Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday. New Hope-Solebury/Springfield Twp photos provided courtesy of Karla Donohoe. Check back for a gallery: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f860927651 (Hatboro-Horsham/Abington photos provided courtesy of Jessica Cassel/H-H softball)
SOL Patriot Division
BENSALEM 10, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 9
The Owls are nothing if not resilient.
They found themselves staring at a 7-1 deficit heading into the bottom of the fourth inning when they erupted for four runs to get back in the ballgame. A four-run sixth inning made it a 10-7 game, and the Owls withstood a Rock North comeback attempt into the seventh to hold on for the win.
“Honestly, with it being so early on in the season and us being so young, we are still trying to figure who we are as a team,” Bensalem coach Erin Smith said. “After going down 7-1, we weren’t sure how the team was going to respond.
“I have to give a ton of credit to my three senior captains- Meg Klein, Lina Sponheimer and Kayla Clarkson. They took ownership of the game today. They wouldn’t let anyone get down on themselves and really kept the energy up all game.”
In their four-run fourth, the Owls benefitted from five straight walks to open the inning that forced two runs across. Klein hit an RBI single, and a fourth run scored on a fielder’s choice, and one inning later, freshman Aubrey Merz ripped a two-out solo home run to pull the Owls to within one (7-6).
The Owls’ four-run sixth that gave them a lead they would not lose was highlighted by singles by Clarkson, Sponheimer and Sydney Daut (2 RBIs). Daut’s two-run single put the Owls on top 8-7, and then Adrianna Vargas contributed a sacrifice fly. A groundout by Merz gave the Owls a 10-7 lead on their way to the big win.
“I’m very impressed with our freshmen – we had five in the lineup today, and they were a part of every rally we had in this game,” Smith said. “They were patient, not chasing and fouling off a ton of pitches. They really made North’s pitchers work.
“Freshmen Aubrey Merz, Abbie Krevolin, Dana Oliverio all walked as part of the four-run fourth inning. Aubrey then smoked her first varsity home run an inning later. And in the sixth, freshman Sydney Daut had a two-run single to give us the lead.”
Earlier, the Indians had some big innings of their own. They scored a pair in the first with Taylor Gearhart’s RBI double and Chelsea Seiler’s RBI single the key hits. Seiler led off the third with a double and scored on a groundout to put the Indians on top 3-1.
In a four-run fourth, the Indians collected back-to-back-to-back doubles by Molly Sheehy, Sierra Klein (RBI) and Seiler (RBI). A pair of miscues allowed two more runs to score, and the Indians led 7-1, a lead that turned out to be anything but secure.
“Both teams battled until the final out of the game,” Rock North coach Susan Yee said. “The girls on both sides deserve credit for never counting themselves out.”
All told, the Owls collected 10 hits. Vargas (double) and Merz (home run) had the team’s only extra-base hits.
“A crazy stat is that every player in our starting lineup had a hit and an RBI, which shows how nice the team worked together today,” Smith said. “North is a good team they returned all their starters on a team that made playoffs last season, so this is a real quality win for us.”
For the Indians, Seilor’s 3-for-4 day at the plate led the way and included two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Gearhart was 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
Bensalem (1-1 SOL) will be on the road at Bristol for a non-league game Wednesday, and Council Rock North (2-1, 1-1) will travel to Conwell-Egan for a non-league game Wednesday.
Council Rock North 201 400 2 9-9-1
Bensalem 010 414 x 10-9-3
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 12, NESHAMINY 2 (5 innings)
The Golden Hawks are making an early statement, winning for their fourth time in as many games and winning big yet again.
“We just finished a stretch of four games in six days, and I couldn’t be more proud of the girls,” Rock South coach Scott Molle said. “They have been focused and getting it done offensively and defensively. We are 4-0 in this span and every single player in this team has contributed in some form. Lexi Waring was money again on the mound for us, going five innings allowing four hits. She has been absolutely phenomenal and improved her record to 4-0.”
Waring allowed five hits and two runs while striking out six and walking two.
At the plate, leadoff batter Helen Woloshyn was once again a catalyst, finishing the game a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, stolen base, one RBI and three runs scored.
