Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Wednesday. Truman/Bensalem photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ SOFTBALL GALLERIES.
SOL Patriot Division
HARRY S TRUMAN 8, BENSALEM 7
It was another day and another walk-off win for the Truman Tigers.
Twenty-four hours after coming from behind in the seventh to earn a walk-off win over Villa Joseph Marie, the Tigers did the same in their division game against archrival Bensalem.
Trailing 6-4 after the Owls scored three in the top of the seventh, the Tigers answered with a pair in the bottom of the inning. On the heels of Kaitlyn Erhard’s single that scored the tying run, Lucianna Oliveras drove
home the game-winner with a one-out single that plated Charlize DeShield, who singled earlier in the inning.
Three times over the course of Wednesday’s game, the Tigers trailed but battled back.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ll take it,” Truman coach Jim McKeon said. “It was a team effort again – everybody battling and playing seven innings. That’s what it takes.
“They’re finally finding ways to win and understanding what it’s like to win. Truman isn’t known for winning a lot, at least not in the last couple of years. These girls have to learn how to win first, and they’re learning that. They’re playing well as a team.
“Even when we got down in the seventh inning, the girls fought back. They didn’t waver, and they were ready to go in the bottom of the seventh. It really felt like in the dugout – they knew they were going to win. It’s one of those things – it’s contagious.”
The Owls took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Adrianna Vargas hit a two-run home run. The Tigers answered with three in the bottom of the inning only to see the Owls – sparked by a two-run home run by Gina Oliverio – take a 4-3 lead in the top of the second.
In the bottom of the third, the Tigers once again responded. Skyler Mahler singled home the tying run, and then Braelyn Horan smashed a two-run home run to left, putting the Tigers on top 6-4 and setting the stage for the dramatic seventh.
“The home run Braelyn Horan hit – I thought it was going to go in the street,” McKeon said. “It was an absolute bomb.”
Horan’s 2-for-2 effort included a double and home run. Erhard and Oliveras both had three hits while Marley Montgomery and Mahler each had two. Mahler’s three RBIs led the Tigers.
Bensalem’s Gina Oliverio was a perfect 4-for-4 with a triple, home run, three RBIs and three runs score. Only a double separated the Owls’ leadoff batter from the cycle.
Marley Montgomery earned the win, allowing two earned runs in four innings to close out the game.
By the numbers: Harry S Truman: Braelyn Horan (2-for-2, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2R), Kaitlyn Erhard (3-for-5, 2B, 1RBI), Lucianna Oliveras (3-for-5, 1RBI, 1R),
Marley Montgomery (2-for-3, 2B, 1R), Skyler Mahler (2-or-3, 3RBI, 1R)
Marley Montgomery (W) (4.0 IP, 6H, 3R, 2ER, 0BB, 4K)
Bensalem: Gina Oliverio (4-for-4, 3B, HR, 3RBI, 3R), Adrianna Vargas (HR, 2 RBIs)
Key innings: Top of the seventh: With the Owls trailing 6-4, Bensalem’s Abby Cornet led off the top of the seventh with a single to right field, and Gina Oliverio followed with a line triple to left field that plated a run. Vargas was hit by a pitch, and Oliverio scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Dana Oliverios was safe on an error, and Vargas scored the go-ahead run on a steal of home, giving the Owls a 7-6 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Bottom of the seventh: Horan drew a leadoff walk, and DeShield singled to left. With one out, Erhard singled, plating the tying run. Oliveras singled home DeShield with the game-winning run for the walk-off win.
Harry S Truman coach Jim McKeon: “Bensalem hit the ball well. They had two two-run home runs. Our defense was good. They hit the ball, but it was just a good a really good softball game. The key is the girls supporting each other and knowing they can win.
“Kendra (Schmidt) pitched three innings. We pulled her – she was a little tired, and we put Marley (Montgomery) in, and she did a pretty good job as well.”
