Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Friday. Pennsbury/CR North photos provided by Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL Patriot Division
PENNSBURY 12, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 2 (6 innings)
The Falcons broke a 2-2 tie with a six-run fourth inning and brought an early end to the game with four more in the sixth. Ainsley McClure struck out 10 in the complete game win.
“We had 12 hits – we really came out and swung the bats very well,” Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry said. “Ainsley (McClure) pitched well. She had that one inning where she gave up two runs, but the other innings she was really on. She really threw well.”
A highlight of the six-run fourth was an RBI double by Ali Charlier that was followed by a Jess Rowe RBI single. Caitlyn Martell contributed a two-run single, and the Falcons led 8-2.
In the sixth, Quinn McGonigle’s two-run single highlighted the Falcons’ four-run outburst.
Charlier’s 3-for-4 effort with a double and RBI led the Falcons’ 12-hit attack. Martell was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Hause was 2-for-4 with an RBI and Rowe was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
In the circle, McClure allowed five hits and two runs while striking out 10 and walking one.
For the Indians, freshman Molly Sheehy was 2-for-2 and was on base a third time when she was hit by a pitch. Kat Hastings had a double.
“Our girls came out with good enthusiasm today, and made it a good game through the first three innings, unfortunately, we unraveled in the fourth,” Rock North coach Susan Yee said. “We just weren’t crisp defensively today, and you can’t do that against a team with as much talent as Pennsbury. They are coached well and they do things right. They don’t make mistakes and they take advantage of every mistake you make.
“Although it isn’t fun to go from 4-0 to 4-2 in a matter of days, I still believe we are going to emerge better from this. We need top-level programs like Neshaminy and Pennsbury to expose our weaknesses so that we can build them up as we move into the second half of the season. Our girls can hit. They can get on base, they can score, now we just have to tighten up the defensive holes that were exploited this week, and move forward.”
Pennsbury (4-0 SOL) will host North Penn in a battle of division powers on Tuesday, and Council Rock North (4-2, 2-2) will travel to Souderton on Tuesday.
Council Rock North 002 000 2-5-3
Pennsbury 101 604 12-12-0
HARRY S TRUMAN 12, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 11
The Tigers won a wild one against the Golden Hawks, although the game certainly didn’t start out on a promising note.
“Once again, we started really slow in the first inning – four errors spotted them a five-run lead,” Truman coach Rick Palmer said. “It’s just from not practicing. We’ve had one good practice since the COVID (shutdown). But then we just hit – we had 20 hits, we made six errors defensively but won 12-11.
“We’ve been swinging the bats well. We started against Pennsbury, and it just carried over, and we’re hitting everything hard.”
Jalecia Blackston notched the complete game win, striking out four.
The Tigers took a 7-6 lead after a four-run fourth. South scored four in the top of the sixth to go on top 10-7, but the Tigers answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Courtney Nau’s two-run home run was the big blow in the inning.
For the Tigers, Teyana Towner was 4-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Mara McKeon also was 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Madison Kavulic was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base, and Emily Merrigan hit a double off the fence in the four-run sixth inning uprising.
For the Golden Hawks, Kayla Patricelli had a two-run double and Kaylie Walters scored two runs.
Harry S Truman (3-2, 1-2 SOL) will travel to Bensalem on Monday, and Council Rock South (2-4, 0-4) will be on the road at Archbishop Wood for a non-league game on Monday.
Council Rock South 500 104 1 11-7-2
Harry S Truman 210 405 x 12-20-6
NESHAMINY 16, BENSALEM 5 (5 innings)
Danielle Monaco and Kylie Siwek were a combined 7-for-7 at the plate to lead a potent Neshaminy attack. Monaco was 4-for-4 with a double and six RBIs in a stellar outing while Siwak was 3-for-3 with a walk.
The Redskins took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning when they exploded for six runs to seize control of the game. They added five more in the fifth to bring an early end to the contest.
