Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Thursday. CB South/Souderton photos provided by Keith Clemens Photography. CLICK HERE for a gallery of photos.
SOL American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 8, HATBORO-HORSHAM 4
There’s no mistaking the importance of momentum, and the Golden Bears rode the wave of some serious momentum, rallying from a three-run deficit late in the game to earn a win over the defending conference champion Hatters.
“This was definitely a good one for us,” UM coach Scott Ludlow said. “What I’m thrilled about is that we never really got down. We always stayed positive and kept plugging away.
“It was about – keep battling, good at-bats, make the routine plays. We had a couple key at-bats, and it was one of those innings where momentum just got rolling in our favor. We got six runs with two outs, and that’s one of those things – they don’t give that up much. They’re good of a defensive team, and they’re too good hitters. Things fell our way, we put some pressure on them. That inning was really about momentum. Once we got it going, it was hard to stop.”
The Golden Bears trailed 4-1 heading into the top of the sixth when their offense came alive. They loaded the bases with none out, thanks to singles by Jenna Sadowski and Gianna Fiorenza as well as a walk. Two outs later – both by strikeouts – the Golden Bears still found themselves with the bases loaded and no runs across.
Chloe Kramer, who bats out of the nine hole, stepped to the plate and came through in a big way, delivering a two-run single to right that opened the floodgates.
Jocie Baumeister followed with a single that drove in the tying run. Bean Hughes singled, and a pair of runs crossed the plate on an errant throw to first on Jackie Martino’s slow grounder. Another Hatter miscue pushed another run across, and a 4-1 deficit had turned to a 7-4 UM lead.
“You get bases loaded with none out and you feel like you’re in it, and then you go strikeout, strikeout, and all of a sudden, the air’s let out a little bit,” Ludlow said. “My nine hitter came up with a big hit. We got some momentum, we got some key hits, they made a couple of mistakes, and we turned it into six. It was one of those things – you didn’t necessarily see it coming. I think we only had one walk and one hit in the previous three innings, and we really hadn’t done anything, and we just kind of exploded. You can’t explain it sometimes.”
Sadowski did the rest, retiring the Hatters in the final two innings to notch the huge win.
“Jenna really shut them down the last two innings,” Ludlow said. “They went down one-two-three in the sixth and got a single in the seventh but that was it.
“You’re not going to strike them out too many times. She had just two strikeouts but didn’t walk anybody. It was just solid. She had really good stuff today. They hit some balls hard, but she got some key outs, and we played pretty clean behind her. It was a really good win for us.”
For the Golden Bears, Cramer was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Cramer also was instrumental in the game’s first run, following Allie Ludlow’s two-out single with a bunt single that was misplayed, allowing Ludlow to score.
Baumeister and Hughes both were 2-for-4.
For the Hatters, leadoff batter Kayla Tauber was 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored. Brittany Huber contributed an RBI triple in the first, Alicia Tauber collected an RBI on a groundout in a two-run third, and Mikayla Fedele’s sacrifice bunt plated a run in the fifth.
Grace Daniels absorbed the loss for the Hatters.
Upper Moreland (4-2, 3-0 SOL) – because of its senior trip – is off until next Thursday when the Golden Bears will host Springfield Township. Hatboro-Horsham (2-2, 2-1) will travel to Central Bucks East Friday for a non-league game.
Upper Moreland 010 006 1 8-9-2
Hatboro-Horsham 102 010 0 4-8-4
UPPER DUBLIN 9, ABINGTON 7
The Flying Cardinals used a four-run seventh to erase a two-run deficit and earn the come-from-behind win.
“We had the lead more than we didn’t, but Abington came through with some clutch hits late in the game to get the go-ahead,” UD coach Heather Boyer said.
With one out in the seventh, Ally McDaid singled.
“Ally McDaid is one of the kids who has needed to step up with two of our top players out with injuries,” Boyer said. “Abington played her for a bunt, and she muscled a single down the right field line to get on base, and a little bit of a miscue got her on second.”
Taylor Avery singled, and the Cardinals had runners on first and third with one out. Ellie Kelcy’s double plated a run, and Bela Soriano followed with a bunt single to load the bases.
