Council Rock South & Bensalem were winners in SOL softball action Saturday. CR South/Pennsbury photos courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f860927651
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3, PENNSBURY 0
There are few things more coveted in sports than speed. Especially for batters hitting out of the leadoff spot.
One day after Pennsbury leadoff batter Ava Storlozzi – with a perfect 4-for-4 effort that included a triple and 3 stolen bases – ignited the Falcons in their win over CB South, Rock South senior Helen Wolosyn was doing the same thing for the Golden Hawks.
This time at the Falcons’ expense.
Woloshyn – who transferred from Notre Dame High School (NJ) for her senior year – reached base on all four trips to the plate, singling three times and walking another. She stole three bases. It was the speedy leadoff batter setting the tone for the game when – in the top of the first – she legged out a bunt single, immediately stole second and scored on Grace Stepp’s ground single to left field.
“Helen was the spark for our team today, getting on base all four at-bats, and when she got on, she stole bases to get into scoring position,” Rock South coach Scott Molle said.
For good measure, Woloshyn also delivered a potentially game -changing defensive play in center field on a shot off the bat of Sammy Raub in the bottom of the first.
“Pennsbury had a runner in scoring position, and when the ball was hit, we all thought ‘that’s a gapper,’ but then out of nowhere, Helen appeared and made an incredible catch to end the inning,” Molle said. “She has just been awesome for us all year – she always finds a way to get on base or make that big catch and has also helped as a leader to our underclassmen. She’s so fun to watch, and to have her in our team has been a blessing.”
So, thanks to Woloshyn’s snag, the Golden Hawks maintained their 1-0 lead and added to it in the third in a sequence that was a rerun of the first inning. Woloshyn led off the inning with a single, stole second and – one out later – scored when Stepp grounded her second RBI single of the game to left field.
“Grace Stepp – what can I say?” Molle said. “Twice when Helen was in scoring position Grace came up huge with RBIs in consecutive at-bats. She has been just incredible for us all year whether at the plate or behind the plate.
“Grace is special and once again came up big for us. Once again, she picked off a player at first base (2 games in a row now). I’ve talked about Grace all
year, and she continues to be big for us and is one of our leaders of the team.”
Stepp advanced to second on the throw to the plate. Julia Scannapieco followed with a single to left, and a Falcon miscue on Avery Tumolo’s hard hit grounder allowed a second run to score for a 3-0 Rock South lead that held the rest of the way.
While Woloshyn and Stepp stole the spotlight at the plate, Lexi Waring turned in another gem in the circle in a complete game shutout, scattering five hits while striking out nine and walking one.
“Lexi Waring was once again a staple in the circle for us and got stronger as the game went on,” Molle said. “She ended with nine Ks on the day highlighted by striking out the side in the bottom of the seventh. Lexi hasn’t given up an earned run in her last few starts and keeps bearing down and getting big outs for us.”
It is the first time the Falcons, who averaged eight runs a game through 10 contests, were shut out this season.
In addition to Woloshyn, Stepp was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, and Scannapieco was 2-for-4.
“We knew coming into this game today that pulling out a win would be a signature win for our program,” Molle said. “South has not beat Pennsbury in a very long time, and the girls wanted to change that history real quick, and they came out with an effort that we asked them to the last two days of practice, and we couldn’t
be happier for each and every girl on our team.
“Today was a game we had circled and knew our effort had to be up there, and what happened on the field today was something the girls will remember for a long time.”
Pennsbury won’t have to wait long for a rematch. The two teams will meet again May 10 at Council Rock South, a date softball fans will want to circle on their calendars.
“Pennsbury has such an incredible history of strong play and Frank McSherry always has his team ready to go,” Molle said. “Their pitcher today (Liv Czerniak) did a great job of hitting her spots, and a few of their girls hit a few deep balls. They have an incredibly strong line up and will be a tough opponent for the Patriot the rest of the season.”
Naya Schubel led the Falcons with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate that included a first-inning double. Jenna Thompson also had a double.
Czerniak went the distance in the circle for the Falcons, allowing just two earned runs.
Council Rock South (10-1, 8-1 SOL) will travel to Easton for a non-league contest Monday, and Pennsbury (6-5, 5-4) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday in another key Patriot Division battle.
Council Rock South 102 000 0 3-11-0
Pennsbury 000 000 0 0-5-1
Non-league
BENSALEM 7, CONWELL-EGAN 5
It was a special day for the Bensalem softball team.
The Owls not only notched a win over the Eagles in a non-league game, they held their Awareness game, this year supporting multiple sclerosis and one of their own who was diagnosed with MS, senior Megan Klein.
“Today was a win both on and off the field for the Owls,” Bensalem coach Erin Smith said. “Bensalem is such a great community. There were so many people who showed up today to support Megan.
“We were able to raise a good amount of money to help her family with some of the medical bills. I want to say a special thank you to Conwell-Egan and Coach (Sandy) Hart. Their girls showed up, put ribbons in their hair and made a donation to Meg. It’s moments like these that I love as a coach coming together for one goal.”
In the day that honored Klein, the senior standout did not disappoint, finishing the day 3-for-4 with a stolen base and run scored.
“Freshman Sydney Daut has also been swinging really well, and she was 2-for-3 today with two RBIs,” Smith said. “Junior Adrianna Vargas also had a great day at the plate going 2-for-3 with an RBI.”
The Owls jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Klein, who led off the inning with a single, scored on a sacrifice fly by Kayla Clarkson. A second run crossed the plate on a wild pitch, and Vargas delivered an RBI single.
The Eagles trimmed that lead to 3-2 with two runs in the top of the third, but Bensalem answered with two of its own in the bottom of the inning. Clarkson and Vargas hit back-to-back one-out singles, and both advanced on a groundout and then scored when Veronica Pachucki delivered a clutch two-out single.
The Eagles made it a 5-4 game with two runs in the top of the fifth, but again, the Owls answered in the bottom of the inning. Ashlyn Merz led off with a single, and with two outs, Daut delivered an RBI single. A second run scored on a wild pitch for a 7-4 Bensalem lead.
Conwell-Egan scored a run in the top of the seventh, but Oliverio closed it out.
“I have to give junior Adrianna Vargas credit,” Smith said. “She had a rough start to the season in the outfield. We actually had to pull her from a few games because she wasn’t reading fly balls, but today, she had like six or seven balls hit at her and got to everyone with ease.”
Senior Brianna Ryan started the game in the circle and threw two shutout innings.
“In the third inning, she started getting a bit elevated and let up two runs,” Smith said. “Freshman Dana Oliverio came in relief. I was a little nervous.
“Dana threw a lot yesterday, and we played early this morning, so I wasn’t sure she was going to be able to pitch a lot because of the quick turnaround. But once again, she stepped up. She pounded the strike zone and pitched the final five innings.”
Oliverio allowed six hits with only one earned run.
Bensalem (4-9, 3-7 SOL) will host Council Rock South on Tuesday.
Conwell-Egan 002 020 1 5-11-1
Bensalem 302 020 0 7-12-1
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