Kylee Jones drew a walk to lead off the six-run fourth. Peyton Tierney followed with a single, and a walk to Siwek loaded the bases. Amanda Slabicki hit a sharp grounder that was misplayed, allowing Jones to score. Monaco stepped to the plate and hit a hard single that scored both Tierney and Siwek. Kennedie Ruth followed with a three-run home run to right field.
Ruth went the distance in the five-inning game, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out seven and walking four.
Neshaminy (4-2, 4-1 SOL) will host Central Bucks West on Tuesday, and Bensalem (3-3, 1-3) will host Harry S Truman on Monday.
Bensalem 002 12 5
Neshaminy 113 65 16
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 7, PENNRIDGE 6
The Titans opened up an early lead only to see it slip away, but they scored four runs late and held on for the hard fought win.
“We got out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and our kids kind of took their foot off the gas,” South coach Kevin Rosini said. “All these young kids – instead of putting their foot on their throats, they kind of backed off, and it hurt us because that’s a good team, and they can hit.
“I told them – ‘You’ve got to play all 21 outs. You can’t just play six or nine.’ For them to come back and hold on and get that win, that’s a big win for us, and we needed it. It’s been a rough week.”
In the Titans’ three-run first, the Titans received RBI singles from Marlena Hacker, Allie Franck and Grace Motley.
A sacrifice fly by Reagan Bauman put the Rams on the board in the fourth, and it was a 3-2 game after the Rams plated an unearned run in the fourth.
Pennridge took the lead with a three-run fifth. Grace Helbling led off the inning with a solo home run, and the Rams also scored a run on a passed ball and another on a wild pitch.
“We made some mistakes in the field, which hurt, so we had to regroup,” Rosini said.
In a two-run fifth, senior Jamie Marks contributed an RBI single to knot the score.
“Jamie Marks got a huge hit – a two-out, two-strike single – to make it 5-4 after Allie Franck, who got on on a fielder’s choice, stole second,” Rosini said. “Maddy (Borowski) had a really quick one-two-three sixth inning on three pitches.”
In the bottom of the sixth, CJ Haney was hit by a pitch, and one out later, Jasmine Chui delivered a two-run home run.
“When she hit it, I thought – ‘That’s out by 50 feet,’ and it died,” Rosini said. “All of a sudden the leftfielder got back to the fence and actually might have got a glove on it, and it landed behind the fence to make it 7-5. That was her first hit of the year.”
In the seventh inning, the Rams staged a two-out rally when Bauman singled and scored on Chloe Coughenour’s single to center. Borowski retired the next batter she faced on a fly ball to center field to close out the game.
Not to be forgotten in the win was Haney’s defensive play of the game with one out and the bases loaded in the third inning.
“Pennridge scored one run in the inning on a sacrifice fly,” Rosini said. “That sacrifice fly – the bases were loaded with one out, their girl hit a bomb to right center, and CJ ran all the way over, stuck her glove over the fence and caught it or it’s a grand slam. They only got one run that inning instead of four.
“CJ’s a freshman, and it was her first game in the outfield the whole season. We’re down a player, so we put her out there. She made the game-saver. Both of our freshmen have really played well.”
Borowski notched the complete game win, allowing nine hits and fanning five.
“Maddy was gutsy today,” Rosini said. “She hung in there. She hit some rough patches with the wild pitches, but she got some quick outs.
“That sixth inning was huge when it was 5-5, and we held the momentum with a three-pitch inning. That was humungous. We’ve got a lot of young kids, and we’re fighters. I’ll give our kids credit for that. They could have laid down when it was 5-3 and we were losing. They could have said, ‘Here we go again, we’re going to find a way to lose,’ but they fought back. I’m proud of them for that.”
Chui’s 1-3 effort with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored led the Titans.
Central Bucks South (2-4, 2-3 SOL) will host Bensalem on Tuesday, and Pennridge (2-4, 1-4) will host Wissahickon in a non-league game on Monday.
