Check out the results of SOL softball teams in action. Photos of the Neshaminy/Bensalem game are courtesy of Jess Garber and can be viewed at the following link: http://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p617536738. Check the gallery of Keith Clemens’ photos of the CB West/Quakertown game…CLICK HERE.
National Conference
ABINGTON 5, PENNSBURY 2
The Ghosts earned an impressive win in their season opener, rallying for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie.
“Any time you beat a Pennsbury team is a big win, especially the first game of the season,” coach Ellie White said. “They always have a very good team, and Frank (McSherry) is a good coach. He knows what he’s doing, and any time you can beat them and get them the first game of the year – it’s huge.
“The girls were just having fun playing. They just like being out there and being together.”
After the Falcons got on the scoreboard with a run in the third, the Ghosts responded with a pair in the bottom of the inning. Meg Burdziak and Toni Washington opened the frame with back-to-back singles, and both scored on a double by Nicolette Ray.
The Falcons knotted the score with a run in the fifth, but the Ghosts won it with a three-run sixth inning. Ray led off the inning with a single, and Aubrey Catalidi followed with a walk. Olivia Bernstein's RBI single gave the Ghosts a 3-2 lead, and then it was Tori Brandenberger delivering an RBI single. An error on Devin Rossi’s grounder to short allowed a third run to cross the plate.
Ray closed it out with a scoreless seventh to earn the complete game win. The Ghosts’ senior hurler allowed seven hits and fanned eight and did not walk a batter.
Olivia Bernstein had a big day at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Ray was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored.
Abington (1-0 SOL) is scheduled to play a non-league game at Central Bucks South on Friday, and Pennsbury (0-1) will host Council Rock North on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 001 010 0 2
Abington 002 003 x 5
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 6, HARRY S TRUMAN 4
The Golden Hawks welcomed Stephanie Andreoli back into their lineup for Thursday’s SOL opener, and the junior hurler – relegated to the role of flex player – picked up the win in the circle, allowing four hits while fanning nine and walking two.
Andreoli had been sidelined with a severe ankle sprain, and coach Greg Heydet is looking forward to getting her bat back into his lineup.
“We have been without her in our scrimmages and our first game,” the Golden Hawks’ coach said. “We have to get Stephanie ready to hit next week.”
Phylicia Wilkov had a big day at the plate for the Hawks with a 2-for-4 effort that included a pair of doubles and one RBI. Dolores Bowers also contributed a double and RBI, and the two had back-to-back doubles in a four-run third that put the Golden Hawks on top 5-0.
The Tigers plated two runs in the third and two more in the fourth to make it a 5-4 game, but the Golden Hawks tacked on an insurance run in the sixth for the 6-4 final.
“There wasn’t really too much to write home about,” Heydet said. “We got key hits at the right time.”
For the Golden Hawks, the win came on the heels of a 9-0 loss at the hands of Central Bucks West in their season opener last week.
“Today we finally came back together, and that was a good sign,” said Heydet, whose team was shorthanded in the loss to West. “They scored runs off of us in the third and fourth innings with errors, and we held it together after that. We have a busy week next week with three games, but it’s good to get a win after that embarrassing 9-0 loss.”
Council Rock South (1-1, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Upper Dublin on Monday for a non-league contest, and Harry S Truman (0-2, 0-1) will be on the road at Hatboro-Horsham on Monday.
Council Rock South 014 001 0 6-8-5
Harry S Truman 002 200 0 4-4-5
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 6, WILLIAM TENNENT 1
The Indians pounded out 13 hits, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Kalli Segal’s RBI single. They never looked back on their way to the win in Thursday’s opener for both squads.
Sabrina Crane ignited the Indians out of the leadoff spot with a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate that included two doubles and three runs scored. Hannah Stalker added three hits while Nicole Rounsavill and Taylor Amazeen both added a pair of hits as the Indians pounded out 13 hits.
“It didn’t seem like that many because we didn’t hit the way I feel we’re capable of,” coach John Engelhardt said.
Amanda Camp earned the win in the circle, allowing five hits and one run in five innings. She struck out six – fanning the side in the second – and did not walk a batter. Freshman Jenna Khantzian, who had not practiced for several days because of illness, made her high school debut in the sixth. She fanned three and did not allow a hit.
“She didn’t practice all week,” Engelhardt said of his Virginia Tech commit. “I didn’t expect her to pitch today, but she is a bulldog.
“She said, ‘Can I go warm up? Can I throw?’ I watched her throw and she looked great, so I wanted to get her out there. Jenna is the real deal.”
Council Rock North (1-0 SOL) is scheduled to travel to Mount St. Joseph Academy on Saturday for an 11 a.m. non-league contest. William Tennent (0-1) will host Cheltenham in a non-league game on Friday.
