiece.
“I’m just really proud of Bella,” said senior Casey Sokol, who along with Nunn anchored the outfield for last year’s state title run. “It’s really hard coming in after Julia because she is so good, and she set such high expectations, but our team never doubted Bella. We back her up at practice, and I’m really proud of her for coming out this strong.”
While the Knights rode the strong arm of Nunn, the Rams had an ace of their own in the circle in junior Averi Dockery.
With one out in the top of the fourth in scoreless game, Sokol collected her second hit of the game – which also happened to be her team’s second hit – when she doubled to center field.
“I got stuck in a 3-2 (count), and I was like, ‘I’m not swinging at the rise. I’m going to look for my pitch,’ and when it came inside, I just started early and it went up the middle,” Sokol said.
A passed ball on a third strike allowed Sokol to advance to third, and she scored the game’s first run when the catcher made the throw to first to retire the batter, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead.
Nunn led off the top of the seventh with a double to center and scored when Olivia Stevens collected her second hit of the day. The senior designated hitter advanced to second on the throw, moved up to third on Izzy Tubertini’s bunt single and scored on a two-out passed ball to put the Knights on top 3-0.
Stevens is a welcome addition to the lineup after not playing softball last year.
“I just really wanted to play – come back for my senior year and enjoy it,” Stevens said. “It’s fun. I haven’t been here long, but the girls are great, the atmosphere is great. I just love it.”
As for joining the team late since she was part of the North Penn girls’ basketball run to last Friday’s PIAA 6A state quarterfinals, Stevens has made the transition to softball look easy.
“I’ve been practicing after basketball,” Stevens said. “I feel like there’s a little pressure, but I just stick to my game. I know what I can do. I just put it out there.”
Nunn closed it out with a 1-2-3 seventh, appropriately fanning the last batter she faced for her 16th strikeout.
“For her first outing – hey, we’ll take it,” NP coach Rick Torresani said. “Bella has to fill the shoes of two great pitchers in (Mady) Volpe and Shearer.
“Last year she told me – ‘2023 is Shearer’s year, 2024 is my year.’ She has worked very hard to prove that she can fill those shoes. Today was a good start.”
In six innings, Dockery allowed six hits – three in the seventh inning- and three runs (2 earned) while striking out nine and walking none.
“She pitched really well,” Torresani said. “We got to her late, but she threw strikes. Last year, she didn’t throw strikes, so this year, she’s really improved.
“We went up there making sure she threw a strike to us. Towards the third or fourth inning, I said, ‘If the first pitch is there, go for it,’ and that’s what we did. I was just proud of the whole team today.”
North Penn (1-0 SOL) will travel to Owen J Roberts for a non-league game Saturday at 11 a.m. Pennridge (1-1, 0-1 SOL) will host Perkiomen Valley in a non-league game Monday at 4 p.m.
North Penn 000 100 2 3-6-0
Pennridge 000 000 0 0-0-0
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 16, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1 (3 innings)
The visiting Bucks took care of business in a hurry, putting 16 runs on the board in three innings on their way to the abbreviated mercy rule win in Thursday’s SOL opener.
In the top of the first, Ava Glemser drew a leadoff walk, and that was followed by consecutive singles by Chloe Dryden, Molly Gibson and Laila Murray (RBI). With one out, Sierra Lawson lofted a sacrifice fly to right field, and Taylor Hooven’s bases-loaded walk gave the Bucks a 3-0 lead.
The inning proved to be a preview of things to come for the Bucks, who added eight runs in the second and five more in the third.
Gibson led the Bucks 12-hit attack with a 3-for-3 effort that included two RBIs and two runs. Murray was 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and one run scored. Glemser was 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Dryden was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Julia Thomas was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored, Hooven was 1-for-2 with two RBIs, and Avery Rubenstein was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
In the circle, Lawson did not allow a hit in two shutout innings, striking out four and walking three. Murray allowed one hit and one run (unearned) in one inning.
Central Bucks West (1-0 SOL) will host Quakertown in a non-league game Monday, and Central Bucks East (1-1, 0-1) will be on the road at Wissahickon for a non-league game Monday.