Pennridge 001 130 1 6-9-2
Central Bucks South 300 022 x 7-5-2
SOUDERTON 9, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
Abby Burns turned in a dazzling two-hit shutout, striking out 10 and walking just one in the complete game win. The Indians pounded out a pair of hits off a duo of West hurlers.
The Indians put a pair of runs on the board in the top of the first. Megan Kummery drew a one-out walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored when Riley York singled. Ryan Zimmerman doubled to left, plating York and spotting the Indians a 2-0 lead.
That 2-0 lead held up until the sixth when the Indians added a run. Zimmerman drew a leadoff walk and scored when Kayley York roped a double to center.
In the top of the seventh, the Indians’ bats came to life. Kummery drew a leadoff walk, and Burns followed with a single. Riley York cleared the bases with a three-run blast to center field. Zimmerman followed with a solo home run, and the Indians weren’t finished yet. Kayley York singled, and Brooke Scotti drew a walk, and Nadolski brought both of them home with a double for the 9-0 final
Souderton (6-2, 3-2 SOL) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Monday in a non-league game, and Central Bucks West (0-7, 0-5) will travel to Neshaminy for a non-league game on Tuesday.
Souderton 200 001 6 9-11-1
Central Bucks West 000 000 0 0-2-0
NORTH PENN 10, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2
Friday’s battle between the division’s lone unbeaten squads was played in less than desirable conditions that included a cold, steady drizzle.
“They had to keep changing the ball – it was a crazy game,” NP coach Rick Torresani said. “I’m really happy with the team. Before the game I said, ‘Championship teams don’t let weather, the cold and the rain get in the way of their goals. If you want to be a championship team, we’ll find out today.’ These kids were in it from the very first pitch.”
The Knights put a run on the board in the top of the first when Julia Shearer scored on a one-out single by Annabelle Smink. Mady Volpe’s RBI single in the third put the Knights on top 2-0, and they added a pair in each of the next two innings.
In the fourth, Carley DiGiuseppe and Sophia Collins ripped back-to-back home runs to open the inning, and in the fifth, Bri Wilmot hit a two-run blast that put the Knights on top 6-0.
Elise Waddington put the Patriots on the board in the bottom of the fifth with a solo shot to left. The Knights answered with four runs in the top of the sixth, thanks to a Smink grand slam to center field.
In the bottom of the inning, Elizabeth Gray hit a solo home run to center. It was the sixth home run of the game.
Smink led the Knights with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate that included a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored.
“She’s another sophomore who had a big day for us,” Torresani said. “She got her bat on the ball and hit the grand slam. She’s just a great kid. They’re all coming together. I keep bringing up chemistry, and that’s really what it is.”
For the Patriots, Waddington was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, RBI and run scored. Alex Frenia also had a pair of hits, including a double.
Mady Volpe earned the complete game win, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out 12 and walking none.
For the Patriots, Kayla Mitchell made an impressive varsity debut in the circle in relief. She faced seven batters and struck out five.
North Penn (6-0, 5-0 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury Tuesday for a battle of division leaders, and Central Bucks East (6-2, 4-1) will travel to Council Rock South.
North Penn 101 224 0 10-9-1
Central Bucks East 000 011 x 2-6-1
SOL Liberty Division
WISSAHICKON 4, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3
On a windy, cold day, Wissahickon’s bats, according to coach Mike Borkowski, were a whole lot like the weather.
“We were getting runners on base but couldn’t get them home,” the Trojans’ coach said. “PW’s pitcher, (Molly) Moore, stranded eight Wissahickon runners through six innings.”
All that changed in the bottom of the seventh when the Trojans staged a remarkable comeback.
With her team trailing 3-1, Luca Penna led off with a triple to right.
“I was talking to Lucy before she went up in the seventh and said, ‘You are going to have to hit your way on because they have excellent bunt coverage,’” Borkowski said. “She agreed and went up swinging.”
