Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action on Wednesday.
BENSALEM 8, PENNSBURY 1
The Owls earned an impressive win over the visiting Falcons, and when it was over, coach Dan Schram was quick to put the win into perspective.
“It’s always nice beating Pennsbury, but they’re young, and they have all the makings of a Pennsbury team,” the Owls’ coach said. “This man (Frank McSherry) knows better than anybody how to make an uphill climb.
“He’s going to get the very best out of them. He’s one of the best to have ever coached, and he really puts our league on the map. I appreciate him now more than I even did years ago when he had teams that were undefeated. He’s working with very, very young kids, and they’re a good team.”
Freshman Haley Sauer – sister of centerfielder Maddie Sauer – turned in a superb outing for the Falcons in the circle, allowing just four hits and one run while fanning six and walking five in a winning effort.
“This was the first complete game she’s pitched,” Schram said. “She made some adjustments to her strike zone. It was a game full of adjustments, so it was a sign of maturity.
“Pennsbury is disciplined with the pitch. They know how to work the count, and they’re good with pitch selection. (Sauer) pitched great and we were very proud of her. Big things to come for that kid.”
The Falcons scored a run in the top of the first, but the Owls answered with two in the bottom of the inning. Lauren Morell, who led off with a single and stole second, scored on a groundout by Carly Smith, and a second run came home when Meg Nally was safe on an error.
In the third, Nally delivered a two-run home run that put the Owls on top 4-1.
“She hit her home run to straightaway center with two outs – it was a shot,” Schram said. “Time and time again, Meg will get up with two outs and really make something happen.
“She has just a great mindset when she’s up to bat. I keep telling the kids – there’s no in between. You have to be completely committed to what you’re doing and have no outside distractions. You can really see that Meg is really honed into the game when she’s playing. She’s a natural, she’s great at what she does.”
Nally – who is committed to continue her career at La Salle – finished the game 3-for-4 with a home run, double, five RBIs and two runs scored.
“She’s a very good hitter, and she has been amazing for us all season long offensively and defensively, and she also really helps the chemistry of the team,” Schram said. “La Salle is getting a really good player next year.”
The Owls added two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh for the 8-1 final.
Also finishing with multi-hit games were Morell (2-for-3, 2 runs, stolen base) and Smith (2-for-4, RBI, 1 run).
Bensalem (3-2, 1-2 SOL) will host Upper Merion in a non-league game on Friday, and Pennsbury (0-3 SOL) will be on the road at Harry S Truman on Tuesday.
Pennsbury 100 000 0 1
Bensalem 202 002 2 8
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 7, SOUDERTON 4
The Bucks continued their impressive run in conference play, notching their third win without a loss over an Indian squad that finished second to North Penn in the standings last season.
“They’re just a good group of girls,” coach Geoff Thompson said. “They’re really, really positive.
“What amazes me is how much they really know how to play the game. They’re mature. I don’t even know how to describe it. They know how to play, and they’re really into it. They’re always ready to play, and they’re a pleasure to be around.”
The Indians broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the top of the third, and that 3-1 score stood until the bottom of the fifth when the Bucks plated three runs to go on top 4-3. Pinch hitter Kelly Cyliax delivered the big hit – a two-run single – as the Bucks’ bench continues to be effective. Twenty-four hours earlier Shannon Stewart came off the bench and hit a solo home run to knot the score in the Bucks’ 4-3 win over Pennridge.
The Bucks sealed the Indians’ fate when they scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth, sparked by Abby Morrison’s two-run double.
The win over the Indians was the first for CB West since April 26, 2012, when the Bucks earned a 9-8 win.
“They were very, very excited,” Thompson said. “When we met in the outfield after the game, they were all just sitting there, and they had smiles from ear to ear. You could see they were super pumped. It’s fun.”
Angelina Sherba earned the win in the circle, allowing eight hits while fanning seven and walking six.
Morrison (double), Stewart, Sam Trafford and Emma Dryden each contributed a pair of hits to lead the Bucks’ 13-hit attack.
Souderton was led by the two-hit efforts of Savannah Bostwick and Alex Scheeler (double).
“Souderton is a good team,” Thompson said. “They kept putting the ball in play. They don’t give up.
“It was a tough day to play with the wind. Fortunately for us, Souderton made some mistakes, which kind of got us going a little bit, and then we just continued to hit the ball hard. It worked out for us.”
Scheeler absorbed the loss, fanning one and walking one.
“I’ve watched Alex pitch since she was nine years old,” Thompson said. “I watched her in middle school – she actually played with my daughter, and she’s incredible.
“She’s an all-around great player.”
Central Bucks West (4-0, 3-0 SOL) will travel to Norristown for a non-league game on Monday while Souderton (1-1 SOL) will be on the road at Quakertown on Friday.
Souderton 102 000 1 4
Central Bucks West 010 033 x 7
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 22, ABINGTON 12 (6 innings)
It seemed safe to assume the run production for both teams would slow down when play resumed in a non-league game that was halted after one inning because of rain on Monday with the score deadlocked 4-4.
That wasn’t the case.
The Ghosts scored eight runs in five innings on Wednesday, but the Titans did better, opening up a 17-7 lead after a nine-run third and increasing that lead to 20-7 after four. The Ghosts got five runs back in the top of the fifth, but the Titans brought an early end to the contest with two runs in the sixth.
All told, the teams combined for 29 hits with the Titans collecting 18 of those. Taylor Marinelli continued her impressive offensive production. Her 2-for-4 effort included a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Maddie Bieber was 2-for-4 with four runs scored, and Alex DeLeon had a pair of hits and scored two runs. Mikaela Simons was 2-for-2 with five runs scored as she reached base on all five trips to the plate. In addition to collecting a pair of singles, she drew a pair of walks and was hit by a pitch. Alexis McConomy and Alexa Ortman were both 2-for-3. Lauren Nones was 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in the third inning.
Four Abington players hit home runs in the slugfest.
Central Bucks (3-1, 1-1 SOL) is scheduled to host Pennridge on Thursday, and Abington (1-2, 1-1) will host Council Rock South.
Abington 403 050 12-11-2
Central Bucks South 449 302 22-18-2
NESHAMINY 12, CHRISTOPHER DOCK 0 (5 innings)
The Redskins made easy business of the Pioneers in a non-league game, exploding for 11 runs in the first inning and coasting to the 12-0 win in the abbreviated five-inning contest.
Mackensie Compton set the tone for the big inning when she led off with a triple, and she scored the only run winning pitcher Amber Brugger would need when Olivia Zaino followed with an RBI single. By the time the inning was over, the Redskins had sent 16 batters to the plate and led 11-0.
All told, the ‘Skins pounded out 13 hits – eight in the first inning. Compton led the hit parade with a 3-for-3 effort that included a triple and two runs scored. Devan Masciolli was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Alexis Watkins and Rebecca Dixon each had a double.
Brugger allowed just one hit in three innings while fanning five.
Neshaminy (3-0, 2-0 SOL) will host William Tennent on Thursday.
Christopher Dock 000 00 0-1-2
Neshaminy 1101 0x 12-13-1
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