William Tennent 000 010 0 1
Council Rock North 102 012 x 6
NESHAMINY 8, BENSALEM 6
The Redskins broke a 6-6 tie with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to eke out a win over the pesky Owls. Olivia Zaino opened the inning with a single, and Hunter Hart delivered an RBI single in an inning that also included a walk and error.
Hart finished a productive day at the plate 3-for-4 with a triple and four RBIs. Alexis Watkins was 2-for-3 with a home run, and Zaino was 2-for-4.
The Redskins led 5-2 after a four-run second, but the Owls scored two in the third and one in the fourth to make it a one-run game. The two teams exchanged runs in the fourth, and the Owls knotted the score with a run in the fifth.
Meg Nally had a big day at the plate for the Owls, finishing 2-for-4 with a double. Erin McVicar added a double.
Sophomore Amber Brugger earned the win, allowing six hits and three earned runs.
Neshaminy (1-0 SOL) will host Abington Tuesday, and Bensalem (1-1, 0-1) will travel to Little Flower for a non-league game Monday.
Bensalem 022 110 0 6-6-3
Neshaminy 140 102 x 8-8-3
Continental Conference
SOUDERTON 5, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
By Kyle Morhardt for SuburbanOneSports.com
The Hatboro-Horsham Hatters traveled to league rivals Souderton for the opening game of league play for both teams. The game was deadlocked for a significant portion of the contest due to excellent pitching performances by Alex Scheeler of Souderton and Taylor Scuibba of Hatboro-Horsham.
The standout pitching performances for both sides led to a scoreless first five innings. Scheeler – who induced one ground ball after another out of the Hatters – also kept the Hatters off the scoreboard in the sixth and the seventh, finishing the game with three strikeouts, two hits yielded in a shutout performance.
Souderton made a sixth inning surge off the back of a mishap by the Hatters defensively in a rundown situation after the Indians’ leadoff batter – Savannah Bostwick – was safe when her bunt was misplayed to open the inning.
“I think bunting helps the batter see the ball a little better, and I think that gives the confidence to the girls knowing that if one can do it, the next can,” Souderton coach Steph Rummel said. “A lot of Souderton softball is all about rolling, and it’s going from one player to the next and building on that. I think they did a really good job of doing that.”
Angie Carty made the Hatters’ miscues hurt when she ripped a triple down the right field line that sent the winning run across the plate.
“Rummel told us, “Savannah’s bunting, and if she gets the bunt down, Ang, you’re bunting,’” Carty said. “Sav got the bunt down, which was awesome. She got in a pickle and was safe, and it just boosted our confidence in general.
“I went up to bat, and she doesn’t give me the bunt sign – all right, I’ll come out swinging. It felt good. It was a clean hit, and it opened the gate for the whole team. It picked them all back up.”
Carty’s triple came on the heels of a double earlier in the game.
“My first hit was between left and center, so they were totally shifting on me,” she said. “I waited on the ball and drove it to right.”
Souderton went on to score four more runs that inning from a two RBI single by Alyssa McCormick, a passed ball, and a groundout that led to another score. Scheeler did the rest, retiring the Hatters in the seventh.
“This is awesome right out of the gate, winning and shutting them down,” Carty said. “We held each other up the entire game, and in the last inning when we picked it up completely, that was awesome.”
Souderton was led offensively by Angie Carty who went 2-for-3 on the day, with a double and an RBI triple to score the winning run.
“Ang (Carty) really stepped up today,” Rummel said. “But it was a total team effort. We did well in the field, and Alex did a great job. I liked it.”
Although the ended in Souderton’s favor, it has to be noted that Hatboro-Horsham’s pitcher Taylor Scuibba had a remarkable day in the circle. Scuibba finished the outing with 15 strikeouts.
Souderton (1-0 SOL) will travel to Quakertown on Tuesday, and Hatboro-Horsham (2-1, 0-1) will host Villa Maria on Friday.
Hatboro-Horsham 000 000 0 0-2-4
Souderton 000 005 x 5-5-1
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 5, QUAKERTOWN 2
Angelina Sherba got the job done in the circle and at the plate. The Bucks’ hurler earned the complete game win, allowing four hits and two earned runs while walking three and striking out three.
She also was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Sherba’s two-run double highlighted a three-run uprising in the first inning for the Bucks. West led 4-0 after two innings, tacking on a second inning run when Cara Hatzinger delivered an RBI double.
The Panthers made it a 4-1 game with a single run in the third, but the Bucks got that run back in the fourth, thanks to Hatzinger’s second RBI of the game.
Hatzinger finished the day 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.
Meghan Klee’s double was the Panthers’ lone extra base hit. Alyssa Wilkinson and Paige Mott both contributed RBIs.
