Check out the winners in Friday’s SOL softball non-league openers. Photos of the NP/OJR game provided by Keith Clemens Photography…CLICK HERE.
Non-League
ABINGTON 12, UPPER DUBLIN 0 (6 innings)
Megan Burdziak, the lone senior on the Ghosts’ roster, stole the spotlight in Friday’s season-opener, tossing a four-hit shutout in the abbreviated six-inning game. She fanned six and walked just one.
“That was the difference maker,” coach Ellie White said. “She did a great job.
“Last year when Nikki Ray (was sidelined), she was the one who came in and helped us do what we could do. She’s a good little pitcher. She worked hard over the summer, and her senior year she’s coming out with a vengeance. She pitched really well today for the first game out.
The Ghosts scored single runs in the first and third to go on top 2-0 and added three unearned runs in a sixth inning that included back-to-back singles by Mackenzie Greiner and Sam Andrews to lead off the inning.
In the fifth, the Ghosts tacked on three more runs, benefitting from singles by Andrews, Reynolds (RBI) and Lily Campoli (RBI). A three-run sixth gave the Ghosts their final margin of victory. Sam Marasheski delivered the big blow in the inning with a two-run triple.
All told, the Ghosts pounded out 11 hits.
“I liked the energy that my team brought,” White said. “This team is brand new. There are only three starters back from last year, and the energy that the kids brought – they just wanted to play.”
Erin Gallagher – who had the Cardinals’ only extra base hit with a triple – absorbed the loss in the circle, allowing five hits and five runs (one earned) in four innings.
Some stats:
Abington: Mackenzie Greiner 2-for-2, 2 runs scored, RBI; Renee Reynolds 2-for-4, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs; Lily Campoli 1-for-1, 3 runs scored, RBI; Tori Brandenburger 1-for-2, 2B, one run scored; Sam Marasheski 1-for-2, triple, run scored.
Upper Dublin: Jackie McMenamin 1-or-3; Sarah Tannenbaum 1-for-3; Meghan Muth 1-for-3; Erin Gallagher 1-for-3, triple.
Abington (1-0) will travel to Cheltenham for a non-league game Wednesday. Upper Dublin (0-1) will be on the road at Dock Mennonite Academy for a non-league contest Monday.
Abington 101 343 12
Upper Dublin 000 000 0
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 6, NORRISTOWN 2
In a battle of former SOL American Conference foes, the Colonials had the upper hand. Sophomore Alison Beausoleil tossed a two-hitter to earn the win in the circle. Her batterymate, sophomore Josee Tassoni, was an offensive standout with two hits and two RBIs.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-0) will host Hatboro-Horsham in the league opener for both squads on Tuesday.
BENNSALEM 8, CONWELL EGAN 7
The Owls won a thriller in Friday’s non-league opener, earning the walk-off win when – with a pair on board and one out – sophomore pitcher Dani Sharpe delivered a shot to the fence for the game winner.
Making the win especially significant was the fact that the Owls trailed 4-1 early.
“Prior to the game, I said to myself, ‘If we can score a run in the first inning, I think we can be okay,’” coach Dan Schram said. “If we don’t come out and score, I’m a little worried because Egan has such a history of winning and they’re so well coached.”
Senior Maddie Sauer led off the bottom of the seventh with a single and moved up to second when Chrissy Seagrest laid down a sacrifice bunt. A walk put runners on first and second, setting the stage for Sharpe’s heroics and a jubilant celebration.
“We were down 4-1 at one point, and I just said to the kids – ‘Keep it close, and we’ll find a way to win later,’” Schram said. “That’s kind of what happened. I just kept encouraging them to keep the game really small – think pitch by pitch, play by play. Even though it was a real game, there was a practice element because we just really have not had a lot of time on the field.”
The two teams exchanged runs in the first, but Egan – which scored runs in six of seven innings – added two runs in the second and a single run in the top of the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. The Owls responded with a four runs in the bottom of the inning to go on top 5-4. Egan scored the equalizer in the top of the fifth only to watch the Owls score two in the bottom of the frame to go on top 7-5. Egan got one of those back in the sixth to pull to within one and knotted the score when Tori McCoach led off the seventh with a solo home run.
“Much credit to my pitcher today – Dani Sharpe,” Schram said. “I watched her on the mound – she took a deep breath and she was not rattled at all.
“After giving up the home run, she got them in order, and that was huge.”
Sauer (3-for-4) and senior catcher Kate Formichelli (3-for-3) led the Owls attack.
“Neither one of us really had much time outside, so it was a little sloppy on both sides of the ball, but what I got to see from my kids is – they don’t quit, they’re very competitive,” Schram said. “I have pretty much a brand new lineup and a brand new defensive team. It was interesting to see young people step up. The kids really had a good time playing today. It was a great way to start our season.”
Some stats:
Bensalem: Kate Formichelli 3-for-3, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs; Allison Goodman 2-for-4, 2B, 2 runs scored; Maddie Sauer 3-for-4, 2B, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs.
Conwell Egan: Tori McCoach 2-for-5, 3B, HR.
Bensalem (1-0) will travel to Wissahickon on Monday for a non-league contest.
Conwell Egan 120 111 1 7
Bensalem 100 420 1 8
NESHAMINY 7, UPPER MORELAND 0
Amber Brugger tossed a complete game shutout in Friday’s non-league opener, fanning 11 in seven superb innings while allowing just three hits. The junior hurler walked the leadoff batter in the second and then proceeded to strike out the next three batters she faced.
The Redskins scored the only run Brugger would need in the bottom of the first, and appropriately, it was the junior pitcher who got things started with a leadoff single. The ‘Skins added a run in the second inning, thanks to back-to-back doubles to open the inning. Lianna Jones led off with a double, and she scored when Alexis Watkins followed with a two-bagger that put the Redskins on top 2-0.
In the fourth, Watkins and Victoria Smith led off the inning with back-to-back singles. A two-out single by Natalie Rios loaded the bases, and Heather Hart drove in a pair with a two-out single.
For good measure, the Redskins scored three runs in a sixth inning that included a double by Hart and a three-run double by Hallie Duffy.
Hart led the Redskins’ 13-hit attack with a 3-for-4 day at the plate. Watkins was 2-for-3 with a double, and Duffy was 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs.
Neshaminy (1-0) will host Central Bucks South in a non-league game Thursday.
Upper Moreland 000 000 0 0
Neshaminy 110 203 x 7
OWEN J ROBERTS 5, NORTH PENN 3 (9 innings)
The visiting Wildcats scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning and then held off the Knights in the bottom of the inning to earn the hard-fought win in a classic non-league opener.
“For the first game of the season, both teams played like it was the middle of the season,” coach Rick Torresanit said. “No errors, great pitching by both pitchers and some great defensive plays by both teams.”
Offensively, the Knights were led by the 2-for-2 effort of Brittany Moyer. Ellia Namey contributed a two-run triple.
North Penn (0-1) will host Hatboro-Horsham in a non-league contest Monday.
UPPER PERK 7, PENNRIDGE 1
The Rams dropped their home opener at Druckenmiller. Meghan Bauer absorbed the loss in the circle.
Pennridge (0-1) will host Lansdale Catholic on Monday in a non-league contest.
UPPER MERION 10, WISSAHICKON 0
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