“Helen Woloshyn had the 100th stolen base in her high school career,” Molle said. “This is something you will not see very often and a huge congratulations to her.”
Woloshyn was not the only offensive hero in a game that saw the Hawks collect 17 hits. Gabby Bloom was 3-for-4 with a double, stolen base, three RBIs and two runs scored. Shannon Williams was 3-for-3 with two runs scored.
Kelly Delise was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Julia Scannapieco was 2-for-4 with a home run, a team-high four RBIs and one run scored. Grace Stepp was 2-for-3 with one RBI.
“Our bats were producing today,” Molle said. “I couldn’t be happier of the way the girls have responded to the new coaching staff and doing everything we have asked of them. Every player in this team has contributed to our early success.”
The fun started early for the Golden Hawks, who put three runs on the board in the top of the first. Woloshyn lined a double to left to lead off the inning, and one out later, Grace Stepp singled, putting a pair on board for Scannapieco, who – after fouling off three pitches – smashed a three-run home run to left field.
In the second, it was more of the same for the Redskins. Williams led off with a single to right and Delise followed with a double to center. Woloshyn’s single plated Williams, and a pair crossed the plate when Bloom lined her second double to left. A single by Stepp plated Bloom, and the Golden Hawks led 7-0.
The Redskins got on the board with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning when Alleigh Waskie singled and Morgan Volgraf followed with a two-run home run to right field.
The Golden Hawks, however, weren’t finished yet. Williams led off the third inning with her second single, and Delise lined a two-run home run to center field. By the time the inning was over the Redskins led 11-2 on their way to the abbreviated win.
“We are looking forward to eight days off until our next game, and the girls deserve every bit of this rest,” Molle said.
Council Rock South (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Council Rock North on Wednesday, April 3. Neshaminy (0-1) is also off until Wednesday, April 3, when the Redskins will travel to Harry S Truman.
Council Rock South 344 10 12-17-0
Neshaminy 020 00 2-4 1
PENNSBURY 10, HARRY S TRUMAN 0 (5 innings)
Anna Evanchik had herself a day.
The Falcons’ senior pitcher tossed four shutout innings to earn the win, but it was her 4-for-4 effort at the plate that stole the spotlight.
“She had a career day,” Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry said. “She was 4-for-4 with four runs scored, two home runs and four RBIs.
“She hit two of the longest bombs you’d ever want to see. They were just bombs. They had to stop the JV game because the ball rolled on the JV field.”
It was Evanchik setting the tone for the game with a two-run blast in the top of the first inning. The Falcons added four runs in the third inning, and Evanchik hit a solo shot in a two-run fourth inning. She singled in the third and fifth innings.
Also for the Falcons, Presley Foote was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, Sammy Raub was 2-for-3 with two doubles.
In four shutout innings in the circle, Evanchik allowed four hits, struck out five and walked one.
Truman was led by the two-hit effort of freshman catcher Skyler Maher, who had a double.
Pennsbury (1-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Mount St. Joseph for a non-league game on Thursday at 11 a.m. Harry S Truman (2-3, 0-2) will host Neshaminy on Wednesday, April 3.
Pennsbury 204 22 10-12-0
Harry S Truman 000 00 0-6-3
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 6, NORTH PENN 5
The Bucks’ chances didn’t look good.
Trailing the defending state champions by five heading into the bottom of the sixth inning was not an enviable position for the Bucks to find themselves in.
After all, Knights’ ace Bella Dunn was perfect through four innings. Granted, the Bucks – trailing 1-0 at the time – collected a hit in the fifth inning – a single by Molly Gibson after Laila Murray was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, but with the bases loaded and two outs, they’d had a runner tagged out at home plate for the inning’s final out.
The Knights put four runs on the board in the bottom of the inning to go on top 5-0, and the Bucks had just six outs left to erase that deficit.
“We were in trouble,” said West coach Mike Daher. “But I felt like all along – we were hitting the ball, we were putting the ball in play, so I felt like something at some point was going to give. Finally, in the fifth inning, we got our first hit.”
