Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday. NP/CB East photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko Photography. William Tennent/ Lower Moreland photo courtesy of Jon Sklut. Check back for galleries of both games.
SOL Patriot Division
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 5, HARRY S TRUMAN 4
The Golden Hawks celebrated Senior Recognition Day with an impressive win in their conference finale.
“That always adds an interesting element, recognizing your seniors because it’s an event,” Rock South coach John Engelhardt said. “And playing against a very well-coached and good Truman team that has a ton of athletes.
“It was just a fantastic win. This is only our fifth win, but it’s one of those wins I was looking for to say, ‘Okay, we put it all together.’ Obviously, we’re still not hitting the ball as well as we would like, but we made the most of the situations we were put in. We maximized our runners on base and didn’t leave many runners on base. Situational hitting was key today, and that’s what we’ve talked about. It was awesome to win on Senior Day, and it was good to get momentum towards the end of the season.”
Freshman Devon Wach, who started the year on jayvee, was thrust into a starting role, and she got the ball rolling for the Golden Hawks on Tuesday.
“I moved her to the leadoff spot and is starting in right field for us,” Engelhardt said. “This kid has just worked so hard, and I said, ‘I’m going to switch some things up,’ and she led off the game with a double – our only extra base hit, setting the tone.
“She’s a perfect example – it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. This kid has earned herself not only a varsity letter, but she’s a varsity starter as a freshman and someone kids can look up to because she was a jayvee player to start the year.”
With Wach on second, Kaylie Walters stepped into the batter’s box.
“Kaylie Walters did what Kaylie Walters does – she singled,” Engelhardt said. “We got base runners on early which is not something we had done all year.
“We jumped out 2-0 in the first, which helped, because we haven’t had a lead for much of the year. Usually we’re playing catch-up.”
Truman took the lead with a three-run third. Emily Kavulic got things started with a one-out bunt single. With two outs, Courtney Nau singled, Mara McKeon walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Jada Moran’s three-run double to right field.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Golden Hawks regained the lead.
“Kayla Petricelli, another senior, has come up really big in some spots for us this year, and she led off that inning with a single,” Engelhardt said. “Grace Stepp, a freshman, hit a rocket to the outfield, so when we got our first two kids on, we felt really good.
“Another senior, Lauren Paulk, has been a great leader for us this year, and she singled and got an RBI. Kerri Despirito hit a hard groundout for a fielder’s choice RBI, and Alli Kitson, another senior, hit a hard ground ball which drove in another run.
“The huge thing that happened in that inning was our pinch runners. Jordan Bobrin came in the game, and we wanted to use our speed to our advantage. Maddie McCleon literally was running down from the jayvee field. She didn’t have a chance to catch her breath, and I put her in and said, ‘You’re stealing first pitch.’ She stole, and we got a runner in scoring position.
“It was awesome to see these two young ladies came in and play a role and use their speed to help us put runners in scoring position, which was huge because without their base running we don’t score those runs. It was awesome to see our freshmen and seniors step up in that sixth inning, but it was the base running that put us in scoring position so those seniors were able to capitalize in those situations.”
Ciara Constance notched the complete game win.
“Our pitcher, Ciara Constance, did a fantastic job today against Truman, who can hit one through nine and limited them to four runs, which is very impressive if you look at the box scores with Truman,” Engelhardt said. “Ciara has pitched all but maybe two or three innings for us. It was awesome to get a win on Senior Day.
“That’s what we said going into the game – we’re going to have a really cool event afterwards to recognize our seniors, but the best way we can say thank you and acknowledge them is by winning on Senior Day. We’re not going to make the playoffs this year and that stinks, but Truman is, and it’s nice to end the season knowing we were able to beat a team that’s going to be in the playoffs to help get momentum for next year.”
Wach (2-for-3, 2B, 1R) accounted for two of the Golden Hawks’ four hits.
For the Tigers, Nau was 3-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored. Moran was 1-for-3 with a double and three RBIs.
Council Rock South (5-14, 2-14 SOL) will travel to Villa Joseph Marie for a non-league game Wednesday to close out its season. Harry S Truman (10-9, 7-9) – 21st in the District One 6A power rankings – will host Neshaminy on Wednesday.
