Four SOL teams began play in the PIAA Class AAAA Tournament on Monday, and when the day was over, four teams were still standing. Four of the state’s Elite Eight squads are from the SOL.
#1-1 Hatboro-Horsham vs. #4-1 Williamsport at Hershey High School, 12 noon
Hatboro-Horsham
- 23-2 overall
- SOL Continental Conference champions
- District One Class AAAA champions
- Won 10 in a row since loss to Souderton on May 3
Players to watch: Melissa Spinosa (Center Field), Chrissy James (Third Base), Julie Wambold (Catcher), Danielle DiFilippo (First Base), Val Sadowl (Shortstop), Kelsey Koelzer (Left Field), Heather Lutz (Right Field), Jackie DiPietro (Second Base), Maggie Shaffer (Pitcher)
How they got here: The Hatters – fresh off a thrilling 8-5 eight-inning win over Pennsbury in the district title game – found themselves in another nail biter when they took on District 3’s third place team, Governor Mifflin in Monday’s opening round state tournament contest. The Hatters led 3-0 after three innings but found themselves down 4-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth. They went on top 5-4 in the sixth inning – thanks to a clutch two-run double by Melissa Spinosa - only to watch the Mustangs knot the score 5-5. Back-to-back Mustang errors and an RBI single by Maggie Shaffer propelled the Hatters to the dramatic win. Shaffer also earned the win on the mound.
Coach Joe DiFilippo says: “We’re just going to play our game. We have a very good lineup, and for a pitcher to shut down our lineup, it takes a Liz Parkins type pitcher and the way she threw that day against us (in a 4-1 Souderton win). I have never seen their kid pitch, but I just can’t see her controlling us three times around. The kid that pitched for Governor Mifflin (Jess Epler) was fast – that kid threw hard. She went through our lineup once, and then we hit her the second time. I don’t know what kind of teams they play up there. I know what we have down here in the Suburban One, and it will take a really, really good pitcher to shut us down. We’re just going to keep putting pressure on them like we always do, and hopefully, we can come out on top.”
Williamsport
- 18-4 overall
- District 4 champion
- Defeated Wallenpaupack 1-0 to capture the District 2-4 AAAA title
- Winners of 12 in a row entering the state quarterfinals
How they got here: Sophomore pitcher Alexis Bower took a perfect game into the seventh inning of Monday’s opening round game against Spring-Ford when she issued a two-out walk. It was the Rams’ lone base runner in the game. Bower struck out three and had six putouts as the Millionaires threw some serious leather at the Rams in their 1-0 win. Williamsport’s lone run came in the second inning when Dominique Thomas – who reached base on a walk – scored on a fielding error on a bunt. Williamsport had just one hit in the game.
#1-2 Pennsbury vs. #1-5 Souderton at Spring-Ford High School, 3 p.m.
Pennsbury
- 21-3 overall
- SOL National Conference champions
- District One Class AAAA runner-up
Players to watch: D’Anna Devine (Catcher), Kelsi Bunda (Center Field), Mackenzie Obert (Shortstop), Jess Greenewald (Second Base), Christina Bascara (Third Base), Suzanne Swanicke (First Base), Val Buehler (Pitcher), Dannielle Fox (Left Field), Savanna Grantham (Right Field)
How they got here: The Falcons – after falling in eight innings to Hatboro-Horsham in the district title game – barely worked up a sweat in Monday’s 12-2 rout of District 12 champion Northeast in a game that was halted after five innings when the mercy rule went into effect. Seventeen players saw action in a game that was over almost before it started.
Coach Frank McSherry says: “We played Souderton a few times in the playoffs. They have always been tough under coach Joe Hallar, and we know they’re going to be tough. We know about their pitcher. We know we’re going to have to scratch and claw to get any kind of runs off of her. We have to be disciplined. That’s the bottom line.”
Souderton
- 18-5 overall
- Sixth-seeded team in District One Class AAAA tournament after not earning a berth in 2010
- First trip to state tournament since 2006
Players to watch: Liz Parkins (Pitcher), Mollie Burrell (Catcher), Brittany Beebe (First Base), Lauren Urbanski (Third Base), Sarah Derstine (Shortstop), Meghan Weisel (Center Field)
How they got here: Liz Parkins took a one-hitter into the seventh inning of Monday’s state opener against District 3 champion Central Dauphin while the Indians managed six hits in four innings off junior hurler Taylor Henry, who has made a verbal commitment to accept a softball scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. Despite outhitting the Rams, the Indians found themselves deadlocked 0-0 after seven innings. The Indians scored a pair of runs in the top of the eighth. Junior catcher Mollie Burrell – who had a pair of hits – got things started with a single. The Indians’ first run crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by freshman Haley DeLany and the second on a passed ball. Central Dauphin collected a pair of hits and pushed a run across in the eighth, but with a pair of runners on board, Parkins – who fanned seven and allowed three hits – retired the next two batters she faced.
Coach Courtney Hughes says: “We know Pennsbury is aggressive, and we know they work to get people on base and make you make mistakes. Our job is to play really solid defense. We have to play tough behind Liz and be mentally sharp. We are going up against another good pitcher (sophomore Val Buehler). We’re not going to back down. We’re going in with the same mindset we went into Monday’s game. Our biggest thing is being up and making sure we’re mentally focused. The girls are excited. They know Pennsbury was the number one seed in the district. There’s definitely a lot to be excited about.”
#1-3 Neshaminy vs. #3-2 New Oxford at Lyons Field, 6 p.m.
Neshaminy
- 19-4 overall
- Third place finish in the District One AAAA Tournament after earning the fourth seed
- Three of four losses this season are to archrival Pennsbury
Players to watch: Sarah McGowan (Pitcher/Third Base), Courtney Clee (Second Base), Brianna Guidos (First Base), Lauren Quense (Third Base/Pitcher) Julia McGovern (Catcher), Laura Altenburger (Shortstop), Carly Coleman (Left Field)
How they got here: The Redskins did everything right in Monday’s opening round 12-0 win over District 11 champion Easton in a game that was halted after five innings because of the mercy rule. Sophomore Lauren Quense tossed a no-hitter in the abbreviated game, and she also drove in four runs. Senior leadoff batter Courtney Clee reached base on all four trips to the plate, collecting a pair of hits and scoring three runs. Lauren Altenburger had a pair of hits, including a double. Brianna Guidos led the Redskins’ 13-hit attack with three hits.
Coach Dave Chichilitti says: “They are the number one seed in their district, and obviously, they’re a really good team. We had a coach at their game on Monday, and he gave me some observations. They didn’t hit particularly well in that game, but I know they have some good offensive players. In a lot of games they have been playing, they also have been holding their opponents to a very low score. They have a good pitcher. I think the key to the game is going to be to play good defense. You might think it would come down to what we can do offensively, but I know it will be a well-pitched game on both sides. We’re going to need to make the plays. The team that doesn’t make the plays is probably going to be the team that loses. My main focus is to keep the team cool, especially (pitcher) Lauren Quense. We’re lucky in that we’re playing a little later in the day.”
New Oxford
- 24-3 overall
- Top-seeded team entering the District 3 Tournament but fell to Central Dauphin 1-0 in district title game
- Sisters Caroline and Rebecca Brehm are New Oxford’s battery
How they got here: New Oxford defeated District 12 champion Archbishop Ryan 4-1 in an opening round game on Monday. The Ragdolls managed just three hits but capitalized on eight walks. Two of their four runs were scored without the benefit of a hit. Caroline Brehm earned the win, scattering four hits while striking out 10 and walking a pair.
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