North Penn 11, Quakertown 1 (6 innings)
Steph Kulp had plenty of time to prepare for Monday’s start on the mound against Quakertown.
The junior hurler actually had the entire day since a teacher’s strike cancelled all classes at North Penn.
“Last night we didn’t find out (about the strike) until late – I know I didn’t find out until eight or eight thirty,” Kulp said. “It gave me more time to prep for the game, and I got more rest.
“I focused today on thinking about the game. It would be different if we were in school. We’re all hoping it will only go on a day or two.”
For one day at least, Kulp and her teammates put the distractions of the teacher’s strike aside and played good softball, downing the visiting Panthers 11-1 in a game that was halted in the bottom of the sixth when – with two outs – Blaire Wilkie drew a bases-loaded, two-out walk that put the mercy rule into effect.
Kulp stole the spotlight on the diamond, scattering six hits and allowing no earned runs in six innings of work. At the plate, she slammed a pair of home runs – both to the same spot in right center field – and drove in five runs.
“She pitched well,” coach Rick Torresani said. “She gave Kellianna (Bradstreet) a rest, and she hit two blasts.
“Quakertown played hard. They don’t give up. We had 14 hits on Saturday but had too many errors (in a 9-8 non-league loss to Downingtown West). Today we continued to hit, and that’s what we have to do for Wednesday.”
The Maidens – who scored six in the first and added four more in the fourth - also received a big day from senior Steph Farrar, who was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. Michelle Holweger had a pair of doubles and scored a run. Mary Ward and Alyssa Campbell both had two hits and scored two runs. Campbell also had three RBIs. Taylor Marchozzi had a pair of hits, and Missy Ferdock had two hits for the Maidens, who pounded out 15 hits.
Although it was business as usual on the diamond, there was nothing ordinary about this day for the Maidens.
“It was very weird,” Farrar said. “We’re so used to preparing ourselves during classes, just getting pumped up seeing each other in the halls, so we met early to pump ourselves up.
“Driving up and seeing everybody driving and passing each other – usually we’re seeing each other in the halls. It was different.”
Farrar acknowledged she did not see the strike coming.
“We heard rumors at the beginning of the year, but we kind of brushed them off,” she said. “Then we heard it was going to happen during softball season, and that shocked everybody. We definitely don’t want this to ruin us.
“We’re a really strong team this year – we connect great. We’re trying to make sure it’s not a distraction because it can be. Some girls were tired, some girls just laid around all day, so it was very different for everybody. Knowing everybody isn’t up at the crack of dawn ready for school and ready for the game – you’re wondering if everyone is going to get here in time.”
The implications of a long-term strike could be devastating, especially for the seniors.
“That would crush everybody,” Farrar said. “We don’t want to miss anything softball-wise and graduating, plans for college – we have a few girls on the team who are going to summer session.
“We don’t want anyone to miss out on anything. We want to make the best of the season because we know we’re very strong.”
The Maidens hope the distraction of the strike will be over by the time they travel to Central Bucks South for a key SOL showdown on Wednesday.
Souderton 4, Central Bucks East 1
Brittany Beebe tossed a complete game four-hitter to lead the Indians to the big road win on Monday. The junior hurler fanned seven.
The Indians got on the scoreboard with a run in the second, two more in the third and a single run in the fourth. East scored its only run in the seventh. Elysha Sowers delivered the game’s big blow – a two-run double in the third.
Souderton, which improved to 2-3 in the SOL (5-3 overall), pounded out 10 hits – led by the two-hit efforts of Elysha Sowers, Olivia Shoemaker, Brittany Beebe and Sarah Derstine.
Robyn Zeigler absorbed the loss for the Patriots.
Neshaminy 9, William Tennent 1
Sarah McGowan did it all for the Redskins in Monday’s decisive win over Tennent. The junior pitcher not only upped her mound record to 4-0, she also was 2-for-3 at the plate, which included a triple and two-run homerun. Brianna Guidos came in to close out the game. Courtney Clee was 3-for-4 with a run scored.
The Redskins will face Pennsbury in a key SOL showdown on Thursday.
Norristown 6, Plymouth Whitemarsh 5
Just one out separated PW from a win over Norristown, but the Eagles capitalized on an error to knot the score 5-5 in the top of the seventh. Sammy Kidd delivered what turned out to be the game-winning hit. One inning earlier, Gabby Berry smacked a two-run home run to make it a 5-4 game.
Berry finished the day with two hits – a homerun and triple. Shari Lynne Kluth, Stephanie Dinolfi, Daisy Foster, Giny Pellechio and Kidd each added single hits.
For PW, Renee Stitler contributed a two-run double, and Alexa Borkowski had an RBI double.
Taylor Copestick, according to coach Jon Kandrick, rebounded from a shaky start to make a great catch on a popup in the bottom of the seventh.
Daisy Foster earned the win on the mound, allowing four hits while striking out five. She also made several big defensive plays.
While the Eagles improve to 4-1 in the league, the Colonials fell to 1-2. The loss was the first at home for the Colonials since May 18, 2008.
Council Rock North 9, Bensalem 0
Morgan Lewis allowed just one hit while striking out seven in a shutout win for the Indians. Sophomore Michele Hand was just a home run away from hitting for the cycle as she collected a single, double and triple with three RBIs. Freshman Dominique Pinto added a single and triple with two RBIs.
The Indians, who are 2-2 in league play (3-3 overall), scored three runs in the first, three in the fourth and three more in the sixth.
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