Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in action Tuesday. North Penn/CB West photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL National Conference
PENNSBURY 1, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
Ainsley McClure and Danielle Walters matched each other pitch for pitch. In the end, it came down to a break in the seventh that allowed the Falcons to escape with the win.
“It was like the old 40-foot pitcher’s duel,” coach Frank McSherry said. “Both pitchers pitched well. We were a little lucky.”
The Falcons scored the game’s only run in the top of the seventh. Casey Glynn led off with a single, and it looked as though the Golden Hawks would get out of the inning, but with two outs, Liz Pingor collected a base hit and moved up to second on the throw. An error on freshman Riley Mahony’s spinning popup in front of the plate allowed the game-winner to score.
The Golden Hawks put a runner on board to open the bottom of the inning, thanks to a hit batter. A popup on a sacrifice bunt attempt and a pair of McClure strikeouts closed it out.
McClure allowed three hits in the complete game shutout, striking out nine and walking one. Walters also allowed three hits while striking out nine and walking one. The game’s only run was unearned.
Pennsbury (13-0, 10-0 SOL) – the top seed in the District 1 6A power rankings – will host Harry S Truman on Thursday, and Council Rock South (5-9, 3-6) will travel to Bensalem on Wednesday.
Pennsbury 000 000 1 1-3-1
Council Rock South 000 000 0 0-3-1
NESHAMINY 6, WILLIAM TENNENT 1
Kennedie Ruth turned in another gem for the Redskins, allowing just one hit and one run in the complete game win.
“Kennedie was in complete command from start to finish,” coach Dave Chichilitti said. “The only hit she allowed was to (Hannah) Reimel in the seventh inning. Reimel is a great player.”
For four innings, the freshman pitcher found herself locked in a classic pitcher’s duel with Tennent sophomore Megan Curtis.
In the fifth inning, the Redskins – who had just two singles through the first four innings – erupted for five runs, breaking a scoreless tie and seizing control of the game.
Ruth led off the inning with a bunt single, and Kiley Gurysch followed with a single. A sacrifice fly by Emily Siwek plated the game’s first run. Asia Barnard singled home a run, and Liana Jones delivered a two-run single. A fifth run crossed the plate on a groundout by Kylee Jones, and the Redskins were in command.
For good measure, they added a run in the sixth when Gurysh, who singled, scored on a wild pitch.
In the seventh, the Panthers’ broke up Ruth’s shutout bid when Curtis, who walked, scored on Reimel’s triple.
Gurysh’s 3-for-3 effort with two runs scored led the Redskins.
“Kiley Gurysh had a big day for us as well as Emily Siwek,” Chichilitti said. “They got things going, and we were finally able to break through in the fifth.”
Neshaminy (14-3, 10-1 SOL) – seventh in the latest District 1 6A power rankings – will travel to Holy Cross High School on Friday, and William Tennent (8-9, 4-7) – 21st in the power rankings – will be on the road at Harry S Truman on Monday.
William Tennent 000 000 1 1-1-2
Neshaminy 000 051 x 6-9-0
HARRY S TRUMAN 19, BENSALEM 11
Vanessa Tancini is making up for lost time.
The Truman senior broke her finger in the team’s first game of the season against Council Rock North. On Tuesday, Tancini found herself back in the familiar number two hole for the first time since opening day. She made the most of the opportunity, turning in a 4-for-5 effort that included a double, six RBIs and three runs scored.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been able to hit, and it felt good to come out today and be back to where I was,” said Tancini. “I was out for about four or five games, and then I started coming in and fielding. I’ve hit a few games, but this was my first big game.
“It was so frustrating. I just had to sit there and watch my team and want to help and not be able to, so I just had to cheer them on and hope for the best.”
There was no mistaking the significance of Tancini’s presence in the lineup.
“Senior leadership – 100 percent,” Truman coach Lisamarie Belmonte said. “She’s been fighting back from her injury to have her spot back. She did not want anyone to have that spot. She put in the work, and kudos to her.”
