Check out the results for SOL volleyball teams in action Thursday. Tennent/CB South photos provided courtesy of Diana Leferovich. Check back for a gallery of action photos.
SOL National Conference
HARRY S TRUMAN 7, BENSALEM 3
The Owls opened up a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. By the time they scored again, the Tigers – who went ahead during a four-run fourth – led 7-2 on their way to their first win.
“It was a total team win,” coach Lisamarie Belmonte said. “Even though Bensalem scored two runs in the first inning, we never gave up. We just kept coming back.
“We scored four runs in the fourth, and from there on, it was just pedal to the floor, and it was game time.”
Pitcher Hailey Carter did not issue a walk in the complete game win.
“My pitcher threw her best game of the season so far this year,” Belmonte said. “Siyah Navarro played stellar defense to keep us in the game on multiple occasions.”
Chrissie Huhn led the Tigers with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, which included two RBIs and two runs scored. Vanessa Tancini scored three runs and also stole three bases, and Kailea Heston had a pair of RBIs.
The Tigers, who knotted the score 2-2 in the third inning, took a lead they would not lose in a four-run fourth.
“This whole week at practice we’ve been talking about coming together as a team and how we just need to gel together as one unit and work together for the good of the team and to understand what it’s like to win for once,” Belmonte said. “They came out and they felt it, and the vibe was great.
“This win was huge for us. I know that Bensalem beat Pennsbury this week. I told the girls, ‘If we pick up a win here, this is going to be a huge momentum boost for next week’s games and going into the rest of the season. Don’t sell us short. We’re in it – we’re in it to have fun, and we’re definitely in it to be competitive.”
Angelia Micalizzi led the Owls with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate.
Harry S Truman (1-3, 1-1 SOL) will be on the road at Abington on Tuesday, and Bensalem (2-3, 1-3) will travel to Lansdale Catholic on Friday for a non-league game.
Bensalem 200 000 1 3-6-5
Harry S Truman 002 401 x 7-4-2
NESHAMINY 15, PENNSBURY 4
Amber Brugger led off the game with a solo home run, and one out later, Natalie Rios slugged a round tripper, serving notice that the Redskins brought their bats to Thursday’s rivalry game.
“That kind of sets the tone,” Neshaminy coach Dave Chichilitti said.
By the time the game was over, the Redskins had pounded out 17 hits and put 15 runs on the board.
Although the final score might suggest otherwise, it was anybody’s game until the Redskins exploded for six runs in the sixth and then added two more in the top of the seventh.
The Redskins took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the third when junior Karli Haines ripped a two-out bases-clearing double that closed the gap to a 4-3 Neshaminy lead.
“We made a mistake, and Haines gets a huge hit,” Chichilitti said.
The Falcons added a single run in the fourth to tie the game 4-4, but a three-run fifth that included singles from Natalie Rios, Liana Jones, Amanda Kurtz, Hallie Duffy and Victoria Smith gave the Redskins a lead they would not lose.
“We came back out in the fifth and were like, ‘They have the momentum, but we’re not going to let that happen,’” Chichilitti said. “Until the sixth inning, that was a Neshaminy-Pennsbury rivalry game.
“We just happened to be able to pound out a bunch of hits in the fifth and sixth inning. When you look up and down your lineup and everyone one through 10 has a hit, you know you’ve had a good day.”
Rios was 3-for-5 with two RBIs, and Paige Metz was 3-for-3 with a double and four RBIs to lead the Redskins. Duffy was 2-for-2 with an RBI, Alexis Watkins was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Victoria Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
For the Falcons, Arden Rabiger was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Sarah Dowalo notched the complete game win, allowing four hits and no earned runs. She fanned seven.
Neshaminy (7-1, 3-0 SOL) will host Wilson in a non-league game on Saturday, and Things won’t get any easier for Pennsbury (0-5, 0-2) – the Falcons will compete in the Mount St. Dominic’s Tournament on Saturday.
Neshaminy 211 038 15
Pennsbury 003 100 4
SOL Continental Conference
WILLIAM TENNENT 2, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
Senior Kayla Finkelstein scattered six hits and did not walk a batter, and the Panthers’ defense was flawless behind her. It added up to a huge win over a Titans squad that had not lost in three games this season.
“Our defense was just tremendous, and my pitching was solid,” coach Deanna Myers said. “It was a huge win.
“We didn’t hit, but the defense was on today. I was very happy with my defense, I was very happy with my pitching. That kept us in the game. CB South didn’t hit like they normally do.”
The Panthers scored two runs in the fourth – all without the benefit of a hit. Brianna Koonce, who was hit by a pitch, scored on a passed ball for the first run, which turned out to be the game winner.
“We just capitalized on the errors,” Myers said. “We put the ball in play, and that’s what happens sometimes.”