West’s comeback in the sixth inning began with back-to-back walks to Ava Mattes and Jill Boyle, setting the stage for a bases-clearing triple to left center by Ana Glemser. A sacrifice fly by Chloe Dryden plated Glemser to trim the Knights’ lead to 5-3.
“We down 5-0, and we were going to take (Lawson) out in the seventh and give someone else a little work, and then when we scored three runs, we put her back out there,” Daher said. “It was key. She was probably a little tired, had just given up a big inning, but she shut them down and got three straight outs in the seventh, and then we had a shot.”
Lawson drew a full-count walk to lead off the seventh, and Taylor Hooven followed with a single. One out later, Mattes singled to load the bases. Boyle followed with a line single to center, plating a run, and the tying run crossed the plate when Glemser drew a full-count walk. That brought Dryden to the plate, and she delivered, lining a 2-2 pitch into center for a single that gave the Bucks the dramatic walk-off win.
“I felt if we could get to the top of the order, we had a shot,” Maher said. “We had the bases loaded, and Jill Boyle, who’s a sophomore we just put in the leadoff spot today, singled to make it 5-4 – a huge hit, also with two strikes. Ana tied the game with a bases-loaded walk that was just huge.
“Once Chloe came up with the bases loaded and the game tied and one out – you couldn’t help but have a good feeling at that point. You knew she was going to put the ball in play, and then we had a shot. Everything we did was with two strikes, every single thing we did was with two strikes.”
Earlier in the game, the Knights took a 1-0 lead in the second when Lexi Nyce lined a two-out single to right that plated Felicia Connolly, who singled to lead off the inning.
That 1-0 lead stood until the top of the sixth. Casey Sokol led off the inning with a double, and she scored on a two-base error on a bunt by Liv Stevens. One out later, Connolly singled, and another run crossed the plate on the Bucks’ second miscue of the inning. A double to center by Nice plated a pair, and the Knights led 5-0, but the game was far from over.
Six West players had one hit each with Glemser driving in three runs and Dryden two.
Lawson earned the complete game win, allowing eight hits and five runs (one earned) while striking out eight and walking one.
“We have not beaten North Penn in forever,” Daher said. “Somebody said at least 12 years – it may have been more than that. It’s been a long time since we’ve beaten them, and we’ve rarely been in a game with them.
“It was a great win, it was just a great win. It was a great win because really everyone contributed either by scoring a run or by getting a hit. We made some key defensive plays to keep us in the game.”
For the Knights, Battavio was 2-for-4 with a double, Sokol was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored, and Connolly was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Central Bucks West (2-1, 2-0 SOL) is off until next Wednesday when the Bucks will travel to Central Bucks South for a 6 p.m. game. North Penn (1-1 SOL) will travel to Alabama for spring training this week.
North Penn 010 004 0 5-9-1
Central Bucks West 000 003 3 6-6-3
PENNRIDGE 3, SOUDERTON 1
There are bounce-back wins, and then there’s the Rams 3-1 win over previously unbeaten Souderton just 24 hours after falling to Perk Valley in a non-league game 11-0.
“Perk Valley is strong throughout their entire lineup – they’re going to do very well,” Rams’ coach Kristyn Marinelli said. “The pitcher we faced – Maci Strechay – was good. Having pitched my whole life – she knew how to pitch, but we did not get the bats going yesterday obviously.
“I’m really proud of the girls. It’s hard not to get down on yourself after a loss like that, so for us to bounce back – I’m proud to see that from them. We’re in the portion of the season where we’re figuring things out, so being able to see success at the plate is a win for us, and obviously, stringing those hits together to win the game was huge. We still have a lot of work to do, but today, we were able to string hits together, which is what counts.”
The Rams took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, Averi Dockery lined a leadoff single to center, stole second and scored when Gabby Hamburger grounded a two-out single to center.
Pennridge added a run in the bottom of the third. Dockery again was in the middle of the action, leading off the inning with a single and moving up to second on an error on the play. She moved up to third on a wild pitch and scored on a successfully executed suicide squeeze by Lilly Davies.
“You have to put the ball in play, and whatever the other team does with that – there can be many different outcomes,” Marinelli said. “Our goal right now is just to piece together some runs, and that’s what we did.”
