Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Wednesday. PW/Wissahickon photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko, and North Penn/CB East photos courtesy of Kadi Schenk. Check back for galleries of both games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f63743818
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 6, PENNSBURY 2
The Indians occupied the very tenuous 24th and final spot in the district rankings prior to Wednesday’s game, but they took all the doubt and questions out of the equation, upsetting the division champion Falcons and punching their ticket to the District 1 6A Tournament with the hard-fought win.
“I could not be more proud of the resilience of our girls at CR North this season,” Rock North coach Susan Yee said. “We lost a really tough one in extra innings (our third one-run extra inning loss this year) on Monday after losing a late game lead, forcing us to come into today’s game against the division champions needing a big upset to earn our way into the playoffs, and these girls just stayed focused on their goals and went after that prize of a playoff berth.
“Playoffs were a huge goal for this team, and we definitely put ourselves in an uphill battle to get there, but the girls never gave up on achieving the goal, which is a true testament to their drive and perseverance.”
In the bottom of the first, Olivia Schlindwein and Zoe Hornstein opened the inning with back-to-back singles. A single by Haley Edelman gave the Indians a 1-0 lead that stood until the fifth inning when the Falcons knotted the score.
Ava Storlazzi led off the inning with a single, and Anna Evanchik was hit by a pitch. A Rock North miscue loaded the bases, and the tying run scored on Naya Schubel’s fielder’s choice.
The Indians answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Schlindwein was safe on an error to open the inning and then stole second. Hornstein followed with an RBI single. With one out, Taylor Gearhart singled to load the bases. A costly two-out miscue allowed another run to cross the plate, Katie Wilkoski followed with an RBI single, and another error put the Indians on top 5-1.
Molly Sheehy’s RBI double in the sixth gave the Indians a 6-1 lead before the Falcons scored a run in the seventh for the 6-2 final.
“Pennsbury is a great team, and our girls knew they would need to battle all afternoon if they were going to have a chance at a win,” Yee said. “We got out of several jams that could have turned the tides of the game, and just did what had to be done to walk away with a win.
“Every time we had a miscue, the girls regrouped and didn’t let it snowball, which was great to see from such a young group facing this kind of pressure (win or go home) for the first time in their high school careers.”
Freshman Lucy Mills earned the complete game win for the Indians, scattering six hits and allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out one and walking three.
“Lucy Mills really showed a lot of poise in the circle today,” Yee said. “She didn’t let anything rattle her, she hit her spots, she spun the ball, and she trusted that if she did her job to keep the batters from squaring it up, her defense would get the job done behind her. She took a very mature approach from start to finish, and for her to handle this type of pressure and hold a team as strong as Pennsbury to no extra base hits is just an amazingly gutsy performance from a freshman.”
Schlindwein (2-for-4, 1R) and Hornstein (2-for-4, RBI, 3R) led Rock North’s eight-hit attack, and the Indians also received a potentially game-changing play from their shortstop.
“Taylor Gearhart’s maturity and heads up play at shortstop also helped keep us in the game and deserves a lot of praise,” Yee said. “In the top of the fifth with us clinging to a 1-0 lead, Pennsbury loaded the bases with no outs, and Taylor made a nice backhand play on a ground ball where she alertly chose to get the force out on the runner going to third instead of going after Pennsbury’s speedster (Ava Storlazzi) who was headed home.
“That decision to give up the one run in order to make sure we got an out was a huge play to ‘stop the bleeding,’ so to speak, and make sure we didn’t end up giving up a big inning. Had she not made that play, the fifth inning could have gone very differently, and we would have had a much more difficult job ahead of us in having to respond in the bottom half.”
Storlazzi, who was 2-for-4 with a run scored, was the only Falcon with more than one hit.
Laney Freiband was charged with the loss, allowing eight hits and six runs (only one earned) while striking out nine and walking two.
Council Rock North (11-9, 8-8 SOL) was 22nd in the District 1 6A power rankings, and Pennsbury (15-4, 12-3) occupied the eighth spot in the power rankings. The Falcons will travel to Neshaminy for Thursday’s regular season finale.
Pennsbury 000 010 1 2-6-5
Council Rock North 100 041 x 6-8-3
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 13, HARRY S TRUMAN 0 (5 innings)
A six-run first by the Golden Hawks set the tone for the decisive Senior Day win in the abbreviated contest that saw a pair of pitchers combine for a no-hitter.