The Titans put their leadoff runner on board in the seventh, but with one out, Koonce fielded a line drive at third and – with the Titan runner breaking – threw to first baseman Devon Fithian, who dug it out of the dirt for a game-ending double play.
For seven innings, the Panthers threw some leather at the Titans.
“My shortstop, Hannah Reimel, had a really good game – it was flawless,” Myers said. “She had one really nice play on a ball in the shortstop-third gap, and she picked it and made a play at first base. She was just on today.”
Katie Hines led the Titans with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.
Kylie Kenney pitched well enough to win, allowing just two hits and no earned runs. She struck out eight and walked a pair.
William Tennent (4-3, 1-2 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks East on Monday, and Central Bucks South (3-1, 2-1) will host Hatboro-Horsham in a non-league game on Friday.
Central Bucks South 000 000 0 0
William Tennent 000 200 x 2
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 8, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
The Patriots collected 10 hits and played error-free softball behind ace Giuliana Ruscio. It was exactly what the doctor ordered for a Patriot squad that entered the season with high expectations but lost five straight before Thursday’s win.
“We told them before the game – we have to play a clean game, and we have to build on what we did the other day because we hit well against North Penn (in a 5-4 loss), but the errors did us in,” said coach Karl Knapp. “Hopefully, this will get us on a roll going into next week.”
Exactly how important was Thursday’s win?
“Mentally, you can’t put enough words on it,” Knapp said. “They really realized with West, of course, being a long-time rival that this was one they really needed mentally as well as having any hope of making any playoff round. It was a must-win game. They really came through, stringing hits together finally and playing a clean game.
“They were staying very positive. We’ve had really good leadership from Audrey LaBouliere. She’s been in the talks after the games and staying on a very positive note and just saying – the things we’re doing aren’t acceptable, we have to start battling and scrapping for everything.”
The Patriots broke a scoreless tie in the fourth. Tara Harper collected a one-out single and scored on LaBouliere’s double. LaBouliere came home on an error, and the Patriots led 2-0. West made it a 2-1 game when Grace Dryden ripped a solo home run to deep center field.
The Patriots put the game away with a six-run sixth that featured a lot of small ball.
“Their pitcher was doing a pretty good job against the bottom of our order, so we said, ‘We’re just going to bunt,’” Knapp said. “That got them rattled, and they threw the ball around. It kind of opened the door for us.”
Ruscio allowed just four hits and one run in a stellar outing that saw her strike out 10 and walk none.
“Their one run was a solo home run when the pitch kind of hung up there, but that was it,” Knapp said. “Like the team was saying – we owe her one.
“She’s been pitching these one and two-run games and we’ve been losing.”
The Patriots were led at the plate by the 3-for-4 effort of Harper, who had one RBI and two runs. Labouliere was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs, and Ruscio was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Harper and Ruscio each added an RBI. Isabel Parker and Hailey Aspinwall both collected doubles.
Central Bucks East (1-5, 1-3 SOL) will host William Tennent on Monday, and Central Bucks West (1-3, 1-3) will host Pennridge on Monday.
Central Bucks West 000 010 0 1
Central Bucks East 002 006 x 8
PENNRIDGE 3, SOUDERTON 1
With two outs and one on in the top of the seventh, Emily Hegen broke a 1-1 tie when she hit a two-run home run that turned out to be the game winner.
“It was an exciting game,” Pennridge coach Carol Atkinson said. “Souderton has a very good team.
“They have a very solid defense, and they made some excellent plays. It was an excellently played defensive game by both teams, and it was an excellently pitched game.”
One inning earlier, the two teams exchanged solo home runs with Kylie Watson spotting the Rams a 1-0 lead with a homer in the top of the sixth and Jen Klepfer getting that run back with a solo shot of her own in the bottom of the inning. The stage was set for the dramatic finish.
“Souderton got a runner on with two outs in the bottom of the seventh,” Atkinson said. “But there were not many base runners at all. It was a very well played game.”
Both pitchers were on top of their game. Kailyn Bell earned the complete game win, scattering six hits while fanning five and walking one.
For the Indians, Alex Scheeler took the loss, allowing seven hits while striking out four and walking none.
Ally Motts and Hegen led the Rams with 2-for-3 efforts at the plate. For the Indians, Julia Kistler was 2-for-3. Klepfer was 1-for-2 with a walk and the solo home run.
Pennridge (4-1, 2-1 SOL) will host Dock Mennonite Academy in a non-league game on Friday, and Souderton (4-1, 1-1) will be on the road at North Penn on Monday.
Pennridge 000 001 2 3
Souderton 000 001 0 1
SOL American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 7, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 2
Brianna Hughes smacked a three-run home run and Jen Storbrauck delivered a two-out, two-run single to highlight a six-run first inning, and that was more than enough for pitcher Jenna Sadowski, who was in command in the circle.
