Check out the results for SOL softball teams in action on Tuesday.
American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 5, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 4, (10 innings)
The Golden Bears displayed their resiliency as well as a flair for the dramatic in Tuesday’s come-from-behind win.
“It’s a real nice win,” coach Scott Ludlow said. “Opening up league play – my feeling is any win is a good win, but after giving up on some opportunities in the seventh, eighth and ninth, we could have packed it in even getting down one (in the 10th), but we came back. I was really proud of the way we played.”
After leaving the bases loaded in the eighth and runners on second and third in the ninth, the Golden Bears plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the 10th inning when Jenn Freeman delivered a two-run double, propelling the Bears to the exciting win.
“It was a little nerveracking,” Ludlow said. “We actually got out of a little bit of a jam in the top of the 10th.
“They had second and third with one out. We ended up getting the second out but pitched around their four hitter, (Susan) Janfrancisco, and the next batter got hit by a pitch to score a run. It could have been a whole lot worse, so we ended up getting out of it just giving up one run.”
In the bottom of the 10th inning, with the international tiebreaker in effect, leadoff batter Lindsay Walder opened the inning on second base. It was safe all around when no one covered first on Alexa Wister’s bunt single. A bobble on Lindsey Murphy’s bunt loaded the bases, setting the stage for Freeman’s heroics. Freeman, the Golden Bears’ cleanup hitter, hit a two-strike pitch over the head of PW’s centerfielder to win it.
Walder finished the game 3-for-6 with two runs scored. Freshman Brianna Byard was 2-for-5 while Murphy finished the day 2-for-4. All told, the Golden Bears pounded out 13 hits.
“We left runners on all day,” Ludlow said. “Their pitcher kept us off balance.”
Sophomore Amber O’Connor earned the win on the mound, scattering just six hits while fanning two, walking one and hitting a pair of batters.
“She pitched out of a couple of jams,” Ludlow said. “She worked her way out of jam in the fifth and pitched out of a bases-loaded two-out jam in the fourth.”
The Golden Bears are 2-0 (1-0 SOL) while the Colonials are 0-2 (0-1 SOL).
Plymouth Whitemarsh 200 010 000 1-4
Upper Moreland 201 000 000 2-5
CHELTENHAM 5, SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 1
Grace DeRosa turned in a stellar 16-strikeout performance, allowing just three hits and no earned runs while walking one and hitting one batter.
“She pitched brilliantly,” coach Ron Perlstein said. “She struck out their first three hitters every time up, so she had nine strikeouts just with them. She was really in command.”
The Lady Panthers scored all the runs DeRosa would need in the bottom of the first when they plated a pair. They added single runs in the second, third and fourth innings while the Spartans managed only an unearned run in the seventh.
Becca Simms delivered a pair of big hits for the Lady Panthers – an RBI double in the second and a solo home run to deep left field in the fourth. She finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Rita Laychock also had a pair of hits and scored two runs.
“Springfield has a good pitcher,” Perlstein said of Kim Machalette. “She’s a veteran, she’s a leader, so for us to get to her a little bit – we got to her early, and Grace held their batters off.”
The Lady Panthers improved to 2-0 in league play (3-1 overall) while the Spartans are 0-1 in the league.
Springfield 000 000 1-1
Cheltenham 211 100 x-5
UPPER DUBLIN 14, WISSAHICKON 4 (6 innings)
The Flying Cardinals scored a pair of runs in the first inning and never looked back, putting runs on the board in every inning on their way to the win in the abbreviated six-inning contest.
“It was nice to get that win,” coach Heather Boyer said. “We played Abington last week and got off to a good start early in the game and then got really quiet with the bats.
“Today we talked about trying to win every inning, and they did. They scored every single inning, which is really important. They put the ball in play a lot and took advantage of some walks.”
The Flying Cardinals were on the receiving end of 11 free passes.
Rachel Hyman drove in four runs to lead the Cardinals while Rachel Stingel, Sara Weinberg and Rachel Matricardi each had two hits. Stingel scored three runs and Weinberg scored a pair. Matricardi had two RBIs.
Freshman Rebecca Matricardi earned her first varsity win, fanning seven and walking five while allowing five hits.
For the Trojans, Brittany Gelman had a pair of hits, including a double, and three RBIs. Michela Coleman also had a pair of hits.
The Flying Cardinals are 1-2 overall (1-0 SOL) while the Trojans are 0-2 overall (0-1 SOL).
Upper Dublin 211 622-14
Wissahickon 100 300-4
UPPER MERION 14, NORRISTOWN 1
Abby Volpe had a monster three-hit, seven-RBI performance to lead a potent Viking attack in Tuesday’s league opener. Dez Kandy had a team-high four hits. Olivia Sporlini and Maddalana Ghanayem each added three hits.
The Vikings seized control of the game early, plating eight first inning runs and never looking back.
