Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action Monday.
National Conference
WILLIAM TENNENT 7, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 5
The Panthers erupted for four runs in the first inning only to watch the visiting Golden Hawks rally to knot the score. The score was still deadlocked 5-5 heading into the bottom of the sixth when the Panthers plated a pair to take a lead they would not lose.
“It’s a conference win, and when you win the conference, they’re hard earned wins,” Tennent coach Biz Keeny said. “We’ve got to be better in the middle innings from a standpoint – you put a four-spot up, and you have to build on it.
“I was disappointed with that, and I didn’t think our approaches were good. We had some people on, and I thought we got stagnant with the bats, but overall, I’m pleased with the hitting. Give South a lot of credit. They battled back. They did a good job of getting back in the game. It was a good game.”
The Golden Hawks scored a run in the top of the first, but the Panthers had an immediate answer in the bottom of the inning. Kate Clark’s RBI single plated Marissa Govan, who led off the inning with a triple, and Jocelyn Flores delivered a two-run single. By the time the inning was over, Tennent led 4-1.
Rock South chipped away, scoring two in the fourth and one in the fifth to knot the score 4-4. Tennent went on top in the bottom of the inning when Jackie Heim smashed a solo home run. Again, the Golden Hawks had an answer, scoring a single run in the top of the sixth.
In the bottom of the inning, Govan jumpstarted the Panthers with a leadoff double, and she crossed the plate with the go-ahead run when Brianna Koonce delivered an RBI triple. The Panthers tacked on an insurance run when Heim followed with an RBI double, and Tennent had a 7-5 lead it would not lose.
Govan finished the game 3-for-4 with a double and triple while Koonce was 2-for-3 with a triple and RBI. Heim also was 2-for-3 with a double, home run and three RBIs, and Flores was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Reilly Dougherty also doubled in a contest that saw the Panthers collect six extra-base hits.
“We’re doing a good job of using the entire field,” Keeny said. “When you look at the number of extra base hits we had – we didn’t just pull everything. We were right center, we were left center, and we had one down the left field line.
“That’s a positive thing we’ve been doing pretty well. The negative was we got up 4-1 and we didn’t build. A lot of it was our approach. We had runners on, and in this conference, you’ve got to score.”
Sabrina Dobron was 3-for-4 with a double and RBI to lead Rock South. Phylicia Wilkov was 2-for-4, and Melanie Wilkinson hit a home run.
Kalisi Taufalele earned the win in the circle.
William Tennent (3-2, 2-1 SOL) will be on the road at Neshaminy on Wednesday, and Council Rock South (2-2, 2-1) is off until next Monday when the Golden Hawks will host Norristown in a non-league contest.
Council Rock South 100 211 0 5
William Tennent 400 012 x 7
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4, HARRY S TRUMAN 3
The Indians managed just five hits, but it was enough to plate four runs and make a winner out of Amanda Camp in the circle. The Tigers didn’t go down quietly, scoring two runs in the seventh to make it interesting. Only one of Truman’s three runs off Camp – who struck out four – was earned.
The Indians scored two runs in the first and added two more in the second but did not score the rest of the way.
“(We) hit the ball hard but right at Truman fielders,” Rock North coach John Engelhardt said.
The Tigers scored a run in the second, and the Indians took a 4-1 lead into the seventh inning when the Tigers came roaring back.
Hannah Stalker led the Indians’ attack with a pair of doubles. Sabrina Crane also had a double.
Council Rock North (3-0, 3-0 SOL) is off until next Tuesday when the Indians will be on the road at Abington. Harry S Truman (0-6, 0-3) will host Pennsbury on Tuesday.
Council Rock North 220 000 0 4
Harry S Truman 010 000 2 3
Continental Conference
PENNRIDGE 3, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1
Abby Chandler’s two-run home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie and propelled the Lady Rams to the impressive road win.
“I’m ecstatic right now,” coach Carol Atkinson said. “They’re doing outstanding right now.
“They had a big win Friday against Truman, and now going on to beat Central Bucks South – I think we started a little low, and I think we’re getting higher and higher.”
Pennridge broke a scoreless tie with a run in the fifth inning when Grace McGinley delivered an RBI single, plating Larissa Motts who had singled. The Titans got that run back in the top of the sixth.
In the bottom of the inning, Kailyn Bell singled, setting the stage for Chandler’s late game heroics.
