Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Wednesday. William Tennent/Upper Dublin photos provided courtesy of Jon Sklut. Check back for a gallery of photos. All SOS photo galleries for SOFTBALL can be viewed by clicking HERE.
SOL Patriot/Colonial crossover
NORTH PENN 5, NESHAMINY 0
Julia Shearer literally did it all in Wednesday’s road win.
The junior co-captain tossed a complete game shutout, allowing three hits while striking out 11 and walking one. Shearer was also 4-for-4 at the plate with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs.
“She’s just awesome,” NP coach Rick Torresani said. “Jackie Bilotti would carry the team for us, and Mady Volpe would carry us with her pitching and even timely hitting.
“Julia just happened to go 4-for-4 with a home run and threw a great game against a very good team in a place we haven’t been to in years.”
In the second inning, it was Shearer delivering a hit that turned out to be the game-winner when she ripped a home run that plated Reyna Doherty, who walked and stole second.
“Julia smashed it over the fence in center field – it cleared it easily,” Torresani said.
That 2-0 score stood until the sixth inning when Sophia Collins, who doubled, scored on a groundout. They added two more runs in the seventh for the 5-0 final.
Annabelle Smink was 1-for-1 with a run scored, RBI and two walks.
North Penn (9-0, 5-0 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Thursday for a key division contest, and Neshaminy (5-3, 3-3) will be on the road at Central Bucks West on Thursday.
North Penn 020 001 2 5-7-0
Neshaminy 000 000 0 0-3-0
PENNSBURY 8, PENNRIDGE 1
Ainsley McClure was perfect for five innings, retiring all 15 batters she faced before being removed from the game with the Falcons on top 8-0.
“The umpire came over and said, ‘Hey coaches, you know she has a perfect game going,’” Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry said. “I said, ‘Hey, blue, you know we play today, tomorrow, Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.’ He said, ‘Oh, I didn’t realize that.’ I said, ‘We’re trying to protect her shoulder.’
“We told her before the game that was going to happen. Now we didn’t anticipate a perfect game. I said, ‘Ains, the umpire came over and said that,’ and she said, ‘I’m not into stats, I’m into winning.’ She’s a great kid.”
McClure’s stats were dazzling as she struck out eight and did not walk a batter. Quinn McGonigle closed it out, allowing three hits and one run (unearned) in two innings while striking out five and walking one.
The Falcons put a pair of runs on the scoreboard in the first, thanks to a Sammy Raub RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Laney Frieband. Their lead grew to 5-0 after a three-run second inning that was highlighted by Rowan Mulholland’s two-run single.
Frieband led off a two-run third inning with a double and scored on a wild pitch. In the fourth inning, Mulholland doubled and scored on a Pennridge miscue.
Mulholland was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs. Presley Foote was 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
Pennsbury (6-0, 5-0 SOL) will host Council Rock South on Thursday, and Pennridge (4-4, 3-4) will travel to Lansdale Catholic for a non-league game on Thursday.
Pennridge 000 001 0 1-3-3
Pennsbury 232 100 x 8-8-1
BENSALEM 7, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4
The Owls notched an impressive road win, erupting for five runs in the sixth inning.
“It’s a big crossover win for our team, and I can really see these girls starting to come together,” Bensalem coach Erin Smith said. “If they keep playing like this, it’s going to be a real successful season.”
East jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the third inning when Elizabeth Gray drew a one-out walk and scored on a double by Elise Waddington.
The Owls had runners on base in every inning and were finally able to break through in the fourth when Meg Klein drew a two-out walk. Ayva Knowles and Maggie Formichelli put the ball in play and forced errors to score two.
In the bottom of the fifth, East took the lead back by scoring two runs on back-to-back doubles by Amelia Funston and Ava Catron. But the Owls took the lead for good in the sixth, scoring five runs. Klein had an RBI single, Maggie Formichelli followed it up with a two-run single, and a bases loaded error allowed two more runs to cross the plate.
“It took us a little bit to score runners, but we knew if we kept putting the ball in play it would break open,” Smith said. “We did a really good job of being disciplined and making their pitchers (work) today. Megan Klein, Ayva Knowles and Lina Sponheimer each had two free bases between walks and hit by pitches. The top four in our lineup (Klein, Knowles, Formichelli and Sponheimer) were really efficient today. In 19 plate appearances, they were on base 13 times.”
Formichelli earned the complete game win, allowing four hits and three earned runs while fanning 12 and walking six.
“Honestly, the game belonged to Maggie Formichelli,” Smith said. “She was on base four out of five times with three singles and three RBI. And in the circle, she pitched a great game. The crazy thing is not all her pitches were working, and she was able to dial in and hit spots with only really two pitches hitting consistently.”
Also collecting multiple hits for the Owls was Camryn Pickering (2-for-3, run, RBI).
