Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Monday. CR North/Upper Dublin photos provided courtesy of Greg Lindsay. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ SOFTBALL GALLERIES.
SOL Liberty Division
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 10, QUAKERTOWN 7 (8 innings)
In a game that was a roller coaster ride for both squads, it was the Colonials scoring three runs in the top of the eighth inning to eke out the win. This came after a wild seventh that saw the Colonials take a 7-3 lead with three runs in the top of the inning only to watch the Panthers answer with four in the bottom of the frame to even the score and send the game to extra innings.
Gia Bono had a huge day for PW, smashing two home runs and driving in four runs. Leah Schwalm had a big day for the Panthers, finishing with three hits – including a double, home run and three RBIs.
By the numbers: Plymouth Whitemarsh: Gia Bono (3-for-4, 2 HR, 4RBI, 2R), Madison Moran (2-for-5, 1RBI, 2R), Rian Reed (2-for-4, 1R), Ava McEvoy (2-for-3), Maddie Swift (2B, RBI), Zoey Robinson (2RBI)
Madison Moran (W) (4.0 IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB)
Quakertown: Leah Schwalm (3-for-4, 2B, HR, 3RBI, 2R), Gianna Santangelo (2-for-4, 1RBI, 1R)
Key inning: Top of eighth: McEvoy led off with a single, Emily Dobrowolski drew a walk, and Robinson followed with an RBI single. Jenna Yablon followed with a sacrifice fly, plating Dobrowolski, and Robinson scored on a fielder’s choice, giving the Colonials a 10-7 lead.
Bottom of seventh: With the Panthers trailing 7-3, the Panthers rallied, scoring four runs to even the score. Carli Maha led off with a single, Colleen Gallagher walked, and both runners advanced on Kira Jefferson’s sac bunt. Cadence Jozefowski follows with an RBI single, and Schwalm roped a double to center that plated a pair. Santangelo’s RBI single knotted the score 7-7.
Top of seventh: Jenna Yablon singled, and one out later, Moran singled. Bono ripped a three-run home run to center, putting the Colonials on top 7-3.
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Mike Perez on the game: “After a Leah Schwalm solo shot in the first, I was proud of the girls for answering back with three in the top of the second. Seniors Madison Moran and Rian Reed got us going, while sophomore Maddie Swift crushed a double in the gap to get us on the board. It won’t show in the box score, and that was Swift’s only hit of the day, but she hit the ball hard all four at-bats. Emma Keely had a great at-bat to earn an RBI via walk and then Zoey Robinson drove a ball to right field to score another run.
“Our team did a great job all game working the count and swinging at balls we could drive. Sometimes they got through and sometimes they didn’t, but we had a lot of really good at-bats. Credit to the Quakertown pitcher who threw a lot of strikes, and their defense played great behind her. They made a lot of solid plays.
“After a couple scoreless innings from us, allowing them to tie the game, freshman Gia Bono got us back the lead with a big home run off the scoreboard in left field. She works so hard and puts a lot of pressure on herself to produce. She’s been swinging great recently and really hitting the ball hard but wasn’t getting the production she wanted. So, it was great to see her break out. She added another three-run bomb in the top of the seventh to give us a 7-3 lead. But this scrappy Quakertown team fought back with four in the bottom of the seventh to send it to extra innings.
“I was saying it all game – no lead is safe vs Quakertown. They have so much fight in them and some big-time clutch players.”
Extra innings: “Ava McEvoy (who was on base three times today) started off the top of the eighth with a huge single to right field, followed by an Emily Dobrowolski walk and clutch RBI single by Zoey Robinson. Zoey is another freshman who has high expectations for herself. She’s been our leading hitter all season, and today she struggled to find the holes in the defense. But she came up biggest when we needed her most. Jenna Yablon knew her job and followed with a sac fly to plate another run, and Madison Moran hit a bullet to third base to score another one late in the inning. Madison Moran hit the ball hard all day, so it was awesome to see her get that run home. She also composed herself enough to go back out to the circle in the bottom of the eighth to finish off the victory.
“Not our prettiest or most complete victory of the season, but any league win is big this time of season. We have a lot of positives to build on and will look to keep the momentum on Wednesday as we head to WC East.”
Up next: Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-4, 6-0 SOL) will travel to West Chester East for a non-league game on Wednesday, and Quakertown (5-9, 3-3 ) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday.
Plymouth Whitemar 030 010 33 10-12—2
Quakertown 100 200 40 7-7-0
SOL Freedom Division
LOWER MORELAND 10, CHELTENHAM 0 (5 innings)
Izzy O’Brien was in command in the circle, allowing just one hit in five shutout innings, and she helped her own cause with a pair of hits – including a double – and two RBIs.
The Lions took control of the game in the third, breaking a scoreless tie with a seven-run outburst.
