Norristown 7, Upper Dublin 0
The Eagles turned in an impressive performance in Wednesday’s battle for supremacy in the American Conference standings. The two teams entered the game atop the conference standings with identical 4-1 records.
“It was a great win,” coach Jon Kandrick said. “We played a really tough team today. Upper Dublin is definitely a lot better than they were last year and will definitely be there at the end vying for that league title.
“They have a nice young pitcher, they have always been well-coached, and some of their kids can hit the ball well. It was a wonderful softball game.”
The game was a pitcher’s duel for four innings as the two teams battled to a 0-0 tie.
“Heather and I were joking around yesterday, and we said, ‘Both of our teams are hitting – watch tomorrow be a 0-0 game,’” Kandrick said. “We looked at each other in the top of the fifth inning, and it was like, ‘Here we go.’
“Our girls knew they would have to play their game.”
The Eagles brought an end to the pitcher’s duel when they exploded for all seven of their runs in the bottom of the fifth.
“We finally were able to get some runners on and get some hits,” Kandrick said. “I think it took the girls one time around to get the timing of their pitcher down.
“We started the fifth inning with a strikeout, and our DP Julia Santoro got on with a nice hit, and every single person that came up had a base hit after that.”
Daisy Foster tossed a three-hit shutout – two of the Flying Cardinals’ hits did not leave the infield. She fanned six and walked one.
“Daisy pitched her heart out,” Kandrick said. “The umpire was giving her the corners, and she’s a pitcher that likes to live on those corners.
“She did real well today mixing her pitches up.”
Foster helped her own cause with a double and single. Gabbie Berry also had a pair of singles. Shari Lynne Kluth, Gina Pellechio (triple), Sammy Kidd, Devon King, Julia Santoro and Taylor Copestick each had one hit.
Kandrick credited the defense of Stephanie Dinolfi, King and Berry.
While the Cardinals fell to 4-2 in league play, the Eagles are 5-1.
“Coming off our big win (over PW) on Monday, we knew Wednesday was the tell-all game,” Kandrick said. “I think that Wissahickon loss put them in their place – you know that we can’t take anyone lightly. Every team in our league has a chance to beat everyone else.”
Kandrick went on to credit his assistant coaches – Jess Krieger, Nick Palmerio and Kate Jacovino.
“They’re absolutely wonderful, and they are a big part of why we’re successful,” he said.
Central Bucks South 10, North Penn 0 (5 innings)
The Titans won a statement game on Wednesday when they rolled to a no-doubt-about-it win over the Maidens in the abbreviated contest.
“I honestly thought the game was going to come down to one or two runs,” coach Jennifer Robinson said. “We had a really good hitting day in terms of making their team work. We hit the ball really hard at their infielders, and we hit balls into the gaps when we had runners on base.
“North Penn characteristically has a strong defense, but they made three errors today.”
The Titans had three errors as well, but while the Maidens couldn’t capitalize, the Titans did.
In the bottom of the first, lead-off batter Shana Steigerwalt reached first on an error, and Jae Epstein followed with a single up the middle. Haileigh Stocks drew a walk to load the bases, and Morgan Decker followed with a two-run single.
One out later, Michelle Gessner singled up the middle, and the bases were loaded yet again. Another run crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice by Karey Fortier. Taylre Stocks hit a booming triple to right center that plated a pair, and just like that the Titans led 5-0.
It was a marked contrast to the Titans’ preceding two games – a 3-1 come-from-behind win over Souderton and a 2-0 win over Central Bucks West.
“We really were talking about coming out strong, getting the momentum going in our direction from the start and jumping on them offensively early,” Robinson said. “I said, ‘It’s going to be easier for you guys to play defense and for Fran (Carrullo) to pitch with runs behind you, so let’s work on getting them early and then defending that lead.’”
For good measure, the Titans added three more runs in the fourth. Once again, it started with a Maiden error. Steigerwalt followed with a sacrifice, and Epstein picked up her second hit of the day. A pair of runs crossed the plate when Decker delivered a double. The Titans led 8-0 after Lauren Klepchick’s RBI single.
The Titans brought an end to the game in the fifth, capitalizing on a walk, a double by Taylre Stocks and a couple of passed balls.
“It’s a nice win,” Robinson said. “You look at North Penn – they were second to us in the league, and they have had some big wins.
“They had that loss to Hatboro, but it was somewhat uncharacteristic and somewhat unusual circumstances, so you have to think this is where they’re going to come out and play at their top.
“I just think this was an uncharacteristic day for North Penn. I’m not going to take this as the next time we see them – ‘Oh, we don’t need to worry.’ I’m going to be just as mentally focused, and the girls are going to need to be ready to go too. I’m not underestimating their talent. They just had an off day, and we had a very successful day offensively.”
Epstein, Decker and Taylre Stocks led the Titans with two hits each. Decker had four RBIs while Stocks had two.
Fran Carrullo earned the win on the mound, striking out five and walking none in yet another standout effort. Kellianna Bradstreet absorbed the loss and allowed eight hits.
The Titans return to action on Thursday when they will play Central Bucks East.
“This is a really big game for us,” Robinson said. “With East having the victory over Hatboro, it’s really important that we take that for what it is and make sure we stay on top.
“We had a big win, and we don’t want to be back on our heels tomorrow.”
Council Rock North 11, Abington 6
Seven of Rock North’s nine batters had multiple hits in the Indians’ big win over the visiting Ghosts. Cindy Catapano contributed a home run while Colleen Kraft and Caytlin Friis both had triples. The Indians also benefitted from four Abington errors.
Morgan Lewis notched the win on the mound, allowing eight hits while striking out five.
Pennsbury 4, Harry S. Truman 0
Kait Schilling tossed a three-hit shutout, striking out eight and walking just two, in a complete game performance for the Falcons.
Savanna Grantham was the offensive hero for the Falcons, finishing the day a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a triple, two runs scored and two RBIs.
Rachael Alligood absorbed the loss for the Tigers.
As a result of the win, the Falcons are 6-0 in league play (7-2 overall). They will travel to Neshaminy on Thursday for a showdown of the conference’s top squads.
William Tennent 12, Council Rock South 2
Nichole Meleta picked up the win on the mound, and she received plenty of help from her offense. Ashley Alden was 3-for-3 with three RBIs – those RBIs the result of a three-run homerun. Leah Johnston was 3-for-4 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored. Melissa Simpson was 2-for-2 while Kelly Hendrickson was 2-for-3.
Upper Moreland 11, Springfield 1
Lisa Carey was a perfect 4-for-4 on the day with three runs scored and two RBIs. Katie VanDolsen, Amber Dougherty and Sam Balcerak had two hits each.
Samantha Juliano was 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Spartans.
Maddie Denney struck out nine in a winning effort on the mound.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 10, Cheltenham 0
Alycia Sabol threw a four-hit shutout for the Colonials while picking up a pair of hits. Carlee Nosek also had two hits to lead PW's offense.
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