In the top of the fifth, the Indians made it a 2-1 game when McKenna Schroding hit a solo home run to center field. The Rams got that run back in the sixth when Ryleigh Lilly led off the inning with a home run to left field.
Dockery retired the Indians in order in the top of the seventh, striking out the final two batters she faced to put the finishing touches on the win.
The Florida State commit tossed another gem for the Rams, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out 11 and walking none. She also was 2-for-3 with two runs scored out of the leadoff spot.
Also contributing multiple hits were Lilly, who was 2-for-3 with a home run, RBI and run scored, and Hamburger, who finished the game, 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.
Schroding, a University of South Florida commit, absorbed the loss for the Indians, giving up seven hits and three runs, striking out nine and walking none.
“She’s similar to what we faced yesterday in terms of velocity and in movement, which I think played to our benefit,” Martinelli said. “Again, she’s another strong arm. Credit to her – she threw a good game.”
Pennridge (2-2, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Coatesville for a non-league game Wednesday, and Souderton (3-1, 0-1) will return to action Wednesday, April 3, when the Indians will travel to North Penn for a 4 p.m. contest.
Souderton 000 010 0 1-2-1
Pennridge 101 001 x 3-7-0
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 11, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1 (5 innings)
The Titans scored early and often on their way to the win in Tuesday’s rivalry game against the visiting Patriots. It was the first time in the circle for freshman Alexis Griffin and sophomore Lane McLaughlin, who combined for the three-hit win in the abbreviated contest.
“It was a great game all around defensively and offensively,” South coach Matthew McLaughlin said.
After Griffin retired the Patriots in order in the top of the first, the Titans’ bats went to work. Stephanie Bendziowicz led off with a ground single to center and scored on a two-base error on Hannah Tracey’s bunt. Tracey scored from third on a groundout. Hollie Schaub singled, and another error opened the door for two more runs that put the Titans on top 4-0.
A four-run second inning gave the Titans a 8-0 lead and was highlighted by Schaub’s RBI double as well as two-run single by Tracey and a run-scoring single by Ella Wheeler. The Titans made it 10-0 with two more runs in a third inning that included singles by McLaughlin and Sarah Geackel (RBI).
Steph Zmuda’s RBI single in the fourth inning plated East’s only run.
Bendziowicz (2-for-3, 2R), Schaub (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, R), Wheeler (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, R) and McLaughlin (2-for-3, R) led the Titans’ 10-hit attack. Tracey’s three RBIs led South.
In the circle, Griffin allowed one hit in three shutout innings, striking out four and walking none. McLaughlin closed it out, allowing two hits and one run in two innings while striking out three and walking none.
Central Bucks South (2-1, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Downingtown West for a non-league game Wednesday at 11 a.m. Central Bucks East (2-2, 0-2) is off until Wednesday, April 3, when the Patriots will host Pennridge.
Central Bucks East 000 10 1-3-5
Central Buck South 442 01 11-10-1
SOL Liberty Division
HATBORO-HORSHAM 3, ABINGTON 2 (11 innings)
Alyssa Tooley was the Hatters’ iron woman on Tuesday.
The senior ace allowed just one hit in 11 grueling innings in a performance for the ages, striking out 22 in a brilliant complete game win. She faced 43 batters in the marathon and walked eight.
Abington’s Danica Santiago turned in an effort of her own that would win on most days, allowing nine hits and one earned run in 10.2 innings. She struck out 10 and walked five.
“Both teams battled in the game,” Hatters’ coach Jen Tooley said. “Tooley and Santiago were like marathon runners in the circle.
“Alyssa had command of the zone, giving up one hit in 11 innings.”
The Ghosts – despite collecting just one hit in 11 innings – took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Mia Lucke, who reached base on an error to open the inning, scored on a sacrifice fly by Mikayla Hedson.
The Hatters evened the score in the top of the sixth. Dakota Slye singled to lead off the inning, and one out later, Madison Karpovich singled. Kennedy Conn’s double to right field plated Slye, and the score was deadlocked.
The Ghosts put their leadoff batter on board in the bottom of the seventh when Grace Meehan drew a leadoff walk. She never got beyond first as Tooley struck out the next three batters she faced to send the game to extra innings.