Lexi Waring tossed three shutout innings to earn the win, striking out eight and walking one while Kylie Pickard threw two scoreless innings to close it out, striking out four and walking one.
“We hit the ball well today,” Rock South coach Dan Schram said. “We laughed and enjoyed each other, and it was a great way to end the regular season.
“We got a chance to honor our seniors. Amazing young ladies. Thank you to the families, friends, athletic department, and Truman High school for taking part in this special day. Our 72-day regular season has come to a close. It has been great. We’re gonna take a day to clean the slate. Now let’s get ready for the postseason.”
The six-run first was highlighted by a two-run double from Gabby Bloom and also included singles by Avery Tumolo (RBI), Grace Stepp (RBI) Ameerah Wheet (RBI) and Maddie McLean. The Hawks also benefitted from a pair of errors.
Tumolo led off the second with a triple, and she scored when Stepp hit a double to center field. Julia Scannapieco’s one-out double plated Stepp, putting the Golden Hawks on top 8-0 on their way to the big win.
Tumolo was a perfect 4-for-4 that included a triple, five RBIs and two runs scored. Bloom was 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored, and Stepp was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Wheet was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Council Rock South (14-6, 10-6 SOL) is 11th in the latest District 1 6A power rankings. Harry S Truman closed out its season with a 2-16 record.
Harry S Truman 000 00 0-0-3
Council Rock South 623 2x 13-13-0
SOL Colonial Division
PENNRIDGE 2, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 0
Grace Helbling made sure the Rams final regular season home game would be a good one.
The senior pitcher tossed a complete game one-hit shutout and also reached a personal milestone when she notched her 200th career strikeout.
It all added up to a memorable Senior Night for Helbling and her seven senior teammates.
“Grace Helbling reached an impressive milestone,” Pennridge coach Wendy Iadonisi said. “That’s after missing an entire freshman season because of Covid and half her junior season with a broken arm. Grace is throwing really well right now and only gave up one hit tonight which was a nicely placed bunt (by Riley Theis).”
Hits were in rare supply for both teams battling for playoff position. The Rams managed only five but made the most of their opportunities. They scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Olivia Crognale drew a one-out walk, and Reagan Bauman was safe on a two-out miscue by the Titans. Averi Dockery followed and lined an RBI double to center for an early 1-0 lead.
They added an insurance run in the third when Olivia Crognale, who had a one-out single, scored on Dockery’s sacrifice fly to center field. Helbling did the rest, keeping the Titans off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
“Today was a huge win for us,” Iadonisi said. “Besides being our last league game of the regular season with playoff rankings moving us anywhere between 16th -19th seed, it was also our Senior Night. We have eight seniors that we were able to honor tonight, and they all played the entire game. We were concerned that with emotions running high on a night with so much at stake that we wouldn’t be able to focus, but the whole team was dialed in.”
Pennridge (13-7, 10-6 SOL) was 16th in the latest District 1 6A power rankings while Central Bucks South (11-9, 8-8) is 18th. Both teams will return to action in Monday’s opening round of districts.
Central Bucks South 000 000 0 0-1-1
Pennridge 101 000 x 2-5-1
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 9, SOUDERTON 2
It was the very definition of a must-win for a West squad perched firmly on the bubble entering Wednesday’s game. The Bucks were 25th in what will be a 24-team field but moved up to 24 in the power rankings after Wednesday’s big win.
“We never stopped believing that playoffs were in the cards for us,” West coach Ali Coleman said. “We had a tough loss on Monday, and we came in today fully knowing and believing that we were going to win, so we came with the confidence.
“We had really, really good at-bats. Sienna (Lawson) pitched a great game, so overall, every player showed up today on offense and on defense.”
A three-run second inning gave the Bucks a lead they would not lose. Julia Thomas led off with a single, and Laila Murray drew a walk. It looked as though the Bucks might come up empty when Lindsay Detwiler struck out the next two batters she faced, but Taylor Hooven kept the inning alive with a single to load the bases. Ana Glemser got an RBI when she was hit by a pitch, forcing home a run. Chloe Dryden’s two run single to right field put the Bucks on top 3-0.
Souderton got two of those back in the bottom of the third when Kaylee York hit a two-run single.
In the top of the fourth, Hooven led off with a single, and with one out, Dryden again delivered, grounding a double to left that plated Hooven. Sienna Lawson followed with a single, and Dryden scored the second run of the inning on a fielder’s choice that put the Bucks on top 5-2 on the way to a win that vaulted them into the postseason.