“Bela’s an excellent bunter but she can hit too so she’s versatile,” Boyer said. “She got the bunt down because I knew they were going to want to keep the runner in position because that’s the tying run. I knew with Bela’s speed if they did that she was going to be safe, and that’s exactly what happened.
“Now the table’s set for Gretchen Wolpert who has got such a sweet swing and really hits the ball well, and she did. She came up with a clutch double to score two runs, so now we have the go-ahead.
“Laura Carboni came up and had a great at-bat. She fouled several balls off and worked a full count before getting a sacrifice fly to their best arm in the outfield. It was just deep enough to score Bela to get that 9-7 position.”
Armed with a 9-7 lead, freshman Chloe Foster retired the Ghosts in order in the bottom of the seventh.
“We talked before they all went out and said, ‘Look, we have two runs here – be consistent, be confident and get outs,’” Boyer said. “Chloe maintained great composure out there. I was really proud of her.
“To be in a situation like that, you can get really amped up and be a little bit too excited and throw too hard and miss spots. They had a ground ball to get the first out, a popup for the second out and fly ball to left for the final out.”
Foster earned the complete game win, allowing 11 hits and five earned runs while striking out three and walking two.
Ellie Kelcy led the Cardinals with a 4-4 effort that included a triple, two doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored. Wolpert was 3-for-3 with two doubles and four RBIs. Taylor Avery, Bela Soriano and Jayme Rubenstein each had two hits.
“I think the girls are starting to feel more and more confident in themselves and in each other,” Boyer said. “The chemistry is starting to really come together which is important. You don’t always have to have the best team, but it’s good to have teammates you can trust and be confident in. They’re starting to really develop that which is important.”
For the Ghosts, Sam Marsheski was 4-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Jessica O’Neill was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Julie Burkhardt was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Annie Sokoloski was 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
Upper Dublin (5-1, 2-1 SOL) will host Abington (1-5, 1-2) in a rematch on Friday.
Upper Dublin 210 101 4 9
Abington 102 022 0 7
WISSAHICKON 7, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 4
The Trojans plated a pair of runs in the first and added three more in the second. They led 6-0 after three innings and then withstood a Spartan comeback to earn their first win of the young season.
In the top of the first, Danielle Ciliberto led off with a double to center, and Macey Segal followed with a single. Ciliberto scored on a groundout by Siani Paige-Miller, and the Spartans led 2-0 when Emma Clayborne delivered an RBI single.
In a three-run second, the Trojans benefitted from several costly Spartan miscues as well as an RBI single by Ciliberto. The Trojans led 7-0 before the Spartans plated a pair in both the fifth and seventh innings.
Ciliberto’s 2-for-4 effort with a double, RBI and two runs scored led the Trojans. Clayborne also was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Freshman Isabella Harris earned the win in the circle.
For the Spartans, Sam Wynne had a big day, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs to account for all of her team’s runs. She had a two-run double in the fifth and drove in two more with a single in the seventh. Kate Wojek was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Wissahickon (1-3, 1-2 SOL) will host William Tennent Friday in a non-league game, and Springfield Township (0-3) will travel to Merion Mercy for a non-league contest on Friday.
Wissahickon 231 010 0 7
Springfield Township 000 020 2 4
SOL Continental Conference
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3, SOUDERTON 1
Alexa Ortman collected the 100th hit of a stellar career when she doubled in the first inning, and the Titans picked up their third win in as many league games.
“We’re 3-0 in the league,” South coach Kevin Rosini said. “I’m happy with where we’re at. That’s a nice win today. Souderton is much improved from last season, much improved.”
The Indians scored a run in the top of the first, and the Titans got that run back in the second when Olivia Zoolalian ripped a solo home run to center field.
“She crushed it,” Rosini said.
In the bottom of the third, the Titans loaded the bases with none out on back-to-back-back bunt singles by Ortman, Olivia Robinson and Maddie Rowley.
“Tara Tumasz hit a fly ball to right field – it was a sacrifice fly, no matter how you look at it, and their right fielder dropped it,” Rosini said. “One run scored because everyone was tagging up.”
Robinson crossed the plate with the third run on a passed ball. That 3-1 score stood the rest of the way.
Ortman finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and run scored, and Rebecca Brenna was also 2-for-3.
Julia Kistler was 2-for-3 to lead the Indians.