Pitcher Danielle Ciliberto dropped a bunt and – with no one paying attention to her – continued on to second.
“Danielle had the option to bunt depending on where the third baseman was playing,” Borkowski said. “She decided to drop a bunt.”
With runners on second and third, Katelyn Fitzgerald ripped a triple that plated Penna and Ciliberto and knotted the score.
“Fitz has been hitting the ball really well lately,” Borkowski said. “She’s seeing the ball well.”
The Colonials elected to walk Emma Clayborne and Grace Franczyk to load the bases, setting up a force anywhere.
That strategy backfired when Charlotte Horvat singled over the infield to score Fitzgerald with the game-winner and the walk-off win.
“I am really proud of Char – that was huge,” Borkowski said. “She has been working really hard on her stroke, staying tall and turning her hips to get power. She went a solid 2-for-4, saving the big one for the end.”
Earlier, the Colonials got on the scoreboard in the second when Moore slammed a solo home run to right field. That 1-0 lead stood until the top of the fifth when the Colonials added a pair of unearned runs. Lauryn Kane doubled for the only hit of the inning.
Wissahickon trimmed PW’s lead to 3-1 with an unearned run in the fifth, and the stage was set for the Trojans’ comeback.
“It was a great pitcher’s duel the entire game, and we just came out on the wrong end,” PW coach Mike Perez said. “We knew three runs wasn’t enough versus that lineup, and it was just a matter of time before Wissahickon’s bats woke up.
“Danielle Ciliberto did a wonderful job keeping our hitters off balance all game long with a filthy change-up. She made it very difficult on our hitters to adjust with complete command of that pitch.”
Ciliberto earned the complete game win in the circle, allowing six hits and just one earned run while striking out 12 and walking two.
“Danielle pitched a real nice game,” Borkowski said. “We had a few errors that resulted in two runs for them, but she stayed under control and pitched well.”
For the Colonials, Moore absorbed the loss in the circle, allowing eight hits and four runs (three earned) while striking out 10.
“Molly Moore pitched a wonderful game for us and kept her hot bat going with a solo home run,” Perez said. “Carly Rosenberger, Lauryn Kane and Talia Carr got the bats going in the top of the fifth.”
Kane had a pair of hits to lead the Colonials.
Wissahickon (3-3, 3-1 SOL) will travel to Pennridge for a non-league game on Monday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-4, 2-3) will be on the road at Souderton for a non-league game.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 010 020 0 3-6-1
Wissahickon 000 010 3 4-8-5
HATBORO-HORSHAM 16, UPPER DUBLIN 0 (3 innings)
Kendal Leitner did not allow a hit in the Hatters’ abbreviated contest, striking seven and walking just one. The Flying Cardinals put their first two runners on board in the third, thanks to a Hatter error and Leitner’s only free pass. The Hatters’ ace struck out the next three batters she faced to close out the game.
The Hatters staged a two-out rally in the first when Kayla Tauber singled and Amya Lundy followed and ripped a home run to center that plated a pair.
Abby Waeltz led off the second with a solo shot to center. Marissa Rapino and Alyssa Tooley followed with back-to-back singles, and both advanced on a groundout to the right side by Megan Miller. An RBI single by Kirstin Myers was followed by an RBI groundout by Tess Kearney, and then it was Tauber and Lundy with consecutive RBI doubles. An RBI single by Leitner capped the six-run inning that put the Hatters on top 8-0.
An eight-run third began with a leadoff single by Tooley, a dropped third strike and then a three-run home run by Myers. The inning also included singles by Tauber, Waeltz (2 RBIs) and Myers (RBI). Tooley’s three-run triple was another big blow.
Leading the Hatters’ 15-hit attack were Myers (2-for-4, HR, 4 RBIs, 2 runs), Tauber (3-for-3, 2B, RBI, 3 runs), Lundy (2-for-2 2B, HR, 3 RBIs, 3 runs), Waeltz (2-for-2, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 runs) and Tooley (3-for-3, HR, 3B, 2 RBIs, 3 runs).
