Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Thursday.
SOL Patriot/Colonial crossover
NORTH PENN 9, PENNSBURY 2
Bella Nunn came up big in the circle and at the plate.
The Knights’ senior pitcher, who took a shutout into the sixth inning, earned the complete game win. She also had a big day at the plate, contributing a pair of hits – including a home run – and three RBIs.
“Bella pitched another great game,” NP coach Rick Torresani said. “She threw a lot more pitches than she normally does, but she pitched really well considering that it started to rain and got windy and cold.
“She just pitched another great game, she had a couple of hits and drove in three runs. A big day for her.”
The Knights took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with Nunn and Casey Sokol both delivering RBI singles.
In the second, Izzy Tubertini lined a two-out triple to right field and scored on an error. Gianna Cimino’s RBI single plated a second run. Both were unearned, but the Knights led 4-0.
Tallie Smink’s RBI single in the third made it a 5-0 game, and in the fourth, Cimino delivered her second RBI single of the game. The Falcons put a run on the board in the top of the sixth, but Nunn got that back in a three-run bottom of the inning when she smashed a two-run home run through the wind to put the Knights on top 9-1. Sarah Orth, who singled, scored on Nunn’s blast.
“The weather that we had – the wind was blowing the opposite that it normally does,” Torresani said. “She really got ahold of it – it was opposite field.”
An RBI single by Pennsbury’s Anna Evanchik – who had two of her team’s hits – in the seventh closed out the scoring.
Also contributing multi-hit games for the Knights were Cimino (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 1R), Smink (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) and Tubertini (2-for-3, 2 R).
Torresani also credited the play of his outfielders.
“Because of the wind – they hit some fly balls, and we caught them all,” the Knights’ coach said. “I was really impressed with our outfield.”
North Penn (7-1, 4-1 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Monday, and Pennsbury (3-2, 2-1) will host Pennridge on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 000 001 1 2-6-4
North Penn 221 103 x 9-12-3
SOUDERTON 12, BENSALEM 4
Makayla Mihelcic had a big day for the Indians.
The senior catcher, who bats out of the nine hole, was the offensive catalyst, finishing a productive day 3-for-4 with a home run, double, four RBIs and a run scored.
“She settled in the box really well today,” Souderton coach Carol Atkinson. “She was very calm, very relaxed at the plate, and she went out and had two beautiful hits tonight – a two-run home run and a double.”
According to her coach, Mihelcic is also a steadying presence as part of Souderton’s battery.
“She’s very solid behind the plate,” Atkinson said. “Both my pitchers are very confident with her behind the plate.”
While Mihelcic ignited the Indians’ offense, senior McKenna Schroding and sophomore Skyler Byrnes once again split time in the circle. Schroding started and threw four innings, allowing four hits and three runs (two earned). She struck out six and walked four. Byrnes closed it out, allowing one run (unearned) while striking out five.
“McKenna started, and we figured – why not split the game again,” Atkinson said. “See what the two pitchers can do, and we’re not wearing them out. We’re giving them a couple of innings each, and they’re both doing a very good job of putting the ball where they need to.”
The Indians broke a scoreless tie with a six-run explosion in the top of the third. Madison Byrwa drew a leadoff walk, and Mihelcic ripped a home run to left for a 2-0 Souderton lead. Camryn Nadolski followed with a double, and Kendall Clemmer was hit by a pitch. Kathryn Jones singled to drive in a run, and then Kiera Fadden, who had another strong day at the plate, lined a two-run single to right field. An error and a sacrifice fly by Olivia Plinke gave the Indians a 6-0.
Bensalem plated an unearned run in the top of the third and added two more runs in the fourth – thanks to Megan Klein’s two-run double – to make it a 6-3 game.
Souderton capitalized on several Owl miscues to add a pair in the fifth. A four-run seventh was highlighted by Mihelcic’s two-run double to center field. The Owls tacked on a run in the seventh, but the day belonged to the Indians.
In addition to Mihelcic, Fadden had a big day, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored.
“She’s quite the little freshman – it is nice,” Atkinson said. “She is doing very well in our batting order, and she’s doing very well in the field. She’s a standout athlete all around.”
Also for the Indians, Jones was 2-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored. Plinke was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
For the Owls, Klein was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and one run scored.
Souderton (5-2, 2-2 SOL) will travel to North Penn on Monday, and Bensalem (1-4) be on the road at Bristol for a non-league game Friday.
Souderton 006 020 4 12-11-2
Bensalem 001 200 1 4-4-9
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH, NESHAMINY (Suspended)
Wednesday’s game was suspended after seven innings with the two teams deadlocked 11-11 and will be resumed at an undetermined date.
Central Bucks South (4-4, 3-2 SOL) will host Council Rock North on Tuesday, and Neshaminy (1-2) will be on the road at Conestoga for a non-league game Friday.