Hughes’ round tripper, according to Scott Ludlow, came after a tough at-bat.
“It was probably a 12-pitch at-bat – she fouled off six or seven pitches and finally got one and just drove it in left center field,” the Bears’ coach said. “She battled.
“That was huge. It got us off to a good start, and then we got a couple more hits, and that was the ball game.”
Chloe Tice was 3-for-4 with a run scored, and Jocie Baumeister was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Hughes was 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs. Maura Casey added a double.
Sadowski allowed just five hits – one through the first five innings – and two runs (one earned) in the complete game win. She struck out nine and issued three walks.
“Sadowski really nailed it down today,” Ludlow said.
Spartan leadoff batter Mary Kate Smith was 2-for-4 with a pair of bunt singles and a run scored. Sydney Zimmerman had a double.
Thursday’s win came on the heels of a 6-3 loss to Hatboro-Horsham.
“We played a really nice game – it was 3-3 going into the sixth,” Ludlow said. “We gave them a couple of runs on mistakes. For not being on the field and being young in spots, I’m pretty happy with this first week.
“Obviously, I would have liked to have gotten that win yesterday, but it was a good win today and a good win on Tuesday. We have Quakertown on Monday, and that will be another test for us.”
Upper Moreland (2-1 SOL) will travel to Quakertown on Monday, and Springfield Township (2-1 SOL) will be on the road at Upper Dublin on Monday.
Upper Moreland 601 000 0 7-12-1
Springfield Township000 001 1 2-5-3
QUAKERTOWN 17, CHELTENHAM 7 (5 innings)
A two-run blast by Morgan Gianelle was part of a three-run first inning for the visiting Lady Panthers, but that lead turned out to be short lived.
Quakertown erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the inning on its way to the win in the abbreviated contest.
For the home team, Jenna Blair led the way with a perfect 4-for-4 effort that included three RBIs. Abby Schwartz was 3-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs, and Sarah Stofik was 2-for-3 with a double. Maddie Moyer was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs.
For Cheltenham, Gianelle, who plays third base, finished the game 2-for-2 with two RBIs.
“She’s a real nice player,” coach Ray Fox said of the Marist-bound senior.
Quakertown (4-2, 3-1 SOL) will travel to North Penn for a non-league game Friday at 3:45 p.m., and Cheltenham (0-5, 0-4) will travel to Abington for a non-league game at 3:30 p.m.
Cheltenham 302 20 7
Quakertown 844 1x 17
HATBORO-HORSHAM 24, WISSAHICKON 7
The Hatters scored eight runs in the first inning, setting the tone for a contest that featured 31 runs and 29 hits, 19 by the Hatters.
Maddie Yeager put on a dazzling display of power hitting in a 4-for-6 effort that included three doubles and a grand slam. She finished a productive day with six RBIs and four runs scored. Alica Tauber’s 4-for-6 day included two doubles, two RBIs and three runs led the Hatters. Antoinette Spinosa was 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored.
Also collecting multiple hits were Kyleigh Dinnien (2-for-4, RBI, 3 runs), Logan Cummings (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) and Grace Daniels (2-for-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, 3 runs).
For the young Trojans, who had 10 hits, freshman Emma Clayborne belted a grand slam in the third inning. Sophomore Ashley Radell added a solo round tripper. Sophomore leadoff batter Josie Johnston was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, and senior Eryn Downey was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Grace Daniels and Logan Cummings split time in the circle for the Hatters. Daniels earned the win, throwing three innings and allowing five hits and six runs (two earned) while striking out two and walking two.
Hatboro-Horsham (4-0 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks South for a non-league game on Friday, and Wissahickon (0-4 SOL) will travel to Cheltenham on Monday.
Hatboro-Horsham 820 104 9 24
Wissahickon 104 101 0 7
Non-league
NORTH PENN 6, HAVERFORD 4
Jordan Pietrzykoski’s two-run double ignited a three-run first that gave the Knights a 3-1 lead. They never trailed the rest of the way in a win that was number 350 of coach Rick Torresani’s stellar career. The players celebrated the historic win after the game, presenting the veteran coach with a signed softball.
Amanda Greaney’s RBI double in the second gave the Knights a 4-1 lead. Jamie Beer was the lone Knight with more than one hit, finishing the game 2-for-2 with a double and RBI.
Freshman Rachel Lowry earned the win in her first varsity start, allowing seven hits and four runs (two earned) with two strikeouts and two walks
“It was her first varsity game, and she did really well,” Torresani said. “I was really happy for her.
“Haverford has a nice team. They should either come in first or second in the Central (League).”
North Penn (5-0, 3-0 SOL) will host Quakertown in a non-league game on Friday.
Haverford 100 012 0 4
North Penn 311 010 x 6
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