Kylie Kenney notched the complete game win, allowing three hits and one run (unearned) with four walks and six strikeouts.
Abby Burns, who absorbed the loss for the Indians, allowed nine hits and three runs (two earned) while walking one and four strikeouts.
Central Bucks South (3-3, 3-0 SOL) will be on the road at Hatboro-Horsham on Monday, and Souderton (2-2, 1-2) will host Council Rock South Monday in a non-league contest.
Souderton 100 000 0 1
Central Bucks South 012 000 x 3
PENNRIDGE 6, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 4
The Rams needed a win, and they got one, rallying from an early deficit to earn the bounce-back win after falling to Quakertown 12-11 in eight innings two days earlier.
“This was really important, especially after Quakertown the other day,” coach Wendy Iadonisi said. “It was a good hard fought win. It was nice to come out on top.”
Things didn’t look all that promising for the Rams when the visiting Bucks scored three runs in the top of the first. Bailey Demusz collected a one-out single, and with two outs, Grace Dryden drew a walk, and Abby Lineman singled to load the bases. Demusz crossed the plate when Cortnee Levy singled, and Anna Rodenbaugh’s two-run double spotted the Bucks a 3-0 lead.
The Rams had an immediate answer in the bottom of the inning. Kiley Watson drew a leadoff walk, and Gianna Iadonisi legged out a bunt single, setting the stage for Makenna Patterson who knotted the score with one swing of the bat. The Rams’ hurler lined a home run to center field.
“To come back and fight the way we did – we gave up a couple of easy runs in the first inning, and then Makenna Patterson came back and hit a home run to tie the game up,” Iadonisi said. “That was a really huge motivator for our girls and was a great way for her to show she’s a leader on the field.
“I think the rest of the girls looked up to that and worked hard for the rest of the game to battle back.”
It was still a 3-3 game heading into the bottom of the fifth when the Rams took a lead they would not lose. Watson started the rally with a double, and one out later, she scored on a groundout by Patterson. Morgan Henry drew a walk, and Emily Hegen followed with a double to right that plated a run to give the Rams a 5-3 lead.
“It was a beautiful hit deep to right that was out of the reach of the right fielder that allowed Morgan Henry to score from first,” Iadonisi said. “I think it was one of the turning points of the game.”
The two teams exchanged single runs, but the Rams held on for the win.
Patterson earned the complete game win, allowing seven hits – only three after the first inning – and four runs. She struck out 13 and walked four.
Kayla Gallagher absorbed the loss, allowing seven hits and six runs while striking out 10 and walking five.
“Kayla Gallagher pitched really well,” Iadonisi said. “She threw a really good game and had really good speed.
“We were disciplined today, more so than we’ve been showing, so that was nice to see on our part too.”
Pennridge (3-1, 1-1 SOL) will host Harry S Truman Friday in a non-league game at 6:30 p.m. Central Bucks West (3-2, 1-2) will be on the road at Lansdale Catholic Friday for a non-league game.
Central Bucks West 300 000 1 4-7-0
Pennridge 300 021 x 6-7-2
SOL National Conference
PENNSBURY 11, BENSALEM 7
The Falcons jumped out to an early lead, erupting for four runs in the first. The inning was highlighted by freshman Quinn McGonigle’s two-run double. Kristi Haines had an RBI single. They added four more runs in the second with Casey Glynn delivering the big blow – a two-run double. The Falcons went on to open up an 11-3 lead after five. The Owls scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh for the 11-7 final.
Haines was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Glynn was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Caitlyn Martell was 2-for-4 with an RBI three runs scored. Carly Parsons was 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored. Junior Karissa Turk was 2-for-3 with two runs in her first start this season.
“We won ugly, but a W is a W,” coach Frank McSherry said. “Ainsley (McClure) wasn’t as sharp as she had been in the first four games. I think maybe she was a little tired. She pitched three games in four days, and she was a little flat with some of her pitches.
“Bensalem did a good job. They put together 12 hits, and they didn’t strike out. (McClure) only had two strikeouts, and our defense didn’t play as well as we’ve been playing either.
Pennsbury (5-0, 3-0 SOL) will host William Tennent on Tuesday, and Bensalem (3-2, 1-2) will be on the road at Council Rock South Tuesday.
