Scott Huff highlights CR South and CB South and recaps Monday’s SOL games.
By Scott Huff
The Suburban One League baseball schedule is unique in that the schedule in the SOL American Conference is different from both the SOL National and Continental Conferences.
The American Conference is comprised of the seven schools – Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, Upper Merion, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Norristown, Wissahickon, and Cheltenham. That collection of schools play each other three times over the course of the season for a total of 18 conference games.
Both the National Conference and Continental Conferences are comprised of eight schools. The National Conference – Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Abington, Truman, and Bensalem – play each other twice over the course of the season for a total of 14 conference games. The Continental Conference – Central Bucks South, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks West, Pennridge, Souderton, North Penn, Hatboro-Horsham, and Quakertown – also play each other twice during the course of the season for a total of 14 conference games.
Only conference games count toward conference championships and seeding in the PIAA District One playoffs. Non-league SOL games are, in effect, like Spring Training games in Major League Baseball.
Therefore, opening day for conference play is Wednesday for both the SOL National and Continental Conferences, while the SOL American Conference is knee-deep in its conference schedule with as many as four conference games played by some teams.
“I love the way that our schedule is set up,” said Council Rock South head coach Greg Young. “With our non-league games, we get a chance to give the players a chance to get into competition and get ready for the conference schedule. We have played well in our non-league games, and we are ready to go for the conference season.”
CR South (3-0 non-league) has beaten Central Bucks West (10-3), Central Bucks East (4-0), and Bishop Egan (11-0).
“We were spoiled a little with the great weather at the beginning of the season, but it looks like we’re back to what spring baseball is about,” said Young. “We are very excited about the season ahead of us, and we feel that we have a team that should be in the mix at the end of the season.”
The Golden Hawks have a good collection of pitching arms with a five-deep staff. Bret DiStefano and Ryan Flemming are strong lefties, while right-handers Brian Donnelly, Jeff Miller, and Greg Paprocki round out the impressive pitching rotation.
“We may not have any one pitcher dominate a team, but all five of them are going to make us competitive in every game,” said Young. “I have no reservation about sending any one of those pitchers out against any opponent on our schedule. I have a great deal of confidence in each of them.”
Council Rock South will open its SOL National Conference schedule Wednesday as the Golden Hawks host Harry S Truman.
“I am very happy with the way our schedule is made up with the non-league,” agreed Central Bucks South head coach Mike Schaefer. “It gives the coaching staff a chance to see kids play under game conditions that you might not be able to do in a conference game. We got in a nice group of non-league games, and we are very happy with where we are going into our conference schedule.”
CB South (3-0 non-league) has defeated Wissahickon (11-0), Lansdale Catholic (14-1), and St. Joseph Prep (8-5).
“On paper, this is the best team that I have coached in my three years here at CB South,” said Schaefer. “We have back our entire infield and outfield, plus our number one pitcher in Ricky Dennis.”
Around the Horn for the Titans in the infield are seniors Kyle Lewis (first base), Dylan Glassmire (second base), Chris Coia (shortstop), and Brian Happ (third base). Seniors Chris Veal and Will Sasser are returning outfielders, while juniors Will Foy and Ben Moller are established as either an outfielder or possible designated hitter. John Mullin is a cornerstone behind the plate.
“One of our biggest strengths will be leadership from a number of players on the team,” said Schaefer. “We have done the work in the non-league games, now it is time to be ready for league play.”
Central Bucks South will open the season Tuesday as the Titans host Pennridge.
“Pennridge has won the league the last two seasons,” said Schaefer. “And even though they lost a lot to graduation, (Pennridge head coach) Tom Nuneviller always puts a good team on the field.”
Suburban One League American Conference
Upper Dublin (4-0, 3-0) moved into the conference penthouse as the Flying Cardinals scored a run in the last of the seventh inning to soar to a 5-4 victory over visiting Upper Moreland (2-2, 2-1).
“To beat a team – and a program – like Upper Moreland is enormous for our program,” said Upper Dublin head coach Ed Wall. “Upper Moreland has always given us a tough time, and for us to come back and get this win should do a lot for our confidence.”
Upper Dublin – which collected just six hits – scored without the benefit of a hit in the seventh inning. Junior Bryn D’Andrea led off the inning by striking out – but a passed ball allowed him to reach first base. D’Andrea stole second base – advanced to third base on a ground out – and scored the game winner on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Andrew Yekel.
The Flying Cardinals flew to a 3-0 first inning lead thanks to a two-run triple by Luke Felix. Upper Moreland tied the score at 3-3 – UD took a 4-3 lead – and UM knotted the score with a run in the seventh inning. The deadlocked score set up Yekel’s game winning blow in the last of the seventh inning.
Upper Dublin received a superlative performance from Jesse Kohler. Kohler threw a complete game – walked just a pair of batters – and struck out 10 Bear hitters.
“We wanted to stretch Jesse out because we have a doubleheader with Plymouth Whitemarsh on Wednesday,” said Wall. “He was very strong from the start of the game until the finish. Jesse had great location all day and has improved his command of all his pitches.”
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 000 300 1 - 4 12 2
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 300 100 1 - 5 6 0
Upper Merion (1-2, 1-1) captured a dramatic 9-8 victory as the Vikings scored three times in the seventh inning and sailed by rival Norristown (0-5, 0-3).
“It was our first win of the season, and we did it with some flare,” said Upper Merion head coach Jason Darnell. “Things looked pretty grim going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but the ending of the game was awesome for us.”
Norristown trailed the Vikings 6-4 going into the seventh inning, but the Eagles scored four runs to snatch an 8-6 lead. Upper Merion rallied for the victory as Chris Loschiavo singled home two runs and Dalton Armenti doubled home the walk-off game winner with two outs.
“This was a typical Norristown-Upper Merion game,” said Darnell. “Norristown is a dangerous team that is much better than its record, and this is a win that is going to shape our character as the season goes along. This American Conference is going to be full of close games with the two teams beating up on each other.”
Norristown Eagles 200 101 4 - 8 7 6
Upper Merion Vikings 031 101 3 - 9 8 3
Non-League
Central Bucks West (2-1) prepped for its opening day SOL Continental Conference game as the Bucks mercy-ruled host Pennsbury (1-3) – 13-3 – in six innings.
John Fitz collected the victory for CB West, while Jake Poeske fueled the Buck offense with four RBI and a pair of doubles.
Central Bucks West Bucks 205 312 - 13 12 1
Pennsbury Falcons 101 010 - 3 7 2
Suburban One League Opening Day
National and Continental Conferences
Tuesday – April 3, 2012
National Conference
William Tennent Panthers @ Council Rock North Indians
Harry S Truman Tigers @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Pennsbury Falcons @ Bensalem Owls
Abington Ghosts @ Neshaminy Redskins
Continental Conference
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Souderton Indians
Quakertown Panthers @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Pennridge Rams @ Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks East Patriots @ North Penn Knights
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