Hatboro-Horsham (4-0 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland on Tuesday, and Upper Dublin (1-4) will host Dock Mennonite Academy in a non-league game on Monday.
Hatboro-Horsham 266 16-15-1
Upper Dublin 000 0-0-0
SOL Freedom Division
UPPER MORELAND 16, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 5 (6 innings)
The Golden Bears came out with their bats smoking, setting the tone for the mercy rule win with six runs in the first inning.
“Yesterday at practice we talked about coming in to every game strong and being ready to play, and one of our assistant coaches, Coach Santry, set a goal for the girls to get at least five runs in the first inning and they did not disappoint,” UM coach Melanie Martino said. “We had some people in new roles today due to injuries and illnesses, and they did a real nice job for us.”
The Lions scored a pair in the second inning to make it a 6-2 game, but the Golden Bears scored in each of the next four innings to put the game away.
“New Hope did a nice job coming back at us after the first inning and scored two runs to be sure we knew they were there to play and they were able to get some nice hits through out the game,” Martino said. “We had several players with a nice day at the plate today.
“Both Lea Rizzo and Eowyn Stainback did a nice job on the mound for us today, especially considering the weather conditions.”
Haleigh Woodman was 3-for-4 with a double. Gabrielle Wiley was 3-for-4 with a double and a triple. It was her second three-hit game in as many games. Rylee McDade was 3-for-4, and freshman Kaitlyn Lennox was 3-for-4 with a double.
Upper Moreland (4-1, 3-0 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday, and New Hope-Solebury (2-3, 2-2) will travel to Villa Joseph Marie for a non-league game on Monday.
Upper Moreland 602 215 16
New Hope-Solebury 020 030 5
WILLIAM TENNENT 16, LOWER MORELAND 4 (5 innings)
Three weeks and one day since playing their last game – an 11-1 rout of Archbishop Wood, the Panthers were back on the diamond Friday. The COVID shutdown on the heels of the Easter break was over at last, and they celebrated with a 16-4 mercy rule win.
“They could have come out flat, but they didn’t,” Tennent coach Rich Clark said. “They came out firing on all cylinders and put up an eight spot in the top of the first.
“They then went on to follow that by batting around the second time in the second inning while putting up five more capped by Giselle McLaughlin sending a rocket over the fence. It was great to be back in action again.”
Megan Curtis made her return a memorable one, finishing the day 4-for-4 with a triple and six RBIs. She also earned the win in the circle.
In an eight-run first, Curtis contributed a sacrifice fly and a two-run single. Also in the inning, Giselle McLaughlin had an RBI double while Mackenzie Clee, Anna Coulter and Sarah Cummins (2 RBIs) each had a single.
The Lions answered with three in the bottom of the inning with a Dana Schwartz RBI double the big hit, but the Panthers scored five runs in the second to go on top 13-3. Highlights of the inning included a two-run home run by McLaughlin, singles by Coulter, Olivia Clee, a double by Katie LaPlaunt and an RBI triple to center by Curtis, and the Panthers were well on their way to the mercy rule win.
In addition to Curtis, McLaughlin was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Clee was 2-for-4 with three runs scored. LaPlaunt was 2-for-2 with a double and four runs scored. Coulter was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Cummins was 1-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored.
For the Lions, Schwartz was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.
Curtis threw the first three innings, allowing three hits and four runs (one earned) while striking out five and walking three. LaPlaunt threw two scoreless innings in relief, striking out three and walking none.
William Tennent (2-0, 1-0 SOL) will host Wissahickon on Tuesday, and Lower Moreland (2-3, 2-2) will host Abington on Monday.
William Tennent 850 12 16-15-3
Lower Moreland 301 00 4-5-4
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Cheltenham vs Springfield?
Any coverage on this game?