–Tigers get offensive: “The girls were feeling it. They’re finding the bats and playing as a team and stringing hits together in spots.”
–Three-game winning streak: “We have the right group. They support each other, and that’s huge, and they don’t get down.”
Up next: Harry S Truman (3-7, 1-4 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon for a non-league contest Tuesday, and Bensalem (3-10, 0-5) is off until Monday, April 28, when the Owls will host Archbishop Ryan in a non-league game.
Bensalem 220 000 3 7-9-0
Harry S Truman 303 000 2 8-17-3
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, UPPER MORELAND 2
Lexi Waring turned in gem in the complete game win. The senior standout scattered five hits and allowed just one earned run while striking out 12.
Freshman Jenna Pensapane led the Golden Hawks’ attack with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate that included a triple and two runs scored.
For UM, Delaney Stout turned in another solid outing in the circle, allowing eight hits while striking out 10 in eight innings.
By the numbers: Council Rock South: Jenna Pesapane (3-for-3, 3B, 2R), Veronic Houk (3B)
Lexi Waring (W) (7.0 IP, 5H, 2R, 1ER, 4BB, 12K)
Key inning: Bottom of fifth: With the score deadlocked 2-2, the Golden Hawks plated a run that stood as the game-winner. Kelly Delise lined a leadoff single to center and stole second. Shannon Williams was retired on a fly ball to right field, and Delise scored on the throw for the game-winner.
Council Rock South coach Scott Molle: “Today’s game served as an excellent conclusion to our pre-break schedule, with 12 days of rest now ahead of us.
“Defensively, we played another solid game, making every play that came our way. Our team’s commitment to the principle that ‘practice repetition breeds game excellence’ is evident, and they work tirelessly to ensure this standard is upheld.
“In summary, our last four games have been impressive, with the team performing at a level comparable to last year’s standards. As we embark on a 12-day break from competition, we aim to recharge, address nagging injuries, and continue refining our skills in practice. I am proud of the team’s ability to maintain the same culture and level of excellence as last year, and I attribute this success to our senior leadership.”
–Waring excels: “Lexi Waring delivered a standout performance on the mound, striking out 12 batters and demonstrating her resilience to secure the win. Notably, Lexi has shown significant improvement since the beginning of the year when she faced initial struggles. She is increasingly becoming the shutdown pitcher we have come to expect, and it will be exciting to see her continued growth.”
–Pensapane delivers: “Offensively, our standout performer was freshman Jenna Pesapane, who achieved a 3-for-3 record on the day and scored two of our three runs. Jenna is already demonstrating exceptional talent, playing with the poise of a senior. Her dedication to hard work and continuous improvement is paying dividends. Moreover, Jenna is an exemplary teammate, beloved by her peers and embodying the ideal characteristics of a student-athlete.”
Up next: Council Rock South (9-2, 4-1 SOL) is off until Tuesday, April 29, when the Golden Hawks will be on the road at Neshaminy. Upper Moreland (6-5, 3-1) will host Central Bucks West in a non-league game Tuesday.
Upper Moreland 100 100 0 2-5-2
Council Rock South 101 010 0 3-8-0
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 11, ARCHBISHOP WOOD 5
Central Bucks faced their second Philadelphia Catholic League opponent of the week on the heels of a contest against Conwell-Egan two days earlier.
Sophomore Kendall Kornuszko was called on to make the first varsity start of her young career and came away with her first win as a pitcher. Kornuszko pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up three hits and four earned runs. She was replaced in the circle by Laila Murray with the Bucks up 5-4. Murray was able to quiet the Wood hitters, giving up only one run over the last 3 2/3 innings.
The big hitters for the Bucks were Jill Boyle with two hits, a walk and was also hit by a pitch. She scored three runs and drove in another two. Ana Glemser also had a two-hit day, stole a base and drove in two runs. Taylor Hooven had three hits, including a double and three RBIs. Her hard hit double down the left field line drove in two runs in the fourth inning to give the Bucks a 5-4 lead that they would not lose. Marley Swain stayed on a hot streak for the Bucks with a 3-for-4 effort. Swain has nine hits in her last 13 at-bats. She is hitting .692 over her last four games.
