Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday. Abington/Hatboro-Horsham photo provided courtesy of John Marasheski. Wissahickon/Upper Dublin photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Pennsbury lost a pair of games when the St. Dominic’s Tournament scheduled for last Saturday was postponed because of unplayable fields. The Falcons are looking for two games to fill their schedule. Interested teams are asked to contact the Pennsbury athletic office.
SOL National Conference
PENNSBURY 4, HARRY S TRUMAN 3
With the score deadlocked 3-3, Sierra Daly delivered an RBI single in the top of the seventh that plated freshman Riley Mahoney – who had singled – with a run that turned out to be the game-winner.
“Truman played a real good game,” Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry said. “They came out, and they were ready to play. They have some tough kids. Give Mags (Lisamarie Belmonte) credit – she had her kids ready to play.”
Truman took a 1-0 lead in the first, thanks to Grace Pool’s RBI single, but the Falcons knotted the score with a run in the fourth. Carly Parsons opened the inning with a single but was erased on a fielder’s choice. Karli Haines hit a clutch two-out single that plated the equalizer.
In the top of the fifth, the visiting Falcons scored a pair to go on top 3-1. Mahoney was once again in the middle of the action as she doubled to lead off the inning. Freshman Quinn McGonigle – who pinch hit – followed with an RBI single. Karissa Turk singled, and a second run crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice by Parsons.
Truman plated a run in the bottom of the inning on Chrissy Huhn’s sacrifice fly. The Tigers added a single run in the sixth to even the score 3-3.
Mahoney led off the seventh with a single and advanced to second on Turk’s sacrifice, setting the stage for Daly’s two-out heroics.
Daly and Mahoney led the Falcons’ 10-hit attack with two hits each. For the Tigers, Elle Olivero doubled and Teyana Towner tripled.
Ainsley McClure notched the complete game win, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out seven and walking none.
Pennsbury (8-0, 6-0 SOL) will host Council Rock North next Tuesday, and Harry S Truman (2-5, 2-3) will be on the road at William Tennent on Wednesday.
Pennsbury 000 120 1 4-10-0
Harry S Truman 100 011 0 3-6-0
SOL Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 10, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 2
In a rematch of last year’s District One 6A semifinal contest – a 1-0 CB South win, it was the Knights exacting a degree of revenge, and if the Knights wanted to make a statement, they did just that in a contest that saw them pound out 11 hits – four home runs.
“After losing 1-0 to them in the district playoffs, this has been their attitude all year – they wanted to come out and send a message that they’re for real this year, and that’s what they did today,” coach Rick Torresani said.
The fun began early for the Knights, who took a 2-0 lead in the first when Elia Namey delivered a two-run double that plated Victoria Juckniewitz, who had walked. Namey scored on Jamie Beer’s RBI single. Two innings later, Jordan Pietrzyoski singled, and Amanda Greaney hit a two-run home run to deep right.
In the fifth, Greaney drew a base on balls, and Namey smacked a two-run shot to dead center. In the sixth inning, Gianna Costello led off with a single, Pietrzyoski singled, and Greaney brought three runs across when she slammed her second round tripper of the game to deep center field. In the seventh, freshman Sophia Collins hit a solo shot to right center, putting an exclamation point on an impressive offensive explosion.
“It was a nice win,” Torresani said. “Any time you beat South, it’s a good win.
“There was a lot of people there – it was a great crowd.
For the Knights, Pietrzyoski was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Greaney was 2-for-3 with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBIs. Namey was 3-for-4 with a double, home run, three RBIs and two runs scored.
Mady Volpe notched the complete game win, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out 14 and walking six.
“Mady was good today,” Torresani said. “She wasn’t her best, but she was good. Fourteen strikeouts – what can I say. When you throw a rise ball the way she was throwing it today, that’s how she got most of her strikeouts.”
Alexa Ortman accounted for two of South’s five hits. She also drove in a run.
“She’s one of the best players I’ve ever watched play,” said Torresani, who coached Ortman in the Carpenter Cup. “She’s an awesome centerfielder and a great hitter, and she never gives up. She’s a coach’s player.”
Kylie Kenney absorbed the loss for the Titans.
“We’re not hitting very well,” South coach Kevin Rosini said. “(Volpe) had us off balance a little bit, swinging at high pitches we probably shouldn’t have.”
North Penn (10-0, 5-0 SOL) – which owns the top spot in the District 1 6A rankings – will host Pennridge Wednesday. Central Bucks South (4-5, 3-2) will host Easton in a non-league game on Thursday.
North Penn 202 023 1 10
Central Bucks South 000 011 0 2
QUAKERTOWN 1, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
It wasn’t exactly your typical ending, but it was a good one for the Panthers, who earned the walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh. Three straight one-out singles by Syd Andrews, Lauryn Cope and Halle Frederick loaded the bases for Sarah Stofick, who was hit by a 1-1 pitch that plated Andrews with the game-winner.
