Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action Wednesday.
National Conference
NESHAMINY 5, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 4
The Golden Hawks had the distinction of handing the Redskins their only conference loss, and it looked as though the Hawks might be able to pull off the sweep of the district’s top-seeded team.
The Redskins had other ideas, rallying from a 2-1 deficit with four runs in the top of the seventh to earn the come-from-behind win in their regular season finale.
“There’s no tougher team that we faced in our league,” coach Dave Chichilitti said. “They played us the toughest out of anybody.
“We played them twice, and both games were decided by one run.”
The win solidified the Redskins’ stronghold on the top spot in the district power rankings with the district seedings to be announced Thursday night.
“This was important from the aspect of not backing into the playoffs,” Chichilitti said. “We’re going to be off for a little while, and we wanted to finish on a good note.
“We also wanted to make sure that we beat everybody in the league. If you’re going say you’re league champions, you want to beat everybody. It was important from that standpoint as well, but they fought to the bitter end. That’s a credit to their kids and their coaching staff.”
The Golden Hawks took a 2-0 lead in a fourth inning that was highlighted by a leadoff triple by Phylicia Wilkov and an RBI single by Mikayla Becker. The Redskins cut that lead in half, thanks to an RBI single by Olivia Zaino.
Just three outs separated the Golden Hawks from the big win, but the Redskins’ bats suddenly came to life. After managing just four hits through six innings, they bunched four in one inning.
“We’re losing by a run, and we know we have to get something going,” Chichilitti said. “(Freshman) Alexis Watkins has a great at-bat, a six or seven pitch at-bat, and she draws a walk.
“We asked Zaino to sacrifice bunt, and she just drops one down the first base line, and they had no chance to get her. (Mackensie) Compton is up, so I figure I’m going to have her bunt for a hit. She push bunts it past their third baseman, absolutely perfect little push bunt.”
With the bases loaded, Hunter Hart delivered a two-run double to put the ‘Skins on top 3-2, and that lead grew to 5-2 when Sophie Beretski followed with a two-run single.
The ‘Skins needed all of those runs as the Golden Hawks came roaring back, sparked by a single from Jackie Schneider and an RBI triple from Melanie Wilkinson.
Amber Brugger earned the win on the mound, allowing six hits. The freshman hurler closed out the regular season with an impressive 14-2 mark.
Jackie Schneider collected two of Rock South’s six hits.
While Rock South closed out conference play with a 4-10 record (9-11 overall), the Redskins were 13-1 in league play (18-2 overall).
Neshaminy 000 010 4 5
Council Rock South 000 200 2 4
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 10, BENSALEM 0 (5 innings)
The Indians scored in all five innings, turning a 2-0 lead into a 6-0 advantage with a four-run third. Two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings brought an early end to the contest that saw the Indians pound out 10 hits.
Sabrina Crane was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles while Taylor Briggs was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Kelly Harrison also had a double, and Amanda Camp contributed three RBIS. Madison Tomlinson delivered a hit to plate the first run – which also turned out to be the game-winning RBI.
Camp earned the win in the circle, allowing three hits while striking out five and recording three putouts.
Coach Chris McDermott lauded the strong defensive play of Briggs at shortstop as well as rightfielder Haley McMenamin, who had a diving, sliding catch in the top of the fifth.
Council Rock North closed out conference play with a 10-4 record, good enough for sole possession of second place in the standings. The Indians are 13-5 overall. The Owls closed out league play with a 4-10 mark (8-12 overall).
Bensalem 000 00 0-3-2
Council Rock North 114 22 10-10-1
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 17, BENSALEM 3 (resumed game)
The Indians blew open a close game with six runs in the sixth and seven more in the seventh in the completion of a game that was halted because of rain earlier this season.
The Indians exploded for 16 hits with Taylor Briggs, Sabrina Crane, Marisa Gergel and Taylor Amazeen all turning in multi-hit performances. Briggs had a pair of doubles while Elyse McMenamin, Mallory Pollack and Gergel each had a triple. Crane also had a double.