Harry S Truman 003 000 1 4-8-3
Council Rock South 200 003 x 5-6-2
NESHAMINY 14, BENSALEM 4 (6 innings)
The Redskins scored five runs in the top of the first and never looked back on their way to the mercy rule win in their regular season finale.
In the top of the first, the Redskins made some noise with two outs. Sophomore Lindsey Gorka got things rolling with a double in her first at bat, scoring on a single from senior Dani Monaco. Junior Kennedie Ruth added to the score with another single, scoring Monaco. Senior Mia Barone kept the streak going with a double to left field that plated Ruth. Junior Amanda Slabicki got on base after a hard ground ball to the left side, bringing up sophomore Maddie Nelson who hit a double to score the fifth and final run of the inning.
The Redskins did not score again until the fourth when senior Kylee Jones battled in the box to draw a walk. Gorka followed with a single up the middle. Monaco stepped up to the plate and hit a hard ground ball to the right side, scoring Jones from third. Ruth then hit a triple to the fence, scoring two more.
In the fifth inning, Nelson led off with a single up the middle followed by another single from sophomore Rachel Allen. Senior Kylie Siwek followed with a hard ground ball to the left side that plated a run. Soon after, sophomore RyLeigh Bilbrey followed with a quality at bat, resulting in a single up the middle that scored two. The Owls scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to add to their first inning run.
In the sixth inning, Nelson and Allen each reached base safely on hard ground balls to the left side. Siwek followed suit, plating a run. Gorka and Monaco each added singles in the inning with each driving in a run.
The Redskins were led by Gorka, who was 4-for-5 with an RBI. Monaco who was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, and Ruth was 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs. Nelson was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Jones, Bilbrey, Barone, Slabicki and Allen all added hits while Siwek and Barone contributed RBIs as well.
Ruth started the game in the circle, facing 17 batters, striking out 11 while allowing only one run and one hit. Barone took the mound in the fifth inning and faced 13 batters, striking out three and allowing two hits and three runs.
Neshaminy (14-5, 12-4 SOL) is 12th in the latest District One 6A power rankings. Bensalem (10-10, 6-10) is 23rd in the rankings. Twenty-four teams will make the tournament field.
Neshaminy 500 330 3 14
Bensalem 100 030 0 4
PENNSBURY 11, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 (5 innings)
The Falcons closed out a perfect conference season with a decisive win over the Indians.
“Our first goal was to win our division,” coach Frank McSherry said. “
The Falcons scored a run in the top of the first and added three runs in the third. They put the game out of reach with a six-run fourth.
Emma Hause continued her clutch hitting for the Falcons. On the heels of collecting a pair of two-out RBI singles one day earlier, she had a pair of base hits with two outs and two strikes. She also delivered a sacrifice fly in the top of the second inning to put the Falcons on the scoreboard with a run that turned out to be the game-winner. She did it, of course, with two strikes.
“She did a nice job with two strikes today,” McSherry said. “She had two base hits with two strikes today – one resulted in an RBI, the other did not. She’s had some big hits.”
Caitlyn Martell was 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and three runs scored to lead the Falcons’ attack. Rowan Mulholland was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, Taylor Askey was 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two runs, and Hause was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Ainsley McClure turned in another workmanlike effort in the circle, allowing six hits and one run while striking out eight and walking none.
Kat Hastings absorbed the loss for the Indians.
“Kat threw a dramatically better game than the score indicated,” Rock North coach Susan Yee said. “Ainsley threw a great game for PHS.”
Emma Zoldi was 2-for-3 to lead the Indians.
Pennsbury (18-1, 16-0 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh for a non-league game on Wednesday to close out the regular season. Council Rock North closed out its season with a 7-12 record overall (4-12 SOL).
Pennsbury 013 61 11-11-0
Council Rock North 000 10 1-6-3
SOL Colonial Division
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 9, PENNRIDGE 5
The Titans ended their season on a high note, and making it happen was senior Nicole Pilla, who closed out her final high school season in style. The veteran catcher was 3-for-3 with three doubles, a walk and five RBIs.
