Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday. (Neshaminy file photo courtesy of Jesse Garber (https://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p967070849)
SOL National Conference
WILLIAM TENNENT 5, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3
Sometimes it’s just a matter of confidence.
The Panthers have it while the Indians are trying to recapture theirs. The Indians are 1-6 since a 3-2 start. The Panthers have won four straight since their 2-6 start.
“They’ve gained so much confidence that no matter what happens – they know they can win the game,” Tennent coach Rich Clark said. “Earlier in the year, that wasn’t happening.
“We were afraid to lose. Now we’ve learned how to win, and we go out there every inning knowing we’re going to win this game, somehow we’re going to pull it out. I’m so proud of them. They’ve been doing awesome coming back. These girls are really playing well right now.”
It was a combination of the little things and the not-so-little things that were the difference in this one. In the top of the first centerfielder Caitlyn Mitros gunned down a Rock North runner at home plate, not only preventing a run but a potentially big inning. The Indians led 1-0, benefitting from an error, a single by Lauren Begg and an RBI single by Julianna Shields. They added two more in the third. Rachel Lorence drew a one-out walk and stole second. Shields delivered a two-out RBI single, and Abby Seiple’s RBI single put the Indians on top 3-0.
“As a team, we really just try and stay positive with each other, pick each other up if we make a mistake,” Mitros said. “We’re always telling each other – you can do it.”
Hannah Reimel gave the Panthers a lift when she led off the fourth with a solo home run to center field. The Panthers’ shortstop finished the day a perfect 3-for-3.
“Hannah was under the weather today,” Clark said. “She missed practice yesterday because she went home from school early.
“She was feeling terrible today on the bench, and what she did there was gutsy. I told the whole team – ‘Take a cue from that girl.’ That was awesome how she performed. She’s a battler.”
So were the Panthers, who plated three runs in the fifth to take their first lead. Megan Curtis tripled to deep right to open the inning, and she scored when Jada Francis singled up the middle.
“Two strikes on her, the infield’s in, and she hits it right up the middle and scores a run,” Clark said. “The bottom of the order – the fact that they’ve been getting on and making things happen is the difference between the beginning of the season and now.”
Sarah Cummins followed with a sacrifice bunt, and then it was Mitros ripping a ground rule double to right that plated the tying run. The Panthers’ leadoff batter, who moved up to third on Mackenzie Clee’s groundout to first, raced home with a run that turned out to be the game-winner on a wild pitch.
One inning later, Curtis – in perhaps the toughest at-bat of the game – was hit by a pitch after fouling off (unofficially) six two-strike pitches to lead off the sixth.
“I think that at-bat got us more hyped because she was battling so hard,” Mitros said.
“I’m always trying to get on base,” Curtis said. “I trust my team that we’ll execute and score, and that’s how we’ll succeed.”
Curtis moved up to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a groundout. She scored a two-out insurance run on a wild pitch.
“I was just watching the ball out her hand, and I saw it was going down – I was ready to go,” Curtis said.
Curtis and Mackenzie Clee were an effective right handed/left handed combination. Curtis threw five strong innings to earn the win, allowing seven hits – four in the two-run third – and two earned runs. Clee closed it out, allowing one hit in two shutout innings.
“We have a really good relationship – we complement each other really well,” Curtis said.
The Panthers have played themselves into the district playoff picture. They are 17th in the latest District 1 6A power rankings.
“It feels so, so good,” Mitros said. “In the beginning, we knew we had potential, but it wasn’t clicking. Now it just feels like we’re playing as a team, we’re gaining confidence and winning these close games at the end.
The Indians found Tuesday’s scenario all too familiar – they have watched leads of 3-1, 3-0 and 3-0 disappear in their last three games – twice in extra innings.
“I think we just have a problem closing games,” Shields said. “We start out really strong. I think we get complacent at times, and we can’t finish strong.
“I’m very proud of our performance for what that team has been doing, but we should have capitalized on it. They seemed a little down, and we were ready to win after those two extra-inning games.
“Through these games, the main idea is staying positive no matter what happens. You can’t win games unless everyone is on the same page and everyone is positive. That’s our main goal.”
William Tennent (6-6, 4-5 SOL) will host Pennsbury on Thursday, and Council Rock North (4-8, 1-7) will be on the road at Neshaminy on Thursday.