McMenamin earned the win, scattering four hits and fanning eight.
Council Rock North 102 016 7 17-16-1
Bensalem 120 000 0 3-4-4
WILLIAM TENNENT 15, PENNSBURY 4 (5 innings)
The Panthers closed out the season on a bona fide tear, winning four straight in impressive fashion. During a streak that began with a 10-8 win over Abington last week, the Panthers have scored 45 runs, averaging over 11 runs a game.
“It’s just one of those things – I knew we would get better as the season went along,” coach Biz Keeny said. “We just got bunched up a little bit with seven games in eight days, and we didn’t play very well.
“There were some things we needed to work on that we didn’t have a chance to work on. We’ve really scored runs the last four games, and our pitching has gotten better with Reilly Dougherty and Kalisi (Taufalele). We just needed to get out on a field, but it’s spring sports, and we’re all in the same boat.”
Tennent scored early and often in Wednesday’s win over the visiting Falcons and led 7-0 after two innings, stretching that advantage to 14-0 before the Falcons scored three in the fourth and one in the fifth.
Marissa Govan was 3-for-4, and Liz Marucci was 3-for-3 with a double to lead the Panthers. Jackie Heim was 2-for-3 with a triple and four RBIs. Jaclyn Flores was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, and Kate Clark was 2-for-3.
Taufalele was the winner in the circle
After starting the year 1-9 in conference play, William Tennent closed out play in the SOL with a 5-9 mark (8-11 overall). Pennsbury finishes 6-8 in league play (11-9 overall).
Pennsbury 000 31 4
William Tennent 437 01 15
WILLIAM TENNENT 9, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 4 (Tuesday, May 12)
The Panthers stormed out of the gate to an 8-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning when the Golden Hawks plated their only runs of the game with a four spot. The Panthers scored a single run in the fourth for the 9-4 final.
Sara Keeny led the Panthers’ at the plate with a 3-for-4 effort. Marissa Govan was 3-for-4 while Liz Marucci was 3-for-4, and Nikki Reh was 2-for-3.
Kalisi Taufalele earned the win in the circle
William Tennent 224 100 0 9
Council Rock South 004 000 0 4
HARRY S TRUMAN 7, BENSALEM 4 (Tuesday, May 12)
The Owls jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Tigers answered with three in the bottom of the inning. A four-run second by the Tigers proved to be the difference in the game.
Jess O’Brien finished the day 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Tori Ahleman was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Steph Wolf also was 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored, and Ashley Foley was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
For the Owls, Erin McVicar was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored while Carley Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
Truman closed out conference play with a 5-9 record (8-11 overall).
Bensalem 301 000 0 4
Harry S Truman 340 000 x 7
WILLIAM TENNENT 12, BENSALEM 1 (Resumed game – Tuesday, May 12)
The Panthers completed what they had started one day earlier, returning to Bensalem on Tuesday to complete Monday’s game that was halted in the fifth inning when the umpires deemed the field unplayable after a rain storm.
The Panthers were leading 9-0 at the time, and they plated three runs in the sixth to bring an end to the game after the Owls batted in the bottom of the inning.
Sara Keeny’s 3-for-4 effort led the Panthers while Jackie Heim was 2-for-4 with a home run, and Marissa Govan and Alyssa Hillman were both 2-for-4.
Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 1, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0
The Maidens won a classic battle with the Hatters to clinch sole possession of the Continental Conference crown.
“It was a great game,” coach Rick Torresani said. “(Hatboro-Horsham) played great. Their pitcher pitched well, they played great defense. It was a great high school game.”
Interestingly, the Maidens entered the week trailing Souderton by a game in the conference standings. They took care of that little matter by soundly defeating the Indians 9-2 on Monday. It looked as though they might have to settle for a co-championship with Souderton, but Central Bucks East made sure that didn’t happen with a 12-2 win over the defending state champions that gave the Maidens sole possession of the conference title.
