Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday. CB South/Souderton photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko, & CR North/Truman photos courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f860927651 (Hatboro-Horsham/Wissahickon photos courtesy of Jessica Cassel/HH Softball)
SOL Patriot Division
NESHAMINY 11, PENNSBURY 9 (8 innings)
There’s something about the Neshaminy/Pennsbury rivalry.
After combining for 23 runs in the initial meeting between the two teams, the Redskins and Falcons combined for 20 in another wild one Tuesday.
The Redskins looked as though they had it won, breaking an 8-8 tie with three runs in the top of the eighth, but the Falcons didn’t go down quietly and had the tying run on base when Neshaminy pitcher Molly Ambrosius came up with a strikeout for the game’s final out.
“This definitely wasn’t what I was expecting or honestly hoping for – letting that many runs up, but the biggest thing I’m most proud of the girls for is that every single person in the order contributed and had at least one hit,” Neshaminy coach Sarah Martoccio said. “Most had two hits.”
There certainly were plenty of hits on both sides with the Redskins collecting 18 and the Falcons, 14 hits. The hitting started early and never stopped.
The Redskins scored three runs in the top of the first, thanks to an RBI single by Morgan Volgraf and a two-run single by Morgan Leonhauser. That 3-0 score stood until Anna Evanchik singled home a run with a two-out single in the bottom of the third.
The Redskins plated an unearned run in the fourth, but the Falcons made it a 4-3 game in the bottom of the inning when Jenna Thompson led off with a single and scored when Jaylynn Rodweller smashed a two-out, two-run home run.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Falcons took their first lead. Ava Storlazzi, who doubled to lead off the inning, scored on an error, and Presley Foote delivered an RBI single that put the Falcons on top 5-4.
Zahmira Coppola-Miller and Leonhauser both hit solo home runs in the top of the sixth, but the Falcons erased the Redskins 6-5 lead with three runs in the sixth to go on top 8-6. Highlights included an RBI double by Thompson and an RBI single by Sammy Raub.
The Redskins battled back in the top of the seventh. Erica Dalton led off with a double, Olivia Hughes followed out with a single. Dalton scored on a sacrifice fly by Volgraf, and Coppola-Miller’s two-out RBI single knotted the score.
The Redskins capitalized on a pair of Falcon errors to score three runs in the top of the eighth, and with the Falcons down to their last out, Ellery Mahony lined a double to left field. An RBI single by Rodweller made it an 11-9 game, and a Liv Czerniak single put the tying run on base, but Ambrosius came up with a huge strikeout to close it out.
“We had that game yesterday that lasted weeks, and to come in here strong and keeping battling was really big for us this week,” Martoccio said.
Leonhauser’s 4-for-5 day at the plate with a home run and run scored led the Redskins.
“Morgan Leonhauser had the game of a lifetime, going 4-for-5, and with any other third baseman, she would have been 5-for-5, but their third baseman is very strong and knocked one of hers down and she reached on an error, but that was also a very, very hard hit ball,” Martoccio said. “Any other defensive third baseman that probably would have been 5-for-5.”
Also contributing multi-hit games were Hughes (2-for-5, 2R), Lily Mormello (2-for-5, 2R), Volgraf (2-for-5, 4 RBIs, R), Coppola-Miller (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs, 2R), Kendall McCafferty (2-for-5) and Jill Rickards (2-for-5, R)
“I’m really excited to continue this momentum moving forward into the next two big games this week,” Martoccio said. “And what I’ve seen today offensively, I think we are in a good place.”
For the Falcons, Czerniak had a monster day, finishing 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Storlazzi was 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored, and Thompson was 2-for-5 with a double, RBI and run scored.
Neshaminy (10-3, 9-3 SOL) will travel to Council Rock South on Thursday, and Pennsbury (6-6, 5-5) will host Harry S Truman on Thursday.