Tancini and the Tigers wasted no time before getting on the scoreboard, putting a pair of runs on the board in the first. Tancini’s bunt single was the only hit in the frame, and Elle Olivero had a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the inning, Maddie Buechner’s booming triple plated Jess Klein, who singled, and it was a 2-1 game.
The Tigers tacked on two runs in the second, and the Owls answered with four in their half of the inning to go on top 5-4, and a definite pattern was developing. This was not going to be a low-scoring game.
A seven-run third inning gave the Tigers an 11-5 lead. The inning began with a single by Emily Merrigan and included singles by Alexia Devlin (RBI), Teyana Towner (RBI), Chrissy Huhn (RBI), Grace Pool (RBI) and Olivero (2 RBIs). A costly error and a pair of walks also helped the Tigers’ cause.
Down but not out, the Owls battled back, scoring four runs in the fourth to make it an 11-9 game. Dani Sharpe contributed a two-run single while Buechner, Allison Goodman, Haley Keenan (RBI) and Angelia Micalizzi (RBI) each added singles. The Tigers put to rest any thoughts of an Owl comeback with five runs in the sixth to go on top 16-9.
In addition to Tancini, Devlin was 3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored. Merrigan was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Pool and Hannah Smith both had a pair of RBIs.
For the Owls, Micalizzi was 3-for-4 with one RBI and three runs scored. Chloe Munyon was 3-for-5 with a triple, and Klein was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs.
Goodman was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored, and Buechner was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Sharpe had a team-high three RBIs.
The Tigers are 23rd in the latest District 1 6A power rankings. Twenty-four teams will earn district berths.
“If we want to make the playoffs, we have to bring it every game,” Tancini said. “We can’t have any slumps. We have to attack every chance we get.”
Hayley Carter earned the win for the Tigers, and Jalecia Blackston closed out the game with three-and-a-third innings in relief.
“When J comes in and she’s on, she keeps the ball down and handles business,” Belmonte said. “It’s fantastic to see. Hayley brings seniors leadership, and they’re two totally different pitchers.”
Bensalem is 12th in the latest power rankings, and Goodman remains confident.
“The seniors just came back from Florida, and we haven’t practiced in a week,” Goodman said. “We haven’t had a full team practice in a while, so this is – ‘Let’s glue the puzzle back together,’ and everything should be fine.
“Games like this will just make us stronger to come back because we do have three more games this week.”
Harry S Truman (8-9, 4-6 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury on Thursday, and Bensalem (9-6, 3-6) will host Council Rock South Wednesday.
Harry S Truman 227 005 3 19-17-3
Bensalem 140 400 2 11-16-4
SOL Continental Conference
NORTH PENN 3, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
The Knights – tired of sharing the conference’s top spot – clinched sole possession of the conference crown with Tuesday’s win over the visiting Bucks.
“For the team, it’s great because the last couple of years they had to share it with (Central Bucks) South,” coach Rick Torresani said. “It was Senior Night so to win it on Senior Night and the kids being able to celebrate was just huge.
“Not having to go down to the last league game of the year really helps us as far as – it’s over, and now we can look forward to our next goal.”
The Knights put three runs on the board in the third inning. Carley DiGiuseppe doubled to lead off the inning, and two outs later, Victoria Juckniewitz was safe on an error. Jordan Pietrzykoski’s RBI single was followed by a two-run double off the bat of Amanda Greaney, and the Knights led 3-0.
That score stood until the seventh.
“Elia Namey, who’s a great kid, has always wanted to pitch since she was in ninth grade,” Torresani said. “So with two outs in the seventh inning, I put Elia in.”
Namey gave up a walk and hit, and Volpe came in to close it out.
Volpe allowed just two hits and no runs while striking out 10 and walking one.
Kayla Gallagher absorbed the loss, allowing six hits and three runs (all unearned) while striking out three and walking none.
