Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Monday. Souderton/Norristown photos provided courtesy of Keith Clemens Photography. CLICK HERE to go directly to our photo galleries.
SOL National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 4, BENSALEM 1
Only one out separated the Owls from a huge win, but the Redskins scored four runs with two outs in the top of the seventh to eke out the come-from-behind win over the pesky Owls.
“Dan Schram did an unbelievable job calling the game,” Rock North coach John Engelhardt said. “He’s been to a couple of Council Rock North games, and he’s scouted us well, and Dani Sharp was unbelievable. .
“In my three years, that was one of the best coached games by Dan Schram . That’s not a team you want to play because those kids are so gritty. They’re blue collar kids, and they just go out there and compete their tails off. I love rooting for that team when they don’t play us because they fight to the end. We’re fortunate to walk out of their with a ‘W.’ We caught a break in the seventh.”
And that break gave the Indians life. Dani Sharpe struck out the first batter she faced in the seventh, but she wound up on first.
“Due to a passed ball, she got on first base,” Engelhardt said. “We were able to load the bases with no outs.
“My eight hitter pops up for the first out, and my nine hitter hits a dribbler to the pitcher, who goes home. Now it’s two outs – how in the world don’t we score a run with bases loaded and no outs?”
The Owls could have been out of the inning, but Lauren Begg helped her own cause with a wicked shot off the second baseman.
“I wouldn’t call it an error because it was such a hard play,” Englehardt said. “Not only does Lauren pitch seven innings of ball in really cold weather, she tied the game.”
Riley Sheehy followed with a single up the middle that plated a pair, and then Taylor Briggs delivered an RBI single, and just like that, the Indians – who had managed just four hits off Sharpe through six innings – had a lead they would not lose.
“They knew how to be relaxed in the moment when there was two outs and they’re down 1-0 in the seventh inning,” Schram said. “That’s experience, and that’s mental toughness, so kudos to them.”
Despite the heartbreaking finish, Schram had high praise for his players.
“Credit goes to the kids,” the Owls’ coach said. “The kids really focused. On any given day, any team can win.
“I said in the pregame – it matters that you’re your best self when you go out and play. It doesn’t matter what you did all year, it doesn’t matter what you did yesterday. It’s – can you be your best self today? They played well. Dani Sharpe pitched as well as a pitcher can pitch. She struck seven of those girls out. We did what we could with the top of the lineup. We work very hard. We wanted this one.”
Begg impressed coaches from both sides.
“Lauren carried us,” Engelhardt said. “Our bats were not going the way they have, and she knew that she had to keep us in the game, and that’s exactly what she did.
“Then she came up at the plate in a big spot with the game on the line, and she tied the game up. She was huge. There’s just huge growth from a maturity standpoint, and it’s nice to see how happy a kid is when they win. It’s for the team, and it’s just neat. She could have thrown another five innings if we needed her to. It was just a solid win from a kid that is starting to love pitching again.”
“Lauren Begg is a great all-around player,” Schram said. “She made a lot of plays in the field at the pitcher’s mound. She caught at least five line drives.
“She fields her position really well, and she’s a force for that team. She’s a leader. Even coming up in the seventh inning and hitting that ball really hard at the second baseman – you have to be in the moment to hit the ball hard. She was fun to watch.”
Council Rock North (6-1, 3-0 SOL) is off until next Monday when the Indians will host Neshaminy in a key conference battle. Bensalem (1-2, 0-2) will travel to Pennsbury on Tuesday.
“It’s unfortunate we didn’t get the win, but the nice thing is we have a game tomorrow,” Schram said. “It’s a little heartbreaking. We were one out away from winning. It’s not the best feeling, but in the end, this is a good experience for us. We’re going to not want to give a game away in the seventh inning.”
Council Rock North 000 000 4 4
Bensalem 100 000 0 1
SOL American Conference
HATBORO-HORSHAM 18, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 4 (6 innings)
Heading into Monday’s game, the Hatters’ experience playing on a field this season consisted of a scrimmage against Neshaminy and one practice on the jayvee field.
“This is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” coach Joe DiFilippo said. “In all the years doing baseball and softball, this is the worst spring I’ve ever seen.
“I think they’re tired of practicing inside with me. I’ve been giving them days off every once in a while because it’s so monotonous. There’s only so much you can do inside, but we’ve been hitting a lot.”
That hitting practice paid dividends when the Hatters took their game to the diamond on Monday. All told, they pounded out 17 hits and also took advantage of several PW miscues.