Council Rock North 102 000 0 3-8-1
William Tennent 000 131 x 5-7-1
NESHAMINY 5, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Kennedie Ruth tossed another gem, notching a complete game shutout win over the Tigers. The freshman pitcher allowed just three hits – all singles – and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning when Hayley Carter collected a one-out single. Ruth struck out the next batter she faced, but Chrissy Huhn followed with a single to put a pair on board. Another strikeout ended that threat.
Ruth fanned 14 and walked four.
“She was in total command from start to finish,” coach Dave Chichilitti said. “She did a great job.”
The Redskins opened the game with four consecutive hits – a leadoff single by Asia Barnard, a double by Olivia Fee, an RBI single by Liana Jones and a two-run single by Kaylee Jones. Just like that, they led 3-0.
If they needed insurance, they got it in the fourth. A leadoff walk set the stage for a Barnard RBI double. Fee followed with an RBI single, and the Redskins had their final margin of victory.
“Truman played a clean game,” Chichilitti said. “They played a nice game.”
Fee’s 3-for-4 day at the plate included a double, RBI and run. Barnard was 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and two runs while Kaylee Jones was 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
“Liv Fee had another great – she had three hits,” Chichilitti said. “The top four were productive again.”
Neshaminy (12-2, 8-1 SOL) – ranked sixth in the latest District 1 6A power rankings – will host West Chester East in a non-league game Wednesday, and Harry S Truman (6-8, 3-6) will host Villa Joseph Marie in a non-league game on Thursday. The Tigers are 27th in what will be a 24-team district field.
Neshaminy 300 200 0 5-10-0
Harry S Truman 000 000 0 0-3-0
SOL Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 6, SOUDERTON 0
Kylie Kenney notched her second complete game two-hit shutout in as many days, this time silencing the Indians in a key conference battle for the Titans. The senior ace fanned 12 and walked three.
“This was a big week for us with (CB) West, Souderton and Pennridge,” coach Kevin Rosini said. “If we want to move up in the rankings, we need to get some wins this week. So far, so good.”
The Titans – ranked 16th in the latest District 1 6A rankings – put a pair of runs on the board in the third inning. With one out, Alexa Ortman singled, and Rebecca Brennan was safe on an error. Maddie Rowley’s RBI single spotted the Titans an early 1-0 lead, and after Tara Tumasz drew a free pass, Katie Hines lofted a sacrifice fly to right field to put the Titans on top 2-0.
With one out in the fourth inning, Hines doubled, Olivia Robinson followed with a bloop single to center. An errant throw on the play allowed Hines to score, and an RBI single by Ortman put the Titans on top 4-0. Brennan singled, and a groundout put runners on second and third, setting the stage a two-run single from Tumasz that gave the Knights a 6-0 lead.
“Today’s was really a solid win,” Rosini said. “Kylie pitched really well. Our defense backed her up, we got timely hitting. Tara’s two-out single to make it 6-0 was really big.”
Ortman’s 3-for-4 effort out the leadoff spot led the Titans. She contributed an RBI and twice scored. Hines was 3-for-3 with an RBI. Brennan was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Kate Hammond had a double.
“I think we adjusted to the pitching that we saw,” Rosini said. “Abby (Burns) is a really good pitcher, but we adjusted to what we saw and hit accordingly.
“Overall, we were just solid. Up and down the lineup – everyone was hitting. That’s what we need to do to win. Kylie was getting ahead of the hitters and doing what she does. Souderton is a good team, and to do that today, I was really happy for the kids. They played really well.”
Sam Nuneviller accounted for both of Souderton’s hits, finishing the day 2-for-3 with a double.
Central Bucks South (8-6, 6-3 SOL) will host Pennridge on Thursday, and Souderton (8-5, 4-5) – 10th in the district power rankings – will be on the road at Central Bucks East Wednesday.
Central Bucks South 002 400 0 6-12-0
Souderton 000 000 0 0-2-3
NORTH PENN 8, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1
Mady Volpe continued her string of dazzling performances, allowing a first-inning run and then silencing the Patriots the rest of the way. The sophomore pitcher made life easy for her defense, scattering three hits while fanning 16 and walking none. Do the math – the Knights’ defense recorded just five outs.
“For a sophomore, that’s just amazing,” coach Rick Torresani said. “She’s doing well, and she’s working hard.”
The visiting Knights put a run on the board in the top of the first. Amanda Greaney had an RBI single in the frame. In the bottom of the inning, Hailey Aspinwall knotted the score when – with one out – she hit a solo home run to left field.
The Knights scored a pair in the third. Greaney singled to lead off the inning, and Elia Namey drew a walk. Both runners moved up on Jamie Beer’s sacrifice. Volpe helped her own cause by singling and driving in a run that turned out to be the game-winner. Another run crossed the plate on a double steal.