By the number: Taylor Hooven (3-for-5, 2B, 3RBI), Marley Swain (3-for-4, 1R), Jill Boyle (2-for-3, 2RBI, 3R), Ana Glemser (2-for-4, 2RBI)
Key inning: Top of fifth: West turned a tenuous 5-4 lead into an 8-4 lead with a three-run fifth. Swain and Charlotte Kerns opened the inning with back-to-back singles. With two outs, Boyle delivered an RBI single, and a run scored on a wild pitch. Taylor Hooven’s RBI single put the Bucks on top 8-4.
Central Bucks West coach Mike Daher: “This was a good win for us despite the fact that we did not play our best game. We made some defensive mistakes early that kept Wood in the game. Archbishop Wood is a good team, and you cannot make too many mistakes against good teams and expect to win. But thankfully, we were able to settle down defensively and put some good innings together on offense where we scored some runs and came away with an important victory for us.
“Our bats have been a little inconsistent this year, but I think we are starting to turn the corner at the plate and getting better at-bats while cutting down on our strikeouts. We had 12 hits today and that is a good sign. We are getting good pitching, we just need to tighten up our defense, especially early in games. And hopefully our bats will fully come alive once the warm weather hits. Several of our hitters have really been hot, like Taylor Hoven, Marley Swain and Katherine James. Now we just have to get everyone hitting more consistently.”
Up next: Central Bucks West (7-4, 2-3 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland for a non-league game Tuesday.
Central Bucks West 102 233 0 11-12-0
Archbishop Wood 003 110 0 5-7-4
PENNRIDGE 15, FAITH CHRISTIAN 0 (4 innings)
The Rams broke a scoreless tie with six runs in a second inning that was highlighted by an RBI double by Lilly Davies and a two-run home run by Averi Dockery. They added nine more runs over the next two innings, and the game was halted for the mercy rule when pinch hitter Taylor Toutkoushian lined a single to left that plated the game’s final run.
Jules Pliszka’s 3-for-3 day at the plate included a double and led the Rams’ 10-hit attack. Lilly Davies and Megahn Holberg both had a pair of hits.
Destiny Novashinski earned the win with four shutout innings, allowing two hits while striking out seven and walking three.
By the numbers: Jules Pliszka (3-for-3, 2B, 1RBI, 3R), Lilly Davies (2-3, 2B, 3RBI, 1R), Meghan Holberg (2-for-3, 2B, 2RBI, 2R), Averi Dockery (1-for-2, HR, 2RBI, 1R)
Destiny Novashinski (W) (4.0 IP, 2H, 0R, 3BB, 7K)
Key inning: Bottom of second: Emersyn Lesher drew a leadoff walk, and Pliszka laid down a bunt single. A walk to Novashinski loaded the bases. With two outs, Payton Keyser was safe on a two-base error that allowed three runs to cross the plate. Davies followed with an RBI double to right field, and Dockery emptied the bases with a two-run home run to center field, giving the Rams a 6-0 lead.
Up next: Pennridge (3-8, 1-4 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Tuesday for a non-league game.
Faith Christian 000 0 0-2-5
Pennridge 064 5 15-10-1
CONWELL-EGAN 16, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 5 (5 innings)
The visiting Eagles scored seven runs in the top of the second inning and led the rest of the way in Wednesday’s non-league contest.
Zoe Hornstein and Chelsea Seiler both had two hits and one RBI to lead Rock North’s eight-hit attack. Seiler and Alison Bodick accounted for the Indians’ only extra base hits with each contributing a double.
Up next: Council Rock North (8-4, 5-0 SOL) will host Springfield Twp in a non-league game Monday.
Conwell-Egan 070 36 16-14-1
Council Rock North 010 40 5-8-6
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