Neshaminy 300 102 23 11-18-1
Pennsbury 001 223 01 9-14-6
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 8, BENSALEM 3
Lexi Waring proved to be double trouble for the Owls in Tuesday’s division battle.
“Lexi Waring did it on the mound and at the plate today, striking out 12, and she also had three hits and two RBIs,” Rock South coach Scott Molle said. “Going back-to-back games, Lexi had 27 strikeouts in two days and was once again money on the mound.”
The Golden Hawks plated two runs in both the second and third innings to go on top 4-0 early. In the second inning, Waring and Shannon Williams hit back-to-back singles, and both scored when Katie Aamland hit a two-out triple to right field.
“Katie Aamland came up big again for us at the plate, netting two hits including a triple and a run batted in,”Molle said. “Katie worked hard to get into the lineup and has been really good for us the past 10 days. We are so pleased on how she has been able to adjust to high school pitching in her first year.
“Shannon Williams popped off two hits also for us and has been battling through not feeling well. Shannon is in her first year at playing shortstop ever in her softball career, and she has been solid for us – she made some nice plays today and knocked a few balls down in the infield that would have gotten to the outfield and scored a run today. We are so happy that Shannon has excelled at her position, and she keeps getting better as the year goes on.”
In the third inning, Grace Stepp hit a run-scoring double to center field, and Avery Tumolo hit a sacrifice fly to give the Hawks a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, Bensalem’s Gina Oliverio hit a solo home run to right field. Bensalem made it a 4-2 game with a run in the fifth.
A four-run seventh was highlighted by a two-run double by Waring, as well as RBI singles by Kelly Delise and Julia Scannapieco to put the Hawks on top 8-2 before the Owls scored a run in the bottom of the inning for the 8-3 final.
In addition to Waring, Williams was 2-for-4 and Aamland was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
“Grace Stepp once again picked a runner off at first for her third time in four games,” Solle said. “Grace also hit a ball off left center field fence to give us a big RBI early in the game.
“We have had a tough stretch the last week, and as a coaching staff, we are so happy that the girls were able to keep their focus and keep continuing to play good softball. We finally have a day to practice tomorrow before a big conference game against Neshaminy on Thursday.”
For the Owls, Tuesday’s rematch felt a whole lot different than the initial meeting between the two teams, a 12-1 mercy rule win in five innings.
“Despite the loss today I think we played a lot better,” Bensalem coach Erin Smith said. “South is a good team up and down the lineup. I tossed a pair of freshmen pitchers in Veronica Pachucki and Dana Oliverio. They let up four runs through six innings but two were unearned. We need to play a little bit better defense behind them. There were a few balls that aren’t technically errors but should be caught or kept to one base.
“The last time we faced them we made a ton of errors and didn’t put many balls in play. Today, we had a lot better at bats off Waring. Ashlyn Merz was 3-for-3 with a walk. Freshman Gina Oliverio had a huge game at the plate out of the nine spot, going 2-for-3. She roped the first pitch she saw over the fence for a solo homerun and, in her next at-bat, dropped a perfect bunt single. Meg Klein was also 2-for-3. We are definitely playing better softball then we were at the start of the season, and that’s all we can ask for.”
Council Rock South (12-1, 9-1 SOL) will host Neshaminy Thursday, and Bensalem (4-10, 3-8) will be on the road at Council Rock North Thursday.
Council Rock South 022 000 4 8-12-1
Bensalem 001 010 1 3-9-3
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 12, HARRY S TRUMAN 5
The Indians upped their winning streak to five games, opening up a 6-0 lead in the top of the first and leading wire to wire.
The fun started early. Kayla Ripper was safe on an error to open the top of the first, and Taylor Gearhart followed with a single. An error on Molly Sheehy’s bunt allowed Ripper to score. A walk loaded the bases for Haley Edelman, who emptied them with one swing of her bat, giving the Indians a 5-0 lead.
“The highlight of the game for CR North was Haley Edelman’s first inning grand slam,” Rock North coach Susan Yee said. “The girls came out focused and ready to do a job right from the start, and it was great to see them all executing together during the first two innings.”