“We really never let up,” Coleman said. “When we gave up those two runs, it kind of triggered something for us, pushed us to get more runners on base and get those runners in.”
Hooven finished the day a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored to lead the Bucks’ 14-hit attack.
“She just killed it today,” Coleman said.
Dryden was 3-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot, and Thomas was 3-for-4 with a run scored.
“Julia Thomas had three hits, and she was pretty much a wall at third base,” Coleman said. “She had a lot of plays that really helped us out.”
Lawson was 2-for-5 with an RBI. She earned the complete game win, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out five and walking none.
For the Indians, Olivia Plinke was 2-for-3.
Central Bucks West (9-10, 7-9 SOL) will wrap up its regular season with an important non-league game at home against Mount St. Joseph Academy on Thursday. Souderton (9-11, 7-9) is 21st in the latest District 1 6A power rankings.
Central Bucks West 030 231 0 9-14-1
Souderton 002 000 0 2-6-2
NORTH PENN 10, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 (5 innings)
The Knights put the finishing touches on a perfect regular season with the no-doubt-about-it win. Julia Shearer tossed her 17th shutout in 20
games in the abbreviated contest, allowing just two hits while striking out 13 and walking one in five innings.
Shearer – one of 15 players on the watch list for MaxPreps National Player of the Year – surpassed the 250-strikeout mark for the season. The University of Maryland signee closed the regular season with 252 strikeouts in 119 innings and has allowed just three earned runs.
The Knights also did their share of damage at the plate, collecting 10 hits and scoring more than enough runs for Shearer in a five-run first inning.
The inning began with Shearer reaching first on an error, and one out later, Annabelle Smink singled. A walk to Brie Wilmot loaded the bases. The first run – which stood as the game-winner – scored on a miscue. Back-to-back walks with the bases loaded pushed two more runs across and Reyna Doherty’s line single to center plated a pair of runs to put the Knights on top 5-0.
The Knights added single runs in the third and fourth innings and closed out the game with a three-run fifth.
Smink was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, Sarah Sabocsik was 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored, and Gianna Cimino was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and one run scored. Contributing one RBI each were Wilmot, Tallie Smink, Bella Nunn and Casey Sokol.
North Penn closed out its season with a 20-0 record, 16-0 in the SOL. The Knights are the top seed in the District 1 6A Tournament and have an opening round bye. They will return to action next Wednesday. Central Bucks East closed out its season with a 6-14 record (5-11 SOL).
North Penn 501 13 10-10-1
Central Bucks East 000 00 0-2-3
SOL Liberty Division
UPPER DUBLIN 2, HATBORO-HORSHAM 1
It’s been quite a week for the surging Cardinals.
Two days after notching a 1-0 extra-inning win over Plymouth Whitmarsh, the Cardinals – riding another standout effort from freshman pitcher Kya Garrison – rallied from an early 1-0 deficit to earn the hard-fought win.
“This is my 26th season coaching Upper Dublin softball, and this is the first time we’ve beaten Hatboro in that time,” UD coach Heather Boyer said. “We haven’t played them every year, but we played them more than we haven’t, and we always struggled.
“We knocked on the door earlier in the season (in a 3-0 loss), but (Alyssa) Tooley had pretty good control of that game and limited our opportunities. We didn’t get that clutch hit. Today even falling behind with a 1-0 deficit, the girls never lost hope, they never lost their faith. They trust each other, and they find a way to get things done these days.”
Garrison allowed three hits and one earned run in the complete game win, striking out nine and walking three.
“She was phenomenal,” Boyer said. “She turned another double play in the seventh inning. They had a one-out baserunner, they popped up a bunt, and she snagged it and then threw to first to end the game, a double play to clinch it.”
The Hatters put a run on the scoreboard in the first inning. Tess Kearney hit a two-out single to center field and scored when Amaya Lundy tripled to right field.
UD had an immediate answer in the top of the second. Anna Levin led-off the inning with a single to right field, and she advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kaitlyn Zacharia. Levin scored on an RBI triple to right field by Maddie Small. Rayla Krachman reached base on a bunt single, and Kaelin Penna’s RBI infield single scored Small for a 2-1 UD lead.
Upper Dublin erased a leadoff runner for Hatboro in the bottom of the third inning with a double play and also recorded its second double play in the bottom of the seventh inning to close out the game.
