To view photos of the Neshaminy/CB West game, visit the photo gallery and click on the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/
By Scott Huff
The second round of the PIAA District One Quad-A playoffs proved to be elimination round for five of the Suburban One League teams.
But for Neshaminy, Wissahickon, and Council Rock North the victories in the second round of the playoffs moved them one step closer to a possible state playoff invitation.
In PIAA District One Class AAA play, Upper Moreland failed to advance as the Golden Bears were jettisoned from the playoffs by top seeded Holy Ghost Prep.
PIAA District One Quad-A Playoffs
Neshaminy [N-2] pounded out 12 hits and defeated visiting Central Bucks West [N-10] – 14-4.
The Redskins will now host Great Valley [S-3] on Friday in a quarterfinal game. Great Valley knocked off Truman [N-6] in its second round game – 7-3.
The lone highlight for the Tigers in the loss to GV was a home run off the bat of John Schiotis.
The season is now in the history book for Truman as the Tigers finished third in the SOL National Conference.
“Great Valley must be a very good team if they beat Truman,” said Neshaminy head coach Dennis Cox. “We are right where we want to be at this point of the season, and we want to make sure that if we lose we don’t give the game away.”
Neshaminy surely didn’t give anything away in its win over West. The Skins scored five runs in the first inning and six more in the fourth inning to close the game out with the ‘mercy rule’ win.
“It was a really hot day, and the ball seemed to carry,” said Cox. “We really hit well all through the lineup.”
Neshaminy hit three homers in the victory. Rick Brebner, Darren Heise, and Kelsey Koellner all blasted four baggers for the Skins.
Eugene Alpin hit a round tripper for the young Bucks.
“It was tough situation for West, playing two playoff games in three days,” said Cox. “We didn’t have to face their number one pitcher.”
Neshaminy received a first round bye.
Corey Jackson picked up the complete game win for the Skins. Neshmainy will throw Ray Hyjurick against Great Valley on Friday.
Wissahickon [N-3] moved into the quarterfinal round with an 8-4 victory over Methacton [S-6].
“We hit the ball hard today,” said Wissahickon head coach Shannon Gunby. “We had a big inning, and we strung some hits together.”
The Trojans broke open the game with a six-run third inning.
Michael Kropnick, Ryan O’Donnell, Alec Lineberger, and Billy McFarland all had key hits in that third frame.
Wissahickon ace Rob McKenna saw 7’s wild with his superlative pitching performance.
The Trojan right-hander threw all 7 innings, won his 7th game of the season, and completed his 7th game of the year.
“Rob threw the ball great,” said Gunby. “He did what he has done all season – throw to location – and make good pitches.”
Wissahickon will travel to Owen J Roberts to meet the Wildcats in a quarterfinal tilt.
“We know that they have a quality program,” said Gunby. “You don’t win a championship (PAC-10) and a playoff game without being a good team.”
Owen J Roberts [S-2] advanced with a wild-and-crazy 13-12 victory over visiting Pennridge [N-7].
The season is now over for the Rams who earned a tri-championship in the SOL Continental Conference this season.
“I really felt that we had a good chance to steal the game,” said Pennridge head coach Tom Nuneviller. “We were down 10-3, but we came back and took an 11-10 lead. We didn’t have a whole lot going for us early, but the kids battled back.
“The field was very fast and there were a lot of tough hops in the infield,” added Nuneviller. “Balls that were hit hard on the ground were very tough to handle.
“To lose the way we did, in the bottom of the seventh inning, was difficult,” continued Nuneviller. “But we never gave up against a very good team.”
Council Rock North [N-1] is also a very good team, and the Indians advanced to the quarterfinal round with a close 6-5 victory over visiting Conestoga [S-8].
Rock North will host Downingtown East [S-4] on Friday. The Cougars scored five runs in the last of the sixth inning to defeat visiting Garnet Valley [S-14] – 10-5.
Central Bucks South [N-8] was more than competitive in its misleading 12-6 loss to West Chester Henderson [S-1].
The season is history for the Titans who claimed a tri-championship in the SOL Continental Conference.
“To win a piece of a league title, and to get to the playoffs, is a nice season for this team,” said Central Bucks South first-year coach Mike Schaefer. “These seniors have never been to a playoff game, and it was a nice way for their career to end.
“Not that we were happy with losing the game,” added Schaefer. “We were down only 7-5 late in the game, but they got some big hits and broke the game open.
“We outhit them 13-7, but they count the runs,” continued Schaefer. “We swung the bats well today.”
Brian Happ, Steve Gyza, Doug Pricockis, Bryan Weaver, and A.J. Trunk led the Titan hitting attack with multiple hit games.
“Overall we played a pretty good game,” said Schaefer. “But not good enough.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh [N-4] saw its season come to a close with a 7-1 loss to Avon Grove [S-5].
“This was still a good day for Plymouth Whitemarsh baseball,” said head coach Bob Slagle. “We have three seniors (Taylor Runyen, Matt Mondimore, and Brett Haislup) that played their last game, but we have a lot of young players who gained some playoff experience.
“We will miss those seniors, but we have a lot to look forward to,” added Slagle. “We had our chances today, but give Avon Grove credit for stringing together some big hits in the seventh inning.”
The game was tied 1-1 going into the seventh frame, but AG scored six runs (three earned) to claim the win.
“Steve Wallace threw a whale of a game for us,” said Slagle. “But if we score only one run – it isn’t going to be enough.”
PIAA District One Class AAA Playoffs
Upper Moreland [4] did not save its best for last as the Golden Bears lost to Holy Ghost Prep [1] – 9-6.
UMHS had a 2-0 lead early in the game, but could not hold the lead as the Prep scored the next nine runs.
“We made at least a couple of physical errors, and a couple of mental errors,” said Upper Moreland head coach Ernie Rehr. “It never helps to give any team extra outs – especially a team like Holy Ghost.”
The Golden Bears will lose a quartet of very talented senior players. Tim Santry, Lucas Armstrong, Pat McKay, and Craig Miekley all played their last game for Upper Moreland.
“Those seniors have helped put Upper Moreland baseball on a higher plateau,” said Rehr. “This was a good year – an absolutely good year.”
Suburban One League Teams – On Deck – Friday
All Games at 4 p.m
Downingtown East [S-4] at Council Rock North [N-1]
Great Valley [S-3] at Neshaminy [N-2]
Wissahickon [N-3] atOwen J Roberts [S-2]
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