CB West, Souderton & Quakertown were winners in SOL softball action Wednesday.
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 16, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 9
The Bucks found themselves in a big hole after the second inning of play against crosstown rival Central Bucks East, trailing by an 8-1 score. Central Bucks West opened the scoring in the second inning on an RBI single off the bat of Katherine James scoring Charlotte Kerns, who doubled to start the inning.
In their half of the second inning, the Patriots scored eight unearned runs off the West starter Ana Glemser. After two full innings of play, Central Bucks East led in the contest by a score of 8-1. Central Bucks West would go on to score fifteen unanswered runs off East, taking a 16-8 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Katherine James and Marley Swain’s three-hit efforts led the Bucks. East was led by the 4-for-4 effort of Elena Bhatt.
Glemser picked up her third win of the young season by going a total of six innings, allowing five hits and striking out two. This was Glemser’s second win in as many days after picking up a win against Pennridge the day before.
By the numbers: Central Bucks West: Katherine James (3-for-4, 2B, 3RBI, 3R), Marley Swain (3-for-4, 2R), Jill Boyle (2-for-4, 3RBI, 1R), Evi Cherry (2-for-4, 1R), Taylor Hooven (2-for-5, 2B, 1RBI, 1R), Charlotte Kerns 92-for-4, 2B, 1RBI, 4R), Taylor Sheplock (1-for-3, 3B, 2RBI 2R)
Ana Glemser (W) (6 IP 5H, 8R, 0ER, 2BB, 2K)
Central Bucks East: Elena Bhatt (4-for-4, 2B, 1RBI, 2R)
Central Bucks West coach Mike Daher: “I have been telling our players all season long that the way we are capable of hitting the ball that we are never really out of any game. We were down seven runs after the second inning and had our backs to the wall, but I felt once we got our bats going, we had a chance to come back in this one. We were really facing a tough time as our cleanup hitter Laila Murray was injured in the second inning and had to leave the game.
“With one of our big bats, Laila, being out, it really put a lot of pressure on the rest of our girls to hit. But so many of them came through with some really big at-bats, and we kept battling back until we were able to tie it in the fifth and take a one run lead after six innings.
“I could not be prouder of our girls for not putting their heads down and for battling back the entire game. And the one who really battled through tremendous adversity was Ana Glemser who found herself pitching in a game with a seven-run deficit after we were a little shaky on defense early in this game. But we were able to tighten up our defense and Ana pitched scoreless softball the rest of the way to pick up a hard-earned win for the Bucks.”
–Props: “There were many hitting leaders for the Bucks, including Katherine James who reached base all six times she came to the plate. Katherine finished the day with three hits, and she drew two bases on balls. She also contributed three RBIs and scored three runs in the win. Center fielder Jill Boyle had two hits, drove in three runs and scored one run on the day. Evi Cherry entered the game in the third inning and went on to contribute two hits and also score a run. Taylor Hooven had two hits, including a double and drove in a run. Sammy Hooven had a hit and two RBIs. Marley Swain had three hits and scored two runs. Charlotte Kerns had two hits, including a double, and scored a total of four runs on the day. And finally, Taylor Sheplock drove in two runs with a deep triple to left center field which helped contribute to the big seven-run seventh inning.”
Up next: Central Bucks West (4-3, 2-3 SOL) will host Council Rock South in a non-league game Thursday, and Central Bucks East (4-5, 1-4) will host Harry S Truman Thursday in a non-league game.
Central Bucks West 015 021 7 16-18-4
Central Bucks East 080 000 1 9-7-8
SOUDERTON 5, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3
Kiera Fadden led off the top of the first inning and smashed a full-count pitch for a solo home run to center field. It was the first of 11 hits for the visiting Indians, who – despite their advantage in hits – found themselves on the short end of a 3-2 score after five innings.
Josi Tolentino evened the score with one swing in the top of the sixth, hitting a solo home run to lead off the inning. A sacrifice fly from Kendal Nelson and RBI single from Emma Lewis gave the Indians a lead they would not lose.
Fadden, Lewis, Nelson and Emma Messmer each had two hits. Skyler Byrnes earned the complete game win.
The Titans scored all three of their runs in the bottom of a fourth inning that included a single by Cam Lee, back-to-back doubles by Maddie McClintock and Erin Ruddell (2 RBIs). A third run scored on an error.