Pennsbury 440 120 0 11-14-2
Bensalem 030 000 4 7-12-0
NESHAMINY 11, HARRY S TRUMAN 1 (5 innings)
If the Redskins were looking for a bounce-back win after falling to archrival Pennsbury on Tuesday, they certainly got it, earning a decisive mercy rule win over a Tigers’ squad that came into the game with a 2-0 record in conference play.
Kennedie Ruth allowed just one hit while striking out 10 and walking two. The freshman hurler did not allow an earned run.
“It was impressive,” coach Dave Chichilitti said. “She has a little bit of moxie in her.”
The Redskins sent 10 batters to the plate in the second and scored five runs, benefitting from three walks as well as singles by Ruth, Asia Barnard and Olivia Fee. They brought an early end to the game with six more runs in the fourth, once again sending 10 batters to the plate and capitalizing on three walks. Emily Siwek and Kiley Gurysh both singled, and Barnard delivered a double.
Barnard was 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot.
“She’s been a very consistent piece for us,” Chichilitti said. “She’s scoring runs and she’s running the bases like she can – she’s excellent at stealing bases, but she’s also driving in a ton of runs, which is awesome.”
Sophomore Kylee Jones was 1-for-3 with three RBIs. Fee and Siwek each had a pair of RBISs.
If the Redskins needed more incentive heading into Thursday’s game, Chichilitti says they got it.
“On Monday when I was playing Pennsbury, Truman’s whole team stood out in center field,” the Redskins’ coach said. “Don’t get me wrong – Truman has two huge league wins, and it was almost like they were trying to crash my party on my field, and we took that personally. No one is going to come on my field and stare us down like ‘oh, we should be invited to this party.’
“Obviously, to bounce back from the disappointing loss against Pennsbury was important.”
Neshaminy (5-1, 3-1 SOL) will travel to Council Rock North on Tuesday, and Harry S Truman (2-2, 2-1) will be on the road at Pennridge Friday for a non-league contest.
Harry S Truman 000 10 1-1-1
Neshaminy 050 6x 11-8-2
Non-league
WILLIAM TENNENT 7, QUAKERTOWN 6 (8 innings)
Quakertown scored four runs over the final two innings – including three in the seventh – to send the game into extra innings where Tennent won it, benefitting from a miscue on a one-out bunt by Sarah Cummins. Jenna Cragin, who was hit by a pitch, raced home from second with the game-winner.
"This group represents the true definition of the cardiac kids," coach Rich Clark said. "This time we were able to overcome our seventh inning letdown and get a win out of it.
"I had a motivational speaker talk to them on Tuesday after practice, and I think it really helped in yesterday's game. I really believe yesterday's game was a turning point with maturity and learning how hard you have to scratch and claw for every game in this league. There are no slouchers."
Earlier, Tennent went on top 5-2 after a four-run third that featured an impressive two-out rally ignited by a triple from Caitlin Mitros. An error on Mackenzie Clee’s bunt allowed Mitros to score, and the host Panthers were just getting started. Hannah Reimel and Brianna Koonce followed with back-to-back RBI doubles, and Devon Fithian contributed an RBI single.
In the fifth, Mitros – who had doubled – scored on a groundout by Reimel, and Tennent led 6-2.
Quakertown got one of those runs back in the sixth when Alexis Micucci, who singled, scored on an error. In the visitor’s seventh, Abby Schwartz singled and Lauryn Cope drew a wall, setting the stage for a three-run home run by Halle Frederick that knotted the score 6-6 and set the stage for extra innings.
Tennent was led by the 3-for-4 effort of Mitros out of the leadoff spot. She had a double, triple and three runs scored. Reimel was 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and a run score, and Megan Curtis was 2-for-4.
For the visiting Panthers, Maddie Moyer was 3-for-3 with a home run – a two-run shot in the second, two RBIs and a run scored. Brianna Lefkoski was 2-for-5. Sarah Stofik was 2-for-4.
William Tennent (2-3, 1-2 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon Friday for a non-league game, and Quakertown (2-3, 1-2) will be on the road at Mount Saint Joseph Monday for a non-league contest.
Quakertown 020 001 30 6-11-3
William Tennent 104 010 01 7-10-4
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