Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Thursday. Quakertown/PW photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko. Pennsbury/Truman photos courtesy of Darryl Rule. Check back for photo galleries: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f63743818 (HH photos courtesy of Diane Waeltz/HH softball)
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 6, NESHAMINY 4
The Golden Hawks picked up a huge division win over the Redskins, and while their bats were alive and collected 12 hits, Julia Scannapieco was getting the job done in the circle, tossing four shutout innings to close out the game and earn the win.
“Starting out (coaching) at South, this was a team that was thirsting for success,” Rock South coach Dan Schram said. “I’m really, really happy for the kids. You can see they’re catching hold of the feeling. We want to stay focused and stay humble.
“One thing we said to them in the postgame – winning happens when you believe in something bigger than yourself, and they’re starting to believe in something. It’s great to watch – to see the kids laugh and enjoy themselves – it’s a great group of kids.”
The Golden Hawks put a pair of runs on the board in the bottom of the first, thanks to a two-run blast to center field by Avery Tumolo. Neshaminy evened the score in the top of the second, benefitting from a walk and a two-base error on RyLeigh Bilbrey’s RBI double that allowed her to circle the bases.
Lindsey Gorka’s RBI single in the top of the third gave Neshaminy a 3-2 lead that was erased in the bottom of the inning. Ameerah Wheet led off the inning with a single, and Grace Stepp was safe on an error. One out later, Wheet scored on Angelina Comerford’s sacrifice fly to right. Scannapieco lined a double to center that plated the go-ahead run.
Neshaminy knotted the score 4-4 in the fourth inning, and neither team scored until the bottom of the sixth. Walters got the ball rolling with a one-out triple to left field and scored on Tumolo’s single to center. A two-out single by Stepp plated a second run, and the Golden Hawks had a 6-4 lead.
Scannapieco did the rest, striking out a pair and retiring the Redskins in order in the top of the seventh to put an exclamation point on the win.
The Golden Hawks’ pitcher did not allow a hit in four scoreless innings, striking out five and walking a pair. At the plate Scannapieco was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.
“The story of the game was our lefty, Julia Scannapieco,” Schram said. “She came in and shut them down for four innings. It was a 4-4 game. She didn’t give up a hit.
“We mishandled the ball at some points, and we have some things to work on defensively. She struck out five batters, and she was just picking up momentum. She also hit the ball really, really well. She was a big catalyst today.”
Tumolo led the Golden Hawks with a 3-for-4 day at the plate that included a home run, three RBIs and a run scored. Stepp also had a multi-hit day, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and RBI.
“Avery Tumolo was just absolutely dialed in,” Schram said. “Grace Stepp was 2-for-4 and threw out two batters on the basepath (attempting to steal), and they were out one and out two in the sixth inning. That was so big.”
For Neshaminy, Bilbrey was 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and a run scored.
Council Rock South (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North on Monday, and Neshaminy (2-2, 1-2) will be on the road at Quakertown Friday for a non-league game.
Neshaminy 021 100 0 4-4-2
Council Rock South 202 002 x 6-12-4
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 18, BENSALEM 3 (4 INNINGS)
The Indians took a 4-1 lead into the second inning when they exploded for 13 runs to put Thursday’s game against the visiting Owls out of reach early.
“Bensalem is a strong team with a dangerous offensive lineup, so I was really proud of how our girls responded after giving up a run in the top of the first,” Rock North coach Susan Yee said. “They didn’t let it faze them, they came out fired up, and they answered.
“Again, the girls were aggressive and crisp offensively, so hopefully we can clean up the couple of defensive miscues and keep that offensive momentum going. It’s been a total team effort so far which is so great to see.”
The Owls struck first when Kayla Clarkson, who singled, scored on an error on Lina Sponheimer’s single to center. The Indians wasted no time before getting that run back.