“They’re peaking at the right time, which his exciting to see,” Boyer said. “They’re handling the pressure of being a competitive softball team extremely well because a lot of them haven’t done that before, but our younger kids do have good experience playing outside of school and playing travel ball.
“That builds confidence when you get reps, and you’re constantly in game situations. You trust yourself to make the play because you’ve done it countless times before, and that’s where we are right now. That kind of energy is contagious, and the kids who are maybe not as experienced are also picking up on that too. It goes both ways, which is really nice to see.”
For the Cardinals, Bella Fiore was 2-for-3 with a double, and Kaitlyn Zacharia was 2-for-4.
Leading the Hatters was Amaya Lundy, who was 2-for-3 with an RBI triple and two stolen bases.
Upper Dublin (15-5, 12-4 SOL) is the second-seeded team in the latest District 1 5A power rankings. The Cardinals will have a first round bye and will return to action next Wednesday in a second round game. Hatboro-Horsham (12-8, 11-5) will also be competing in 5A this year and are seventh in the latest power rankings.
Upper Dublin 020 000 0 2-9-2
Hatboro-Horsham 100 000 0 1-3-1
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 10, WISSAHICKON 0 (5 innings)
The Colonials celebrated their two seniors – Molly Moore and Grace Carney – with a convincing shutout win under the lights at East Plymouth Valley Park.
“Thank you to Plymouth Little League for hosting us tonight,” PW coach Mike Perez said. “And all the friends, family, and all of the little softball girls that came out to watch. It was such a great environment to play in.”
The night was highlighted by Moore recording her 400th career varsity strikeout in the second inning. She notched the win in the circle, allowing one hit in three shutout innings. She struck out five and did not walk a batter. Moore also was 1-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored.
“Molly is the engine that makes our team go,” Perez said. “She’s the ultimate gamer and leader for our young team. She shows us daily what it takes to win in this league.”
Carney also made her presence felt, throwing two scoreless innings and going 1-for-2 at the plate.
“Grace is such a great teammate – the ultimate team player,” Perez said. “She’s such a great kid and brings so much laughter and joy to our team every day.”
The Colonials scored one run in the first and all but put the game out of reach with a five-run second. Caelin Kosvitch lined a single to right to lead off the inning, and Madison Moran was safe on an error. Jenna Yablon singled to plate a run, and the inning also included a two-run single by Moore as well as another Wiss miscue.
Nine players collected one hit each for the Colonials. Moran and Kalina Childers each had a double. Sam Skivo hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (14-6, 12-4 SOL) is 12th in the latest District 1 6A power rankings. Wissahickon closed out its season with a 4-16 record.
Wissahickon 000 00 0-3-4
Plymouth Whitemarsh 151 21 10-9-0
QUAKERTOWN 11, ABINGTON 1 (6 innings)
The Panthers wrapped up a perfect regular season with a convincing win over the visiting Ghosts in a game under the lights. It was win number 20 without a loss for the Panthers.
“I’m just really proud of the squad,” Quakertown coach Dave Scott said. “I know a few people thought we would take a step back with Sydney Andrews graduating, so I am just happy with the way we played all year.
“It truly was a team effort to get to 20-0. It seems like we had someone different step up almost every game. Abbey (Wagner) was a rock in the circle all year. Hopefully, we have set the foundation for a good playoff run.”
Wagner notched the win in the circle, allowing five hits and one run while striking out 14 and walking a pair in six innings.
The Panthers scored a run in the bottom of the first when Emma Hilton, who walked and advanced to second on a passed ball, scored when Maya Hellyer lined a two-out single to center field.
It was a 1-0 game until the Panthers erupted for five runs in the third inning. Julia Reisch led off the inning with a single, and one out later, Hilton singled. Skyler Williams singled home a run, and Hellyer followed with the third straight single, also plating a run. That set the stage for Leah Schwalm, who ripped a three-run home run to left field, giving the Panthers a 6-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, Ava Beal and Hilton opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and both scored when Hellyer doubled to center.
The Ghosts put a run on the board when Leanna Schenk, who walked, stole home. The Panthers brought an early end to the game when they scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Hellyer led the Panthers’ 15-hit attack with a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate that included a double and five RBIs. Schwalm was 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Beal (2-for-4, 2R) and Hilton (2-for-3, 4R) also had multi-hit games.
For the Ghosts, Liz Hippel was 2-for-2.