By the numbers: Souderton: Kiera Fadden (2-for-3, HR, 1RBI, 1R), Emma Lewis (2-for-4, 2B, 1RBI), Emma Messmer (2-for-4, 2R), Kendal Nelson (2-for-2, 2B, 2RBI), Josi Tolentino (1-for-4, HR, 1RBI, 1R)
Skyler Byrnes (W) (7.0 IP, 6H, 4R, 3ER, 2BB, 5K)
Key inning: Top of sixth: With the Indians trailing 3-2, Tolentino led off the inning with a solo home run to right field. Messmer singled and stole second, and Byrnes followed with a single. Messmer scored on Kendal Nelson’s sac fly to center field. With two outs, Fadden drew a walk, and Lewis followed with an RBI single (5-3)
Souderton coach Tyler Bui on the game: “This game was a battle, and you hate to see anyone have to lose. There were so many well hit balls and a bunch of great plays by both teams. I was extremely impressed with CB South and their resilience. We came right out of the gate with a home run by our leadoff hitter, Kiera Fadden. Then we scored again in the second inning with another big hit by Kendal Nelson. Just when I thought maybe we were going to break the game open, CB South got out of a few jams and came right back at us to eventually take the lead. Josi Tolentino has been swinging a hot bat and tied the game with a solo blast. Our girls rallied and manufactured a few more runs to give us a little insurance. Skyler Byrnes seemed to get stronger with each inning and did a great job of closing out the game. for us.”
Road Warriors: “We have played eight games, and seven have been on the road. It is always a challenge to travel, but our girls never complain and just get themselves ready to compete every game. They just love to put on their uniforms and step on the field, regardless of where they are playing. I couldn’t be more grateful for their attitudes.”
In the clutch: “Kendal Nelson is a freshman but is swinging the bat as well as anyone right now. She squared up three balls tonight and drove in some big runs for us. She just keeps getting better, and her swing looks really good right now.”
Props: “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Emma Lewis and Emma Messmer as key components of our team. Their numbers could look much better right now, but they are hitting a lot of balls at people. They came up big today with two hits each. Emma Lewis has sound hitting mechanics, and Emma Messmer has great hand-eye coordination. They are both great hitters, and I am always extremely confident when they are at the plate. Our coaches don’t need to see their numbers when we can see with our eyes what they do at the plate consistently.:
Up next: Souderton (6-2, 4-1 SOL) will host Council Rock North Thursday in a non-league game, and Central Bucks South (4-4, 2-2) will host Neshaminy in a non-league game Thursday.
Souderton 110 003 0 5-11-3
Central Bucks South 000 300 0 3-6-1
SOL Liberty Division
QUAKERTOWN 6, ABINGTON 4
The Panthers opened up a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth and then held off a Ghost comeback attempt.
Ava Zebert earned the complete game win in the circle, and she doubled and scored a run in the two-run fourth inning. Leadoff batter Kira Jefferson had three hits and scored three runs while Leah Schwalm and Ellie Hilton both had two hits. Hilton had an RBI triple in the third.
Mallory Beal and Grace Meehan each had two hits to lead the Ghosts.
By the numbers: Quakertown: Kira Jefferson (3-for-4, 3R), Leah Schwalm (2-for-3, 3RBI), Ellie Hilton (2-for-3, 3B, 1RBI, 1R), Ava Zebert (1-for-3 2B, 1R)
Ava Zebert (W) (7.0 IP, 9H, 4R, 2ER, 1BB, 1K)
Abington: Mallory Beal (2-for-3, 2R), Grace Meehan (2-for-4, 1RBI), Sammi Clewell (1-for-4, 2B, 1RBI, 1R)
Key inning: Bottom of fourth: With the Panthers on top 3-1, they added two insurance runs in the fourth inning that loomed large. Zebert hit a one-out double to left field, and Jefferson followed with a bunt single. With two outs, Schwalm singled to center, plating Zebert. Jefferson, who advanced to second on defensive indifference, scored on the throw (5-1).
Up next: Quakertown (4-3, 4-0 SOL) will be on the road at William Tennent Thursday for a non-league game Thursday, and Abington (2-6, 1-4) will travel to Lower Moreland for a non-league game Thursday.
Abington 000 130 0 4-9-2
Quakertown 102 201 x 6-10-1
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