For the Patriots, Amelia Funston was 2-for-2 with a double and RBI. Sara Camposano was 1-for-3 with a triple, run scored and RBI.
“East is a really good team,” Smith said. “We scrimmaged them in preseason, and they hit the ball, so Maggie being able to keep them off the bases was great.
“I’m beyond proud of these kids. We honestly thought it was going to take a little bit with new coaches, new philosophy and a new culture. Nobody would blame these kids for having a down start to the season or even a down year, but I think the team has really bought in. Each game it seems someone new is stepping up and being the ‘it’ factor.”
Bensalem (5-3, 4-2 SOL) will host Central Bucks West on Friday, and Central Bucks East (4-3, 2-3) will travel to Villa Maria Academy for a non-league game on Friday.
Bensalem 000 205 0 7-6-2
Central Bucks East 001 021 0 4-6-7
SOUDERTON 7, HARRY S TRUMAN 3
Riley York was a tough out.
So tough that the reaction of her teammates was relatively mild when the St. Joseph University -bound senior smashed her second of back-to-back home runs.
“Another day, another home run,” said one of her teammates after greeting the senior slugger at home plate.
For the day, York had a double and two home runs, three RBIs and three runs scored.
“Riley is a phenomenal hitter,” Souderton coach Carol Atkinson said. “She gets ahold of the ball, she’s very disciplined at the plate – she always makes the pitchers work.”
Today’s home runs were number four and five of the season for York.
“I was really in the zone today,” York said. “We have a tough week coming up, and we want to keep the momentum going.”
Wednesday’s game was the first of three games in three days for the Indians, who will face a pair of undefeated teams – North Penn and Pennsbury – in the next two days.
They did not look past the visiting Tigers
“That’s what coach Carol always says – never overlook a team, never underestimate a team,” York said. “They came back with a few runs today. We’ve got to keep the momentum going.”
Abby Burns was the starter in the circle after being sidelined for three games with an injured finger on her pitching hand and returning for a stint in relief last week. The Indians’ senior ace notched the win, allowing two hits and one run while striking out five and walking none in four innings.
Sophomore McKenna Schroding – who held down the fort while Burns was sidelined – closed out the game, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned), striking out four and walking none.
“Obviously, Abby getting injured was not ideal, but Kenna and Lindsey (Detwiler) did an amazing job,” York said. “Our defense really picked them up – we always support our pitchers, no matter who’s pitching.”
The Indians put a pair of runs on the board in the bottom of the first. Kayley York lined a one-out single to center, and her sister, Riley, followed with a double to deep center, setting the stage for sophomore Kendell Clemmer’s line single to right that plated a pair.
Clemmer delivered an impressive inning-ending catch in the second, snagging a sinking line drive on the right field line that had extra bases written all over it.
“She gets a great jump on the ball,” Atkinson said. “She’s made a couple of those really nice catches this year.”
In the bottom of the third, the York sister act was back at it again. Kayley – a Rider University commit – singled to left to lead off the inning, and then it was York ripping a 3-0 pitch over the left center field fence, giving the Indians a 4-0 lead.
Jess Adams got one of those runs back for the Tigers in the top of the fourth when she ripped a solo shot over the center field fence. With one out in the bottom of the inning, York hit a solo home run over the fence in left center. Schroding, who tripled to right field, scored on a Tiger miscue. Josalyn Nelligan delivered an RBI double to right center, and the Indians led 7-1 after five.
The Tigers benefitted from an error, an infield single from Emma Olsen and a clutch two-run single by Ava Kilner to plate a pair for the 7-3 final.
Also, for the Indians, Kayley York was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and Taylor Nelson was 2-for-3.
Souderton (8-1, 5-1 SOL) will host North Penn in a key SOL Colonial contest Thursday, and Harry S Truman (2-5) will travel to Central Bucks South on Thursday.
“We just have to turn the corner,” Truman coach Rick Palmer said. “We had a good win over Neshaminy. This is another really good team. We had a tough early schedule. I don’t know if it lightens up in this league, but we’ll get there.”
Harry S Truman 000 102 0 3-6-1
Souderton 202 030 x 7-13-1
SOL Liberty/Freedom crossover
WISSAHICKON 16, UPPER MORELAND 2 (6 innings)
The Trojans scored five runs in the top of the first and brought an early end to the game with a seven-run sixth.
“Everybody has really been contributing to our wins one way or the other with nice catches, good hits, so I’m very happy with that,” Wissahickon coach Mike Borkowski said. “We tell the kids – ‘How are you going to contribute today to a win?’ They’ve been doing good.”
Luca Penna got the ball rolling in the first with a leadoff single, Katelyn Fitzgerald doubled, and Grace Franczyk’s triple plated a pair of runs. Emma Dutill singled, and then it was freshman Morgan Risnychok smashing a two-run home run for the 5-0 Trojan lead.