SOL Liberty/Freedom crossover
HATBORO-HORSHAM 8, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 0
New Hope-Solebury has turned heads with its strong run through the Freedom Division, and the Lions were a bit of a mystery to their opponents heading into crossover play.
“We were not sure what to expect playing New Hope,” said Hatters’ coach Jen Tooley, whose team rolled to a 22-2 win over the Lions last year. “We knew going in that this was not the same team from last year.”
The Lions certainly improved on last year’s showing, extending the game for seven innings, but Alyssa Tooley and Bella Karpowich proved to be all but unhittable in the circle, combining for 11 strikeouts in a two-hit shutout. Tooley started and threw four shutout innings, allowing one hit while striking out eight and walking four. Karpowich gave up one hit in three shutout innings, striking out three and walking none.
“Alyssa pitched well today,” coach Tooley said. “Bella Karpovich finished in the circle for us. Her mix of pitches were spot on, keeping them off balance.”
The Hatters erupted for six runs in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on several Lion miscues, a double from Kiersten Rimer and RBI singles by Karpovich, Maya Ravi and Cara Neeld.
“We have been working on approaches at the plate and the girls are executing,” Tooley said.
For the Lions, Dagny Mobley and Mabel Klossner, who split time in the circle, pitched well enough to win. The duo allowed just five hits and no earned runs. Klossner fanned nine in four innings to close out the game.
Hatboro-Horsham (4-1, 4-0 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday, and New Hope-Solebury (4-2, 3-1) will host Nazareth Academy in a non-league game Friday.
New Hope-Solebury 000 000 0 0-2-5
Hatboro-Horsham 060 020 x 8-5-0
UPPER DUBLIN 9, SPRINGFIELD TWP 5
The visiting Cardinals trailed by one heading into the fifth inning but scored five unanswered runs to close out the game. Madden Reilly – who was 4-for-5 in a glittering performance – was the catalyst in UD’s strong finish.
“We struggled early with a few baserunning miscues and signs that weren’t executed, but it was good to see several players step up and help to pick other players up to collect the win against an improved and well-coached Springfield team,” UD coach Heather Boyer said. “Madden Reilly was locked in and had an impressive day at the plate.
“Her RBI triple in the sixth and two-out, two-RBI single in the seventh were really important hits, and getting the timely hit with runners in scoring position is something we have been lacking, so seeing Madden step up and convert in both situations was terrific.”
Kyla Garrison earned the complete game win, allowing five hits and only one earned run while striking out 10 and walking a pair. She also had a pair of hits, including a leadoff triple to start the game.
“Kyla Garrison continues to demonstrate extraordinary focus, composure, and grit, not only by going 2-for-4 with a triple, but also collecting 10 Ks, five of those being late in the game,” Boyer said. “She struck out the side in a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth and struck out two of three in the seventh to end the game.”
Reilly’s 4-for-5 day included an RBI triple in the sixth, a double to lead off the third inning. Her four RBIs included a two-out, two-run single in the top of the seventh that gave the Cards a 9-5 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.
Kate Brannigan was 3-for-4 with an RBI single in the fifth inning.
“Kate Brannigan had a breakout game today at the plate with her 3-for-4 performance, including an RBI single in the fifth to tie the game back at 5-5,” Boyer said.
The Cardinals broke the tie with two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh.
For the Spartans, Ashley Schulz was 2-for-3 with an RBI double in the first. She scored a pair of runs.
“It was a hard-fought game until the end,” Springfield Twp coach Heather Gehlhaus said. “I am proud of the way our girls competed.
“Keira Brandon had a great game. She was clutch in the field making some big plays, one being a double play. Offensively she did well, going 1-for-2 and scoring two runs. Ashley Schulz pitched a great game. She really battled and competed out there. Ashley came up big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Charlotte Drapkin and Ani Axelrod also had RBIs. I am happy the way we are competing with these teams from the start of the game to the end.”
Upper Dublin (4-4, 2-4 SOL) will host Abington on Tuesday, and Springfield Twp (2-4) will travel to Quakertown on Tuesday.
Upper Dublin 202 012 2 9-8-2
Springfield Twp 130 100 0 5-5-1
UPPER MORELAND 9, ABINGTON 2
The Golden Bears bounced back from their first loss of the season to defeat the Ghosts, but the outcome of this one was still very much in doubt heading into the seventh inning. Upper Moreland had a tenuous 3-2 lead after six but erupted for six runs in the seventh to ice the win.
“I knew coming into today’s game we would need to play well to win, and our players continue to step up,” UM coach Melanie Martino said. “Most are varsity starters for the first time this year, and we couldn’t be more proud of how well they are doing.”
The Ghosts took an early 2-0 lead, plating a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the third inning. The Golden Bears responded with a three-run fifth inning to go on top by one. A two-out error opened the door for a pair of unearned runs. Stephanie Jones singled, and Kaylee Brown followed with an RBI double. Claire Walton’s two-run single gave the Bears a lead they would not lose.
