Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday. CR South/Neshaminy photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson, and Upper Moreland/Upper Dublin photos provided courtesy of Kathy Leister Photography. Check back for galleries of action shots.
SOL National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 4, NESHAMINY 2
On April 20, the Redskins put an old-fashioned 12-1 beating on the Golden Hawks on their own field. Talk about a dramatic reversal of fortunes – Tuesday’s game was just that.
“Obviously, I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t have this date circled on our calendar,” coach Frank Marino said. “They came into South a few weeks ago, and they banged us around pretty good.
“They pounded out 12 hits or maybe more and they just knocked us around. My message to the girls was pretty short and sweet – ‘Don’t let anybody tell you what you can or cannot do on the field. Let’s go out and you dictate that.’ They came in – they were loose and they were having fun.”
The Redskins got on the scoreboard in the third inning when Natalie Rios, who doubled, scored on a single by Amanda Kurtz. The Golden Hawks evened the score in the fourth. With one out, Alex Hopko was hit by a pitch. She was replaced by pinch runner Emily Cary, who immediately stole second base.
“The ball got past the shortstop into center field, and she read the play well and was able to take third, which was huge because two pitches later was exactly what I was saying was going to happen – it was a passed ball,” Marino said.
Cary scored on the passed ball, knotting the score 1-1.
“Things were quiet – (Sarah) Dowalo pitched a strong game,” Marino said. “She had 12 strikeouts. She was doing her job.”
In the sixth inning, Mackenzie Marino led off with a single to left. It was safe all around when Danielle Walters’ grounder up the middle was bobbled. Marino scored when a pitch got past the catcher, and Walters raced home with the game’s third run when Hopko singled to right field. A single to left by Julia Barron set the stage for an RBI single by Ally Kirschner that put the Hawks on top 4-1.
The Redskins made it a 4-2 game when they added a run in the bottom of the sixth, benefitting from a Dowalo single and three walks – including a bases-loaded walk to Amber Brugger.
“The game unfolded the way I expected it to – it was kind of tight and a little tense,” Marino said. “There was not a whole lot going on. Definitely both pitchers were doing a nice job.
“I kept telling our girls, ‘Something’s going to happen, hopefully in our favor. Just keep watching. It could be an error, stealing a base or passed ball.’”
Hopko was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Marino was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Kirschner was 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Barron was 1-for-3.
Walters earned the complete game win, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out six and walking seven.
“Seven walks is not really customary for her, but she battled and did a nice job,” Marino said. “So did Neshaminy’s pitcher, for sure.”
Dowalo allowed four hits and four runs, fanning 12 and walking none.
The Redskins are fifth in the latest District One 6A power rankings while the Golden Hawks are 10th.
Council Rock South (14-4, 8-3 SOL) will host Abington on Wednesday, and Neshaminy (10-2) closed out its regular season with a 16-3 record.
Council Rock South 000 103 0 4
Neshaminy 001 001 0 2
PENNSBURY 12, HARRY S TRUMAN 6
The Falcons won’t be heading to the district playoffs this season, but that didn’t prevent them from playing the role of spoiler, upending a Truman squad with its sights set on a district berth.
“Our kids played well,” coach Frank McSherry said. “We only had one error, and we probably had our best hitting day – we had 17 hits.
“They had 15 hits. They can flat-out hit, but five of them were great pitches that (Alyssa) Hileman made on their fists, and they just muscled it over the infield – bloopers. They had five singles like that. They’re dangerous.”
If the Falcons wanted to make an early statement, they did that by scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning.
“That was really big,” McSherry said.
In the five-run first, Syd Jakimowicz led off with a single, and Carly Parsons followed with a single, setting the stage for a three-run blast by Arden Rabiger.
In the second inning, the Falcons added three runs. Parsons led off with a triple and scored when Rabiger doubled. Casey Glynn, Olivia Mauro (RBI) and Alyssa Hileman each had RBI singles. In the third inning, Glynn had a two-out double that plated a pair.
“She had a real good day,” McSherry said.
Rabiger had a productive day for the Falcons, going 2-for-3 with a double, home run, three runs scored and four RBIs. Casey Glynn was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Carly Parsons was 3-for-5 with two runs scored, and Sierra Daly was 3-for-4.
The Falcons celebrated Senior Day, recognizing the team’s four seniors – Rabiger, Jakimowicz, Mauro and Hileman.
The Tigers also had some big performances at the plate. Kailea Heston had a monster day – she was a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run, double, two RBIs and a run scored. Chrissy Huhn was 2-for-5 with a double, home run, two RBIs and a run scored out of the leadoff spot. Elle Oliver was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Grace Pool was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Mara Mckeon was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored.
Pennsbury (7-12, 6-6 SOL) is scheduled to host Central Bucks South in a non-league game on Wednesday. Truman (9-9, 5-6) will close out its regular season at Bensalem on Wednesday.