Mikaela Fedele earned the complete game win and, for good measure, had a huge day at the plate. The Hatters’ hurler was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and four runs scored. Leadoff batter Kyleigh Dinnien was 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and three runs, and Kayla Tauber was a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Brittany Hubler didn’t have a hit but drove in three runs.
Alicia Tauber (2-for-5, RBI, 2 runs), Antoinette Spinosa (2-for-4, 3B, RBI, 2 runs) and Kristen Myers (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 1 run) also turned in multi-hit performances. Logan Cummings (2 RBIs) and Grace Daniels (RBI, 2 runs) both contributed a double.
“We hit the ball,” DiFilippo said. “One of my big hitters, Maddie Yeager, was home with the flu, and I started a ninth grader, Kristen Myers, in right field, and I started another ninth grader that starts at third base, Kayla Tauber, and she had three hits.”
For the Colonials, Jennifer Byrne (2-for-3, 2 runs) and Lauren Fuhrmeister (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, run) led the way. Carly Rosenberger had a double, and Gianna Fazio contributed a triple and RBI. Peyton Baldwin also had one RBI.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-0 SOL) will travel to Quakertown on Tuesday for a conference showdown at 4 p.m. Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-1 SOL) will be on the road at Springfield Township on Tuesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 203 1210 18-17-2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 301 000 4-8-7
QUAKERTOWN 15, WISSAHICKON 1 (5 innings)
The Panthers used a 10-run scoring explosion in the top of the first to seize control of Monday’s abbreviated contest. They sent 16 batters to the plate in the first inning – nine with two outs as eight straight batters reached base safely.
In the second inning, the Trojans retired the first two Quakertown batters, but the next five reached base safely as the Panthers tacked on two more runs.
Four players contributed multiple hits for the Panthers: Abby Schwartz (3-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs), Nikki Vanelli (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 3 runs), Sarah Stofik (3-for 4, 2B, RBI, 3 runs) and Maddie Moyer (2-for-2, 2B 2 RBIs, 1 run). The Panthers collected 14 hits on the day.
Tori Caputo earned the win.
Quakertown (3-1, 2-0 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Tuesday at 4 p.m., and Wissahickon (0-2 SOL) will travel to Upper Dublin on Tuesday.
Quakertown 1020 30 15
Wissahickon 100 00 1
Non-league
NESHAMINY 5, WILLIAM TENNENT 1
Amber Brugger turned in another gem for the Redskins, allowing just four hits and one run in the complete game win. She fanned nine and walked five on yet another bitterly cold spring day.
“The goal today was to play perfect defense, and we did,” coach Dave Chichilitti said. “Brugger threw very well.”
It was anyone’s game heading into the seventh inning with the Redskins clinging to a 2-1 lead.
“They are very good – they’re very well coached,” Chichilitti said. “They pitched a freshman against us – she threw well, and they had another lefty kid warming up on the side, and it looked like she threw well.
“That’s the best William Tennent team I saw since they stole the title from us in 2014. They’ve got some weapons. They beat Pennsbury and (Council Rock) North already. They’re pretty good.”
The Redskins were without starting first baseman Amanda Kurtz.
“She’s been on fire, and she’s at a Future Business Leaders Conference today and tomorrow, so we lose her for two games because of the snow,” Chichilitti said. “So I was very nervous going there without your five hole hitter and starting first baseman.”
The Redskins took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, but the Panthers got that back in the bottom of the frame when junior Jenna Cragin delivered a line drive RBI single to right field.
In the top of the fifth, Olivia Fee singled and stole second, eventually scoring on a passed ball to give the ‘Skins a 2-1 lead. A three-run seventh was highlighted by singles from Brugger and Hallie Duffie (RBI) as well as a two-run double by Natalie Rios.
Brugger, Fee and Rios led the Redskins’ 12-hit attack with two hits each.
Freshman Megan Curtis, who absorbed the loss, threw the complete game for the Panthers and also reached base twice, drawing a leadoff walk in the fourth and scoring the Panthers’ only run. She singled to lead off the sixth.
Neshaminy (5-1, 1-0 SOL) will host Abington on Tuesday, and William Tennent (3-2, 0-1) will host North Penn on Tuesday.
Neshaminy 000 110 3 5-12-0
William Tennent 000 110 0 1-4-2
SOUDERTON 16, NORRISTOWN 1 (3 innings)
What a difference a year makes.
Last year, the Indians picked up their third win of the season on May 18 in their final game. This year, it took them just three games. Monday’s win was by far the easiest of the three as the Indians – after the Eagles scored a single run in the top of the inning – erupted for six runs in the bottom of the first and added eight more in the second. The game came to a halt when they added two more in the third.