“It was a solid win versus CB West,” coach Dave Scott said.
Tori Caputo stole the spotlight in Tuesday’s win, turning in a stellar outing in the complete game win. The senior hurler allowed just three hits while striking out seven and walking two. She did not allow a runner past second and retired seven in a row to close out the game and 10 of the last 11 batters she faced.
“Tori Caputo was very good in the circle,” Scott said. “We played great defense and got just enough hits to eke out the win.
“This starts a very tough week of games off on the right foot. We’ll hope to keep rolling tomorrow against Souderton.”
Andrews and Cope both had a pair of hits to lead the Panthers.
Quakertown (5-4, 3-3 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Wednesday, and Central Bucks West (6-4, 1-4) will be on the road at Central Bucks East next Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 000 000 0 0-3-3
Quakertown 000 000 1 1-8-0
PENNRIDGE 8, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4
The Rams found themselves on the short end of a 4-0 score after two innings, but they came roaring back, scoring runs in each of the next four innings to earn the win.
“Our bats were a little slow getting started today, but they came through in a big way,” coach Wendy Iadonisi said. “We didn’t make solid contact the first time through our lineup, so I don’t think they stepped into the batter’s box swinging for the fences. They were focusing on solid contact and driving the ball.
“The girls showed great composure when down by four runs and they settled in on defense which I think helped our momentum to come up with some big hits.”
The comeback began with a two-out rally in the third. Gianna Iaodonisi singled to left, and Madison Silber followed with a two-run home run to left field. Morgan Henry followed her teammate’s lead, ripping a solo shot to left that made it a 4-3 game.
The Rams’ home run barrage continued when Mackenna Patterson led off the fourth with a solo home run. In the fifth, the Rams added a run to take their first lead, and they upped their lead to 6-4 when Mackenzie Owens hit a solo home run to highlight a three-run sixth.
Kiley Watson (2-for-4, run), Iadonisi (2-for-4, 2 runs), Silber (2-for-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBIs, run), Henry (2-for-4, HR, RBI, run) and Patterson (2-for-3, RBI, run) led the Rams’ 12-hit attack.
Patterson earned the complete game win, allowing six hits and four runs (three earned) while striking out six and walking three.
Pennridge (6-2, 4-1 SOL) will travel to North Penn on Wednesday, and Central Bucks East (1-8, 0-6) will host Bensalem in a non-league game Wednesday.
Central Bucks East 130 000 0 4-6-1
Pennridge 003 113 x 8-12-4
SOL American Conference
WISSAHICKON 9, UPPER DUBLIN 2
High-scoring games have been the norm when the Trojans and Flying Cardinals met on the softball diamond. The Trojans last defeated the Cardinals on May 12, 2016, and since then, the Cardinals had scored 51 runs combined in four straight wins over the Trojans.
“For the last couple of years, their hitters have killed our pitching,” Wissahickon coach Mike Borkowski said. “They always managed to come up with some big innings. Two years ago, we jumped on them 6-0 and they came back and beat us.
“Our pitching this year has been very good as far as not beating ourselves. We haven’t given up a ton of walks, and except for one game, they’ve kept us in every game, which is significant. Upper Dublin’s hitters can hit, and to hold them to two runs like that when they usually smack us around pretty good, that’s significant.”
Freshman Bella Harris turned in the complete game win, allowing eight hits while striking out four and walking only one.
“To keep them off the board, especially their one girl, the lefty (Gretchen Wolpert) – I don’t know if we’ve gotten her out,” Borkowski said. “I know we scored nine runs, but to not let them score runs – that was huge. To hold their offense down was a big job.”
Borkowski credited catcher Rory Goodrich for calling an excellent game behind the plate.
“Rory was made a captain this year, and it was like a light switch went on,” the Trojans’ coach said. “She has been terrific behind the plate.
“I don’t have to call pitches with her. She calls a great game. She’s calling it with two ninth grade pitchers and a sophomore pitcher. I give her a lot of credit. If something goes (wrong), she walks out to the mound. I’ve been to the mound once this year because Rory handles it. I give a lot of credit to her for our pitchers. She’s doing a great job.”
The Trojans did all of their damage offensively in the first two innings, scoring two in the first and erupting for seven in the second. It was more than enough for Harris.
Ashley Radell was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored, and Sianni Paige-Miller was 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs. Harris helped her own cause with an RBI triple.
For the Flying Cardinals, Lauren Carboni was 2-for-3 with a double, triple and one RBI. Taylor Avery was 2-for-4.
Wissahickon (4-4, 4-2 SOL) will be on the road at Upper Moreland on Wednesday, and Upper Dublin (6-4, 2-4) will host Springfield Township on Wednesday.
Upper Dublin 010 010 0 2-8-4
Wissahickon 270 000 x 9-8-1
HATBORO-HORSHAM 15, ABINGTON 1 (5 innings)
The Hatters pounded out 14 hits in the abbreviated contest with six players collecting a pair of hits. Brit Hubler had the most productive day, finishing the game 2-for-4 with a double, triple, four RBIs and two runs scored.