Harry S Truman 010 311 0 6-15-1
Pennsbury 532 110 x 12-17-1
SOL Continental Conference
SOUDERTON 7, WILLIAM TENNENT 2
Last year, 364 days ago to be exact, Souderton fell to William Tennent in its conference finale, 3-2. The loss capped an 0-12 conference season for an Indians squad that won just three games.
A lot has changed since last year. Tuesday’s win was Souderton’s seventh in conference play and 12th of the season, all but guaranteeing the Indians a coveted spot in the District One 6A Tournament.
“That means the world,” Souderton coach Liz Parkins said. “Last year there were some growing pains for the players and myself, and this year, the trust was formed.
“We’re excited. We’re excited to finish up the regular season this week and work for next week.”
The Indians got on the scoreboard in the third inning. Jess Lepore drew a one-out walk, and Jen Klepfer followed with a single to right. Alex Scheeler’s single to left plated the game’s first run, and then Ali Gould sent a shot over the center field fence, plating three runs and putting the Indians on top 4-0.
“This year we just want to go out and keep winning as much as we can,” Gould said. “Especially coming off of last year, we want to end it on a good note.
“I’m not playing college, so I just want to win here.”
In the top of the fourth, Caitlyn Mitros, who singled, raced home when the throw to third on her successful steal sailed into left field, making it a 4-1 game. The Indians came right back with three runs in the fourth inning.
Julia Kistler was safe on an error to open the frame, and with one out, Lepore sent an RBI single to center. Klepfer followed with a single, and a second run crossed the plate on a wild pitch. An error allowed a third run to score, and the Indians led 7-1.
The Panthers scored an unearned run in the seventh when – after an error – Mitros doubled to deep center.
“I just feel like the energy level on Souderton’s side was a little bit higher than ours,” Tennent coach Deanna Myers said. “Once we gave up that home run, it was a totally different game.
“We put our heads down a little bit. Instead of other games where we’ve kept our heads up and fought, I feel like today we didn’t have the fight we normally do.”
The Panthers (4-8 SOL) closed out the season with a 9-11 record. They will be moving back to the SOL National next season, but Myers believes her team benefitted from its two years in the Continental, which features two of the top four team’s in the District One 6A power rankings.
“It’s always good to play better competition because it makes your team better,” Myers said. “When you play these good teams, Souderton being one of them, it gives you a feel for what you need to work on to compete.
“I couldn’t be happier with my team this year. Yes, we fell a little bit short of our ultimate goal, but we still stayed in every single game. We can build on that. Next year is a new year. We’ll start fresh.”
The Panthers were 23rd in the power rankings after Tuesday’s game while the Indians were all but assured a spot in the 20-team field at 15. It’s a far cry from last year.
“I feel like it’s a lot less stressful than last year,” Scheeler said. “We’re a lot more relaxed. I think the extra year everyone had – we had a lot of underclassmen last year, and I think we work really well together.
“The past four years have been great – I’ve loved every second of it.”
Mitros (2-for-4, 2B, RBI, run) and Devon Fithian (2-for-3) led the Panthers at the plate.
Scheeler, who allowed six hits, earned the complete game win and also was 2-for-3 with a double and intentional walk.
“Alex again offensively and defensively – if she gives something up, she comes up at bat and gets it right back,” Parkins said.
Klepfer’s 3-for-4 effort led the Indians. Lepore was 2-for-3.
“It’s a team effort,” Parkins said. “I couldn’t ask for better softball than they’re playing.
“Alex threw the ball really well today. We had the hits when we needed them. A couple of hiccoughs here and there defensively but overall solid defense.”
Souderton (12-6, 7-5) will travel to Phoenixville for a non-league game on Wednesday.
William Tennent 000 100 1 2
Souderton 004 300 x 7
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 6, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0
The Titans clinched a share of the conference title as a result of Tuesday’s win over their neighboring rival in a game that was halted after four-and-a-half innings due to heavy storms.
“We went inside, and the umpire said, ‘The game’s official. It’s the AD’s call if you go back out,’” South coach Kevin Rosini said.
Neither team went back out, and the Titans – behind the three-hit shutout of Kylie Kenney – had earned the important win. The Titans’ junior ace struck out five and did not walk a batter.
“Kylie pitched great again,” Rosini said.
A highlight of the game was captain Alex DeLeon collecting hit number 100 of a stellar career – a second inning double down the right field line.
“That’s a great accomplishment,” Rosini said. “To get that many hits from your ninth grade year on – that’s not bad.”
The Titans took care of business early, scoring four first-inning runs. Alexa Ortman singled to lead off the inning, and Tara Tumasz drew a walk. With one out, DeLeon was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Katie Hines drove in the first run with an RBI single. Senior Marissa Mancini – in her first game of the season – drew a bases-loaded walk that pushed a run across. A sacrifice by Nicole Pella drove in a run, and then it was Rebecca Brennan delivering an RBI single that put the Titans on top 4-0.
Brennan, who was 2-for-2, is 6-for-6 in her last six at bats. DeLeon finished the game 2-for-2 with a double. Ortman was 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Maddie Rowley was 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored.