Also contributing two hits each for the Lions were Maddie Menchhofer, Jordyn MacPhee and Alexis MacPhee.
By the numbers: Lower Moreland: Izzy O’Brien (2-for-3, 2B, 2RBI, 1R), Maddie Menchhofer (2-for-4, 2 2B, 2R), Jordyn MacPhee (2-for-2, 1RBI, 2R), Alexis MacPhee (2-for-4, 1RBI, 2R),
Key inning: Top of third: With one out, Annika Swanson drew a walk, and Menchhofer followed with a double. Both runners scored on a double to left by Izzy O’Brien, and O’Brien scored when Jordyn McPhee singled. Molly Weber drew a walk, and Alexis MacPhee and Eli DeJesus followed with back-to-back RBI singles. Lily Seiner was hit by a pitch, and Alyssa Ayling singled home a run, giving the Lions a 7-0 lead on its way to the mercy rule win.
Up next: Cheltenham (0-7, 0-4 SOL) will travel to Lower Moreland (4-6, 1-4) for a rematch on Tuesday.
Lower Moreland 007 21 10-11-2
Cheltenham 000 00 0-1-3
Non-league
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 8, UPPER DUBLIN 5
The Indians’ offense was operating on all cylinders. They collected 13 hits – five of them for extra bases, including three home runs.
The visiting Cards took a 4-2 lead with a pair of runs in the third inning, thanks to a two-run double by Maddie Small. The Indians evened the score with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the inning. They took a lead they would not lose in a three-run fifth.
The number nine batters for both teams had big days. Rock North’s Mia Kiskurno was 3-for-3 with an RBI, and UD’s Maddie Small was 2-for-3 with a double, home run and three RBIs.
Lucy Mills earned the complete game win.
By the numbers: Council Rock North: Mia Kiskurno (3-for-3, 1RBI), Sierra Klein (2-for-4, 2 2B, 1R), Katie Wilkoski (2-for-4, HR, 2RBI, 1R), Alison Bodick (1-for-2, HR, 1RBI, 1R), Chelsea Seiler (1-for-3, HR, 1RBI, 2R), Kayla Ripper (2B)
Lucy Mills (W) (7.0 IP, 10H, 5R, 4ER, 2BB, 3K)
Upper Dublin: Kyla Garrison (2-for-3, 2B), Sophia Vitella (2-for-4, 1R), Maddie Small (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 3RBIs 1R), Kate Brannigan (2B)
Key inning: Bottom of fifth: The Indians broke a 4-4 tie with three runs. With one out, Klein doubled to right field, and Wilkoski brought her home with a two-run home run to left field. Alison Bodick followed with a solo home run to left fieid, and the Indians led 7-3 on their way to the non-league win.
Council Rock North coach Susan Yee on the game: “Our girls really deserve a lot of credit for battling and making offensive adjustments as they went. They were talking to each other about what they were seeing, and they were all receptive to one another and adjusting. Every girl in the lineup had at least one hit, which is a big achievement for a team, but a huge achievement against a stud like Kayla (Garrison).”
–Turning point: “An absolutely pivotal moment (possibly the deciding moment of the game) came in the fifth with the string of hits by Sierra Klein (ground rule double through the outfield fence), Katie Wilkoski (home run), and Alison Bodick (home run), but the real key wasn’t the
hits themselves, but the fact that all three of them made middle of the at-bat adjustments (the first two doing it while in a two-strike hole) and those adjustments turned into squaring it up and breaking the game open. It all came down to their mindset.
“That focused mindset once again came into play in another pivotal moment by Sierra Klein, during the next half inning when she made a running pick and throw to first on a bouncer up the middle with the bases loaded to end the threat. She was absolutely clutch today.
“Lucy Mills also deserves a ton of credit for throwing a great game today. She hit her spots, she spun the ball, she fielded her position, and she showed a ton of poise. “
–Team meeting yields results: “We had a team meeting last week to address dugout culture, and the girls really responded, and it made a difference today. They were focused, they were loud, they were adjusting, and it made the difference in getting a much-needed win against a very good team. I honestly could not be more proud of them for their approach and teamwork today.”
Tip of the hat to UD: “That Upper Dublin team is a solid group, and I know they are going to bounce back and make noise in the playoffs. Heather Boyer really knows the game and runs a first class program, and the girls on the field flat out play hard. Kyla Garrison is an artist when it comes to spinning the ball and painting corners, and their nine hitter gave us major issues at the plate.”
Up next: Council Rock North (10-4, 5-0 SOL) will host Bensalem on Tuesday, and Upper Dublin (8-4, 4-1) will host Wissahickon on Tuesday.
Upper Dublin 022 001 0 5-10-3
Council Rock North 112 031 x 8-13-5
SPRINGFIELD TWP 11, ABINGTON 3
The Spartans took an 8-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second inning, and they never looked back on their way to the non-league win.