“Our girls came out hitting today,” said Atkinson, whose team collected 10 hits. “That was the key.
“We haven’t been hitting in the first two (conference) games, and today we hit. Two hours of batting practice this weekend helped.”
Motts (2-for-4, double, one run) and McGinley (2-for-3, one RBI) turned in the only multi-hit efforts of the day.
Meghan Johnson was not involved in the decision but gave the Lady Rams four solid innings in the circle, allowing one hit and no runs while fanning one and walking three. Meghan Bauer closed it out and earned the win, allowing two hits and one run (unearned) while striking out one and walking none.
“We changed things up today,” Atkinson said. “We changed our whole starting lineup and threw a different pitcher in.
“(Johnson) is a senior, and she did well against them. We wanted to keep the momentum instead of giving them a chance to start hitting, and it worked out well.
“We have a big game tomorrow (against Souderton), and confidence is very high.”
Alexis McConomy absorbed the loss for the Titans.
Pennridge (4-2, 1-2 SOL) will be on the road at Souderton on Tuesday, and Central Bucks South (3-2, 1-2) will host Central Bucks East on Tuesday.
Pennridge 000 012 0 3-10-1
Central Bucks South 000 001 0 1-3-0
NORTH PENN 4, QUAKERTOWN 1
‘Play in the present.’
According to junior Bri Battavio, that’s just one of many sayings the North Penn Maidens have made their own this season. So when the visiting Panthers plated an unearned run in the top of the fourth, the Maidens didn’t dwell on it. They went out and scored two in the bottom of the inning.
“Any time an error happens – we say ‘It’s all right – next play, you’ve got it,’” Battavio said. “Errors happen.”
It’s how teams respond to errors that matters most, and the Maidens’ immediate response was especially impressive since it came with two outs when it looked as though the Panthers – who committed an error of their own – might escape unscathed.
Freshman Elia Namey ripped the first pitch she saw to the fence in left center for a double that plated a pair of runs.
“That was very important,” Battavio said. “We wanted to jump on them early, and we did a great job of coming back.
“Elia had a beautiful hit with two outs, and everybody is just producing. We’re coming together as a team, and it’s working out.”
A change in the lineup, according to coach Rick Torresani, may have been just what the doctor ordered for Elia.
“She was playing first for us, and it was affecting her at the plate being a freshman,” the Maidens’ coach said. “So I said ‘Let’s move Kariam (Bou) to first, which is her natural position, and I said, ‘Just sit and watch and you’re going to hit. Just relax and hit for us.’
“That’s what we did the last two games, and the last two games she’s gotten big hits for us.”
If the Maidens needed insurance, they got it, benefitting from four Panther miscues to tack on a pair of runs in the fifth.
Battavio, after biding her time behind Jackie Bilotti for two years, is making the most of her opportunity in the circle.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “Jackie taught me a lot last year. She’s a very good friend and a very good teammate, and she’s taught me a lot.”
Battavio allowed just three hits and no earned runs, fanning three and walking four.
“Bri had a rocky start the second game where she couldn’t find her spots, but she’s getting better and better,” Torresani said. “She has good speed, and it’s just a matter of game time now for her.
“She just needs to pitch. The other day against Haverford (a 4-3 win) we played flawless defense. Today except for the one inning we did well. I preach to them playoff softball which is good defense, good pitching and clutch hitting and capitalizing on the other team’s mistakes, and that’s what we did today.”
The Panthers lone run came when Lauren Beal, who singled to lead off the fourth, scored on Megan Johnson’s sacrifice fly to center field.
Alyssa Wilkinson absorbed the loss despite allowing no earned runs and just four hits. She struck out six and did not walk a batter.
North Penn (3-1, 2-1 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks West on Tuesday, and Quakertown (4-2, 1-2) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham.
“There have been many shocks about who has beaten who this year,” Battavio said. “So every game we come out not underestimating any team and knowing we have to try our hardest.
“I know with CB East (an 8-2 loss) we didn’t do the best we could, but since then, we’ve practiced very hard to have the great game we had tonight.”
Quakertown 000 100 0 1-3-5
North Penn 000 220 x 4-3-3
Non-league
NESHAMINY 10, VILLA MARIA 2
The Redskins scored three runs in the first and never looked backed on their way to a milestone win for coach Dave Chichilitti. Monday’s non-league win was the 100th for the sixth year coach.