Abington’s Mallory Beal drew a leadoff walk in the eighth. Again, Tooley came up big, sandwiching a pair of strikeouts around a groundout. The Hatters put a pair on board in the top of the ninth, thanks to a one-out single by Adriana DeLeon and a walk, but Abington pitcher Santiago came up with a pair of huge strikeouts.
In the bottom of the inning, the Ghosts put a pair on board, the result of a one-out walk and a two-out single by Liz Hippel. Another Tooley strikeout ended that rally.
With the international tiebreaker in effect, the Hatters had runners on the corners with none out after Tooley legged out a bunt single. An infield popup and a lineout double play to right fielder Natalie Broskley ended that threat.
The Ghosts came up empty in their half of the inning, but in the top of the 11th, the Hatters put a pair on the board, both scoring on a two-out Abington miscue. The Ghosts scored one in the bottom of the inning, but Tooley closed it out – appropriately – with a strikeout.
For the Hatters, Conn (2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R), Bella Karpovich (2-for-4) and DeLeon (2-for-3, R) lead the way.
“Freshman Kennedy Conn was composed at the plate,” Tooley said. “Sophomore Sydney Cassel came up big in the 11th inning, putting the ball in play to give us the lead to win.
“The coaching staff was happy that the Hatters never gave up and battled for 11 innings.”
Abington coach Tina Hesdon also had high praise for the effort of her squad.
“We had a strong showing from both Danica Santiago pitching – with 10 Ks – and with Hailey Hernandez catching,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “Offensively, we managed to manufacture scoring possibilities, and defensively, our Lady Ghosts put up a strong and determined performance.”
Hatboro-Horsham (2-1, 2-0 SOL) returns to action next Wednesday when the Hatters will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh for a key division contest. Abington (1-2, 0-2) will be on the road at Upper Dublin next Wednesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 000 001 000 02 3-9-1
Abington 000 100 000 01 2-1-2
QUAKERTOWN 9, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2
In a battle of two of the SOL Liberty’s top squads, it was the Panthers erasing an early 1-0 deficit with six unanswered runs on their way to the win.
“It was a great team win,” Quakertown coach Rich Scott said. “It was a great defensive game and a solid performance by Abbey Wagner in the circle.”
The Colonials struck first with a run in the top of the first when Caelin Kosvitch, who was hit by a pitch, scored on Madison Moran’s line drive double to left.
That 1-0 score stood until the bottom of the third when the Panthers bunched three doubles. Madison Mallery led off the inning with a double, and she scored when Ava Beal lined a double to left. One out later, Leah Schwalm doubled to right field to plate Beal, putting the Panthers on top 2-1.
In a three-run fourth inning, Mary Wilkinson lined a one-out double to center, and she scored when Colleen Gallagher followed with a double to left. Wagner and Beal (RBI) both singled, and a run also scored on a groundout.
Sophomore Kira Jefferson smashed her second home run of the young season, roping a solo shot to center field that put the Panthers on top 6-1 in the fifth inning.
Sam Skivo’s solo shot with one out in the sixth made it a 6-2 game, but the Panthers answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Quakertown’s two-out rally included consecutive singles by Mallery, Beal and Skyler Williams. A bases-loaded walk to Schwalm, and a two-run double by Ellie Hilton gave the Panthers their final margin of victory.
Beal was once again an impossible out, finishing the game 4-for-4 with a double, stolen base, two RBIs and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Schwalm was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, Gallagher was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and run scored, and Mallery was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs.
Wagner earned the complete game win, scattering six hits and allowing two runs while striking out six and walking none.
For the Colonials, Skivo was 2-for-3 with a home run, RBI and run scored. Kalina Childers was also 2-for-3 with a double. Marissa Perez also doubled for the Colonials.
“We knew coming in that this would be a challenge,” coach Mike Perez said. “Four straight game days and traveling to the defending league champs is a tough place to be.
“They always have a dangerous lineup, starting with Ava (Beal) and Leah (Schwalm), but everyone stepped up today and they hit up and down the lineup.