“It’s huge for these kids,” Torresani said. “We ended the season last year with everybody thinking with all the kids that graduated we would be also-rans and in the middle of the pack.
“Jackie (Bilotti) and Becky (Christoffers) decided – we’re going to get everybody together. We had some injured players that came back this year ready to go in Hannah Uhler, Nicole Yanni and Jovanna Alfonsi. They worked so hard in the offseason and came into this season saying, ‘This team is not going to lose just because Erin (Maher) and Vicky (Tumasz) graduated.’ They were going to go out and show everybody that they were just as good, if not better, than what we have had the past couple of years.”
The Maidens scored the only run they would need in the fifth when – after a walk to Katie Beer that put runners on first and second – Becky Christoffers delivered a clutch two-out RBI single.
Jackie Bilotti made that 1-0 lead stand, limiting the Hatters to just two hits while walking one and striking out one.
“The way Jackie’s been pitching and playing – 5-4 and she goes out there, and she’s just awesome out there,” Torresani said. “She’s just been unbelievable.”
Lexie Campbell pitched well enough to win, allowing just five hits in seven innings while walking two and striking out two.
Hannah Uhler (2-for-3) was the lone player on either side with more than one hit.
While the Hatters closed out conference play 7-7 (12-8 overall), the Maidens are 13-1 in league play (18-2 overall).
“I told Joe (DiFilippo) today – ‘This is weird for me because we always have seven losses now,” said Torresani, whose team has had at least six losses in each of the last three regular seasons. “We’re usually hot at the end, and if we make the districts we’ll be okay. We’re 18-2 and going to see what we can do because my speeches for this – I don’t have any.
“I have other speeches when we’re the underdog, but in my 15 years at North Penn, we’ve never had a season like this. So far, it’s just been awesome, and we want to keep it going.”
North Penn 000 010 0 1
Hatboro-Horsham 000 000 0 0
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 12, SOUDERTON 2
The season has had its ups and downs for a young East squad, but the Patriots closed out the season on a high note with a resounding win that prevented the Indians from clinching a share of the conference crown.
“I just think this is affirmation of all the hard work we’ve put in,” coach Erin Scott said. “We’ve been on the losing end of a lot of close games. It was one frustration after another, and we just couldn’t get on the other side of it.
“I tried to remind them we’re still doing good things. We just had so many close games that we ended up losing. One of my goals was to end the season on a positive note – ‘This is it, guys. Do your best. Let’s have fun today. We know what we’re capable of doing. Let’s end the season on a positive note.’
“I just think they responded to that, and I think it shows a lot of growth. It’s unfortunate that the best game of our season was the last game of our season. Had this game been the first time we played them, I think our season would have gone a different way, helping to build their confidence and realizing what they’re capable of.”
The Indians took their first and only lead with a single run in the bottom of the first. The Patriots answered with a run in the top of the second to knot the score and then seized control with a seven-run third inning. Highlights of the inning included two-run singles by Kristina Posner and Darien Dempsey as well as RBI singles by Theresa Haug and Audrey LaBouliere.
That 8-1 lead was more than enough for Haug, who allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) in six strong innings to earn the win. Kayla Venture threw a scoreless seventh.
“We had a lot of people step up today offensively that haven’t done that consistently,” Scott said. “My two starting points for next season are focusing on consistency and intensity because those are two things we didn’t always have.
“I’m just really proud of them that we did end the season on a positive note. I wasn’t expecting it to be that score but was hoping we would win.”
Leading the Patriots’ 11-hit attack were Haug (3-for-5, double, 3 RBIs) and Dempsey (3-for-5, 2 RBIs). Posner was 2-for-2 with three RBIs, and Ventura had one hit and a pair of RBIs.
