William Tennent edged Archbishop Ryan in a non-league game Saturday. Tennent/Ryan photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f860927651
Non-league
WILLIAM TENNENT 12, ARCHBISHOP RYAN 11
In a non-league game that was a roller coaster ride for both sides, the Panthers – trailing by one in the bottom of the seventh- staged a two-out rally to notch a dramatic walk-off win when Rylie O’Toole hit an RBI single.
“We knew Archbishop Ryan was a strong hitting team and had been putting up a lot of runs against opponents all year, so, in order to win, we’d have to score a lot of runs as well,” Tennent coach Rich Clark said. “After a couple of lead changes, we found ourselves behind again going into the bottom half of the seventh inning. 
“That’s when Sydney Teufel came through once again by crushing another home run over the left field fence to tie it up. Sydney had an awesome day collecting three hits – two home runs -and five RBIs. She’s really in a zone right now.
“After Chloe Hostetler and Sammi Wood both got on with bunt singles, Rylie O’Toole came through with the game-winning single up the middle completing a tremendous all-around game for her as well. I couldn’t be prouder of how these girls have been battling all season, especially during the past couple of weeks. They really seem to be hitting their stride right now and picking each other up.”
The game started out on a promising note when the Panthers scored two runs in the bottom of the first and then added five in the third.
“Sydney Teufel got us started early in the first inning by hitting a two-run homer over the left field fence,” Clark said. “Rylie O’Toole did a tremendous job for us on the mound by keeping their hitters off balance through the first three innings as we built-up a 7-0 lead. Even so, we knew we couldn’t let up because they have a strong hitting lineup one through nine.” 
Two-run singles by Teufel and Lexi Weidner highlighted the Panthers’ five-run inning that also included an RBI single by Sammi Wood. That 7-0 lead turned out to be far from safe.
A five-run sixth gave the Raiders a 10-9 lead. The Panthers evened the score in the bottom of the inning, but Ryan scored a run to go on top 10-9 in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for the wild finish in the bottom of the inning.
“Archbishop Ryan’s bats started coming alive in the fourth, and it was tough to stop their momentum as they eventually took the lead in the sixth,” Clark said. “That being said, our girls buckled down and kept putting the pressure on their defense.”
Leading the Panthers 14-hits attack were Teufel (3-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 3 R) and Wood (3-for-5, 2 RBIs, R). Weidner (2-for-3, 2 RBIs, 2R) and Taylor Mazzoni (2-for-3, 1 RBI, R) each had two hits.
The Panthers also threw some leather at Ryan.
“Morgan Kocher in center field came up with yet another ESPN highlight film moment in the sixth when she took away what I thought was a certain hit in the gap with a spectacular diving play that resulted in her sliding about 10 feet on her stomach just from her momentum,” Clark said. “She’s making a habit of this, and it’s really fun to watch.”
O’Toole threw 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs, striking out seven and walking to. Katie LaPlaunt closed it out.
William Tennent (11-4, 8-5 SOL) will host Cheltenham on Tuesday.
Archbishop Ryan 000 235 1 11-9-1
William Tennent 205 111 2 12-14-3
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