Wilkinson absorbed the loss in the circle, allowing seven hits and three earned runs. She struck out six and walked two.
Central Bucks West (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Palisades for a non-league game on Friday, and Quakertown (2-1, 0-1) will host Souderton on Tuesday.
Quakertown 001 000 1 2-4-2
Central Bucks West 310 100 x 5-7-0
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 6, PENNRIDGE 1
The visiting Rams managed just three hits off a pair of Patriot hurlers, and after Pennridge plated a run in the top of the first inning, the game belonged to East.
Theresa Haug earned the win in the circle, allowing three hits and one run in four innings. She struck out two and walked one. Kayla Ventura did not allow a hit in three scoreless innings to close it out. She struck out three and did not walk a batter.
The Patriots took a lead they would not lose with three runs in the first. They added two more in the second and a single run in the third for the 6-1 final.
Senior Brady Tillotson was 2-for-3 with a triple, three RBIs and a run scored. Freshman Hailey Aspinwall was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base out of the leadoff spot, and freshman Alyssa Catron was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored. Theresa Haug also was credited with an RBI.
Central Bucks East (1-0 SOL) will host William Tennent in a non-league contest Monday, and Pennridge (3-1, 0-1) will host Central Bucks West on Tuesday.
Pennridge 100 000 0 1-3-4
Central Bucks East 321 000 x 6-7-2
American Conference
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 8, WISSAHICKON 3
The Spartans and Trojans combined for 24 hits in Thursday’s slugfest, and it was the Spartans holding the advantage in hits – with 14 – as well as on the scoreboard.
Mary Kate Smith (3-for-5, run scored) and Jenn Hammons (3-for-5, 2B, 2 runs) led the Spartans’ offensive attack. Gabby Gaskin added two hits, including a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Amanda Staroba was 2-for-4 with one RBI. Julianna Gaul and Shey Lozada each had an RBI.
For the Trojans, Michaela Coleman was a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored. Macey Segal was 2-for-4 with a triple, RBI and run scored. Destini Paige also had a triple. Andrea Mazurek contributed an RBI.
The Trojans took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and held that lead until the Spartans got on the board with a single run in the top of the fourth. They seized control of the game with a four-run fifth and added three more runs over the final two innings.
Hammons earned the win in the circle, allowing 10 hits and also fanning 10 while walking three. Halle Segal absorbed the loss, striking out seven and walking two.
Wissahickon (0-1 SOL) will host Wilson in a non-league contest Saturday (1 p.m.). Springfield (1-0) will host Norristown on Tuesday.
Springfield 000 142 1 8-14 -0
Wissahickon 200 001 0 3-10-0
UPPER MERION 20, CHELTENHAM 2 (5 innings)
The Vikings looked every bit the part of the defending champions they are, scoring early and often in an abbreviated mercy rule win over the archrival Lady Panthers. They scored four runs in the top of the first, and after the Lady Panthers answered with a run in the bottom of the frame, they added three runs in the second and seven in the third on their way to the big win.
There were more than a few offensive heroes for the Vikings. Dez Kandy had a triple and grand slam, finishing the day with six RBIs. Micaela Ghanayem had two triples, a double and four RBIs. Nicole Kowalski added a double to the Vikings’ hit parade.
All told, the Vikings had 15 hits.
Olivia Sborlini fanned 10 in five strong innings in the circle, allowing four hits and two runs.
Upper Merion (1-0 SOL) will host Methacton on Monday in a non-league contest. Cheltenham (1-1, 0-1) will travel to William Tennent for a non-league game Friday.
Upper Merion 437 06 20
Cheltenham 100 01 2
UPPER DUBLIN 10, NORRISTOWN 0 (5 innings)
Rebecca Matricardi did not allow a hit in four shutout innings in the mercy rule win, fanning seven and walking none in a winning effort. Tara Monaghan threw a scoreless inning in the fifth, allowing one hit while walking one.
Offensive highlights for the winning Cardinals, who collected 14 hits, included Jackie McMenamin’s 3-for-4 effort that included a triple, four runs scored, one RBI and a stolen base. Sarah Tannenbaum was 4-for-4 with four runs scored, a triple and two RBIs. Meghan Muth was 2-for-4 with four RBIs.
The Cardinals scored a pair of runs in the first inning and added two more in the second, thanks to Muth’s two-run double. They put the game out of reach with a four-run fourth on their way to the decisive win.
Upper Dublin (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will host Council Rock South in a non-league game Monday. Norristown (1-1, 0-1) will host Penn Wood on Friday in a non-league contest.
Upper Dublin 220 42 10
Norristown 000 00 0
UPPER MORELAND 4, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2
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