“Nicole Pilla – wow,” South coach Kevin Rosini said. “What a season, and she’s the last link to our district champs – she’s it.
“What a great season and what a great way to end her career, fantastic. She caught every inning except for one game. She just had a tremendous year.”
The Titans put a pair on the board in the top of the first when Pilla drew a two-out walk, and freshman Allie Franck followed with a home run to center field that plated a pair.”
For the freshman second base, it was her fourth round tripper of the season.
“What a great freshman year she had,” Rosini said. “She played every inning at second base, first game to the last. She had a really good year.”
In the third inning, Suzie Williams and Braylee Webb reached base on back-to-back singles and both scored when Pilla roped a double to left field.
The Rams evened the score with a four-run third. Olivia Crognale got things started with a one-out single, and Regan Bauman followed with a single. Crognale scored when Catelyn Thrush singled, and Maddie Silber emptied the bases when she slammed a three-run home run to center field, knotting the score 4-4.
The visiting Titans had an answer, scoring four runs in the fourth to go on top 8-4. Tori Romain doubled to lead off the inning, and two outs later, Paige LaRosa and Williams (RBI) hit back-to-back singles. An error loaded the bases, and Pilla followed with a double to plate a pair. Another miscue allowed the fourth run to cross the plate.
Maddy Borkowski notched the complete game win, striking out four.
“Maddy pitched a solid game, a solid way to end the year,” Rosini said. “She won seven games this year in her first year on varsity, and that’s pretty good. She went over 100 strikeouts for the year. It was a good solid first season, getting her feet wet.”
In addition to Pilla, Franck was 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Webb was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Williams was 2-for-3, hit by a pitch, RBI, stolen base and three runs scored.
“Just our seniors- Paige LaRosa, a senior who has barely played this year, played left field the whole game and got the first varsity hit of her career tonight – that was great,” Rosini said. “Braylee Webb – another senior – had two hits.
“I’m happy for the seniors. Our season didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but to end with a win, I’m happy for the kids. They really played hard tonight, really played hard. We also have a lot of young people, and tonight was a learning experience for all of them, so I was happy with the win.”
For the Rams, Silbert was 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored. Bauman was 2-for-3 with a double and run scored out of the leadoff spot.
Central Bucks South closed out its season with an 8-12 record (8-8 SOL). Pennridge finished up its season with a 7-13 record (5-11 SOL).
Central Bucks South 202 401 0 9-11-0
Pennridge 004 000 1 5-8-2
NORTH PENN 3, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2
The Knights wrapped up league play with a hard fought Senior Day win, surviving some uncharacteristic miscues and eking out a win over the Patriots.
“I told the girls after the game – this is our first bad game where we didn’t field well and we didn’t hit well, and we have to be grateful we got the win, and we also have to be grateful that it wasn’t a playoff game that we lost,” NP coach Rick Torresani said.
The Knights got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Julia Shearer – who doubled to lead off the frame and stole third – scored on an RBI groundout by Sarah Sabocsik.
The Patriots knotted the scored in the fourth. Senior Bailey Shellhorn singled home Taylor Molesky. The courtesy runner for Amelia Funston, who had walked, advanced to second when Soleil Dooner singled, setting the stage for Shellborn’s single.
In the sixth inning, Shearer was once again in the middle of the action, picking up a single. Sabocsik drew a walk, and Annabelle Smink laid down a bunt single to load the bases. A bases-loaded walk to Bri Wilmot brought a run home, and an error allowed the second run to cross the plate, giving the Knights a 3-1 lead.
The Patriots made things interesting in the seventh. Kayla Mitchell doubled to lead off the frame, and she scored on a single by Elizabeth Gray. The Patriots loaded the bases on a single by Elise Waddington and a walk to Funston, but Mady Volpe picked up a strikeout to end the threat.
Volpe earned the complete game win, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out 15 and walking two.
Shearer’s 2-for-3 effort at the plate with two runs scored led the Knights.
Alex Frenia threw well enough to win on most days, allowing four hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out eight.
North Penn (18-1, 15-1 SOL) – third in the latest District One 6A power rankings – will host Perkiomen Valley in a non-league game on Wednesday. Central Bucks East (13-7 10-6 SOL) is 13th in the latest rankings.