“We have almost the entire starting lineup returning, so I think in that respect it’s really good for them to see that this is what we could have done,’” Scott said. “Granted, they did have six errors, so they helped us out. We had a couple of errors today, and it’s been difficult because we’ve had a couple of defensive errors, and that’s been the difference because we haven’t offensively produced. We talked about the fact that if we offensively produce, it’s going to make defense a lot easier because we’re going to be a lot more relaxed. We haven’t really had that all season.
“We definitely have kids that have grown a lot, and I’m hoping that we start on a little bit of a better note next year.”
The Patriots closed out conference play with a 7-7 record (9-11 overall) while Souderton finishes in sole possession of second place with an 11-3 record (14-4 overall).
Central Bucks East 017 020 2 12
Souderton 100 100 0 2
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 13, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1 (5 innings)
The Titans – sparked by a three-run home run off the bat of Mikaela Simons – scored five runs in the first to take early control of Wednesday’s Senior Night game. They took advantage of 11 hits as well as nine walks handed out by the Bucks, who were minus a pair of players.
A highlight of the night was an at-bat by Maddie Decker to lead off the bottom of the first. The senior standout has been sidelined for the majority of the season with a torn ACL, but thanks to an agreement with West coach Jim Taylor, Decker – in her final high school at bat – was intentionally walked and then thrown out after reaching base.
Simons finished the night 2-for-2 with four RBIs to lead the Titans while Maddie Bieber was 2-for-3. Alexis McConomy had three RBIs and also picked up the win on the mound, allowing three hits.
The Titans (15-5, 10-4 SOL) have won eight in a row since dropping four of five games after losing Decker to an injury on April 17. Central Bucks West closed out its season with a 2-12 mark in the league (4-15 overall).
Central Bucks West 100 00 1-3-2
Central Bucks South 534 1x 13-11-0
QUAKERTOWN 7, PENNRIDGE 3
The Panthers continued their string of strong performances in the second half of the season with a Senior Night win over their archrivals.
"We finished strong," coach Rich Scott said. "It's unfortunate we didn't start that way. That put us in a huge hole, and because of the power rankings this year, it hurt us.
"I know playing in the Continental Conference we deserve to be in the playoffs. We lost six games by one run and two games by two runs – we lost a total of eight games by a total of 10 runs. It's a shame. We belong in the playoffs."
After both teams scored a run in the first inning, the Panthers blew the game open with a 5-run second inning.
Meghan Klee’s double was the inning's big blow. The Rams trimmed that lead to 6-3 with two runs in the fifth, but the Panthers got one of those runs back in the sixth.
Tara Baglivo led the Panthers with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate which included 2 runs scored.
Alyssa Wilkinson earned the win in the circle, and Megan Johnson threw a one-two-three seventh.
The Panthers closed out league play with a 5-9 record (9-9 overall), while Pennridge ended conference play with a 2-12 record (4-15 overall).
Pennridge 100 020 0
Quakertown 150 001 x
American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 21, UPPER MERION 20
Scott Ludlow has seen some wild softball games, but the Golden Bears’ coach has never seen a game quite like Wednesday’s slugfest that not only featured 41 runs but also 44 hits.
“I have never been part of a game like today’s,” Ludlow said. “This one was just crazy.
“The wind was blowing out. Both teams hit the ball – it was just hit after hit after hit. We were down 12-2 at one point and then 14-5. It was one of those games where it took me about an hour to figure out what happened afterwards. It was very memorable, to say the least.”
It was a 15-9 game heading into the bottom of the fifth when the Golden Bears exploded for nine runs to go on top 18-15. Jenn Freeman’s two-run home run was the big hit in the inning.
Nicole Drummond’s three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth stretched that lead to 21-15, and the Bears needed every single one of those runs to hold off a Viking squad that plated five runs in the seventh to make things very interesting. The five-run uprising was highlighted by Abby Volpe’s grand slam.
