Bensalem, CB South, Wissahickon and CR North were winners in SOL softball action. Check out the recaps.
National Conference
BENSALEM 9, ABINGTON 8
The Owls held off a gritty Abington comeback attempt in the late innings to earn their first conference win of the season.
“We absolutely needed this,” Bensalem coach Dan Schram said. “We’ve struggled in the conference, and today’s game is par for the course for every single time we play Abington.
“It’s an absolute battle, no matter what our positions might be in the division. It’s just the way this game always is between us, and it’s a lot of fun.”
The Owls batted around in a five-run second. Maddie Sauer drew a leadoff walk, and Kate Formichelli followed with an RBI double. Dani Sharp, the Owls’ designated player, also hit an RBI double, and with two outs, Haley Sauer, Haley Keenan and Tori Yorgey (2 RBIs) collected back-to-back-to-back singles. By the time the inning was over, the Owls led 5-0.
Abington plated a pair of runs in the top of the third, but the Owls got those runs back in the fifth. Kate Formichelli hit a one-out double, and with two outs, Chrissy Segrest smashed a two-run home run that gave the Owls a 7-2 lead.
“I think the pivotal point of the game was Chrissy hitting the home run,” Schram said. “We have a very deep porch at our field. You do see home runs, but you really have to put something into it.
“She hit a shot. All day long you could feel her confidence at the plate. Every time she got up she was looking to do something.”
The Ghosts erupted for four runs in the sixth to make it a 7-6 game, but the Owls answered with two of their own in the bottom of the inning. Yorgey started things off with a double, and when the Ghosts didn’t have a play at first on Ali Goodman’s bunt, the Owls had a pair on board. Formichelli’s third double of the game pushed a pair of runs across and gave the Owls a 9-6 lead. The Ghosts didn’t go down quietly, plating a pair in the top of the seventh, but the Owls – behind winning pitcher Haley Sauer – held on for the win.
“Even when we went up on them today, I didn’t feel good about it,” Schram said. “I knew they were coming back.
“They’re a good team, and Ellie (White) is a great coach, and it’s just the way it is when you play them.”
Segrest was 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Formichelli was 3-for-4 with three doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored, and Yorgey was 3-for-4 with two doubles, one stolen base, two RBIs and one run scored.
For the Ghosts, Olivia Bernstein was 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored, Brooke Clewell was 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and one run scored, and Lily Campoli was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Bensalem (6-5, 1-5 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury on Friday, and Abington (4-7, 1-5) will be on the road at Council Rock South on Friday.
Abington 002 004 2 8
Bensalem 050 022 x 9
Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2
The Patriots trailed the Titans by just a game heading into Wednesday’s showdown, and although they found a way to contain the Titans’ high-powered offense, they couldn’t hold an early 2-1 lead as the Titans scored a pair of runs in the fifth to eke out the win.
“They kind of held us in check for a while, but we gutted it out,” South coach Kevin Rosini said. “I figured after Monday’s game (an 11-0 win over North Penn) we might have a little bit of a letdown today, and we did, but the kids found a way.
“We made some really good defensive plays late in the game, and Alexis (McConomy) pitched great again. It was a very clean game, and it was over in an hour and 10 minutes. We’re playing well, and this was a game we really had to win today after Monday.”
The Titans trailed 2-1 heading into the fifth. Maddie Rowley singled to lead off the frame, and she moved up to second on Alexa Ortman’s sacrifice bunt. Alex Deleon delivered a clutch double to plate Rowley. Deleon moved up to third on a groundout, and after Taylor Marinelli was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game, it was Meghan Bradley collecting a clutch two-out single to left that plated the go-ahead run.
McConomy – who scattered eight hits, struck out six and walked one in the complete game win – did the rest, shutting out the Patriots over the final three innings.
Earlier, the Patriots put a pair of runs on the board in the third when Audrey Labouliere delivered a triple that plated Tara Harper, who had singled. Alyssa Catron’s single scored Labouliere, and the Patriots led 2-0.
The Titans cut that lead in half with a run in the top of the fourth, thanks to an RBI single by Katie Hines, and the stage was set for the Titans’ two-run fifth.
Deleon’s 2-for-4 effort led the Titans. For the Patriots, Catron was 2-for-3 with one RBI while Hailey Aspinwall and Harper were both 2-for-4.
Giuliana Ruscio absorbed the loss, allowing seven hits while striking out three and walking one.
Central Bucks South (8-3, 6-0 SOL) will be on the road at Souderton on Friday, and Central Bucks East (7-4, 4-2) will travel to North Penn.
Central Bucks South 000 120 0 3-7-1
Central Bucks East 002 000 0 2-8-0
American Conference
WISSAHICKON 16, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 6 (6 innings)
The Trojans have had to overcome their share of obstacles this season, including the loss of starting pitcher Halle Segal before the season started to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
On Wednesday, the Trojans dug themselves out of an early hole to earn the no-doubt-about-it win, their second in conference play.
“We have two freshmen and two sophomores in our starting lineup, plus an inexperienced pitcher, and they are getting better every day,” coach Mike Borkowski said. “We’re taking our lumps now with an eye towards hopefully being contenders later.
“We’re very excited about these five (young players). I’m hoping we’ve turned the corner now.”
In the bottom of the second, the Spartans erased a 1-0 Trojan lead when they batted around with Gabbie Gaskins delivering the big blow, a bases-clearing double. The Trojans answered with four runs in the third to knot the score. They added five more in the fourth and three in the fifth, thanks to a three-run home run off the bat of sophomore Macey Segal. Wissahickon brought an early end to the game with three more runs in the sixth.
Macey Segal had a big day for the Trojans, finishing 2-for-4 with a pair of walks, a double, home run and four runs scored. Sophomore Siani Paige-Miller was a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored. Freshman Josie Johnston was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Wissahickon (2-8, 2-5 SOL) will host Quakertown on Friday, and Springfield Township (0-7, 0-6) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday.
Non-league
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 13, ARCHBISHOP RYAN 2 (5 innings)
The Indians celebrated Senior Day on Wednesday, and senior co-captains Taylor Amazeen and Sabrina Crane both made important contributions in the decisive non-league win. Amazeen was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs, and Crane was 2-for-2 with three stolen bases, one RBI and three runs scored.
Also delivering a huge performance at the plate was Riley Sheehy, who was 3-for-4 with a double and five RBIs. Julia Shields was 2-for-3 with four RBIs and Taylor Briggs was 3-for-4 with a double.
Jenna Khantzian pitched two scoreless innings and earned the win. Lauren Begg tossed three innings, allowing two runs while striking out four.
Council Rock North (8-3, 5-2 SOL) will travel to Harry S Truman on Friday.
Archbishop Ryan 000 20 2
Council Rock North 346 00 13
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