Central Bucks East 000 100 1 2-4-2
North Penn 100 002 x 3-4-3
SOUDERTON 10, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 3
Riley York had herself a day. The Saint Joseph’s University-bound senior was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three home runs, four RBIs and four runs scored. You can’t do much better than that, and to say York was the catalyst of a Souderton offense that pounded out 12 hits would be an understatement.
The Indians scored three runs in the first inning when they staged a two-out rally. York and Ryan Zimmerman opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and York scored when Kayley York doubled. Sierra Miller’s single to center plated a pair.
In the second, Abby Burns led off with a double and was replaced by courtesy runner, Taylor Nelson, who scored on a sacrifice fly by Sierra Ripka.
York made it a 5-0 game when she smacked a solo home to open the third inning. The Bucks got on the board with a run in the fourth, thanks to back-to-back singles by Abby Lineman and Anna Rodebaugh (RBI). A four-run fifth was highlighted by a two-run blast by York that plated Megan Kummery, who had singled.
The Bucks got two of those runs back in the sixth when Lineman delivered an RBI double and Rodebaugh, an RBI single.
Also for the Indians, Miller was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored while Burns was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.
Burns notched the complete game win in the circle, allowing nine hits and three runs while striking out 12 and walking none.
Souderton (13-7, 10-6 SOL) is 17th in the District One 6A power rankings. Central Bucks West closed out its season with a 1-18 record (1-15 SOL).
Central Bucks West 000 102 0 3-9-1
Souderton 311 041 x 10-12-1
SOL Liberty Division
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 4, WISSAHICKON 2
Just over a month ago, the Trojans edged the Colonials 4-3.
On Tuesday, PW returned the favor with a tightly contested win over the visiting Trojans.
“This was a great game versus Wissahickon, just like the last time we played them earlier in the season,” PW coach Mike Perez said. “We were able to get some key hits, and Molly Moore did a wonderful job in the circle to keep a talented Wissahickon lineup at bay.”
Moore allowed just three hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out 10 and walking one in the complete game win.
“The top of that Wissahickon lineup can be very dangerous at the plate, but Molly did an amazing job managing the potential damage all game long,” Perez said.
The Colonials put a run on the board in the first when Carly Rosenberger, who singled to lead off the inning, scored on a sacrifice fly by Lauryn Kane.
In the top of the fourth, the Trojans evened the score when Danielle Ciliberto, who singled to lead off the inning, scored on Emma Clayborne’s RBI double.
In the bottom of the inning, the Colonials put three runs on the board to go on top 4-1. Hannah Suh singled to open the inning, and one out later, Talia Carr lined a triple to left that plated Suh. Molly Lynch and Regan Gehman followed with back-to-back RBI singles.
The Trojans scored an unearned run in the sixth but would get no closer.
“Our bats did a much better job at pitch selection this time around, and the bottom half of our lineup came through as they have been all season.”
Carr was 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI and run scored, and Suh was also 2-for-3.
“I’m really proud of how this team has continued to grow throughout the season and continues to pick each other up game after game,” Perez said. “It was a total team effort for the ‘W.’”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (12-7, 11-5 SOL) – 16th in the District One 6A power rankings – will host Pennsbury in a non-league game Wednesday. Wissahickon (11-8, 11-5) – 18th in the rankings – will host Council Rock North in a non-league game on Wednesday.
Wissahickon 000 101 0 2-3-3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 100 300 x 4-7-2
QUAKERTOWN 11, ABINGTON 0 (6 innings)
Syd Andrews tossed another gem for the Panthers, allowing just one hit in six shutout innings while striking out 14 and walking none.
The Panthers broke up the scoreless game with four runs in the third inning. Emma Hilton singled, stole second, advanced to third on a fly ball to right field before scoring on an error. Mary Wilkinson drew a one-out walk and Andrews delivered a double that plated a run. Maya Hellyer was hit by a pitch, and a pair of runs scored on a two-run double by Cadence Lewis.
A four run fourth put the game out of reach, and the Panthers brought an early end to the game with three unearned runs in the sixth.
Skyler Williams had a huge day at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 with a triple, RBI and run scored. Hilton was 2-for-3 with three runs scored out of the leadoff spot, and Andrews was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI.