Sheehy’s 3-for-4 effort included a double, three RBIs and two runs scored to lead the Indians. Also contributing multiple hits were Ripper (2-for-5, 3R), Gearhart (2-for-4, RBI, 2R), Zoe Hardy (2-for-3, 2B, R).
Lucy Mills earned the complete game win in the circle for the Indians.
For the Tigers, Marley Montgomery led the attack with a 2-for-3 effort out of the leadoff spot that included one RBI and two runs scored. Jordyn Loy was 2-for-4 with a run scored, and Devin Becker was 2-for-2 with one RBI.
Council Rock North (8-6, 5-6 SOL) will host Bensalem on Thursday, and Harry S Truman (5-10, 2-9) will travel to Pennsbury on Thursday.
Council Rock North 630 021 0 12-14-2
Harry S Truman 200 200 1 5-10-4
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 15, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 (4 innings)
Sienna Lawson helped her own cause when – with one out in the bottom of the fourth – she picked up her second hit of the day, singling home a pair of runs to bring an early end to the contest. Lawson also notched the win in the circle with a four-inning no-hitter, striking out seven and walking a pair (the only two runners to reach base for the Patriots).
Lawson was also one of the hitting stars for the Bucks with two hits and three RBIs. Molly Gibson also had a big day at the plate going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Chloe Dryden and Ava Mattes also had multi-hit games. Dryden had two hits and drove in two runs, while Mattes also had two hits for the Bucks.
“We have really been hitting the ball well of late and a lot of our girls appear to be really relaxed and confident in their at bats,” West coach Mike Daher said. “Our two assistant Coaches Greg Glemser and Steve Ryan really have done an outstanding job coaching our hitters and helping them to get the most out of their at-bats. I am very fortunate to have them on our staff.
“Our girls are really battling with two strikes, and we are simply not striking out very often. We are playing very competitive softball right now both offensively and defensively, while getting some great pitching from Sienna Lawson and Ana Glemser.”
The Bucks’ coach went on to recognize his team’s defensive play of the game.
“The best play of the day definitely belongs to our first baseman Emily Gerstein, who took an extra base hit away from the East cleanup hitter on a line drive down the right field line,” Daher said. “Emily made an unbelievable play on that catch. The play also saved Sienna’s no hitter with one out in the fourth inning.
“I am proud of the way our team is playing right now and hope we can keep this up through the rest of the season.”
The Bucks scored early and often, putting five runs on the board in three of the first four innings. The five-run first was highlighted by Taylor Hooven’s two-run triple. The Bucks’ five-run outburst in the second benefitted from a pair of East miscues as well as two free passes.
In West’s five-run fourth, the Bucks loaded the bases with none out on a walk to E Gerstein and back-to-back singles by Mattes and Avery Rubenstein. With one out, Dryden and El Cooper drew bases-loaded walks and Gibson had an RBI single, setting the stage for Lawson’s game-ending two-run single.
Central Bucks West (9-4, 9-3 SOL) will travel to North Penn Thursday, and Central Bucks East (4-10, 1-10) will celebrate Senior Recognition Day Thursday at home against Central Bucks South.
Central Bucks East 000 0 0-0-4
Central Bucks West 550 5 15-13-0
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 5, SOUDERTON 2
Twenty-four hours after falling to Neshaminy in the resumption of a suspended game, the Titans bounced back to defeat the Indians on their senior recognition day.
“It was an awesome night after coming off back-to-back heartbreaking losses,” South coach Matt McLaughlin said. “The Neshaminy 12-11 loss was crushing as we got thrown out at home trying to tie the game in the bottom of ninth inning.
“The day got off to a slow start as we struck out five times in the first two innings. We arrived late to Souderton and didn’t have our normal warm up. So we got off to a slow start with the bats.”
The Titans won it with a five-run fourth inning. Ella Wheeler opened the inning with a line drive single to left and stole second. She scored when Hollie Schaub singled.