“West played well, their pitcher played really well,” Torresani said. “Defensively, they played well.
“I’ve been saying that every game for the last five – teams are coming in and just playing really well against us, which is great. That’s what you need to get ready for the playoffs.”
North Penn (16-0, 10-0 SOL) will host Central Bucks South on Thursday, and Central Bucks West (8-8, 2-8) will host Quakertown on Thursday.
Central Bucks West 000 000 1 1-3-1
North Penn 003 000 x 3-6-0
PENNRIDGE 7, SOUDERTON 6
The Indians had just pushed the go-ahead run across in the top of the seventh when the game was halted because of lightening.
“Souderton took the lead in the top of the seventh off a couple shallow singles that dropped in and a miscue in left,” Pennridge coach Wendy Iadonisi said. “With two outs in the inning, the umpires had to delay the game because of lightning. However, with the amount of rain we were getting, the umpires decided we wouldn’t be getting back on the field so they called it.
“Not very traditional win but I’ve coached games where we’ve won or lost on a coin flip because of weather cancelations.”
The Indians led 2-1 heading into the fourth inning when they plated four runs to go on top 6-1. Sam Nuneviller, Julia Kistler (RBI), Naila Neely (RBI) and Jen Klepfer (2 RBIs) all contributed singles.
Pennridge responded with four runs of its own in the bottom of the inning. Victoria Moscariello opened the inning with a solo home run. Kiley Watson (RBI), Gianna Iadonisi and Makenna Patterson (2 RBIs) added singles, and it was a 6-5 game.
In the fifth inning, Emily Hegen singled, and with two outs, Mackenzie Owens hit a two-run home run to give the Rams a 7-6 lead that stood.
“We were celebrating Senior Night so emotions were running high anyway and we knew it would be an exciting game,” coach Iadonisi said. “We were down by four at one point and I’m so proud of the girls for battling back.
“Mackenzie Owens came up big in the fifth as a pinch hitter for Catelyn Thrush to put us ahead. We’ve been working on making better contact and hitting with runners on base and we were definitely successful with that tonight.”
Madison Silber was 3-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Rams. Patterson and Owens each had a pair of RBIs.
For the Indians, Klepfer, who had a solo home run, was 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Alina Skrzat was also 2-for-4, and Megan Kummery was 2-for-3.
Patterson earned the win.
Pennridge (9-6, 6-4 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks East on Thursday, and Souderton (9-7, 5-6) will host Archbishop Carroll in a non-league game Thursday.
Souderton 011 400 6-11-4
Pennridge 100 420 7-10-1
SOL American Conference
UPPER DUBLIN 4, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 2
The Flying Cardinals did what no team had done before this season – they handed the Colonials their first loss in conference play.
“We are a very good team that I think has been under the radar,” UD coach Heather Boyer said. “Partially because we haven’t been full strength until last week where everybody is healthy.
“We had a number of kids step up early in the season to fill some roles that were really big. Now that we have what we hoped to have at the beginning of the season at full strength – it’s fun to watch. The kids are getting more confident with each at-bat, each play in the field, each pitch that is thrown, and it’s coming together at the right time. (PW) is well coached, they have some quality wins and will continue to win games. It’s exciting for the girls.”
In the top of the second, Julia Wolf hit a one-out double and later scored on an RBI infield single by Taylor Avery. That 1-0 lead stood until the fifth when Lauren Carboni delivered a two-out double. Courtesy runner Maya Segal scored on an infield single by Korynn Bischoff.
The Colonials came roaring back to knot the score with a pair of runs in the sixth. Hannah Suh led off the inning with a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. She scored on a Flying Cardinal miscue on a ground ball by Sydney Melillo. Melillo scored two batters later on a throwing error.
“Now it’s 2-2 – the old Upper Dublin collapses in that situation,” Boyer said. “The wheels fall off and we end up having more errors and really making it worse.