In the bottom of the first, Olivia Schlindwein led off with a single and stole second, and one out later Molly Sheehy singled to plate Schlindwein. Katie Wilkoski followed with an RBI double to left, and Sierra Klein’s sacrifice fly plated a third run. Back-to-back singles by Chelsea Seiler and Haley Edelman (RBI) gave the Indians a 4-1 lead.
The 13-run second was highlighted by Taylor Gearhart’s three-run home run to right field. The Indians added a run in the fourth to bring an early end to the contest.
Schlindwein (3-for-3, 3 SB, RBI, 2R) and Wilkoski (3-for-3, 2B, 3 RBIs, 3R) lead the Indians’ 14-hit attack. Also contributing multiple hits were Gearhart (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBIs, 3R) and Seiler (2-for-2, 2B, R). Zoe Hornstein scored a pair of runs and drove in a run. Kayla Ripper was 1-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored.
Schlindwein threw two innings, allowing two hits and one run (unearned) while striking out three and walking one. Lucy Mills also threw two innings, allowing two hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out three and walking none.
Council Rock North (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Villa Joseph Marie in a non-league game Friday, and Bensalem (0-3) is scheduled to host St. Hubert’s in a non-league game on Saturday at noon.
Bensalem 102 0 3-4-3
Council Rock North 4130 1 18-14-3
PENNSBURY 12, HARRY S TRUMAN 2 (5 innings)
The Falcons took care of business in a hurry in Thursday’s SOL contest, erupting for eight runs in the first on their way to the mercy rule win.
In the first, Ava Storlazzi singled and stole second. Anna Evanchik and Naya Schubel both had RBI singles. The Falcons also benefitted from three walks and a hit batter.
Pennsbury added two runs in the third before Truman got on the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Collecting singles for the Tigers in the fourth were Gabrielle Lavertu (RBI), Ava Kilner and Erin McClarren (RBI).
Schubel and Evanchik were both 2-for-3 to lead the Falcons, who collected eight hits – all singles.
Laney Freidman notched the win in the circle, allowing one hit while striking out four and walking three in three shutout innings. Evanchik threw the final two innings.
“It was a cold day – it wasn’t a pitcher’s day,” Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry said.
Pennsbury (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham in a non-league game Monday, and Harry S Truman (0-2) will host Franklin Towne in a non-league game on Wednesday.
Harry S Truman 000 20 2-5-2
Pennsbury 802 02 12-8-0
SOL Colonial Division
SOUDERTON 4, PENNRIDGE 3
Makayla Mihelcic led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run, breaking a 2-2 tie and giving the Indians a lead they would not lose in Thursday’s battle between the neighboring rivals.
“It was a back and forth game,” Souderton coach Carol Atkinson said. “It was a nice win for as cold as it was.”
Pennridge took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Grace Helbling drew a two-out walk, and her courtesy runner, Clara Barron, moved up to second on a passed ball and scored when Reagan Bauman grounded a single to center.
The Indians took their first lead in the second when -with two outs – Sierra Miller drilled a two-run home run to center field. Pennridge evened the score in the fourth when Ashleigh Kenworthy, who doubled to left, scored on Payton Keyser’s one-out bunt.
Mihelcic’s home run put the Indians on top 3-2, and they led 4-2 after Lindsay Detwiler collected a clutch two-out single in the sixth inning.
The Rams made things interesting in the top of the seventh when Bauman lined a double to right field and scored when Averi Dockery singled and moved all the way to third on the throw to the infield. A groundout to the McKenna Schroding in the circle brought an end to the Rams’ comeback attempt.
Schroding notched the complete game win, allowing eight hits and three runs while striking out 10 and walking two.
Bauman led the Rams with a 3-for-4 day at the plate that included a double, RBI and run scored.
Souderton leadoff batter Cameron Nadolski was 2-for-3, the lone Indians’ player with a multi-hit game.
The Indians collected just five hits off Helbling, who struck out four and walked three in six innings.