With one out, the Indians committed back-to-back errors with a run scoring on the first miscue. A fielder’s choice plated a third run, Lane McLaughlin’s line out to left field scored a fourth, and the Titans’ fifth run came home on a wild pitch.
In the bottom of the inning, the Indians plated an unearned run, capitalizing on a South miscue and an RBI double by Makayla Mihelcic. Doubles by Ava Detwiler and Mihelcic (RBI) in the sixth made it a 5-2 game.
Riley Theis threw a scoreless seventh to close it out.
“Riley Theis, our starting pitcher, did it again, holding them to just two runs in seven complete innings today,” McLaughlin said. “The defense was super solid behind her as well with an incredible play by Cam Lee at short on an absolute rocket and a diving catch by Lane McLaughlin in right field. Our left fielder Hannah Tracy also had an incredible running catch as well. All three girls had multiple defensive outs today.
“It was a great win because Souderton is such a well-coached strong team. They have been up and down this year and have won some big games. Today was their senior night and they put in a first class show for their girls. They also had a group of students sing the national anthem and it was amazing. Gave me chills.”
For the Titans, Schaub led the attack with a 3-for-4 effort that included an RBI and run scored. Maura Fleming was 2-for-4 with one RBI.
“Maura Fleming and Hollie Shaub each stayed hot with multiple hits and were a huge part of us scoring five in the fourth inning,” McLaughlin said. “It was an awesome team win and super important to getting the momentum back in the right direction. So very proud of the entire team again today.”
For the Indians, Mihelcic had two of Souderton’s five hits.
Central Bucks South (9-7, 7-5 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks East Thursday, and Souderton (8-6, 5-6) will host North Penn on Tuesday.
Central Bucks South 000 500 0 5-8-2
Souderton 000 101 0 2-5-2
NORTH PENN 15, PENNRIDGE 0 (4 innings)
Bella Nunn retired 12 of 13 batters she faced in a four-inning no-hitter. The visiting Lady Rams’ only baserunner came on a one-out walk in the first.
“Bella’s been pitching really well, and sometimes in games like this you can relax a little bit and you lose your control, but since we’ve gotten back from Alabama, she’s been pitching really well,” NP coach Rick Torresani said. “I’m excited for her.”
The Knights scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Gianna Cimino led off with a single and moved up to second on a wild pitch. Casey Sokol’s RBI single gave the Knights a lead they would not lose. Nunn helped her own cause with a single that plated Sokol. The Knights led 2-0 and they never looked back, scoring runs in each of the four innings and bringing and early end to the game with a six-run fourth that was capped with an RBI single by Lacey Haldeman.
Leading the Knights’ 14-hit attack were Liv Stevens (2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBIs), Sokol (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 2R) and Nunn (2-for-2, RBI). Tallie Smink smashed a two-run home run in a five-run third inning.
It’s been a tough stretch for the Lady Rams, who are without their ace in the circle, junior standout Averi Dockery.
“I feel for (Kristyn) Marinelli,” NP coach Rick Torresani said. “It’s great to see former players from the early 2000s and mid 2000s come back and coach, and I told her that. It just takes time to get your system and your culture in place. I said the same thing to the Neshaminy coach, Sarah (Martoccio). I coached Sarah in Carpenter Cup, and I know her pretty well.”
North Penn (14-2, 10-2 SOL) will host Central Bucks West on Thursday. The Bucks handed the Knights a loss in the previous meeting.
“Thursday’s a big game for us for reasons that are obvious, and the girls are looking forward to it,” Torresani said. “It should be an exciting game.”
Pennridge (3-10, 2-9) will travel to Coatesville in a non-league game on Monday.
Pennridge 000 0 0-0-3
North Penn 225 6 15-14-0
SOL Liberty Division
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 4, ABINGTON 2
The Colonials scored four runs in the third inning, and that turned out to be enough to defeat the Ghosts, who made things interesting by scoring a pair in the sixth inning.