“Chloe (Foster) buckled down and struck out the next batter, and then we got a fly-out to left field to end the inning, which was right in the heart of their order. That was really huge. To have someone like Chloe, who’s a freshman and showed that resilience is really telling. Not just for this year but for her future. She’s going to be something if she keeps at it.”
The Cardinals answered with a pair of runs in the seventh. Avery led off the inning with a single and later scored on a two-out single by Bischoff. She scored on Wolf’s RBI single.
Josee Tassoni and Kayla Yeager both singled in the bottom of the seventh, but Foster and the Cardinals held on for the win.
Carboni (3-for-4, 2B), Avery (2-for-4, RBI, run), Koryn Bischoff (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, run), Wolf (2-for-4, RBI, run) and Ellie Kelcy (2-for-2, 3B) led the Cardinals’ attack.
“Taylor Avery had an outstanding game,” Boyer said. “Not only was she 2-for-4 at the plate – she knocked in the first run on an infield single.
“She also led off the seventh inning to get the rally started and scored the first run. She had two unbelievable catches in the outfield of balls that Emma Carney hit on the nose to right center, and she tracked them down beautifully and caught both of them. She had a third catch out there, but those two from Emma were really clutch. On both sides of the ball she did a really good job.
“Lauren Carboni continues to play under the radar. She just hits, and she’s done a very consistent job, and she’s only a sophomore.”
For the Colonials, Lauryn Kane, Tassoni and Suh each had two hits.
Foster earned the complete game win, allowing nine hits and two runs (both unearned) while striking out three and walking four.
Upper Dublin (10-5, 6-5 SOL) will travel to Springfield Township Wednesday, and Plymouth Whitemarsh (12-2, 11-1) will be on the road at Upper Moreland Thursday.
Upper Dublin 010 010 2 4
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 002 0 2
UPPER MORELAND 19, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 1 (3 innings)
Bean Hughes put up a game’s worth of stats in a 12-run first, collecting a double, grand slam and four RBIs. The junior standout finished the game 4-for-4 with six RBIs.
The Spartans looked as though they could see their way out of the first, recording the second out with UM on top by just a 1-0 score. The Golden Bears scored 11 runs with two outs.
For the game, Jocelyn Baumeister was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and three runs. Chloe Kramer was 2-for-4 with two runs. Jenna Sadowski was 2-for-2 with two RBIs, and Gabrielle Wiley was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs.
Sadowski earned the win, allowing one hit and one run while striking out two and walking none in three innings.
Upper Moreland (10-5, 8-2 SOL) will be at Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday, and Springfield Township (3-11, 3-9) will host Upper Dublin on Wednesday.
Upper Moreland 1234 19
Springfield Twp 001 1
HATBORO-HORSHAM 16, CHELTENHAM 1 (3 innings)
The Hatters scored four runs in the first and added 11 more in the second on their way to the lopsided win in the abbreviated contest.
Alicia Tauber’s two-run triple highlighted the four-run first. She added a two-run single and an RBI triple in the second.
Tauber’s 3-for-3 effort with two triples, six RBIs and three runs led the Hatters. Megan Mills was also 3-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Marissa Rapino and Grace Daniels each had an RBI.
Daniels, Joyce Bloome and Mills each threw one inning. Daniels and Bloome both struck out the side.
Hatboro-Horsham (12-5, 10-2 SOL) will host Abington on Thursday, and Cheltenham (0-13, 0-12) will host Springfield Township on Thursday.
Cheltenham 001 1-0-4
Hatboro-Horsham 4111 16-11 1
WISSAHICKON 14, ABINGTON 2
Freshman Bella Harris notched the win and also had a big day at the plate, combining with Ashley Radell for an 8-for-8 performance with four runs scored by Harris and six RBIs by Radell.
“It was a total team win with everyone advancing runners or scoring,” coach Mike Borkowski said.
Wissahickon (6-9, 4-6 SOL) will travel to Upper Dublin on Thursday, and Abington (3-13, 3-9) will host Central Bucks South Wednesday for the resumption of a game that was halted because of weather.