It was Hubler’s two-run double that highlighted a six-run third. Marissa Rapino had a sacrifice fly, Joyce Bloome tripled and scored, and Kristen Myers had an RBI single. Kendal Leitner capped the inning with a two-run home run that gave the Hatters a 7-0 lead.
A seven-run fifth brought an early end to the contest.
In addition to Hubler, Kayla Tauber was 2-for-2 with one RBI and three runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Alicia Tauber was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Bloome was 2-for-3 with two runs. Leitner was 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs, and Megan Mills was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Leitner also earned the win in the circle, allowing three hits and one run while striking out 10 and walking one in five innings.
Julie Burkhardt accounted for the Ghosts only run in the third when she delivered an RBI double.
Hatboro-Horsham (6-4, 5-2 SOL) will travel to Upper Dublin on Thursday, and Abington (2-7, 2-4) will be on the road at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 106 17 15-14-0
Abington 001 00 1-3-5
Non-league
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 8, CONWELL-EGAN 1
It hasn’t been the smoothest of starts for the defending District 1 6A runner-up Indians, and if the playoffs began today, the Indians would be on the outside looking in. But there’s still plenty of time, and if Tuesday’s impressive win over Conwell-Egan is any indication, the tide could be turning.
It wasn’t the win as much as it was the way the Indians won that was telling. It all started with sunflowers in their hair, compliments of senior Lauren Begg.
“We have so many freshmen this year, and I wanted something to just make the team feel like a whole,” Begg said. “I wanted something to bring all the girls together, and I just brought them to practice yesterday, just out of the blue.”
The non-stop cheering from the Indians dugout suggested the sunflowers might have done their job, and Begg gave her teammates plenty to cheer about. She retired the first 13 batters she faced and allowed just four hits – two in the final inning when the Eagles scored their only run. She struck out six and did not walk a batter.
“It brought me back to the way she threw against Neshaminy in the district quarterfinals last year,” coach John Engelhardt said of the Indians’ 3-1 win over the Redskins. “It’s very easy to see when she’s on – that ball won’t get much higher than the top of your kneecaps.
“I asked her how she felt today, and she said, ‘I feel amazing.’ I could tell the way she said it that she felt good. The cool thing about Lauren is that she loves to come out here and compete and pitch. I think it’s because she doesn’t pitch anywhere else.”
What doesn’t show up in the stat line is the astonishing stat that Begg threw 64 of her 78 pitches in the complete game win for strikes.
“A lot of dropping pitches,” Begg said. “I play outfield for Joe Garvey’s Rock Gold (travel) team, but when I come here, I’m so focused on what my role is on this team, and my role is to pitch.
“It’s something I absolutely love, and every time I go out there, I want to be the best I can be for my team, and I keep that in the forefront of my mind. When I go out there, it’s just attack mode. I just go out there and I know if I produce ground balls or strikeouts – that’s going to be the best thing for my team because they’re able to make plays then, just eliminate any damage that could happen.”
While Begg was working her magic in the circle, Julianna Shields was having herself a day at the plate. She gave a preview of things to come in the first inning when – with Rachel Lorence, who legged out a bunt single, on second – she slammed the first pitch she saw over the left center field fence for a 2-0 lead.
“I don’t know if it makes sense, but when I hit the first (home run), then it’s like, ‘All right, I know what’s coming, and I can hit another one,’” Shields said.
Shields did just that three innings later. This time the bases were loaded when the senior shortstop stepped into the box, and again, she needed just one pitch, ripping a shot over the center field fence that gave the Indians an 8-0 lead. It was her first career grand slam.
“She hasn’t gotten off to the start that she’s wanted, and this will give her confidence because we need her,” Engelhardt said. “She hit .440 last year and .411 the year before, so we’ll go as far as she goes.”
Shields was 3-for-4 with two home runs, six RBIs and two runs scored. Lorence was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and Jenna Khantzian was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Emma Zoldi was 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
“I feel like our energy was so much better than it has been,” Begg said. “Besides getting the flowers, we are getting more comfortable with each other and really starting to feel like a team. I think the progress we’ve made with that has really helped us. I feel like we’re starting to play for each other more now.”
“With the flowers, we’re trying to get everyone together and feel like one team instead of separate teams,” Shields said. “Swing players and jayvee players, getting jayvee players to come in – my sister (Sophia Shields) came in and got her first hit. Just that atmosphere, getting everyone into the game and wanting to do something for the team.”
According to Engelhardt, the seniors need to set the tone.
“They’ve had a tremendous amount of success here that no other class has had, but they have to instill the values and the right way to play the game,” the Indians’ coach said. “That is just as important as being successful on the field because that’s what their legacy is going to be.”
Council Rock North (4-4, 1-3 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury next Tuesday.
Conwell-Egan 000 000 1 1-4-3
Council Rock North 200 600 x 8-11-0
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