“Abington made some great adjustments from the last time we played, and Sam Wenhold pitched a great game,” said PW coach Mike Perez, whose team rolled to a 15-0 win in the initial meeting between the two teams. “We were able to put a couple hits together in the third, but outside of that she really kept us off balance.
“Madison Moran pitched a great game, keeping us in it. I’m really proud of her effort today and our defense played really well.”
With one out in the third, Emily Dobrowolski was safe on an error, and Marissa Perez followed with a single. Caelin Kosvitch’s double to left plated a run, and with two outs, Sam Skivo lined an RBI single to center with a second run scoring on a Ghost miscue on the play. Anna Powel’s double to left plated Skivo, and the Colonials had a 4-0 lead.
That lead held until the bottom of the sixth when Mia Lucke lined a one-out double to left, and Sammi Clewell followed by ripping a two-run home run to center field.
The Ghosts put a runner on board with one out in the seventh when Mallory Beal singled, but Moran struck out the next two batters she faced to close out the game.
Moran allowed four hits and two runs in the complete game win, striking out 10 and walking two.
For the Ghosts, Wenhold pitched well enough to win, allowing eight hits and four runs – all unearned – while striking out five and walking none.
Marissa Perez (2-for-4, 2B, R) and Skivo (2-for-3, RBI, R) led the Colonials at the plate.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (13-2, 11-1 SOL) will host Quakertown on Thursday in a key division battle. Abington (4-9, 2-9) will travel to Hatboro-Horsham Thursday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 004 000 0 4-8-0
Abington 000 002 0 2-5-2
HATBORO-HORSHAM 13, WISSAHICKON 1
Alyssa Tooley and Kennedy Conn combined on a two-hitter in the Hatters’ decisive win over the Trojans.
Tooley threw five shutout innings, allowing one hit while striking out nine and walking two while Conn did not allow a hit in two innings but gave up one run, striking out three and walking one.
“It was a great team effort today,” Hatters’ coach Jen Tooley said. “It would have been easy to use the heat as an excuse, but the girls played with energy despite the heat.
“Alyssa is working back after an injury in last week’s game. Kennedy Conn did a great job finishing the game in the circle.”
Tooley hit a two-out double in the top of the first and scored on a single by Maddie Karpovich. The Hatters added three runs in a second inning that included several Trojan costly miscues.
In the third, Dakota Slye delivered a two-run double to put the Hatters on top 6-0.
Two innings later, Maddie Karpovich hit a two-out, two-run single. A run in the sixth gave the Hatters a 9-0 lead. They opened up a 13-0 lead in the top of the seventh before the Trojans scored a run in the bottom of the seventh.
Tooley led the Hatters’ 14-hit attack with a 3-for-5 effort that included a double and one run scored. Contributing two hits each were Maya Ravi (2-for-4, RBI 2R), Karpovich (2-for-3, 3 RBIs), Adrianna DeLeon (2-for-4, RBI, 2R) and Gianna Salerno (2-for-2, 2B RBI)
Hatboro-Horsham (8-4, 8-3 SOL) will host Abington on Thursday, and Wissahickon (5-11, 3-9) will travel to Upper Dublin Thursday.
Hatboro-Horsham 132 021 4 13-14-0
Wissahickon 000 000 1 1-1-4
QUAKERTOWN 11, UPPER DUBLIN 1 (6 innings)
The visiting Panthers opened up a 7-0 lead after two innings on their way to the decisive win.
Quakertown’s three-run first included just one hit – a two-run single by Mary Wilkinson, but the Panthers benefitted from two walks and a hit batter.
A four-run-second was highlighted by a two-run inside-the-park home run by Ava Beal that put the Panthers on top 5-0. Kira Jefferson’s triple to right field plated a run, and the Panthers led 7-0.
The Cardinals put a run on the board in the third on an RBI double by Kaitlyn Zacharia. The Panthers – thanks to a three-run double by Ellie Hilton – scored four in the fourth and one more in the sixth to bring an early end to the game.