Souderton (2-2, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Neshaminy for a crossover game Monday, and Pennridge (1-2, 0-2) will host Coatesville in a non-league game Tuesday.
Pennridge 100 100 1 3-8-0
Souderton 020 011 x 4-5-1
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 9, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 6
The Titans –- in their first official game of the season – certainly made things interesting. They found themselves staring at a 6-1 deficit after four innings but staged a gutsy comeback, scoring four runs in the fifth and four more in the seventh to earn the win.
“I didn’t like how we started off – we came off the bus, and we didn’t have enough energy,” South coach Kevin Rosini said. “We weren’t executing, and they were. They’d get on base, they’d steal. We weren’t covering bags. We just weren’t executing, we were lethargic.
“The four runs in the fifth got us back in the game a little bit. We hung around. Maddy (Borkowski) battled on the mound. Getting the four runs in the seventh inning was huge. This was our first game of the season, so it was a nice win to start the season.”
The Patriots scored a pair in the bottom of the first without collecting a hit, benefitting from three walks and an error. They added three more in the third to go on top 5-0. The two teams exchanged runs in the fourth inning.
South’s comeback began in the top of the fifth. Kate Muntz led off the inning with a bunt single and scored from second one out later when Ella Wheeler singled to left. Allie Frank drew a two-out walk, and Maddie McClintock’s double to left pushed a pair of runs across. Riley Thies singled, and McClintock scored from third on an East miscue. Just like that it was a 6-5 game.
In the top of the sixth, the Titans went down in order, but their bats came alive in the seventh. With one out and nobody on base, McClintock, Theis (RBI), Kaitlyn Decker (RBI), Jackie Lieberman (RBI) and Maura Fleming (RBI) singled to put the Titans ahead 9-6.
“We strung those hits together and would take the extra base when they would throw home,” Rosini said. “We’d always have a runner in scoring position, and we kept hitting.”
McClintock led the way with a 3-for-4 day at the plate that included a double and two RBIs. Decker was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh. Thies was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.
Borkowski notched the complete game win, allowing four hits and six runs (unearned) while fanning 12.
For the Patriots, Sara Camposano was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Elizabeth Gray was 1-1 with two runs scored, three walks and five stolen bases.
Central Bucks South (1-0 SOL) will host Garnet Valley in a non-league game Tuesday, and Central Bucks East (1-4, 0-2) will host Villa Maria Academy in a non-league game Monday.
Central Bucks South 000 140 4 9-13-3
Central Bucks East 203 100 0 6-4-3
NORTH PENN 10, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 (6 innings)
Julia Shearer had herself a day.
After allowing her first and only run of the young season in a mercy rule win over Pennridge on Tuesday, the University of Maryland-bound senior started a new shutout streak, allowing just two hits while striking out 17 and walking none in a brilliant outing.
To put Shearer’s performance in perspective, consider only that of the 18 outs the Knights recorded, all were by strikeouts except one. Emily Anton’s groundout to first was the only putout the Knights’ defense had to make.
Shearer retired 11 in a row before Chloe Dryden collected a two-out single in the fourth. Sienna Lawson’s leadoff single in the sixth was the Bucks’ only other hit. Shearer fanned the next three batters to close out the game.
If that wasn’t enough, the Knights’ pitcher was 3-for-3 at the plate with a grand slam, stolen base, five RBIs and two runs scored.
The Knights staged a two-out rally in the second to put three runs on the board. Reyna Doherty and Cailin Halfpenny collected back-to-back singles, and Shearer walked to load the bases. All three runners scored when Sarah Sabocsik lined a double to center field.
That 3-0 lead held until the bottom of the sixth when the Knights erupted for six runs. Brie Wilmot set the tone for the big inning with a solo home run to center field to lead off the inning. Gianna Cimino followed with a single, and one out later, Bella Nunn was hit by a pitch. Doherty singled, and Halfpenny followed and singled home a run. Shearer blew the game wide with her grand slam to center that put the Knights on top 9-0. Shearer’s RBI single in the sixth brought an early end to the game.