The Trojans managed just one run over the next three innings before erupting for three in the fifth and seven in the sixth. Highlights of the seven-run sixth included a Fitzgerald triple (2 RBIs) and a double by Franczyk (RBI).
“For whatever reason, in the second, third and fourth, we only got one run,” Borkowski said. “Their pitcher was a little slower than what we saw before, and it was ‘Let’s try and hit the ball out of the park,’ and we were popping up.
“I kept telling them and they finally listened to me – ‘Try and hit the ball up the middle,’ so they don’t overswing. In the fifth inning we got three runs and put it away with seven in the sixth. They listened.”
Franczyk’s 4-for-5 day at the plate led the Trojans and included a double, triple, two runs scored and three RBIs. Penna was 3-for-5 out of the leadoff spot with four runs scored. Danielle Ciliberto was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Fitzgerald tripled, scored a run and drove in a pair. Maren Carter was 1-for-2 with a double and run scored. Also contributing singles and scoring one run were Dutill, Sienna Miller and Julia Roth.
Ciliberto earned the win in the circle, allowing just four hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out 12 and walking one. The West Chester University bound senior saw her streak of 16 shutout innings broken when the Golden Bears put a run on the board in the second inning.
“She was on quite a streak there,” Borkowski said.
Wissahickon (4-3, 4-1 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland on Friday, and Upper Moreland (2-4, 1-2) will host Upper Dublin on Friday.
Wissahickon 510 037 x 16
Upper Moreland 011 000 x 2
WILLIAM TENNENT 1, UPPER DUBLIN 0 (9 innings)
Morgan Kocher, who led the bottom of the ninth with a push bunt single, found herself in scoring position with no outs after stealing second base. UD pitcher Chloe Foster struck out the next batter
she faced, but Lainey Scotese grounded a single up the middle that brought Kocher home with the game-winner, giving the Panthers the dramatic walk-off win.
“As soon as that ball got in the outfield – with the speed Morgan has, I was sending her all the way, and there was never really a doubt,” Tennent coach Rich Clark said.
The Panthers certainly had their opportunities long before Scotese delivered the game-winner. They loaded the bases in the first inning but came up empty. In the second, they stranded runners on first and third.
“We were getting baserunners early in the game, but every time we started putting pressure – credit to their pitcher, she really buckled down,” Clark said of UD hurler Chloe Foster. “It seemed like she took it to another level as soon as baserunners got on.
“We were able to put a lot of pressure – we just couldn’t get the runs across. She did a really nice job holding us.”
A pair of sophomores – Carlie Nydick and Katie LaPlount – combined for the one-hit shutout
Nydick – in just her second start of the year – allowed just one hit in five shutout innings, struck out seven and walked only one.
“She did a tremendous job,” Clark said. “She pitched five innings and was never in any sort of trouble.”
The Panthers coach brought LaPlaunt into the game in the sixth, and she did not allow a hit in four shutout innings. She struck out four and did not walk a batter.
“I brought her in expecting her to pitch two innings and finish up,” Clark said. “She pitched almost as many innings as Carlie. She was tremendous out there.
“It was great defense all around – we did well defensively. They did the same thing. It was just a very well-played game, and both teams deserve a lot of credit. It was an exciting game.”
UD pitcher Chloe Foster turned in what would have been a winning effort on most days. The senior hurler scattered eight hits and allowed one run while striking out 18 and walking two. Tennent’s Gigi DeMito was the lone player on either side with more than one hit. She finished the game 2-for-4.
William Tennent (5-1, 5-0 SOL) will host Quakertown on Friday, and Upper Dublin (2-7, 2-5) will be on the road at Upper Moreland on Thursday.
Upper Dublin 000 000 000 0-1-0
William Tennent 000 000 001 1-8-2
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 11, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 0 (5 innings)
A nine-run first inning was more than enough as the Colonials rolled to the mercy rule road win.
Molly Moore got things started in the bottom of the first with a double to center field, and Lauryn Kane’s blast to center field for a grand slam capped off the Colonials nine-run outburst.
In the third inning, Rian Reed hit a two-run home run to left field for the 11-0 final.
Kane finished a productive day 1-for-2 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs. Reid was 1-for-1 with a run scored and one RBI. Moore was 2-for-2 with two runs score. Also contributing RBIs in the contest were Sam Skivo, Kalina Childers and Haylie Lindley.
In the circle, Grace Carney and Madison Moran combined for a four-hit shutout. Carney – who notched the win – allowed three hits while striking out two and walking none. Moran threw the final two innings, allowing one hit while striking out four.