For the Panthers, Leah Schwalm was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
Kyla Garrison was 2-for-2 for the Cardinals.
Abbey Wagner earned the win, allowing four hits and one run while striking out seven and walking none.
Quakertown (14-0, 12-0 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday, and Upper Dublin (8-7, 5-7) will host Wissahickon on Thursday.
Quakertown 340 301 11-7-0
Upper Dublin 001 000 1-4-3
SOL Freedom Division
UPPER MORELAND 9, LOWER MORELAND 1
Eowyn Stainback allowed just four hits and one run in a complete game win, leading the visiting Golden Bears to a win over their neighboring rival.
“Eowyn Stainback did a great job in the circle for us today, only letting up one run and striking out seven,” UM coach Melanie Martino said. “Eowyn is our senior pitcher who has been a great leader for us this year as captain.”
The Bears seized control of the game with a five-run third inning, benefitting from an error as well as singles by Kelly Bates, Claire Walton, Joslyn McCellan (2 RBIs) and Makenzie Leo. Erin Distel delivered the inning’s big blow with a three-run inside-the-park home run that put the Bears on top 5-0.
The Lions scored a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Bears got that back in the fourth. A two-run sixth-inning featured a two-run double by Walton.
For the Golden Bears, Stephanie Jones was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Walton was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run, and McCellan was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Distel was 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored.
“Erin Distel has been a consistent player for us both on offense and defense this season,” Martino said.
Upper Moreland (12-3, 9-3 SOL) will host William Tennent on Thursday, and Lower Moreland (2-11, 2-9) will travel to Cheltenham on Thursday.
Upper Moreland 005 102 1 9-11-1
Lower Moreland 001 000 0 1-4-2
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 18, CHELTENHAM 3 (4 innings)
The Lions controlled play from the outset, opening up a 9-0 lead after three innings. The Lady Panthers scored three runs in the top of the fourth, but the Lions answered with nine runs in the bottom of the inning to bring an early end to the game.
After Dagny Mobley struck out the side in the top of the first, the Lions went to work, benefitting from three Lady Panther miscues as well as RBI singles by Mabel Klossner and Emily Wilson to open up a 4-0 lead.
The Lions’ five-run second was highlighted by a two-run double from Kaylee Harris and an RBI double by Klossner.
Klossner’s 2-for-3 effort led the Lions and included a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Mobley, who notched the win, did not allow a hit in three shutout innings, striking out seven and walking one. Klossner threw one inning.
New Hope-Solebury (9-4, 8-3 SOL) will travel to Springfield Twp Wednesday, and Cheltenham (0-11, 0-10) will host Lower Moreland on Thursday.
Cheltenham 000 3 3-2-9
New Hope-Solebury 405 9 18-5-1
WILLIAM TENNENT 16, SPRINGFIELD TWP 1 (3 innings)
The visiting Panthers took early control of Tuesday’s game, scoring six runs in the first inning and adding five in each of the next two to bring an early end to the game.
Rylie O’Toole threw three innings, allowing two hits and one run (unearned) while striking out three and walking none.
Tennent’s six-run first was highlighted by a two-run double by Chloe Hostetler and included singles by Taylor Mazzoni, Jamie Green and Sydney Teufel (RBI) as well as a sacrifice fly by Victoria Colagreco.
Included in a five-run second was a three-run double by Lexi Weidner and an RBI double by Hostetler that put the Panthers on top 11-1. O’Toole helped her own cause with a two-run double in a five-run third inning.
Hostetler led the Panthers with a 2-for-2 effort that included two doubles and three RBIs.
William Tennent (9-5, 7-5 SOL) will travel to Upper Moreland Thursday, and Springfield Twp (3-11, 2-10) will host New Hope-Solebury on Wednesday.
William Tennent 655 16-8-2
Springfield Twp 100 1-2-5
About the Author