In the fourth inning, the Knights added three more runs to put the game out of reach. Greaney’s two-run double highlighted the inning.
Greaney’s perfect 4-for-4 – which included a double and two RBIs – led the Knights’ 14-hit attack. Jordan Pietrzykoski was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Carley DiGiuseppe was 3-for-4 with triple and a run scored. Namey doubled and drove in a run.
Aspinwall accounted for two of the Patriots’ three hits. The Bryant University bound senior’s single in the seventh was the 100th of a standout career.
North Penn (13-0, 8-0 SOL) – ranked second in the latest District 1 6A power rankings – will host Quakertown on Thursday, and Central Bucks East (3-12, 0-9) will host Souderton on Wednesday.
North Penn 102 311 0 8-14-0
Central Bucks East 100 000 0 1-3-1
PENNRIDGE 8, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
The Rams brought a welcome end to a three-game losing streak with Tuesday’s win. Makenna Patterson took a shutout into the seventh inning when the Bucks scored their only run. By that time, the Rams had an 8-0 lead.
“After a strong start to the season, we had a rough couple of games where we didn’t play up to our expectations,” coach Wendy Iadonisi said. “We played great fundamental softball with strong defense and timely hits today.
“Everything was clicking, and we’re hoping to continue with that momentum in our upcoming league and non-league games. With playoffs right around the corner, no one is going to make it easy from this point on, so we need to make sure we continue to play with confidence and consistency.”
The Rams scored all the runs they would need in a four-run third. Catelyn Thrush led off with a single, and Kiley Watson laid down a sacrifice. Gianna Iadonisi’s RBI double was followed by a Patterson single, setting the stage for Morgan Henry’s three-run home run that put the Rams on top 4-0.
An RBI single by Iadonisi made it a 5-0 game, and the Rams tacked on three runs in the seventh. Watson and Iadonisi opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and one out later Henry singled to load the bases. A walk to Emily Hegen pushed a run across. Madison Silber delivered an RBI single, and Mackenzie Owens followed with a sacrifice fly, giving the Rams an 8-0 lead.
Patterson notched the complete game win, allowing six hits and one run while striking out eight and walking none.
“Makenna pitched a great game,” coach Iadonisi said. “She was hitting her locations, didn’t give up any free bases and the defense executed plays.”
Iadonisi was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs. Henry was 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs. Watson was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Pennridge (7-5, 5-3 SOL) – 22nd in the District 1 6A power rankings – will travel to Central Bucks South on Thursday, and Central Bucks West (7-7, 2-7) – 26th in the rankings – will host Abington in a non-league game on Friday.
Pennridge 004 100 3 8-11-2
Central Bucks West 000 000 1 1-6-1
SOL American Conference
HATBORO-HORSHAM 10, UPPER MORELAND 4
The Hatters had a little score to settle when they travelled to Upper Moreland for a key conference game. They took care of business, scoring early and often on their way to a win that avenged an 8-4 loss to the Golden Bears on April 4 in the Hatters’ fourth game of the season.
“We made six errors in one inning,” coach Joe DiFilippo said of the early-season loss. “We split with them – they deserved to win the first game even though we gave it to them, and we got the second. I’ll take that.”
The Hatters’ coach was most pleased with the complete game win of freshman Kendal Leitner, who allowed four hits and four runs – only one earned – while striking out 14 and walking four.
“She threw a great game – she struck out the first six batters,” DiFilippo said. “I was really pleased with the way everybody played. They finally decided to take care of business.
“We were up 4-0, Upper Moreland made it a 4-3 game. We got two runs back in the next inning.”
The tone was set early when Kayla Tauber, who singled to lead off the game, scored on Alycia Tauber’s one-out single. In the second, Joyce Bloome hit a solo home run, and in a two-run third, Marissa Rapino delivered a two-out single.
All told, the Hatters pounded out 15 hits. Fedele (3-for-4, 2B, 2 runs) and Bloome (3-for-4, RBI, 2 runs) led the Hatters’ potent attack. Kayla Tauber was 2-for-4 with two runs, and Rapino was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Kristen Myers was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. Freshman Megan Mills was 1-for-4 with two runs scored.
Hatboro-Horsham (9-4, 8-2 SOL) – 18th in the District 1 6A power rankings – will be on the road at Springfield Township on Thursday, and Upper Moreland (9-4, 7-1) will host Upper Dublin Thursday. The Golden Bears are ranked third in District 1 4A.