Halfpenny (3-for-4, RBI, 2R) and Doherty (2-for-2, 2R) also contributed multi-hit games.
North Penn (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will host Owen J Roberts in a non-league game Friday, and Central Bucks West (2-1, 1-1) will travel to Quakertown for a non-league game Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 000 000 0-2-0
North Penn 030 061 10-14-1
SOL Liberty Division
QUAKERTOWN 7, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1
Abbey Wagner continued her mastery in the circle, notching her biggest win of the young season in Thursday’s showdown with the Colonials. The junior pitcher allowed four hits and one run while striking out nine and walking one
“This is a game where you tip your cap to Abbey Wagner as she was on today,” PW coach Mike Perez said. “She moved the ball really well and kept us off balance.”
The visiting Panthers opened up a 6-0 lead before the Colonials put a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. It was the first run Wagner’s allowed in four outings this season.
“We knew they were going to be a good hitting team – they have been so far this year, and she shut them down,” Quakertown coach Dave Scott said. “She did a really, really nice job.
“She did a really nice job of pitching ahead today. That was the key for her. She got ahead early in the count, and we were able to set up the hitters a little bit from there, so it worked out really well.”
It certainly didn’t hurt the visiting Panthers’ cause that they took an early lead. In the first, they put a pair of runs on the board without collecting a hit, capitalizing on two walks, two hit batters and an error.
Leah Schwalm’s two-out single in the second plated the Panthers’ third run.
“They were very fired up to play us – you could tell,” Scott said of the Colonials. “I think we took a little bit of their energy away when we scored early. We took advantage of an error.
“We had three or four two-out RBIs in the game, which was just huge for us, and it’s demoralizing to the other team when that happens, so that really helped us today.”
Quakertown scored three in the top of the third to go on top 6-0. Mary Wilkinson and Skyler Williams hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. It looked as though the Colonials might get out of the inning when Molly Moore retired the next two batters on strikeouts, but Ava Beal lined a two-out single to center to plate a run. Williams scored on a passed ball, and a third run crossed the plate on Katie Muller’s single to left.
In the bottom of the third, Marissa Perez led off with a single and moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt. Moore’s single to right plated Perez. That would be the extent of the scoring for the Colonials while the Panthers added a single run in the fifth.
“This was a good early test for us, and we felt pretty good after the game,” Scott said. “It was a good win, for sure.”
Beal had a productive day out of the leadoff spot, collecting three hits, driving in one run and scoring twice.
“She had a very nice day,” Scott said. “Honestly, she’s been struggling a little bit this year so far, and today she really came out of it, and she was just making great contact with the ball. I think she had a two-out RBI herself. She was on base and had a couple of stolen bases and just did the things we expect from her. She had a really nice game and really helped us get things set up.”
Williams and Muller each added a pair of hits.
A bright spot in the loss for the Colonials was the four-inning relief stint of Rian Reed, who allowed three hits and one run (unearned) while striking out six and walking none.
“Rian Reed came in to right the ship and pitched great, but we couldn’t wake the bats up,” Perez said. “We weren’t at our best early and just couldn’t climb out of the hole we dug for ourselves.
“Quakertown is a great team, and very well coached, and we’ll definitely learn from this one as we head into next week’s match up with Avon Grove.”
Quakertown (4-0 2-0 SOL) will host Neshaminy in a non-league game Monday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-2, 1-1) will travel to Avon Grove for a non-league game Tuesday.
Quakertown 213 010 0 7-8-1
Plymouth Whitemarsh 001 000 0 1-4-3
HATBORO-HORSHAM 14, ABINGTON 8
The Hatters pounded out 17 hits and scored in five of six innings on the way to their first win of the young season.
