Check out the results for the SOL softball teams in action on Thursday. To view photos of the William Tennent/Quakertown game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
UPPER DUBLIN 8, SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 4
The Flying Cardinals needed a boost after falling to Abington in their season opener in a contest that saw the mercy rule go into effect. They got just that on Thursday when they rallied for a come-from-behind win over the Spartans.
“At this stage of the game, this win was very important,” coach Heather Boyer said. “A lot of these kids are coming off a season last year that was a bit rocky. We only had three wins, so there were a lot of hard knocks.
“We had a really good preseason and came out on Monday and had a really rough game against Abington – compounded mistakes and just didn’t play well. That was a little frustrating start, but we chalked it up to first game jitters and said we had to move forward and stay positive. Today they really responded well.”
Kristin Ganderton earned the win on the mound, scattering six hits while walking none and fanning three.
“It started on the mound with Kristin Ganderton,” Boyer said. “She threw a very good game today. She’s really been working a lot on various breaking pitches and moving away from the fastball.
“She hit her spots well. She only had three strikeouts of 21 outs, so 18 times we had to pick up behind her and field the ball, and they did it very well. They made routine plays look routine, and they really played outstanding defense.”
The Spartans actually took a 2-0 lead in the first when Kim Machalette smoked a two-run home run to deep center. The Flying Cardinals came roaring back, plating a pair of runs in the fourth and then taking a lead they would not lose in the fifth with a three-run outburst.
Gianna Tino got things started with a single, and leadoff batter Ashleigh Sharp followed with a single, putting a pair of runners on board for Rachel Matricardi. The diminutive freshman nailed a three-run blast to give the Flying Cardinals a lead they would not lose.
“I wanted her to bunt, but she didn’t get it down,” Boyer said. “She had two strikes on her, and she pops one to left field that just went for days. She’s a little thing, but she has a beautiful swing and a good approach to her at-bats. She really got a good piece of it.
“Her first varsity hit was a home run. The girls were super excited for her. She’s a player, and it was definitely the pickup that we needed.
“From there, the nerves started to relax a little bit. The kids started having fun. They have been aggressive at the plate, but I think there was a little confidence that became contagious and spread throughout the lineup. Kids were getting the job done. If they weren’t able to get the hits, they were moving the runners or doing something productive. We got clutch hits when we needed them.”
Matricardi also had an RBI double in the seventh when the Flying Cardinals tacked on a pair of insurance runs.
Sharp was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base, and Toni Hartman also had an RBI double in the seventh.
BENSALEM 16, UPPER MORELAND 1 (3 innings)
For the second time in as many games this season, the Owls saw the mercy rule go into effect – this time after just three innings. This is the program’s first 2-0 start since 2003.
“I’m very happy for the kids,” coach Dan Schram said. “We have a long road to go, there’s no doubt about it.”
Playing no small role in the Owls’ strong start has been freshman hurler Jackie Morell, who allowed four hits and walked none while fanning six.
“She’s a special kid,” Schram said. “She’s been wise beyond her years. She’s a very mature, well-mannered, humble young lady who’s very, very competitive.
“If you had to have a prototype of a player who does it the right way, Jackie is it. She’s batting number two in our lineup, and today she was 3-for-4. She’s not a real big kid, but man, she’s got a lot of heart. She’s been doing this a long time, and she’s been a really special addition to the team.”
Morell was 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, two RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Amy Jarosz added a pair of doubles, three stolen bases, three runs scored and two RBIs. Tatayana Keshanech was 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs, and Isabel Hansbury was 2-for-3 with two stolen bases. Jen Campbell was 3-for-3 with a double and one RBI.
The Owls (2-0) return to action on Tuesday when they will travel to Pennsbury for their league opener.
“We’re going to get a really good test on Tuesday,” Schram said. “I’m coaching inch by inch. I’m not thinking much past tomorrow’s practice, how I’m going to organize that. We’re not thinking too big this year.
“We’re seeing everything as a possibility, but in the same respect, we’re not going to underestimate absolutely anyone.”
Upper Moreland saw its record drop to 0-3.
WILLIAM TENNENT 13, QUAKERTOWN 3 (5 innings)
The visiting Panthers exploded for 10 runs in the first inning on their way to the decisive win. Laura Petri and Amber O’Toole each belted home runs, and Nikki Alden was in complete command in the mound, combining with pitcher Nicole Clark to earn the win in the abbreviated contest.
“Nikki threw fantastic, and she was 3-for-3 at the plate,” coach Erika Lee said. “It was a joint effort. Nicole Clark came in and threw the fourth and fifth innings and did a great job.”
Amber O’Toole finished the day 2-for-3. Kaitlyn O’Toole was 2-for-3 with a triple. Keri Ledford contributed a single and an RBI for Tennent.
While Quakertown saw its record fall to 1-2, Tennent upped its record to 2-1.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 14, HARRY S TRUMAN 4 (6 innings)
The Titans exploded for 19 hits, which included five home runs. Lauren Klepchick and Morgan Decker both belted round trippers while Haileigh Stocks also had a home run. Every player in South’s starting lineup collected a hit except for Michelle Gessner, who walked three times.
Stocks earned the win on the mound, fanning eight batters.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 10, CRESTWOOD 2
Jackie DiPietro led the Hatters with a near perfect 3-for-4 day at the plate with three runs scored and one RBI. Val Sadowl was 2-for-3 with a two-run home run as the Hatters rolled to the big win.
The game included a lot of firsts for the Hatters. Adrienne Giuliani collected her first varsity hit and RBI while teammate Emily Wrenn also got her first varsity hit. Freshman Jenn Cader collected her first varsity double and RBI. Veteran Heather Lutz added a triple.
Maggie Shaffer earned the win on the mound, working five innings and allowing two hits and no earned runs while fanning 10. Nicole Casagrand threw the final two innings, allowing two hits while fanning five.
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