The six-run seventh was highlighted by an RBI double from Kelly Bates, singles from Jones (RBI), Brown (RBI), Walton (RBI), Joslyn McCellan and Delaney Stout (2 RBIs).
Jones was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot for UM. Brown was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored, Walton was 2-for-3 with four RBIs, and Stout was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
“Stephanie Jones has really stepped up this year for us and has been so consistent in the field and at bat,” Martino said. “She led our offense today, going 3-for-4.
“Other big hits came from Kaylee Brown with a double and an RBI. Claire Walton, and Delaney Stout each with singles and two RBIs.”
Stout earned the complete game win, allowing five hits and two runs – both unearned – while striking out 12 and walking four.
“Delaney Stout has been showing such poise in the circle you don’t necessarily see in such a young pitcher, and it has been a game changer for us,” Martino said.
Sammi Clewell was 2-for-4 to lead the Ghosts.
Upper Moreland (7-1, 5-1 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon for a crossover game Friday, and Abington (2-5, 0-5) will be on the road at Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 000 030 6 9-13-2
Abington 002 000 0 2-7-2
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 15, CHELTENHAM 0 (4 innings)
Ava McEvoy and Rian Reed struck out 10 in a combined no-hitter, leading the Colonials to the abbreviated mercy rule win.
“I was very proud of Ava today,” PW coach Mike Perez said. “She got knocked around a little on Tuesday but came back today ready to go.
“Conditions were less than perfect with that wind, but the girls fought through it and continued to play their game.”
After McEvoy struck out the side in the top of the first, the Colonials went to work in the bottom of the inning, exploding for 13 runs. Marissa Perez led off the inning with a double, but that was followed by three straight walks in what turned out to be a preview of things to come. By the time the inning was over, the Colonials had drawn nine walks and also benefitted from a Lady Panther miscue.
Also in the inning, Joslyn Perez had two singles and one RBI while Marissa Perez picked up her second hit of the inning – an RBI single. Reed added an RBI single.
The Colonials added a run in the fourth to bring an early end to the game.
Marissa Perez (2-for-4, RBI, 2R) and Joslyn Perez (2-for-2, 2 RBIs, R) led the Colonials, who were on the receiving end of 15 walks.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-2, 4-1 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham Friday, and Cheltenham (0-6, 0-5) will host William Tennent on Friday.
Cheltenham 0-0-0 0 0-0-2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 13-1-9 1 15-6-0
QUAKERTOWN 16, LOWER MORELAND 0 (5 innings)
The Panthers were shut out in the first inning but made up for lost time with 16 runs over the next two innings to earn the mercy rule win.
Abbey Wagner and Ava Beal combined to face nine batters, retiring all nine and striking out eight of the nine in Thursday’s three-inning mercy rule win.
A six-run second inning included singles by Beal (RBI), Leah Schwalm (RBI), Kira Jefferson (RBI) and Mary Wilkinson (RBI). The Panthers also benefitted from two walks and one LM miscue.
The 10-run third was highlighted by the speedy Beal’s two-run inside-the-park home run as well as triples from Skyler Williams (RBI) and Madison Mallery (2 RBIs).
Schwalm’s 3-for-3 day at the plate included two RBIs and led the Panthers’ 12-hit effort. Beal was 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Williams was 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored, and Wagner helped her own cause with a 2-for-2 effort and two RBIs.
In the circle, Wagner earned the win with two perfect innings, striking out five. Beal threw a 1-2-3 third, striking out the side.
Quakertown (6-0, 4-0 SOL) will host Pennridge in a non-league game at Veterans Park on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Lower Moreland (1-5, 1-4) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday in a crossover game.
Quakertown 0-6-10 16-12-0
Lower Moreland 0-0-0 0-0-3
WILLIAM TENNENT 18, WISSAHICKON 2 (3 innings)
The Panthers erupted for eight runs in the first inning and scored 10 more in the second on their way to the abbreviated mercy rule win.
Highlights of the eight-run first included an RBI double by Victoria Colagreco and singles by Rylie O’Toole (2 RBIs) and Taylor Mazzoni. The Panthers also capitalized on a Trojan miscue, five walks and a hit batter.
Sydney Teufel’s two-run double highlighted the 10-run second inning.
Colagreco (2-for-2, 2B, 3 RBIs, 2R) and Mazzoni (2-for-2, RBI, 2R) were the lone Panthers with multiple hits. Teufel was 1-for-2 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored, and O’Toole was 1-for-1 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Jamie Green was 1-for-1 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
Katie LaPlaunt earned the win in the circle, allowing two hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out two and walking two in three innings.
William Tennent (5-1, 4-1 SOL) is off until next Thursday when the Panthers will host Quakertown. Wissahickon (3-6, 1-4) will host Upper Moreland Friday.
Wissahickon 0-0-2 2-2-2
William Tennent 8-10-x 18-8-3
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