“Freshman Bella Karpovich got her first varsity win throwing a complete game today,” HH coach Jen Tooley said. “Amaya Lundy and Abby Waeltz made some sparks with back-to-back home runs. It was a good game with contributions from everyone.”
The visiting Ghosts put a run on the board in the top of the first, capitalizing on bunt singles by Leanna Schenk and Natalie Broskley. The Hatters answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning that included singles by Alyssa Tooley and Abby Waeltz (RBI) as well as an RBI double by Amya Lundy.
The Hatters’ four-run third inning was highlighted by back-to-back solo home runs by Lundy and Waeltz as well as an RBI double by Tooley.
Abington made it a 6-3 game with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning, thanks to a two-run home run to center by Lauren Everitt. The Hatters came right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning to go on top 9-3. They upped that lead to 13-3 only to see the Ghosts erupt for five runs in the fifth, but they would get no closer.
In Thursday’s slugfest, the two teams combined for 22 runs and 29 hits. There were contributors galore on both sides.
Tooley (3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBIs, 2R), Lundy (3-for-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBIs, 2R), Waeltz (3-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs, R) and Adriana DeLeon (3-for-4, 2R) led the Hatters 17-hit attack. Tess Kearney was 2-for-4 with two runs score.
For the Ghosts, Schenk (2-for-5, 3B, 2R), Everitt (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs, R), Hailey Hernandez (2-for-4, R) and Liz Hippel (2-for-4) had multi-hit games.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-2, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury for a non-league game Monday, and Abington (0-5, 0-3) will travel to Mount St. Joseph on Monday for a non-league game.
Abington 102 05 0 8-12-0
Hatboro-Horsham 243 401 x 14-17-1
UPPER DUBLIN 9, WISSAHICKON 0
The Cardinals were winners on and off the field on Thursday.
They took care of business in a shutout win over the visiting Trojans and also raised money for a worthy cause in memory of one of their own.
“This game was also tied in with our 1st annual Strike Out the Stigma event to promote mental health awareness in student-athletes,” UD coach Heather Boyer said. “Currently, the team has raised over $2,500 to support Abbey’s Bakery, a local non-profit organization committed to raising awareness for mental health.
“The organization was created to remember UDHS Class of 2024’s Abbey Wolf, a beloved friend and talented student-athlete (volleyball), who passed away on Nov. 7, 2020. Part of our event was inspired to raise money in her memory.”
On the diamond, Kyla Garrison was impressive, tossing a complete game four-hit shutout while striking out 15.
The Cardinals scored the only run she would need in the third but added plenty more.
Kaitlyn Small was 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in the fifth inning and an RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth inning. Bella Fiore had a big day at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. She contributed an RBI single in the fifth and a two-run single in the five-run sixth. Kaelin Penna was 2-for-4 with a double, two stolen bases, two runs scored and an RBI single in the sixth inning.
Upper Dublin (3-1, 1-1 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Friday, and Wissaickon (1-3, 0-1) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday.
Wissahickon 000 000 0 0-4-1
Upper Dublin 001 035 x 9-7-0
UD seniors (l-r) Lucy Ruppel, Paige Foley, Anna Levin, Kaelin Penna, Emeline Bell and Meredith McKenna (Courtesy of UD softball)
SOL Freedom Division
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 16, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 1 (3 innings)
The Spartans scored early and often on their way to the mercy rule win.
“It was great to get our first win of the season,” Spartans’ coach Heather Gelhaus said. “Every player contributed in some way today. Our starting lineup all had hits. It was great to come out strong and stay strong the whole game.”
The six-run first inning included a bases-clearing double to center by Taylor Schulz that brought three runs across and a two-run double to center by Nora Conlin. McKayla McKeever singled, and the Spartans were on the receiving end of three walks.
In the four-run second, the Spartans received singles from McKeever, Ashley Schulz and Charlotte Drapkin as well as a sacrifice fly from Taylor Schulz. Once again, they benefitted from three free passes.
