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Wissahickon 10, Central Bucks West 0
Three days after tossing a no-hitter in Wissahickon’s 11-0 win over Abington in an abbreviated five-inning contest, junior hurler Katie Ziegler allowed just two hits in six innings against the Bucks on Monday. It was the Trojans’ second mercy rule win in as many outings.“It all starts with pitching,” coach Jerry Hartman said. “Obviously, Katie is starting off the season nice and strong. She’s doing a good job pitching, and she’s also our four hitter, so she’s been hitting the ball pretty solid too.
“But a number of the other players are stepping up. Rebecca Marinucci had a couple of big hits, Gretchen Guaglianone, Rachel Philbin. The list goes on and on. They’ve been doing a nice job. We certainly have a lot to work on, but we have been hitting the ball pretty well, especially on these cold days. But again, it starts with pitching.”
The Trojans seized early control of the game, plating seven runs in the first but then not scoring again until the sixth when they plated three runs.
“We had a couple of timely hits in the first inning,” Hartman said. “The game was a pretty even game. They held us until the sixth inning.
“They have a new pitcher, and she had a rough beginning, but she settled down and pitched a nice game. They field the ball well – they’re a good fundamental team. We have work to do, but the kids are looking forward to the season. Only time will tell. I keep telling them if they keep working hard good things will come.”
Marinucci, Guaglianone and Ziegler each contributed a triple for the Trojans while Philbin had a double. Meghan Plunkett contributed a pair of hits. Cassie Zanolini had both of West’s hits off of Ziegler.
Hatboro-Horsham 6, Lansdale Catholic 3
LANSDALE - The Hatters survived the elements and a late-game rally by the Crusaders to earn the hard-fought win. Danielle DiFilippo delivered a clutch two-out, two-run triple in the top of the seventh to propel the Hatters to the win.
“I’m very happy,” Hatter coach Joe DiFilippo said. “It was freezing, but even on a day like today, they answered the challenge at the end of the game and came back with those three runs.”
Maggie Shaffer was solid on the mound on the frigid, blustery day, striking out 11 while allowing six hits.
“I can’t wait to just go home and get warm,” the Hatters’ mound ace said when it was over. “It’s very hard pitching on a day like today. It’s very cold, and it’s just not very nice.”
Anyone who thought one run might win it in a contest that featured two of the area’s premier pitchers appeared to be on the money in the game’s early innings as Shaffer and LC’s Mary Cate Scott – teammates in travel ball – proved to be two very tough customers.
Shaffer was flat out untouchable in the first three frames, fanning eight and striking out the side in the second and third innings. She allowed an infield single to Brittany Bray in the first, but she was gunned down by catcher Kelsey Koelzer trying to steal second.
The Hatters, who went down in order against Scott in the first two innings, got on the scoreboard in the third inning. Shaffer drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With LC’s infield still looking for the bunt, Heather Lutz hit a frozen rope into left center that plated Shaffer.
In the fifth, Shaffer was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and once again the Hatters made it hurt – this time plating a hustle run. Shaffer moved all the way to third on Lutz’s sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch, putting the Hatters on top 2-0.
One inning later, Julie Wambold – who had an infield single in the fourth – ripped a monster blast to deep centerfield for a solo home run that put the Hatters on top 3-0.
“It felt nice,” said Wambold, whose power was underscored by the fact that she didn’t even take a full swing at the ball. “Actually, I felt like our team was going to break out one of these innings.
“In the sixth and seventh, it just took off.”
The Hatters’ 3-0 lead proved to be anything but secure as the Crusaders – who had just two hits through five innings – came roaring back in the bottom of the sixth.
Megan Martin got things started with an infield single to lead off the frame, and she scored two outs later when Melissa Chapman – who had a pair of hits – lofted a booming triple to left field. Kailyn Wunder lined a single up the middle to plate Chapman, and it was a 3-3 game after Scott grounded an RBI double down the third base line.
The Hatters got momentum back rather quickly when Lutz was safe on an error to lead off the seventh. Jackie DiPietro legged out a bunt single, and the bases were loaded with none out after Melissa Spinosa – who also had a pair of hits – delivered a bunt single.
It looked as though Scott might be able to see her way out of the jam after collecting a forceout at home on a grounder back to the mound and a huge strikeout, but DiFilippo – who bats cleanup for a reason - had other ideas, roping a triple down the left field line to empty the bases.
“With my three, four and five hitters – at any point, they are capable of hitting a shot,” coach DiFilippo said. “She (DiFilippo) hit the ball hard the first time, but the third baseman caught that one.
“It’s good to see us score some runs against a good pitcher. I think that team is the best team in the Catholic League, without a doubt. That’s a good team.”