“Abbey is always tough in the circle, but I thought we hit the ball well today. Credit to their defense for making plays when we hit the ball hard. I’m pleased with the way we hit the ball and thought our defense played well, turning two double plays and with zero errors. They simply outhit us today. This was a great test and will be a good benchmark game for us.”
Quakertown (4-0, 2-0 SOL) is off until Wednesday, April 3, when the Panthers will travel to Wissahickon. Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-2, 1-1) will host Hatboro-Horsham on April 3.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 100 001 0 2-6-0
Quakertown 002 313 x 9-15-0
UPPER DUBLIN 9, WISSAHICKON 1
The Cardinals’ offense exploded for six runs in the third inning, breaking a scoreless tie and propelling UD to the decisive win.
Sophomore Kyla Garrison was once again in complete command in the circle, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out 12 and walking three.
For the Cardinals, Kaitlyn Small led the way with a 3-for-4 day that included two doubles, a stolen base and a run scored. Kaitlyn Zacharia was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, and Madden Reilly was 1-for-3 with three RBIs.
Upper Dublin (3-2, 1-2 SOL) is off until Wednesday, April 3, when the Flying Cardinals will host Abington for the team’s 2nd annual Strike Out the Stigma Event, which promotes the importance of mental health awareness in student-athletes. Wissahickon (2-4, 0-2) will host Quakertown on April 3.
Upper Dublin 006 100 2 9-10-0
Wissahickon 000 001 0 1-3-5
SOL Freedom Divison
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 6, SPRINGFIELD TWP 5
Talk about dramatic endings – this was it.
Mabel Klossner delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh, turning a 5-4 deficit into a 6-5 walk-off win in a classic battle with the visiting Spartans. The win was the third in four contests for the Lions, who won just three games all of last year.
“There’s a different attitude, a different environment this year,” said NH-S coach Chris Marchok, whose team is coming off a 3-17 season. “It was a very good game. You look at the box score – scoreless through four
innings.
“Last year, we played this schedule – we had one junior and one senior in the entire program. The senior was a transfer student from Belgium who had never played before and the junior had not played before high school, so it was all freshmen and sophomores. Now those freshmen and sophomores have had another year to mature. They’re really doing a nice job taking ownership of it all, so you’re seeing them doing things they couldn’t do a year ago, putting bunts down when they need to, making plays. When the other team scores and goes ahead, their heads don’t go down.”
This year’s roster includes a number of freshmen. Included in the newcomers is a pair of freshmen pitchers, who are also the team’s three and four hitters.
“When you add the Izzy Elizondos and the Emily Wilsons and the Kaylee Harrises and the Jackie Herberts, these are the kids that have grown up into sophomores and juniors who are handling adversity much better,” Marchok said. “They’re welcoming and caring with these young kids. There’s not an ounce of ‘us’ and ‘them.’ There’s none of this class stuff going on. They get it, they just get it.
“It’s the experience of the sophomores and juniors, and it’s this youthful energy and talent of the freshmen.”
Earlier the game, the Spartans took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth when Jordyn Serrao, who singled to lead off the inning, scored on a fielder’s choice.
The Lions answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Harris led off with a single and stole second and third and then scored on a groundout. Elena Shire and Bianca Elizondo (RBI) followed with two-out singles, and the Lions led 2-1.
Springfield evened the score when Ashley Schulz, who doubled to center, scored on Norah Conlin’s RBI single. Serrao’s RBI bunt single gave the Spartans a 3-2 lead.
Again, the Lions answered. Dagney Mobley doubled to left to open the inning, and Izzy Elizondo followed with a single. Mobley scored on a Spartans’ miscue, and the Lions led 4-3.
The Spartans went on top 5-4 in the top of the seventh. McKayla McKeever lined a one-out single to left, and with two outs, Joce Davis delivered an RBI single. Schulz followed with a double to left that plated a run.
Down but not out, the Lions rallied yet again. Shire led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on an error, and stole third. Bianca Elizondo followed with a bunt single and advanced to second on defensive indifference, setting the stage for Klossner’s game-winner.
Marchok has yet to field a full team through four games this season, and they were without three starters in Tuesday’s contest.