“Honestly, going into the seventh up three, I wouldn’t have felt safe the way that game was going,” Ludlow said. “That one-out home run that put us up six (by Drummond) gave us a little breathing room.”
Brianna Byard relieved winning pitcher Amber O’Conner in the seventh and retired three of the four batters she faced to record the save in the marathon contest.
“It was tremendous,” Ludlow said. “There have been three or four games where we’ve been down. We were down eight by Wissahickon and came back and won.
“It was just a fun win. Especially this time of year in a critical spot looking for seedings for playoffs – this is one I’ll remember, and I know they’ll remember it for a long, long while.”
There were offensive heroes galore on both sides. For the Golden Bears, Freeman led the way with a 4-for-5 effort that included a double, home run, three RBIs and three runs scored. Maddie Mull was 3-for-6, and Allie Miller was 3-for-4 with three doubles, one RBI and three runs scored. O’Connor was 2-for-5 with three runs. Alison Creighton was 2-for-4 with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs scored. Destinee Brown, who came off the bench, was 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. Byard was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Drummond had one hit and drove in three runs.
For the Vikings, Volpe was 4-for-6 with a home run, six RBIs and four runs scored. Dez Kandy was 3-for-4 with a triple and four runs, Micaela Ghanayem was 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored. Olivia Sborlini, Riley Kontra and Emily Reid each had two hits.
Upper Moreland closed out conference play with a 9-5 record (10-7 overall). The loss was first in league play for the Vikings (16-3, 13-1 SOL), who will face Lower Merion in a non-league contest Thursday.
Upper Merion 615 210 5 20
Upper Moreland 113 493 x 21
NORRISTOWN 4, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3
The Eagles saved their best for last, earning a come-from-behind win with a single run in the sixth to tie it and another run in the seventh to win it.
“It was a great game to watch, it was a great game to coach, and for them, it was a great game to play in and a nice way for everyone to come together as a team and have a total team effort, not only on defense – which they’ve been improving every game, but now there are some real big contributions from kids that stepped up and just did a great job with not only getting hits in our one through five slots but also the back end of our lineup with some important key hits,” coach Jim McCarthy said.
After the two teams exchanged runs in the first and third innings, the Colonials broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the bottom of the fifth. The Eagles came back to tie it in the sixth when Maggie Fineran, who reached base on an error, scored on a fielder’s choice by Escobedo.
In the top of the seventh, Steph Orman delivered a double that turned out to be the game winner, plating Maria Sinni.
“She’s been making good contact all day on like she has the past couple of weeks,” McCarthy said of Orman. “I told her, ‘Slow the game down. Just see the ball slower,’ and she just laced a really nice double to the gap.
“Maria scored from second base to break the tie. It was the go-ahead and winning run.”
The bottom of the seventh had its share of drama. With a runner on second base and two outs, Maggie Fineran delivered a game-saving catch.
“She came out of nowhere to make the catch,” McCarthy said of his centerfielder. “(Coach) Dana Moyer had her leadoff runner on second base with two outs, and we’re thinking, ‘I don’t want to see their two, three and four hole hitters.
“This kid in the two hole hits a nice drive into no-man’s land, a bleeder between second base and the centerfielder. Allie Taylor ran full speed, Kat Watson ran full speed, and Fineran comes out of nowhere and makes the basket catch. Good for her – she’s worked hard all year long. She had a hit today and had the game-ending catch. The kids were really happy for Maggie.”
Allie Taylor led the Eagles at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored. Dallas Bowe was 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Sinni was 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
Norristown and PW closed out conference play with identical 2-12 records.
Norristown 101 001 1 4
Plymouth Whitemarsh 101 010 0 3
CHELTENHAM 15, WISSAHICKON 4 (5 innings)
The Lady Panthers found themselves staring at a 3-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the first inning. They responded with four runs in their half of the inning to take a lead they would not lose in the abbreviated five-inning contest.