“It’s 100 wins for the program, and I think it speaks volumes to the girls who I’ve had an opportunity to coach and the amazing athletes I’ve had,” Chichilitti said. “My support system, my assistant coaches – Ed Miller and Jim Petrino have been with me since the beginning, my family, the administration. I have a great support system, and it’s my pleasure to have this job. It’s awesome.”
Chichilitti came to Neshaminy after working with Mike Lalli at Bristol for five years. He led the ‘Skins to the state semifinals in his first year at the helm, and in 2013 took the Redskins to the state title game.
“From humble beginnings,” Chichilitti said. “The jayvee coach from Bristol – I learned the game from Mike, and that’s all part of the support system too.”
Mackensie Compton singled to lead off the top of the first, and Olivia Zaino followed with a single. Sophie Beretski’s two-run double spotted the ‘Skins a quick 2-0 lead, and Hunter Hart’s sacrifice fly to center put the Redskins on top 3-0.
The Hurricanes got one of those runs back in the bottom of the inning, but by the time they scored again, the Redskins led 5-1. Any doubts about the outcome were put to rest in a fifth inning that was highlighted by an RBI triple by Natalie Rios as well as RBI singles by Devan Masciulli, Rebecca Dixon and Jess Mount.
All told, the Redskins pounded out 11 hits off Villa ace Maddie Abbott.
The ‘Skins one, two and three hitters – Compton, Zaino and Beretski – each had a pair of hits. Zaino scored three runs, and Beretski had three RBIs. Hart, who doubled in a two-run third, also had three RBIs.
“The top of the lineup was very good,” Chichilitti said. “They produced a lot of runs. Everybody had a great day.”
Sarah Dowalo was credited with the win, fanning six in three innings while allowing no earned runs. Cailynn Seely allowed one run in one inning in the circle, and Amber Brugger closed it out with three scoreless innings, fanning three.
“I had a chance to use everybody and give everybody an opportunity,” Chichilitti said.
Neshaminy (4-0, 2-0 SOL) will host William Tennent on Wednesday.
Neshaminy 302 050 0 10-11-1
Villa Maria 100 100 0 2-5-2
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 17, NORRISTOWN 5 (6 innings)
Emma Dryden led off the game with a home run, the first of 22 hits for the streaking Bucks who led from wire to wire. Angelina Sherba’s two-run double in the third put the visiting Bucks on top 3-0, but the Eagles rallied to knot the score in the bottom of the inning.
Both teams scored two runs in the fourth inning, but that 5-5 tie was short lived. The Bucks exploded for nine runs in the fifth and brought an early end to the game with three runs in the sixth. Highlights of the Bucks’ nine-run uprising in the fifth were a three-run home by Shannon Stewart and a two-run homer by Cara Hatzinger.
Only a triple separated Dryden from hitting for the cycle as she finished with three hits, including a home run and double. Hatzinger needed only a double for the cycle as she had a home run, triple and single. Abby Morrison led the Bucks with four hits, including a pair of doubles. Sherba also had a pair of doubles and finished with three hits. Maddie Fisher contributed three singles while Stewart had a pair of hits, including a home run. Sam Trafford chipped in with a pair of singles, and Grace Dryden had a triple and single.
For the Eagles, Isabel Rivera was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Hannah Evanik was 2-for-2 with a run. Amy Iorio was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs.
Kelly Cyliax threw four innings and earned the win for the Bucks, allowing five hits while striking out four and walking three. Shannon Stewart tossed two scoreless innings to close it out, fanning six and walking none while allowing no hits.
Central Bucks West (5-0, 3-0 SOL) will host North Penn on Tuesday, and Norristown (2-3, 0-2) will host Cheltenham on Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 102 293 17-22-1
Norristown 003 200 5-5-3
SAINT BASIL 10, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 3
The Spartans collected 10 hits in Monday’s non-league game, but they were doomed by an eight-run outburst by the Panthers in the fourth inning that turned a one-run lead into a nine-run advantage and a 10-1 lead for the host Panthers.
Jenn Hammons led the Spartans’ attack with a 3-for-4 effort that included a double, RBI and run scored. Leadoff batter Mary Kate Smith was 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Gabby Gaskin contributed a double and RBI.
Springfield (2-1, 2-0 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Wednesday.
Springfield 001 000 2 3-10-0
Saint Basil 101 800 x 10-14-0
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