“Both teams played well in the field – not many errors,” coach John Whitney said. “But we hit today.”
Sporlini earned the win on the mound, allowing seven hits and fanning five in five innings.
The Vikings are 2-1 overall (1-0 SOL) while the Eagles are 0-1 in league play.
Norristown 010 000 0-1
Upper Merion800 321 x-14
Continental Conference
HATBORO-HORSHAM 7, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4
Jen Cader will undoubtedly make her share of big plays in center field for the Hatters this season. It’s hard to imagine a better play than the catch she made – with a pair of East runners on board – to close out the third inning on a rocket off the bat of Brady Tillotson that had extra bases written all over it. Somehow Cader tracked it down, hauling it in going away to preserve a 2-1 Hatter lead.
The Hatters scored four runs in the top of the fourth inning and never looked back.
“I think that brought momentum because the inning after that was when we scored the bulk of our runs,” said Cader. “Honestly, I’ve been working on deep fly balls all winter.
“I saw it and thought – do what you do in practice. I just sprinted back, kept my eye on it and put my glove out.”
The play was a game changer. With the runners breaking on the play, the Patriots would have scored at least two runs and possibly three. As it was, the Hatters had the lead and never lost it.
“That was huge,” East coach Erin Scott said. “She made an amazing play.
“Defensively, I think both teams did some really nice things, and they got the clutch hits. We have a young team, and we’re trying to use these as learning experiences as these are good games for us. I’m trying to get them to build confidence.”
Cader wasn’t the only Hatter to deliver a defensive gem. Second baseman Jayne Black made a diving stop of a grounder up the middle and – while on the ground – flipped to second for a forceout. Later that inning, third baseman Daria Edwards - with the bases loaded - made a dazzling stop of a laser off the bat of Caroline Schoenewald and tug the bag for an out, robbing the senior standout of extra bases. The Patriots went on to score three runs that inning, but it could have been more.
“Those plays stopped East from scoring runs, but it also brought momentum into our bats,” Cader said. “If some of the big plays weren’t made in the field, it could have been a different outcome.”
According to coach Joe DiFilippo, those big plays didn’t just happen.
“What do you think we’ve been working on?” the Hatters’ coach said. “We hit bullets at them in the gym.”
The Hatters won the game with a four-run outburst in the fourth. Shortstop Megan Hallock, a senior transfer from South Carolina, delivered the game-breaker with a three-run home run to deep left field.
“She can run,” DiFilippo said. “As soon as she hit the ball, I was yelling, ‘Don’t even think about stopping.’ If the ball was in the infield, I would have sent her.
“We got the hits when we needed the hits. We play the style we always play. We play aggressive, and it works. I got my leader on the field, Daria (Edwards), and they controlled her until the end.”
The Hatters’ senior captain delivered a triple in the seventh and scored an insurance run. Hallock finished the day 2-for-3. Black was also 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Sophomore Jamie Mroz led the Hatters with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate.
“We’re a young team, and I think some people don’t believe in us,” Cader said. “We just have to keep doing what we’re doing at practice.
“We’re working really hard at practice. We just have to keep going at it the way we are.”
Lexie Campbell earned the win, allowing four hits and four runs will fanning three in five innings. Kaeli Simmons threw two scoreless innings, striking out one and allowing no hits.
Theresa Haug absorbed the loss for the Patriots, who were without sophomore pitcher Kayla Ventura.
“I feel like we haven’t really played with our full squad yet,” Scott said. “I’m glad to see they’re battling back. They’re not giving up.
“We were down 6-1, and we battled back and gave ourselves opportunities.”
The Hatters improved to 2-0 (1-0 SOL) while the Patriots are 0-2 (0-1 SOL).
Hatboro-Horsham 020 400 1-7
Central Bucks East 100 300 0-4
QUAKERTOWN 11, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 5
Sophomore Alyssa Wilkinson threw four scoreless innings to earn the win, allowing just one hit in that span. She also delivered a two-run double in the first inning to spot the Panthers a 2-0 lead.
The Panthers added two runs in the second and four more in the third to go on top 8-0 before the Bucks got on the scoreboard with one in the fifth and four more in the sixth.
Meghan Klee, Alli MacIntyre and Becca Robison led the Panthers offensively with 2-for-3 performances at the plate. Robison also had a pair of RBIs.
The Panthers are 2-0 (1-0 SOL) while the Bucks fell to 1-2 (0-1 SOL).
Central Bucks West 000 014 0-5
Quakertown 224 102 x-11
PENNRIDGE at CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH (Ppd. to Wednesday, April 2)
NORTH PENN at SOUDERTON (Ppd. to Wednesday, April 2)
National Conference
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 6, ABINGTON 1
The Golden Hawks scored a pair of runs in the first inning and led from wire to wire. In the first, Dolores Bowers delivered an RBI triple, and she scored on a single by Jackie Schneider.