“We put kids out there in positions they weren’t familiar with, and they’re still comfortable with the discomfort, and they know they’re getting the loving support from
their teammates, and we’ve been able to make it through,” Marchok said. “Hopefully, within a week or so, we’ll get everybody back and healthy.
“It’s just a pleasure to see these kids growing into who we thought they could be. Emily Wilson plays basketball. Leaders are leaders. It doesn’t matter what ball you put in front of them – they lead. You take a look at Izzy Elizondo who has just grown up so much. It’s the growth and maturity. It’s this infusion of youth which makes us a little tighter.”
For the Lions, Shire was 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spots with two runs scored.
“A kid like Elena Shire – she struck out the first two times today and then came back and got two singles her next two times at bat, leading to two runs,” Marchok said. “It’s that sort of thing. They’re giving it to each other. It’s not coming from the coaches, there’s no magic.
“They give it to each other because of that loving culture they have for each other. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Bianca Elizondo was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored, and Harris was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Mobley earned the complete game win, allowing eight hits and five runs while striking out 12 and walking two.
For the Spartans, Schulz was 2-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored. Serrao was 2-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored. Conlin, Keira Brandon and Serraro all had RBIs.
“It was a tough loss for us,” Springfield Twp coach Heather Gehlhaus said. “New Hope’s pitcher, Dagney, did a nice job throughout the whole game. We made some adjustments at the plate, but unfortunately couldn’t get the win.
New Hope-Solebury (3-1, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Wednesday, April 3, and Springfield Twp (0-2) will host Upper Moreland on April 3.
Springfield Twp 000 012 2 5-8-4
New Hope-Solebury 000 022 2 6-9-0
UPPER MORELAND 4, WILLIAM TENNENT 2
The Golden Bears continued their fast start to the season, winning their fourth straight game with Tuesday’s win – on the road – over the defending SOL Freedom Division champions.
“We could not be more proud of how our team played today,” UM coach Melanie Martino said. “So many things fell into place for us today. Even though we started off with an early lead, we knew that we couldn’t take it for granted with a team like Tennent.”
Freshman Delaney Stout had another big day for the Golden Bears. She earned a complete game win, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out 12 and walking one. She also was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI.
“Delaney Stout was locked in for this game,” Martino said. “She not only had a great day in the circle for us but hit the ball and ended the game with a diving catch. She obviously loves every minute of this, and her enthusiasm is contagious.”
In the top of the first, Steph Jones lined a leadoff single to left, and the Bears had a pair on board after Kaylee Brown legged out a bunt single. Claire Walton grounded a single to center that plated Brown, and both runners advanced on a Tennent miscue. Brown scored a sacrifice fly by Jos McCellan, and Makenzie Leo’s line single to center plated Walton with a run that put the Golden Bears on top 3-0.
That score stood until the top of the sixth. Kelly Bates lined a double to left to lead off the inning, and she scored when Jones lined a one-out single to center that put UM on top 4-0.
Tennent’s offense came to life in the bottom of the inning. Morgan Kocher led off with a double and scored one out later when Sydney Teufel doubled to right. Victoria Colagreco’s line drive double to left plated Teufel, and just like that, it was a 4-2 game with a Tennent runner on second with one out. Stout came up with back-to-back strikeouts to end that threat.
In the bottom of the seventh, Stout struck out the first batter she faced, and after Taylor Mazzoni singled, Stout turned her diving catch into a game-ending double play.”
For the Bears, Jones was 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored out of the leadoff spot. Leo was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
“Delaney definitely wasn’t out there by herself today, that’s for sure,” Martino said. “Steph Jones was moved to the leadoff spot today and showed up with 3-for-4, driving in a run and making a great catch in center.
“Also hitting and driving in runs today for us was Makenzie Leo, Jos McCellan. Claire Walton. Kaylee Brown called and played a great game behind the plate for us today. “
Leading the Panthers at the plate were Teufel, who was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and run scored, and Mazzoni, who also was 2-for-3.
Upper Moreland (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Springfield Twp on Wednesday, April 3, and William Tennent (2-1) will be on the road at Cheltenham on Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 300 001 0 4-12-1
William Tennent 000 002 0 2-7-2
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