The third inning featured singles by McKeever, Ashley Schulz (RBI), Conlin (RBI) and Joce Davis as well as a double by Kayla Parsons.
McKeever led the Spartans with a perfect 3-for-3 day out of the leadoff spot with three runs scored. Ashley Schulz was 2-for-2 with a double, RBI and three runs, Taylor Schulz was 1-for-1 with a double and four RBIs, and Conlin was 2-for-2 with a double, three RBIs and two runs. Parsons was 1-for-1 with a double and three runs scored. Ashley Jenkins scored three runs, and Emily West was 1-for-2 with two RBIs.
Ashley Schulz notched the win in the circle, allowing four hits and one run while striking out three and walking two.
Springfield Township (1-1 SOL) is off until Tuesday, April 11, when the Spartans will travel to Upper Moreland. New Hope-Solebury (1-2 SOL) will host Lower Moreland on Tuesday, April 11.
New Hope-Solebury 001 1-4-2
Springfield Twp 646 16-12-0
WILLIAM TENNENT 19, UPPER MORELAND 6 (5 innings)
The visiting Panthers opened up a 9-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second, and although the Golden Bears scored five in the bottom of the second, they could not silence the Panthers’ bats in the abbreviated contest.
Morgan Kocher led off the top of the first with a bunt single. One out later, Victoria Colagreco drew a walk. It looked like the Golden Bears would escape unscathed when the next batter was retired on a fly ball to left, but the Panthers had other ideas.
Lainey Scotese doubled to right, plating a pair. A hit batter and a UM miscue were followed by an RBI single by Alyssa Lewicki. Carlie Nydick singled, and Kocher – in her second at-bat of the inning – lined a double to center that scored a pair and gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead.
In the second, Colagreco laced a triple to left to lead off the inning, setting the stage for a two-run single by Scotese later in the inning. The Golden Bears never really threatened.
For the Panthers, Kocher had a huge day at the plate out of the leadoff spot, finishing the day 4-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and three runs scored. Colagreco was 3-for-4 with a triple, RBI and four runs while Scotese was 3-for-4 with a double, four RBIs and two runs scored. Anna Coulter was 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs, and Rylie O’Toole was 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored. Casey. Yacovelli was 1-for-2 with an RBI and run scored.
Nydick and O’Toole combined for the win in the circle, allowing five hits and six runs (one earned) while striking out five and walking three.
William Tennent (2-1, 2-0 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Tuesday, April 11, and Upper Moreland (2-2, 2-1) will be on the road at Upper Dublin Friday.
William Tennent 724 06 19-18-5
Upper Moreland 050 01 6-5-7
LOWER MORELAND 22, CHELTENHAM 4 (5 innings)
Lower Moreland pounded out 17 hits in a slugfest.
The Lions came out fast and furious, scoring 16 runs in the first inning.
Liz Neeld hit for the cycle to lead the charge with four runs and five RBIs. Sophia Azzarano was also perfect at the plate going 4-for-4 with two singles, two doubles, three runs, and four RBIs. Payton Lennon went 3-for-5 with one run and five RBIs. Isabella Ricciardi was on the mound, holding the Panthers to three hits, four runs, and seven strikeouts. She also helped the offensive cause with two hits, three runs, and one RBI. Jordyn MacPhee and Nikki Sahl each had one hit, two runs, and two RBIs. Juliet Yavas had one hit, three runs, and one RBI, and Delaney Arthur added one hit and one run.
Cheltenham scored three runs in the first inning and added one more in the 3rd. Sadie Leary, Keilah Reyes, and Tabitha Sterman each had one hit.
Lower Moreland (2-2, 1-1 SOL) will host Nazareth Academy in a non-league game Monday at 4 p.m. Cheltenham (1-2, 0-2) will travel to William Tennent on Tuesday, April 11.
Lower Moreland 16 1 1 0 4 22-17-2
Cheltenham 3 0 1 0 0 0 4-3-4
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