“That was big,” coach Greg Heydet Sr. said of taking the early lead. “Good things happened with two outs, nobody on, and we had four straight hits.”
All told, the Golden Hawks collected 13 hits. They were led by Amanda Sharp’s 3-for-3 effort.
“She also made some outstanding defensive plays at first base,” Heydet said.
Sydney Brown was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Schneider and Melanie Wilkinson were also both 2-for-3.
Freshman Stephanie Andreoli earned the win in her first varsity game.
“She got behind a lot but battled back, and the defense helped her out the whole game,” Heydet said. “It was nice to get the win, especially a league win.
“Abington has a bunch of hitters. We played good ‘D’ and got good pitching.”
The Golden Hawks are 1-1 overall (1-0 SOL), and the Ghosts are 2-1 (0-1 SOL).
Council Rock South 200 004 0-6
Abington 010 000 0-1
PENNSBURY 1, BENSALEM 0 (8 innings)
With the graduation of almost their entire lineup from last year’s successful squad, the Falcons don’t boast a whole lot of familiar faces, but they still know how to win the close ball games.
Freshman Bailey Zaccaro delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the eighth inning, bringing an end to a classic pitcher’s dual between Bensalem’s Jackie Morell and Pennsbury’s Casey Boltersdorf.
While Morell allowed seven hits, fanning six and walking just two, Boltersdorf allowed six hits in the shutout, fanning five and walking none.
“That was the big thing – no walks,” coach Frank McSherry said. “That’s what we talked to her about after the game. That was really big.
“Both teams really played well defensively.”
McSherry acknowledged the play of his young defense.
“They all played solidly,” the veteran coach said. “Mia Pitt, our freshman shortstop, had a bunch of chances and made every play. Bailey Zaccaro, our freshman third baseman, made every play. Marissa Alpaugh at second base did a nice job and made every play. Fiona Link is an outfielder, and she was playing first base for the first time.”
In the eighth, Link got the ball rolling with a leadoff single, and one out later, freshman leadoff hitter Mia Pitt hit a blooper that was backhanded by Bensalem’s shortstop. Link was forced out at second, but Marguerite Salamone singled, and the stage was set for Zaccaro to deliver the game winner.
“It was a great game, but we’re going to take our lumps this year,” McSherry said.
Bensalem 000 000 00-0
Pennsbury 000 000 01-1
WILLIAM TENNENT 11, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 (5 innings)
The Panthers continued their torrid offensive production in Tuesday’s abbreviated SOL opener. Laura Petri hit her second home run in as many games – this time a three-run home run in the first to spot the Panthers an early 3-0 lead.
“Laura Petri is killing the ball,” Tennent coach Biz Keeney said. “This kid played on a (travel) team that finished second in the country. You get all that summer experience - they’ve seen it at the national level. I’ve said to the kids – it doesn’t matter to me who we play. It matters to me how we play. There’s no fear factor.”
Petri’s round tripper was the first of three home runs for the Panthers, who have scored 41 runs in four games.
Whitney Delagol hit a three-run blast in a four-run third inning to put the Panthers on top 7-1. Katie O’Toole’s solo home run brought an end to the game in the bottom of the fifth.
“The best thing about today was not the 11 runs, not the three home runs,” Kenney said. “We had zero errors, and that’s what we have to do.”
Nikki Alden earned the win, allowing just two hits and one run while fanning five. The senior pitcher also had a big day at the plate, finishing 3-for-3. Petri was 2-for-3.
“We’ve been hitting the ball well,” Keeney said. “We have hit in our counts. We haven’t been down in counts, which is why I think we have been productive. If we continue to do that, we’ll be fine.
“We felt we had to get better defensively. Part of that again – we have not been on fields, so it’s been a bit of a challenge.”
The Panthers upped their record to 3-1 (1-0 SOL) while the Indians fell to 1-2 (0-1 SOL). Tennent will face Pennsbury in a key conference battle Thursday.
Council Rock North 000 10-1
William Tennent 304 04-11
NESHAMINY 5, HARRY S TRUMAN 4
The Tigers pounded out three home runs – one each by Ebony Auten, Maria Dea and Cheyenne Jones – to take an early lead, but the Redskins had an answer, scoring three runs in the sixth to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 lead. Sarah Snider-Leonhauser delivered the game’s big blow – a three-run double to give the Redskins a lead they would not lose.
Hunter Hart and Mackensie Compton each had two hits to lead the Redskins. One of Hart’s hits was a home run. For the Tigers, Auten and Dea hit solo home runs while Jones hit a two-run shot.
Jenny Rakita earned the win on the mound to improve to 2-0 on the young season. Jess O’Neil absorbed the loss.
The Redskins improved to 3-0 overall (1-0 SOL) while the Tigers dropped to 0-4 (0-1 SOL).
Neshaminy 010 103 0-5
Harry S Truman 010 120 0-4
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