“It was a good game,” coach Ron Perlstein said. “It gives us an opportunity to play some extra games and maybe get into the tournament.
“Plus it’s a nice way for the seniors to finish out their careers in the Suburban One American Conference. It was Senior Day for Wissahickon, so they honored our seniors too. It was a fitting way to end what was a great career for these six seniors.”
Freshman Veata Blair-Kraybill was 3-for-4 with two doubles. Madison Gianelle was 4-for-4 with a double, triple and three RBIs. Becca Simms was 3-for-4 with a double and triple. Both players were just a home run away from hitting for the cycle.
Morgan Gianelle’s two-run home run was the big blow in the Panthers’ four-run first inning. Diamond Waller delivered a three-run home run to highlight a four-run fourth inning. Grace DeRosa was 2-for-4 with a double, and Erin Kuchler was 2-for-2.
DeRosa earned the win in the circle, allowing six hits and fanning four.
“Grace did well,” Perlstein said. “They came out blasting. (Michela) Coleman – their first batter – hit a triple. She slammed one into center, and their next batter (Destini) Paige hit a triple.
“Their fourth and fifth hitters singled. It was their Senior Day, and they came out ready to play. They were fired up, and they were really putting the ball into the allies.
“Grace settled down from the second inning on, and she seemed to get stronger. You always think the batters get stronger the second time through. In this game, Grace did. She started moving the ball, kept them off balance, and she really pitched dominantly. She’s also been fielding her position incredibly well.”
Cheltenham closed out conference play with an 11-3 record (12-6 overall) while Wissahickon was 5-9 in league play (7-12 overall).
Cheltenham 324 60 15
Wissahickon 400 00 4
SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 7, UPPER DUBLIN 1
The Spartans took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning when they exploded for five runs to seize control of the game. A two-run home run by Alyssa Ard highlighted the inning.
Jennifer Hammons had a big day for the Spartans, tossing a five-hit shutout while striking out six and walking four. She also was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Ard was 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Katelyn Gilinger was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Jewell Ringgold was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
For the Flying Cardinals, senior Rachel Matricardi was 3-for-4 with a double in the final game of her high school career.
Springfield closed out league play with an 8-6 record (8-7 overall) while Upper Dublin closed out conference play with a 6-8 record (7-13 overall).
Upper Dublin 001 000 0 1
Springfield 100 015 x 7
WISSAHICKON 6, NORRISTOWN 2 (Tuesday, May 12)
The Eagles scored a run in the top of the first, but the Trojans responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning, stringing together five consecutive singles. They upped that lead to 6-1 before the Eagles added a single run in the top of the sixth.
Leading the offensive charge for the Trojans was Andrea Mazurek, who was 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored.
“She was a big hitter for us, hitting line drives and knocking in runs,” coach Michael Borkowski said. “She did very well for us.”
Michela Coleman was 3-for-4 with a double. Brittany Gelman was 1-for-3 with a triple, one RBI and two runs scored while Hannah Genell was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Halle Segal earned the win, allowing seven hits and two runs (one earned) while walking one and striking out four.
“She really pitched well,” Borkowski said. “She got herself out of trouble twice and only allowed one run each time.
“After yesterday (a 10-0 loss to Upper Dublin), she really bounced back and pitched a heck of a game. She was in command the whole time.”
Norristown 100 001 0 2
Wissahickon 400 020 x 6
Non-league
ABINGTON 19, UPPER DUBLIN 0 (4 innings) (Tuesday, May 12)
Nicolette Ray was perfect in Tuesday’s abbreviated non-league contest, retiring all 12 batters she faced – eight by strikeout.
For the Ghosts, Jamie Gosselin was 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Toni Washington was 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Amy Worek was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and sophomore Megan Burdziak had a three-run homer in a seven-run fourth innings.
Abington 381 7 19
Upper Dublin 000 0 0
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