Ashley Schulz was 3-for-3, Juju Cooney had two hits, including a double, and led the Spartans with four RBIs. Natalie Hartman and Joce Davis both had two hits.
Julia Matthews earned the complete game win, allowing three hits and no earned runs.
By the numbers: Springfield Twp: Ashley Schulz (3-for-3, 3R), Juju Cooney (2-for-5, 2B, 4RBI, 2R), Natalie Hartman (2-for-5, 2RBI, 1R), Joce Davis (2-for-4, 2B, 2R, 1R)
Julia Matthews (7.0 IP, 3H, 3R, 0ER, 4BB, 5K)
Abington: Sam Wenhold (2-for-3), Mia Lucke (2B)
Key inning: Top of first: The Spartans set the tone with a big first inning. McKayla McKeever was safe on an error to open the inning, and one out later, Schulz singled. With two outs, Hartman singled home a run, and then it was Joce Davis hitting a double to left that plated a pair of runs. Keira Brandon singled home a run, and the Spartans had a 4-0 lead on their way to the win.
Springfield Twp coach Heather Gelhaus: “We had a great team effort win. Everyone contributed in different ways, and we really played well. Ashley Schulz, Joce Davis, Juju Cooney, and Natalie Hartman all had multiple hits, RBIs and runs scored. They led our offense and got us the win we needed.
“Julia Mathews pitched another great game. She only allowed three hits and kept them off balance. Her defense was strong behind her as well.”
Up next: Springfield Twp (5-8, 2-3 SOL) will host New Hope-Solebury Tuesday, and Abington (2-10, 1-4) will be on the road to Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday.
Springfield Twp 440 200 1 11-12-2
Abington 010 020 0 3-3-3
BENSALEM 7, ARCHBISHOP RYAN 4
The two teams were deadlocked 2-2 after three innings, and in the fourth, the Owls scored a pair of runs only to see Ryan even the score in the top of the fifth.
Bensalem scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth when Ashlyn Merz ripped an RBI triple to center, and the Owls added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.
Merz and Abbie Kevolin both had two hits to lead the Owls.
Dana Oliverio earned the complete game win.
By the numbers: Ashlyn Merz (2-for-3, 3B, 2RBI), Abbie Krevolin (2-for-3, 1R), Gina Oliverio (2RBI), Adrianna Vargas (3B, 1RBI)
Key innings: Bottom of fifth: With one out, Vargas tripled to left field, and with two outs, Ashlyn Merz hit an RBI triple to center, breaking a 4-4 tie and giving the Owls a 5-4 lead.
Bottom of sixth: Aubrey Merz drew a walk to lead off the inning, and Krevolin singled. With two outs, Gina Oliverio delivered a clutch two-run single, giving the Owls their final margin of victory, 7-4.
Up next: Bensalem (4-10, 0-5 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North on Thursday.
Archbishop Ryan 011 020 0 4-12-2
Bensalem 101 212 x 7-8-0
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 17, GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY 0 (4 innings)
Sarah Zmuda and Lyla Becker retired all 12 batters they faced in four perfect innings, combining for eight strikeouts. At the plate, the Patriots pounded out 16 hits in Monday’s mercy rule win.
Hailey Helmstetter had another productive at the plate, leading the Patriots with a 3-for-3 effort that included a double and team-high four RBIs and four runs scored. Olivia Owtscharuk was 3-for-4 with one RBI and three runs scored.
A 10-run fourth inning brought an early end to the game.
By the numbers: Central Bucks East: Olivia Owtscharuk (3-for-4, 1RBI, 3R), Hailey Helmstetter (3-for-3, 2B, 4RBI, 4R), Anna Devine (2-for-4, 2R), Maggie Funston (2-for-3, 2RBI, 4R), Elena Bhatt (2-for-4, 2RBI, 2R), Mae Mahony (2-for-4, 4RBI), Sarah Zmuda (1-for-2, 2B, 1RBI, 1R)
Sarah Zmuda (W) (3 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 5K), Lyla Becker (1.0 IP, 0H 0R, 0BB, 3K)
Key inning: Top of fourth: Consecutive singles by Owtscharuk, Funston (RBI), Helmstetter, Bhatt (RBI) and Mahony (2 RBIs) to open the inning resulted in four runs. With two outs, Sarah Zmuda doubled home a run, and Devine followed with a single. Back-to-back RBI singles by Owtsharuk and Funston – their second hits of the inning – were followed by a two-run double by Helmstetter. Bhatt’s second single of the inning plated Helmstetter, and the Patriots had a 17-0 lead that brought an early end to the game.
Up next: Central Bucks East (7-7,1-5 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South Tuesday.
Central Bucks East 340 (10) 17-16-0
Gwynedd Mercy 000 0 0-0-3
About the Author