“We had two big home runs – a grand slam by Lauryn Kane in the bottom first and a two-run blast by Rian Reed in the bottom of the third to lead the offensive attack today, and Molly Moore had two of the teams 10 hits,” PW coach Mike Perez said. “Grace Carney and Madison Moran did a wonderful job combining on the shutout.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-3, 3-2 SOL) will travel to Springfield Township on Friday, and New Hope-Solebury (2-6, 2-5) will be on the road at Abington on Friday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 902 0x 11-10-1
New Hope-Solebury 000 00 0-4-2
ABINGTON 16, CHELTENHAM 1 (4 innings)
The Ghosts – with a pair of freshmen in starring roles – took care of business in a hurry, exploding for 10 runs in the top of the first inning on their way to the mercy rule win.
“Our freshman pitcher Sam Wenhold and freshman Hailey Hernandez continue to impress playing at the varsity level,” Abington coach Bob Baginski said. “We have many games ahead, and we look forward to building on today’s win.”
In the first inning, the Ghosts benefitted from seven walks and a pair of hit batters. Hailey Hernandez delivered the inning’s big blow – a three-run inside-the-park home run. Leanna Schenk had a two-run single in the frame.
Lauren Everitt’s RBI single in the third inning put the Ghosts on top 11-0, and they brought an early end to the game with five runs in the fourth. A two-run single by pinch hitter Molly Malone highlighted a five-run fourth.
In addition to Hernandez, Schenk (2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Ashley Reilly (1-for2, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), Everitt (1-for-2, run, 2 RBIs) and Malone (1-for-1, 2 runs, 2 RBIs) made important contributions at the plate. Contributing one RBI each were Natalie Broskley, Sydney Steiner, Sam Wenhold and Olivia Wade.
Wenhold notched the complete game win for the Ghosts.
Abington (3-2, 2-3 SOL) will host New Hope-Solebury on Friday, and Cheltenham (0-4) will be on the road at Hatboro-Horsham on Friday.
Abington 10-0-1-5 16-9-1
Cheltenham 1-0-0-0 1-3-0
HATBORO-HORSHAM 13, LOWER MORELAND 2 (5 innings)
The Hatters erupted for seven runs in the top of the first, and while the offense was pounding out 16 hits in the abbreviated contest, Kendal Leitner was in complete command in the circle. The Hatters’ ace threw all five innings, allowing one hit and two runs while striking out 13 and walking five.
“Kendal had another strong outing,” HH coach Kelly Krier said. “We also got off to a fast start, scoring seven runs in the first inning. It was great to have Marissa Rapino back in the lineup after an injury. It was another great team effort.”
Alyssa Tooley set the tone for a big offensive day for the Hatters with a leadoff double to center field. She scored when Marissa Rapino singled to center. Leitner followed with an RBI double. With one out, Abby Waeltz lofted a sacrifice fly to center field. Tess Kearney followed with a single , and a single by Megan Mills plated a pair of runs. Tooley’s second double of the game, this one also to center, plated a pair of runs.
“Lower Moreland’s pitcher settled in and got big outs when needed in a few of the middle innings,” Krier said.
Tooley finished the day 2-for-3 with two doubles, one run and two RBIs. Tess Kearney was 4-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs. Rapino was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Amya Lundy was 2-for-4 with a triple, and Kiersten Rimer was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Hatboro-Horsham (4-3, 4-1 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Friday, and Lower Moreland (4-2, 1-2) will host Wissahickon on Friday.
Hatboro-Horsham 710 23 13-16-0
Lower Moreland 000 02 2-1-3
QUAKERTOWN 10, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 0 (6 innings)
Sydney Andrews and Ava Beal combined for a two-hit shutout while the Panthers’ offense scored six runs in the first two innings. It added up to a convincing win for the Panthers.
“Our pitchers dominated the game,” Quakertown coach Dave Scott said. “Sydney threw two innings and then Ava Beal pitched the final four innings in her varsity pitching debut.
“Both pitchers combined for 13Ks, only 2 BBs and allowed only two hits. Both of them worked ahead and AB was impressive with her changeup. She hasn’t pitched in about three years, but we started working with her towards the end of last season and she worked on it over the winter. Our pitching coach worked with her on her change-up, and we made the decision to give her a look today…she was impressive.”
After Andrews struck out the side in the top of the first, the Panthers’ offense went to work with Andrews’ RBI double to center a highlight of the three-run inning. In a three-run second, Andrews lined an RBI double to center field. Another run crossed the plate on a single by Trinity Lucas. Mary Wilkinson also had an RBI single.
Andrews finished a productive day at the plate 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs. Grace Baker was 2-for-3, and Lucas was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two doubles.
Andrews, who earned the win, did not allow a hit in two shutout innings. She struck out all six batters she faced and did not walk a batter. Beal allowed two hits in four shutout innings. She struck out seven and walked two.
Quakertown (6-0, 5-0 SOL) will travel to William Tennent on Friday, and Springfield Township (0-5, 0-4) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday.
Springfield Township 000 000 0-2-4
Quakertown 330 211 10-8-0
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