Central Bucks West 385 16-12-2
Central Bucks East 001 1-1-5
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 12, BENSALEM 1 (5 innings)
The Golden Hawks scored early and often while Lexi Waring turned in a gem in the circle in Thursday’s SOL opener.
“This was my first game as head coach going against the team I was with the last several years, so it was a special game for me to go against my old team, and it felt great opening my career at CR South with a big W,” coach Scott Molle said.
Waring allowed just two hits and one run in five strong innings, recording 11 of 15 outs by strikeouts while walking none.
Bensalem struck first when Kayla Clarkson stroked a solo home run to right field in the top of the first. The Golden Hawks answered with a run of their own when Helen Woloshyn, who legged out a bunt single to lead off the inning, scored on Julia Scannapieco’s double to center.
Rock South’s four-run fourth was highlighted by a bases-clearing double by Grace Stepp, who picked up a pair of RBIs with the third run scoring on the throw. Scannapieco’s second double of the game – this one to right field – pushed the fourth run across, and the Hawks led 5-1.
In the five-run third, the Hawks collected four straight singles by Gabby Bloom, Shannon Williams, Kelly Delise (RBI) and Woloshyn (RBI). With one out, Stepp picked up her second double of the game to drive in a pair of runs that gave the Hawks a 10-1 lead.
Zoe Emerson’s two-run home run to center field in the fourth gave the Hawks their final margin of victory.
Stepp finished a productive day at the plate 2-for-3 with two doubles and five RBIs while Scannapieco was 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Woloshyn was 2-for-3 with three runs scored out of the leadoff spot, and Bloom was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Delise was 1-for-1 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Council Rock South (1-0 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday for a non-league game, and Bensalem (0-1) will host Council Rock North on Tuesday.
Bensalem 100 00 1-2-1
Council Rock South 145 20 12-13-0
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 10, HARRY S TRUMAN 2
The Indians opened up a 7-0 lead after two innings and looked like they might be on their way to a quick game, but the Tigers hung tough.
Truman, according to Rock North coach Susan Yee, is a much-improved team.
“They are a much more dangerous team than today’s box score would indicate,” Yee said. “They are strong hitters and battled right until the final out. I think Truman is going to turn some heads and surprise some people this year.”
The Indians opened the bottom of the first with five straight singles and had six hits in the five-run inning that featured a whole lot of small ball. They added two more runs in a second inning.
Truman put a run on the board in the third when Emily Davis, who hit a two-out triple to right, scored on a single by Gabriella Lavertu to make it a 7-1 game. In the bottom of the inning, Sierra Klein doubled to left with one out, and she scored when Evie Passante delivered a two-out single.
Caitllyn Smith’s RBI double in the fourth made it an 8-2 game, and the Indians closed out the scoring with two runs in the fifth.
“Our team has been putting a lot of focus this year on taking little things seriously, and I was really proud of how they put that together today,” Yee said. “They executed small details on offense, and they did a great job of talking and rotating on defense. More importantly, once again, the girls put forth a complete team effort.
“Everybody played a hard in the game today with 10 different players reaching base, eight different girls crossing the plate, and six different players logging at least one RBI. That balance across the lineup is going to be key to our success this season, so it has been really good to see so far.”
Leading the Indians’ 12-hit attack were Taylor Gearhart (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, 2R), Molly Sheehy (2-for-2, RBI, R), Haley Edelman (2-for-4, RBI, 2R), Klein (2-for-2, 2B, RBI, R) and Passante (2-for-2, 3 RBIs).
In the circle, Lucy Mills earned the complete game win, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out eight and walking four.
“I thought Lucy Mills did a really nice job in the circle for us today,” Yee said. “She battled the cold and was extremely poised every time Truman got runners on base, stranding eight runners over the course of seven innings. Her mound presence was fantastic, and our defense did a really great job backing her up making some diving/sliding grabs, and snagging line drives to take away hits.”
For the Tigers, Marley Montgomery was 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Council Rock North (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Bensalem on Tuesday, and Harry S Truman (2-1, 0-1) will host Conwell-Egan for a non-league game Monday.
