Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action Monday. The CB West/North Penn photos were provided courtesy of Marge Bullock Photography (http://www.margebullock.com/). To view Diana Leferovich’s photos of the CR South/Norristown game, please click on the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/041816_norristown_vs_council_rock_south_dll
American Conference
UPPER MERION 6, UPPER MORELAND 3
The Vikings got a taste of adversity on Monday, falling behind 3-1 after the Golden Bears plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to break a 1-1 tie. Coach John Whitney had to love his team’s response as the Vikings exploded for five runs in the top of the sixth to maintain their stronghold on first place in the conference standings.
Michaela Ghanayem opened the sixth inning with a double, and Bridget Valeri followed with an RBI double. The Vikings were just getting started.
Nicole Kowalski’s RBI single knotted the score, and then Riley Kontra singled home the go-ahead run. A single by Dez Kandy set the stage for a two-run double off the bat of Olivia Sborlini, and just like that, the Vikings had turned a 3-1 deficit into a 6-3 lead.
“We didn’t adjust to their pitcher very well,” Whitney said. “She’s not as fast, and the kids were out in front of the ball.
“They finally adjusted in the sixth. My assistant coach, Jim Godby, got them straightened out in the sixth inning. They started waiting, and they started getting some good swings.”
Sborlini, who finished with three RBIs, and Kandy both had two hits to lead Upper Merion.
Sborlini started the game in the circle but was replaced by Nicole Kowalski in the fifth. Both pitchers struggled in the heat. Kowalski earned the win.
“It was a little hotter than they thought,” Whitney said. “It was a very tough game.
“Every time we go to Upper Moreland it’s a tough game. It doesn’t matter who has the better team – it’s always a battle. Scott Ludlow’s a tremendous coach.”
Ann Drummond’s RBI double highlighted Upper Moreland’s two-run fifth.
Upper Merion (7-1, 5-0 SOL) will host Springfield on Tuesday, and Upper Moreland (5-2, 3-2) will be at Norristown on Tuesday.
Upper Merion 001 005 0 6
Upper Moreland 010 020 0 2
Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 4, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
Jovanna Alfonsi rolled her eyes at the mention of the bus ride home after Saturday’s 9-1 non-league loss to defending state champion Parkland.
“Oh god,” the Maidens’ senior catcher said with a laugh. “The bus ride was fine. What happens in the past, we try to keep in the past, and we try to move on from that.
“We were up (1-0) until the fourth inning, and I was very disappointed that we let them get that many runs on us. It just seemed like everyone was dead, and that was very disappointing, but it helps us come together as a team and make us realize we have to all be there for each other.”
Alfonsi was instrumental in righting the Maidens’ ship after Saturday’s loss, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. She also pulled the trigger on a nifty third-to-home-to-first double play to end a bases-loaded threat in the fifth.
“She’s made it quite a few times last year,” coach Rick Torresani said. “Having Jo’s leadership behind the plate also helps (pitcher) Bri Battavio.”
Alfonsi’s RBI single highlighted a two-run first for the visiting Maidens. The Bucks cut that lead in half in the second, benefitting from a North Penn miscue. In the third inning, Alfonsi delivered an RBI double to put the Maidens on top 3-1. In the sixth, the Maidens tacked on an insurance run when Kariam Bou drew a bases-loaded walk.
The Bucks had plenty of opportunities, but the Maidens killed potential rallies with double plays to end the fourth, fifth and seventh innings.
“We made some good plays defensively,” Torresanni said. “Our defense was lax on Saturday, and today we played really good defense in critical situations with a lot of pressure on.
“That’s all you can hope for as we go through the season. Games like this test you and get you ready hopefully for the playoffs. I told the girls – ‘Now you’re in first place, now it’s your job to keep it.’”
Battavio allowed just four hits in notching the complete game win.
North Penn (5-2, 4-1 SOL) will host Souderton on Tuesday, and Central Bucks West (6-2, 3-2) will travel to Central Bucks East.
North Penn 201 001 0 4
Central Bucks West 100 000 0 1
Non-League
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 12, NORRISTOWN 1 (5 innings)
The Eagles plated a first-inning run and took a 1-0 lead into the third inning when the Golden Hawks erupted for six runs. They added a single run in the fourth and put the game away with a five-run fifth.
For the Golden Hawks, Mikayla Becker was 2-for-4 with a triple, and Phylicia Wilkov was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Julie Keegan was 2-for-3 with a double.
For the Eagles, Mya Humphies was 1-for-3 with a triple.
Keegan earned the win in the circle.
Council Rock South (3-2, 2-1 SOL) will be on the road at Pennsbury on Tuesday, and Norristown (3-5, 1-3) will host Upper Moreland Tuesday.
Norristown 100 00 1
Council Rock South 006 15 12
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, BENSALEM 2
Brady Tillotson’s RBI single in the top of the seventh proved to be the game winner for the Patriots in Monday’s tightly contested non-league game.
The Patriots took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Hailey Aspinwall’s double ignited the offense. The Owls chipped away at that lead, plating a single run in the third and knotting the score with a run in the fifth.
Tara Harper led the Patriots with a 3-for-4 effort that included one run scored. Aspinwall was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and Tillotson was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Theresa Haug threw three innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out one. Kayla Ventura closed it out, allowing one run on three hits while fanning eight and walking none.
Central Bucks East (5-3, 3-2 SOL) will host Central Bucks West on Tuesday, and Bensalem (3-6, 1-4) will host William Tennent on Tuesday.
Central Bucks East 200 000 1 3-9-1
Bensalem 001 010 0 2-6-4
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 9, NAZARETH ACADEMY 1
The Titans scored early and often en route to Monday’s non-league win. They put a pair of runs on the board in the first and added two more in both the third and fourth innings.
If there were any doubts about the outcome, those doubts were put to rest when Lauren Nones delivered a three-run home run in the sixth to put the Titans on top 9-0. Nazareth plated a run in the bottom of the inning to break up the Titans’ shutout bid.
Nones finished the game 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Alexa Ortman led the Titans with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate. Maddie Bieber and Alexis McConomy were both 2-for-3.
Freshman Kylie Kenney picked up her first varsity win. She did not allow a hit in four scoreless innings, fanning three and walking two.
“She just needs to get innings and get confidence,” coach Dan Hayes said of his rookie pitcher.
Emily Gillard closed it out for the Titans.
Central Bucks South (6-3, 2-3 SOL) will host Quakertown on Tuesday.
Central Bucks South 202 203 9-13-0
Nazareth Academy 000 001 1-4-2
CHELTENHAM 9, ACADEMY PARK 2
About the Author