The Indians pounded out 14 hits with six players finishing the abbreviated contest with a pair: Bri Neely (2-for-3), Jess Lepore (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBIs), Jen Klepfer (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs), Alex Scheeler (2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBIs), Alina Skrzat (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) and Julia Kistler (2-for-2, BB, 2 RBIs). Ali Gould was 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
Scheeler earned the win, allowing two hits while striking out three and walking none in three innings.
Souderton (3-0, 1-0 SOL) will host Pottsgrove in a non-league contest on Tuesday.
Norristown 100 1-2-1
Souderton 6-8-2 16-14-1
UPPER MERION 7, UPPER DUBLIN 4
In a renewal of an old SOL American Conference rivalry, it was the visiting Vikings exploding for six runs in the third inning. The Flying Cardinals answered with two in the bottom of the inning but never could make up the ground they lost.
Freshman Gretchen Wolpert had a big game for the Flying Cardinals with a 2-for-4 effort that included an RBI triple. She finished the game with a pair of RBIs.
For the Vikings Kayla Warren (2-for-4, 2B, RBI), Katelyn O’Brien (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) and Katelyn Barr (2-for-3, 2 runs) carried the big bats. Warren also earned the win for the Vikings in the circle, allowing three hits while striking out four and walking two in 3.2 innings. She allowed two runs – both unearned.
Erin Gallagher absorbed the loss for the Cardinals.
Upper Dublin (1-3, 1-2 SOL) will travel to Wissahickon on Tuesday.
Upper Merion 006 000 1 7
Upper Dublin 002 000 2 4
PENNRIDGE 8, UPPER PERKIOMEN 5
The visiting Rams wasted little time before displaying their resiliency in Monday’s non-league game. After scoring a run in the top of the first, the Rams watched the host Tribe plate three in the bottom of the inning. Unfazed, they evened the score in the top of the second. The Indians took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the frame, but again, the Rams answered, scoring a single run in the third and two more in the fourth to go on top 6-4. Upper Perk made it a one-run game in the fifth, but the Rams tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.
Kailyn Bell had a big day at the plate with a 3-for-4 effort that included a double and two RBIs. She also earned the win in the circle, allowing nine hits and four runs (two earned). Gianna Iadonisi was a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Kiley Watson was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot, and Ally Motts was 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs. Morgan Henry also contributed an RBI.
On a day that saw their four, five and six hitters finish a combined 0-for-12, the Rams pounded out 12 hits.
Pennridge (2-1, 0-1 SOL) will host Central Bucks East on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Pennridge 121 202 0 8
Upper Perkiomen 310 010 0 5-9-2
PERKIOMEN VALLEY 15, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 6
The visiting Vikings put a pair of runs on the board in the first and then added seven more in the second to all but put the game out of reach early. They led 10-0 before the Golden Hawks got on the board in the fourth.
“Perkiomen Valley came out hitting from the get go, and we have to hand it to them,” coach David Apfelbaum said. “They played a great game. Katie Hurd pitched a great game from start to finish.”
Highlights for South included the perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate by Alex Hopko, who scored a pair of runs. Julie Barron was 3-for-4 with an RBI.
“Shorty (Marissa) Thompson played a stellar shortstop today with a total of seven putouts,” Apfelbaum said.
Council Rock South (2-2, 1-1 SOL) will host Pennsbury on Monday.
Perkiomen Valley 271 000 5 15
Council Rock South 000 123 0 6
METHACTON 6, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0
Aubrey Seal was sidelined last year after rotator cuff surgery, but the Warriors’ senior ace is back in the circle. The Patriots managed just five singles as Seal tossed a complete game shutout, striking out five and walking none.
The Warriors collected nine hits but benefitted from five Patriot miscues to plate four unearned runs. Methacton led 1-0 after one inning and added four more runs in the third to all but seal East’s fate. Taylor Angelillis delivered the big blow in the inning – a three-run home run, but all four of the Warriors’ runs were unearned.
The Patriots’ best chance to get on the scoreboard came in the fifth when Audrey Labouliere led off the inning with a single and moved up to second on a sacrifice. A single by Steph Kuhns put runners on the corners with one out, but Seal came up with a huge strikeout and picked up the third out on a groundout.
Kuhns led the Patriots with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate. Labouliere, Tara Harper and Giuliana Ruscio each added a single.
Ruscio, who allowed just two earned runs and did not walk a batter, absorbed the loss.
Central Bucks East (0-3, 0-1 SOL) will travel to Pennridge for a 6:30 p.m. game Tuesday.
Central Bucks East 000 000 0 0
Methacton 104 001 x 6
ARCHBISHOP RYAN 4, PENNSBURY 3
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