Harry S Truman 001 100 0 2-6-2
Council Rock North 521 020 x 10-13-1
SOL Liberty
QUAKERTOWN 5, UPPER DUBLIN 1
Abbey Wagner was on top of her game in the circle, fanning 11 and walking none in the complete game win.
“It was a very well-played game,” Quakertown coach Rich Scott said. “We played a solid defensive game in spite of having two starters on the bench with injuries.
“Abbey Wagner pitched very well despite it being so cold.”
The Panthers were without first team all-state shortstop Ava Beal.
“I just found out this afternoon that my shortstop wasn’t playing,” Scott said. “She’s been battling an arm injury.”
The Panthers’ coach gave JV shortstop Kayla Scheibenhofer the starting nod.
“We get to the field, and I said, ‘Kayla, you’re starting at short.” She’s like, ‘Are you serious?’ I said, ‘Dead serious,’” Scott said. “She did not hurt us at all. She’s very solid defensively. She needs a little work with the bat still, but she’ll get there.”
Beal was able to run for the Panthers and had a pair of stolen bases and scored a run.
“We missed her today in the leadoff spot,” Scott said.
The Panthers scored a pair in the second inning. Mary Wilkinson drew a leadoff walk, and Ava Eatherton followed and ripped an RBI triple to center. She scored on Ellie Hilton’s single up the middle.
In the top of the third, Sophia Vitella singled and scored the Cardinals only run.
The Panthers added two runs in the third to go on top 4-1. Leah Schwalm’s RBI single in the sixth plated Kira Jefferson, who singled with one out.
For the Cardinals, Kya Garrison absorbed the loss, fanning 10.
“They have some good players,” Scott said. “Their pitcher pitched well and had 10 strikeouts.”
For the Panthers, Schwalm was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Hilton was 2-for-2 with an RBI.
Kaitlyn Small was 2-for-4 to lead the Cardinals.
Quakertown (1-0 SOL) will host Upper Perkiomen on Friday, and Upper Dublin (1-2, 0-1) will host Gwynedd Mercy Academy for a non-league game Monday.
Upper Dublin 001 000 0 1-5-2
Quakertown 022 001 x 5-7-1
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 15, ABINGTON 0 (4 innings)
Rian Reed tossed a one-hit shutout in the mercy rule win while the Colonials collected 11 hits, bringing an early end to the game with an eight-run fourth.
“While the weather conditions were less than ideal, it was great to get on the field for our first game of the season on our home opener,” PW coach Mike Perez said. “Rian Reed looked really good in the circle, which is a good sign for us if we want to have the success that we are working towards this season.”
Reed allowed just one hit in the four-inning shutout win, striking out eight and walking one.
The Colonials put a run on the board in the second. Madison Moran singled with one out, and Melanie Daloisio followed with a line single to left. Moran raced home on an error on the play for a 1-0 Colonial lead.
PW’s offense came to life in a six-run third. After Reed was safe on an error, Sam Skivo lined an RBI double to center. Caelin Kosvitch followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and Kalina Childers brought home the third run with a single to center.
Madison Moran delivered the inning’s big blow – a three-run home run to center field to give the Colonials a 6-0 lead. After a walk, Emily Dobrowolski singled, and the Colonials benefitted from an Abington miscue to go on top 7-0. An eight-run fourth put an exclamation point on the win.
“It took us a couple of innings to knock the rust off offensively, but things started heating up in the third, highlighted by Moran’s three-run home run to deep left center field,” Perez said. “It was a great team win, and we’re happy to get the season started, but we have a quick turnaround with CR South (Friday).”
Moran finished the game 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs score. Dobrowolski was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Skivo had a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Childers had one hit, one RBI and three runs scored.
Mallory Beal had the Ghosts’ lone hit – a two-out single in the second.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-0 SOL) will host Council Rock North in a non-league game Friday, and Abington (1-1, 0-1) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday.
Abington 000 0 0-1-9
Plymouth Whitemarsh 016 8 15-11-1
HATBORO-HORSHAM 15, WISSAHICKON 0 (3 hits)
The Hatters erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the first and added seven more in the second to bring an early end to Thursday’s SOL opener.