It is the second consecutive year the Titans have won at least a share of the conference crown, but this team – according to Rosini – is vastly different than last year’s.
“We find different ways to win,” the Titans’ coach said. “The defense has played really well.
“We don’t have the same offense – that’s a given, but we’re getting the big hits, we’re winning close games, we’re fighting to the end. These kids believe in each other, and that means so much in high school sports.
“Alex got her 100th career hit, and the team went nuts. They were so excited and so happy for her. You can just see it. They get along so well. Not saying last year’s team didn’t, but this is just a different dynamic. (Last year) we relied so much on home runs and things like that, and we don’t need to do that anymore. We’re finding different ways to win.”
Central Bucks South (16-3, 9-3 SOL) is scheduled to travel to Pennsbury for a non-league game Wednesday, and Central Bucks East (7-12, 5-7) will be on the road at Upper Moreland for a non-league game.
Central Buck East 000 00 0
Central Bucks South 410 1x 6
SOL American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 8, UPPER DUBLIN 0
Jocelyn Baumaister tossed a gem, allowing just five hits while striking out 11 and walking three.
“It was another solid outing by one of my pitchers,” coach Scott Ludlow said. “They’ve been throwing some real good ball the last two or three weeks.”
Brianna Hughes had a huge day at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, home run, four RBIs and three runs scored. Her three-run home run in the fourth gave the Golden Bears their final margin of victory. Jen Storbrauck was 1-for-2 with two RBIs.
The Golden Bears got all the runs they would need in a three-run first inning that included an RBI double by Hughes and a clutch two-run single with two outs by Maura Casey. Storbrauk’s two-out, two-run single in the third put the Bears on top 5-0.
The Golden Bears are closing out the regular season strong – they are 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are sixth in the latest District One 5A power rankings.
“We’re playing some good ball,” Ludlow said. “Hopefully, we’re peaking at the right time to make a little bit of noise the next couple of weeks.
“If we keep getting the pitching that we’re getting and playing the defense that we’re playing, we’ll be all right.”
Upper Moreland (12-5, 9-5 SOL) will host Central Bucks East in a non-league game on Wednesday. Upper Dublin (6-8 SOL) closed out its season with a 6-11 record.
Upper Dublin 000 000 0 0-5-2
Upper Moreland 302 300 x 8-7-0
QUAKERTOWN 12, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1 (6 innings)
The visiting Panthers took just a 2-1 lead into the fourth inning when they erupted for five runs. They added five more over the next two innings to bring an early halt to the game.
In the five-run fourth, the Panthers benefitted from an error, two walks and singles by Tori Caputo, Brianna Lefkoski (RBI) and Nikki Vanelli (RBI). Abby Schwartz delivered the inning’s big blow – a two-run double.
Schwartz finished the game with two hits, three RBIs and a double. Lefkoski had three hits and Caputo added two hits. Vanelli, Jenna Blair and Morgan Thrush each had two RBIs.
Caputo went the distance to earn the win, allowing two hits and one run (unearned) while walking one and striking out three in six innings.
Quakertown (14-4, 11-3 SOL) will travel to Pennridge for a non-league game Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-5 SOL) closed out its season with a 12-5 record.
Quakertown 200 532 12-12-3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 100 000 1-2-6
HATBORO-HORSHAM 15, CHELTENHAM 0 (3 innings)
The Hatters put the finishing touches on the regular season with a win that gave them a perfect record in conference play. They wasted little time before taking care of business, scoring five runs in the first, seven more in the second.
Mikayla Fedele earned the win in the abbreviated no hitter, striking out three and walking none in two innings. Grace Daniels struck out a pair in a scoreless inning of relief.
Kayla Tauber led the Hatters’ 11-hit attack with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate. She had four RBIs and scored a run. Logan Cummings was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Kristen Myers tripled and drove in a pair. Maddie Yeager was 1-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Alicia Tauber was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored. Antoinette Spinosa was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Daniels also contributed an RBI.
Hatboro-Horsham (18-2, 14-0 SOL) is the sixth seeded team in the latest District One 6A power rankings.
Cheltenham 000 0-0-2
Hatboro-Horsham 573 15-11-0
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2, MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH 0
The Bucks celebrated Senior Day with another shutout win – this one a rain-shortened five-inning contest. The team’s four seniors – Angelina Sherba, Sierra Mosniak, Julia Perez and Sam Trafford – are all four-year starters.
Sherba was once again in complete command, tossing a one-hit shutout. She struck out 10.
West scored both of its runs in the fourth inning. Perez led off with a double, and she scored when Grace Dryden singled. Ella Castronuovo's RBI single plated Dryden.
Dryden was the lone player to collect multiple hits, finishing 2-for-2.
Central Bucks West (5-7 SOL) closed out the regular season with a 12-7 record. The Bucks are 16th in the latest District One 6A power rankings.
Mount St. Joseph 000 00 0
Central Bucks West 000 2x 2
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