Non-league
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 6, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 3
In a rematch of last year’s District 1 6A title game (a 1-0 South win), it was the Indians picking up a much-needed win.
“This year has not gone the way we hoped,” North coach John Engelhardt said. “Four or five games we’ve got in good percentage situations, and we just weren’t able to come through, so we were searching for a win that sort of re-energizes us, and today was that win.
“Hopefully, this win can carry over for the rest of the season. Is it too late? I don’t know. Our mindset is going to be – we’re going to have hope until the last game.”
“Kudos to them,” South coach Kevin Rosini said. “They came out and got some big hits, and they beat us. They’re having a tough season, and they beat us.”
The Indians – who had the bases loaded in four straight innings – scored a pair in the bottom of the first inning. A single by Julianna Shields plated the first run, and Abby Seiple doubled to plate Shields.
“To score two runs off Kylie Kenney – we faced her in the district championship (a 1-0 South win), and she shut us out, that gave the girls hope,” Engelhardt said. “Kylie is one of the best pitchers we’ve faced. We knew it was going to be a tough game, so to get that momentum was important.”
The Titans erased that 2-0 lead with a single run in the second and two more in the third. Tara Tumasz singled to drive in the tying run, and a Katie Hines double put Titan runners on second and third. Nicole Pilla’s RBI single gave the Titans a 3-2 lead.
“We just couldn’t put another rally together,” Rosini said. “We had first and third with two outs in the fifth and couldn’t get them in. We had a runner on second with two outs in the sixth and couldn’t get her in.
“They small-balled us a little bit and Julianna (Shields) had a big two-run double in the fourth that gave them the lead. We just couldn’t put it together.”
The Indians put a rally together in the fourth, plating three runs and taking a lead they would not lose. A two-run double by Shields highlighted the inning. Katheryn Hastings also delivered an RBI single. She added another in the fifth.
“She’s a back-up pitcher for us, and she’s really stepped up at the plate this year,” Engelhardt said of Hastings.
Shields finished the game 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Hastings was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Seiple was 1-for-4 with a double and RBI.
“To get that production out of my three, four and five hitters, that’s how we’re going to be successful – by having our big hitters come through,” Engelhardt said.
Lauren Begg earned the complete game win, allowing seven hits and two earned runs.
“Lauren did what Lauren does,” Engelhardt said. “Lauren keeps us in games, she’s done it all year. I’m happy to get a win for her.
“This is the longest losing streak we’ve had in my four years – we’ve lost five straight games, and none of them have been on Lauren. Lauren’s kept us in games. She takes it personally when we lose, and she’s the reason we’re in the game. This was a defining moment in the season, and I’m excited to see where it takes us.”
For the Titans, the loss snapped a four-game winning streak.
“Just when you think we’re pulling it together, we show up like that,” Rosini said. “Rock North played really well. Julianna Shields had a really good game at the plate, and Lauren (Begg) pitched well.
“No strikeouts, no walks – we adjusted in the middle innings, and towards the end, we reverted back to beating the ball into the ground. A lot of groundouts, a lot of quick outs. We couldn’t really string anything together, and our defense struggled a little bit today.
“It was a tough loss today. We’re hanging in there. We told the kids today, ‘Play like you did the last two weeks, and we’ll be fine.’ It was just one of those days. They had a couple of really big hits and they just beat us. We just have to pull it together and see what we’re made of. We’ll bounce back. We have four games left and have to pull out as many wins as we can.”
Contributing two hits each for the Titans were Rebecca Brennan, Tumasz, Katie Hines (double), and Nicole Pilla (RBI).
Council Rock North (5-9, 1-8 SOL) will travel to Bensalem on Thursday, and on Wednesday, Central Bucks South (9-7, 7-3) – 18th in the latest District 1 6A power rankings -will resume its game against Abington that was halted because of weather.
Central Bucks South 012 000 0 3-7-5
Council Rock North 200 310 0 6-7-3
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