“It was an entire team effort,” Hatters’ coach Jen Tooley said. “Offensively, each player contributed with quality at-bats.
“Alyssa Tooley had great command of her pitches, keeping Wissahickon batters off balance.”
After Tooley struck out the side in the top of the first, the Hatters went to work. Maya Ravi and Cara Neeld hit back-to-back singles to open the inning, and both scored when Tooley lined a triple to deep left. Madison Karpovich’s sacrifice fly plated Tooley, and the Hatters were just getting started.
The seven-run second was highlighted by doubles by Karpovich (2 RBIs) and Kennedy Conn (RBI).
“Wissahickon did not go without a fight,” Tooley said. “They loaded the bases in the top of the third, causing an offensive threat. Alyssa was able to gain command to strikeout the side.”
Tooley’s 3-for-3 effort at the plate included a triple, three RBIs and two runs scored. Conn was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and one run scored. Ravi was 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Neeld was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored. Ryleigh White was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs, and Madison Karpovich was 1-for-3, with three RBIs and one run scored.
In the circle, Tooley allowed two hits in three shutout innings, striking out seven and walking two.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-1, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Abington on Tuesday, and Wissahickon (1-2, 0-1) will host Delaware County Christian in a non-league game Friday.
Wissahickon 000 0-2-2
Hatboro-Horsham 87x 15-14-1
SOL Freedom Division
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 15, CHELTENHAM 13
The Lady Lions found themselves staring at a 7-2 deficit after two innings but used a six-run outburst in the fifth to get back in the game on their way to earning the win in Thursday’s SOL opener. Leading the offensive charge was Elena Shire, who was 5-for-5 with two runs scored. Dagny Mobley drove in a game-high six runs.
“In (our) back and forth win, support came from all throughout the lineup as all 10 batters had hits and last-minute starting pitcher Rachel Sim threw a complete game victory,” NH-S coach Chris Marchok said. “Anna Cornwall entered mid-game and breathed life into the offense with a 2-for-3 performances as well as providing solid defense.”
The highlight of the six-run fifth was Mobley’s inside-the-park grand slam that put the Lions on top 10-8. By the time the inning was over, they led 12-8.
The Lady Panthers came back to knot the score in the bottom of the inning that was highlighted by the three-run home run by Kendall Nelson.
In the sixth, RBI singles by Izzy Elizondo and Sim put the Lady Lions on top 14-12, a lead they would not lose.
For the game, Mobley was 2-for 6 with a home run and six RBIs. Izzy Elizondo was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs, and Bianca Elizondo was 3-for-6 with two runs scored.
Sim struck out 14 in the complete game win in the circle.
Kendall’s 5-for-5 day led the Lady Panthers and included a home run, four RBIs and four runs scored out of the leadoff spot.
New Hope-Solebury (1-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Plumstead Christian in a non-league game Friday, and Cheltenham (0-1) will be on the road at Lower Moreland on Friday.
New Hope-Solebury 200 462 1 15-22-2
Cheltenham 250 141 0 13-7-4
WILLIAM TENNENT 17, SPRINGFIELD TWP 2 (3 innings)
The Panthers took a 5-0 lead into the third inning when they exploded for 12 runs to bring an early end to the mercy rule win in the SOL opener for both squads.
Sydney Teufel’s three-run double to center field was the big blow in the 12-run third inning.
Jamie Green’s perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate led the Panthers and included a game-high five RBIs and two runs scored. Teufel finished the day 2-for-2 with a double, four RBIs and two runs scored.
Also, for the Panthers, Sammi Wood was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Lexi Weidner was 1-for-1 with one RBI and one run scored, and Taylor Mazzoni also had one RBI. Madison Pirolli was 1-for-1 with two runs scored.
Rylie O’Toole earned the win, allowing one hit and two runs (both unearned) while striking out and walking none in three innings.
William Tennent (1-0, 1-0 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Tuesday, and Springfield Twp (0-1) will be on the road at New Hope-Solebury on Tuesday.
Springfield Twp 0 2 0 2-1-5
William Tennnet 5 0 12 17-10-3
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