Quakertown (20-0, 16-0 SOL) is second in the latest District 1 6A power rankings. Abington closed out its season with a 6-14 record (5-11 SOL).
Abington 000 001 1-5-2
Quakertown 105 203 11-15-0
SOL Freedom Division
WILLIAM TENNENT 8, LOWER MORELAND 1
Hits were in short supply for both sides, but the Panthers scored in each of the last four innings to earn the win in Wednesday’s regular season finale.
The Panthers scored a run in the third inning and added three more in the fourth. Morgan Kocher delivered the only hit of the inning, but it was a big one. After the Panthers loaded the bases with three walks, Kocher ripped a bases-clearing double to center field that put the Panthers on top 4-0. The third run crossed the plate on a Lions’ miscue.
Tennent added two more without collecting a hit in the fifth inning.
Liz Neeld’s solo shot to left field put the Lions on the board in the top of the sixth, but the Panthers scored two in the bottom of the inning for the 8-1 final.
Contributing RBIs for the Panthers in addition to Kocher were Rylie O’Toole, Giselle McLaughlin and Madison Pirolli.
Carlie Nydick notched the win in the circle, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out 10 and walking one in six strong innings. O’Toole threw a shutout inning in relief to close it out, striking out one.
William Tennent (13-6, 13-3 SOL) is 15th in the latest District 1 6A rankings, and Lower Moreland (8-12, 6-10) is fourth in 4A.
Lower Moreland 000 001 0 1-3-2
William Tennent 001 322 x 8-5-1
SPRINGFIELD TWP 18, CHELTENHAM 1 (3 innings)
The visiting Spartans scored early and often on the way to the victory in Wednesday’s abbreviated contest. Freshman Julia Mathews earned the win, and senior Taylor Schulz led the Spartans’ hit parade with a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate with six RBIs.
“Julia Mathews pitched well for us,” coach Heather Gehlhaus said. “It was a total team effort win. Everyone got in the game and contributed in some way.”
The Spartans seized control of the game from the outset. McKayla McKeever drew a leadoff walk, and Norah Conlin followed with a single. A walk to Joce Davis loaded the bases for Taylor Schulz, who brought all three home with a booming double to left field. By the time the inning was over, the Spartans led 6-0.
The Lady Panthers scored their only run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Keilah Reyes.
Taylor Schulz led off the second inning with a triple to left field, and she scored on a single by Kayla Parsons. The inning also included two RBI singles by Charlotte Drapkin as well as singles by Emily West (RBI), McKeever (RBI) and Davis. For good measure, Taylor Schulz also had an RBI single in an inning that saw the Spartans put up seven runs.
A five-run third brought an early end to the contest.
Included in Taylor Schulz’s 4-for-4 day were two doubles, a triple and a single. Parsons was 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored. West was 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Matthews allowed two hits and one run while striking out three and walking one in the three-inning contest.
Springfield Twp (9-10, 7-9 SOL) is fifth in the latest District 1 4A power rankings in what will be a four-team tournament. The Spartans will host Merion Mercy in a non-league game to close out the regular season on Thursday. Cheltenham completed its season with a 2-16 record.
Springfield Twp 675 18-14-0
Cheltenham 100 1-2-2
UPPER MORELAND 20, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 4 (3 innings)
Propelled by a nine-run first inning, the Golden Bears rolled to the win in the abbreviated contest.
Included in UM’s 12-hit attack were three home runs. Haleigh Woodman had a two-run inside the park round tripper to close out the game in the third. Kaylee Brown hit an inside-the-park grand slam in the second inning, and Devyn Kniese had a two-run inside-the-park home run in the second inning.
Kniese led UM with a 3-for-4 effort that included a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored. Alyssa Wiley was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Woodman was 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Brown was 1-for-1 with a home run, four RBIs and three runs scored. Natalie Walton was 1-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, Joslyn McCellan scored three runs and drove in a pair, and Liz Santry also had two RBIs.
For the Lions, Izzy Elizondo was 1-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Kaylee Harris was 1-for-2 with an RBI and run scored, and Elena Shire was 1-for-2 with a double and run scored.
Upper Moreland (12-8, 9-7 SOL) is 10th in the latest District 1 5A power rankings in what will be a 12-team tournament. New Hope-Solebury (2-15, 2-14) will close out its regular season with a non-league game at Morrisville on Thursday.
New Hope-Solebury 004 4-6-3
Upper Moreland 992 20-12-1
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