Hatboro-Horsham 112 204 0 10-15-2
Upper Moreland 003 000 1 4-4-5
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 12, WISSAHICKON 4
The Spartans erupted for nine runs in the first inning and led from wire to wire to notch the big win.
In the fateful first, the Spartans sent 15 batters to the plate. Sam Wynne – who had a pair of hits in the inning – got the ball rolling with a leadoff double, Mikayla Quinn followed with a bunt single, and Wynn scored on the throw. Lily Gardner also had a pair of hits in the frame and one RBI. Also contributing singles were Gabby Gaskin (RBI), Chloe Morales, Wynne and Hannah Sebenick (RBI). Sydney Zimmerman drew a bases-loaded walk to plate a run, and Lexie Gaul had a sacrifice fly.
The Trojans got two of those runs back in the first and added two more in the fifth. The Spartans closed it out with three unanswered runs in the final two innings.
Gaskin led the Spartans with a 4-for-5 day at the plate that included a double, RBI and run. Gardner was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a run. Wynne was 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Morales and Gaul were both 2-for-5 with a run scored.
Sebenick earned the complete game win, allowing eight hits and four runs (three earned) while striking out four and walking two.
Springfield Township (2-8, 2-7 SOL) – sixth in the District 1 4A power rankings – will host Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday, and Wissahickon (5-8, 4-6) will host Cheltenham on Thursday.
Springfield Township 900 001 2 12-16-4
Wissahickon 200 020 0 4-8-6
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 18, CHELTENHAM 0 (3 innings)
The Colonials erupted for 12 runs in the second inning after scoring six in the first, bringing an early end to Tuesday’s conference contest. Kayla Yeager did not allow a hit in three innings to earn the win. She struck out four and did not walk a batter.
Regan Gehman’s three-run home run was the big blow in the six-run first.
Lauryn Kane’s grand slam highlighted the 12-run second inning.
Kane finished the game 2-for-4 with a home run, five RBIs and a run. Gehman was 1-for-2 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored. Hannah Suh was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored, and Jennifer Byrne was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Yeager was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Gianna Fazio was 1-for-1 with an RBI and three runs scored.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (10-1, 9-0 SOL) will be on the road at Abington on Thursday, and Cheltenham (0-10, 0-9) will travel to Wissahickon on Wednesday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 6120 18
Cheltenham 000 0
Non-league
QUAKERTOWN 7, SALISBURY 5
The Panthers rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to earn the non-league win. They scored two runs in the fourth inning and then exploded for five runs in the sixth inning.
Maddie Moyer doubled to lead off the frame, and Jenna Blair followed with a single. Abby Schwartz’s double plated a run, and one out later, Bri Lefkoski singled to load the bases for LauraRose Morelock, whose double emptied the bases. By the time the inning was over, the Panthers led 7-4. Salisbury scored a run in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough.
Five Panthers collected two hits each – Lefkoski (2-for-4, run), Morelock (2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBIs, run), Moyer (2-for-4, 2B, 2 runs), Blair (2-for-3, 2B, run) and Schwartz (2-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 runs).
Tori Caputo earned the complete game win.
Quakertown (8-6, 5-4 SOL) will travel to North Penn on Thursday.
Quakertown 000 205 0 7-11-1
Salisbury 211 000 1 5-10-2
Monday, April 29
Non-league
SOUDERTON 4, LANSDALE CATHOLIC 1
Abby Burns retired the first 11 batters she faced in yet another stellar outing for the Indians. The freshman pitcher allowed just two hits and one run (unearned) while striking out five and walking only one.
“She had another good game,” coach Liz Parkins said. “While there were two errors, the defense made some really nice plays behind her.”
The Indians manufactured a run in the second inning. Burns led off with a single, and her courtesy runner, Sierra Ripka, stole second and advanced to third on an error. She scored on Sam Nuneviller’s groundout.
In the third inning, the Indians added a pair of runs. Jess Lepore drew a one-out walk and scored when Alina Skrazat followed with a double. Riley York’s RBI single plated a run, and the Indians led 3-0. Naila Neely’s solo home run to open the fourth put the Indians on top 4-0 before the Crusaders got on the board with an unearned run in the bottom of the inning. That would be the extent of the scoring for both teams.
Jen Klepfer (2-for-4, 2B) and Burns (2-for-3) led the Indians’ seven-hit attack.
Souderton 012 100 0 4-7-2
Lansdale Catholic 000 100 0 1-2-1
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