But not as good as the Hatters, who survived the elements to earn the big win.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 6, LANSDALE CATHOLIC 3
Hatboro 001 011 3 6-8-0
LC 000 003 0 3-5-2
WP-Maggie Shaffer (7 IP, 5 hits, 3 ER, 11 Ks, 1 BB)
LP-Mary Cate Scott (7 IP, 8 hits, 6 runs, 3 ER, 7 Ks 0 BB)
Multiple hits: Hatboro – Julie Wambold (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Melissa Spinosa (2-for-4). LC-Melissa Chapman (2-for-3)
Extra-base hits: HR-Julie Wambold (HH), 3B-Heather Lutz (HH), Melissa Chapman (LC), Danielle DiFilippo (HH), 2B-Mary Cate Scott (LC)
Neshaminy 8, Nazareth Academy 4
The Redskins exploded for 13 hits, making Dave Chichilitti’s debut as head coach a good one on a cold and wintry day.
“Our hot bats warmed the day for us,” the first-year coach said.
The Redskins actually trailed 1-0 heading into the third when they plated three more runs and then added four more in the fourth to take control of the game.
“We were just happy we were able to hit the way we wanted to,” Chichilitti said. “In our first scrimmage, we didn’t have too many hits at all, and going into the game, we set it as a goal to use that as a wake-up call.
“In the third and fourth innings, we strung hit after hit after hit together. Our bats really came to life.”
Chichilitti acknowledged the solid outing of sophomore catcher Julia McGovern.
“She played a great game,” the Redskins’ coach said. “For her first year back there handling a senior pitcher like Sarah McGowan – she did an excellent job, and she also contributed a hit.”
McGowan allowed six hits in a winning effort on the mound.
Offensively, the Redskins were sparked by the multi-hit efforts of Courtney Clee, Laura Altenburger, Lauren Quense and Brianna Guidos. Neshaminy pounded out five doubles with Clee, Altenburger, Quense, Guidos and Diana LaPalombara each connecting for a two-bagger. McGowan added a triple.
Pennsbury 10, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0 (5 innings)
Sophomore Val Buehler notched her first varsity shutout in Monday’s opener, scattering two hits while striking four and walking two in five scoreless innings.
“We’re really young,” coach Frank McSherry said. “We may end up starting four or five sophomores, and our pitchers are all sophomores.”
Savannah Grantham paced the Falcons’ attack with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs. Grantham delivered an RBI triple in the first inning to put the Falcons on the scoreboard.
Pennsbury blew the game wide open with a nine-run fourth. Mackenzie Obert, Taylor Bidlingmaier and Christina Bascara all contributed doubles in the inning. Bascara threw some leather at the Colonials as well at third base.
“She made a great catch on a foul ball where she ran face first into the fence and held onto the ball,” McSherry said of Bascara. “She’s going to be a player. We’re really looking forward to a lot of good things from her.”
Obert – who reached base on all three trips to the plate and scored two runs - also came up with a defensive gem.
“She made a great backhanded play at shortstop and threw the kid out,” McSherry said.
Alexa Borkowski and Chrissy Terraces accounted for PW’s lone hits. The Colonials committed six errors in the loss.
The Falcons are off until next Tuesday when they will host Conwell Egan.
Harry S. Truman 6, Archbishop Wood 2
Freshman hurler Caitlyn Brasier had an impressive debut against Wood, allowing just two hits and no earned runs while fanning seven and walking four.
“The big puzzle piece this year was Caitlyn Braiser,” said coach Gretchen Cammiso of her freshman pitcher who replaced standout Rachael Alligood. “She’s a talented, young freshman pitcher, and I told her – if she can throw strikes, we have the ability to win any game.
“She settled in this game and threw great. She took command. We talked about getting the first pitch strike. We were very, very pleased with their performance today.”
Another freshman played a starring role at the plate for the Tigers. Cheyanne Jones was 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs.
“It’s very different this year,” Cammiso said. “We have a pretty solid veteran returning infield. We moved Ashley Black to center field, and we have Cheyanne Jones playing second base for us.
“They are, in my opinion, the most talented defensive team that I’ve had.”
The Tigers broke a 2-2 tie with a four-run outburst in the sixth. Cheyanne’s sister, Danielle Jones, delivered a sacrifice fly that plated the game winner.
Upper Dublin 11, Abington 1
The Flying Cardinals pounded out 11 hits in a contest that was halted in the sixth inning when the mercy rule went into effect. Upper Dublin plated two runs in the first and then put the game out of reach with a seven-run outburst in the fourth. The Flying Cardinals brought an end to the game when they plated two more runs in the sixth.
Abington scored its lone run in the fourth.
Rachel Mintz was 2-for-4, which included a triple in the first inning. Toni Hartman contributed a two-run double in the fourth inning. Gianna Tino and Becky Starosta both added a pair of hits.
Kristin Ganderton earned the win on the mound, allowing just two hits while striking out seven and walking two.
The Flying Cardinals return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Souderton.
Norristown 16, Bensalem 1
Gwyn Botley pitched three innings of no-hit ball, fanning two and facing just nine batters in a contest that was halted in the fourth because of the mercy rule. Sara Rosetti pitched one inning in relief, allowing no hits and one unearned run.
Leading the offense for the Eagles with two hits each were Botley (double), Gabbie Berry (two doubles), Julia Santoro and Sarah Spause. Also contributing one hit were Gina Pellechio (double), Sammi Kidd, Taylor Copestick and Sara Rosetti.
Norristown returns to action on Tuesday when the Eagles will travel to William Tennent.
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