Quakertown (17-3, 12-2 SOL) is eighth in the latest District One 6A power rankings. Abington (7-11, 6-10) will host Mount St. Joseph Academy in a non-league game Wednesday to close out its season.
Quakertown 004 403 11-16-0
Abington 000 000 0-1-3
HATBORO-HORSHAM 16, UPPER DUBLIN 0 (4 innings)
The Hatters put an exclamation mark on a perfect league season, wrapping up win number 16 without a loss in the team’s annual night game at Hatboro Little League field.
In the bottom of the first, Kristen Myers led off with a single but was erased on a fielder’s choice. Abby Waeltz drew a free pass, and Amya Lundy hit a two-run single.
In the second inning, they added four more runs. Tess Kearny collected a one-out single, and with two outs, Myers and Waeltz (RBI) had back-to-back singles. Lundy’s two-run double to left field put the Hatters on top 6-0, and they were off and running.
Lundy’s 3-for-3 day with a double and five RBIs led the Hatters. Kearney was 3-for-3 with one RBI and three runs scored. Myers was 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBIs and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Kayla Tauber was 2-for-3 with an RBI and four runs scored, and Waeltz was 2-for-3 with one RBI and three runs scored.
Kendal Leitner notched the win, allowing just two hits in four shutout innings. She struck out six and walked three.
Hatboro-Horsham (19-1, 16-0 SOL) is the top seed in the latest District One 6A power rankings, but the two teams behind them in the rankings will both play a game on Wednesday. Upper Dublin (9-10, 7-9) is ninth in the District One 5A power rankings.
Upper Dublin 000 0 0-2-2
Hatboro-Horsham 245 5 16-17-0
SOL Freedom Division
WILLIAM TENNENT 5, LOWER MORELAND 0
Katie LaPlaunt came within a third inning error on a bunt of throwing a perfect game. The Panthers’ freshman pitcher retired the first seven batters she faced, and after the third inning error, LaPlaunt mowed down the next 14 she faced to close out the game. She struck out 13 and did not walk a
batter.
Perfect games are nothing new to LaPlaunt, who tossed a perfect game for her Mountain Hawks 18U travel team last November at the Turkey Shootout Tournament.
In the third inning, the Panthers scored the only run the freshman hurler would need when Meg Curtis, who was hit by a pitch, scored on Giselle McLaughlin’s single.
That 1-0 score stood until the Panthers erupted for four runs in the sixth. Olivia Clee singled to open the inning and scored one out later when Mackenzie Clee tripled to left. McClee scored on an error, and pinch hitter Jamie Maier legged out a bunt single. LaPlaunt followed with a two-run single to close out the scoring.
The Panthers managed just six hits and only two earned runs off Lower Moreland’s Liz Neeld. She struck out two and walked five.
William Tennent (13-4, 11-4 SOL) is 15th in the latest District One 6A power rankings.
Lower Moreland 000 000 0 0-0-2
William Tennent 001 004 x 5-6-1
UPPER MORELAND 12, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 0 (5 innings)
The Golden Bears closed out their season with a shutout win over the visiting Lions, scoring six runs in the first inning and never looking back.
“Today our seniors came out to finish strong,” UM coach Melanie Martino said.
And finish strong they did.
Senior Chloe Kramer had three hits – two singles and a double, and Gabrielle Wiley had two singles and a sacrifice fly. Rylee McDade saved her best for last, finishing just a single shy of the cycle with a double, triple and home run.
“All three girls have been true leaders and the driving force for this season,” Martino said. “This particular group of seniors is incredibly special to me. Not only are they exceptional student-athletes, but they are my first seniors.
“This is not the first time I have coached them though. I have coached all three over the years since they were eight or nine and have had the privilege of watching them grow into amazing young women. I could not be more proud of these girls. I wish them all the best in their next journey.”
Upper Moreland closed out its season with a 9-9 record (8-8 SOL), and New Hope-Solebury was 3-16 overall (3-13 SOL).
New Hope-Solebury 000 00 0
Upper Moreland 601 50 12
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 20, CHELTENHAM 5
About the Author
