The SOL/BAL was 1-1-1 on Monday’s opening Day of Carpenter Cup play.
Twenty-six runs.
That’s a whole lot of runs, even for three games combined, but that’s how many the Suburban One League/Bicentennial Athletic League put on the board in Monday’s three Carpenter Cup games at FDR Park. That number might suggest that the SOL/BAL rolled through the day.
That’s not exactly what happened. At least not until the SOL/BAL’s final game of the day when they crushed the PCL, but by that time the squad desperately needed a win after dropping its first game and tying its second.
“Three games and not even a full 21 innings – we should probably be a little better than 1-1-1,” said Upper Dublin coach Heather Boyer, the head coach of the team. “We gave too many free passes today. Our defense needed to be a little sharper than it was.
“Both of our pitchers definitely gave efforts in very, very small strike zones. The strike zone was small which makes for a lot of offensive excitement. It was tight, and to their credit, both Mady (Volpe) and Abby (Burns) – their composure was good, they handled it well, and never once did either of them talk about it, but that’s frustrating when you make good pitches on certain spots and you’re not getting the call.”
The day started out on a shaky note when Mercer County – trailing 4-3 - exploded for seven runs in the top of the fifth and won by a 10-4 score.
“Each individual person plays travel and is so good, but out of nowhere, we just fell apart all together,” said junior Brianna ‘Bean’ Hughes, who plays summer travel ball for Nightmare Elite.
Hughes was 1-for-3 in the contest out of the leadoff spot, and her bases-clearing double in the second knotted the score 3-3. She finished the game with four RBIs. Upper Dublin junior Korynn Bischoff also had a good day at the plate, finishing 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Souderton freshman Abby Burns absorbed the loss.
In its second game of the day against Delaware County, SOL/BAL erupted for seven runs in the fourth inning to go on top 7-2. That lead was erased in the top of the fifth when Delaware County plated five runs to knot the score. That tie stood as the game was halted after six due to time constraints.
Upper Dublin junior Taylor Avery led the SOL/BAL’s eight-hit attack, finishing the game 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored. Bischoff was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored while Hughes was 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
After a lunch break, the SOL/BAL was back in action against the Philadelphia Catholic League. The team took care of business in a hurry, scoring five runs in the first inning. North Penn junior Victoria Juckniewicz was hit by a pitch, and Souderton junior Sam Nuneviller drew a walk. A single by Hughes loaded the bases. Pennridge sophomore Madison Silber singled home a run, Nuneviller scored on a wild pitch, and – after a walk to Central Bucks South junior Tara Tumasz - a bases-loaded walk to Bischoff pushed another run across. Silber scored on a wild pitch, and Mady Volpe’s RBI groundout put the SOL/BAL on top 5-0.
“I just think we needed to really adjust and mesh with each other,” Pennsbury freshman Caitlyn Martell said. “We were all just warming up and getting to know each other still because we only had a couple days to really prepare for this, but I feel as though we really got it together.”
The SOL/BAL added three more runs in the second. Juckniewicz was hit by a pitch for the second time in as many at-bats, Nuneviller drew a walk, and Hughes singled home a run. With two outs, Volpe helped her own cause with a two-run single.
Martell walked to lead off the third, and Juckniewicz and Nuneviller followed with bunt singles. Hughes singled home a run, and Silber followed with a single to left that plated Juckniewicz. Silber circled the bases when the ball was booted in the outfield for a three-base error, and the SOL/BAL led 12-3.
“It’s just getting the gist of how everyone plays together, trying to figure out the strengths and weaknesses of each player and then working together,” Nuneviller said. “I think, honestly, the game break helped us because we were able to sit and talk and feel like more of a team together.”
The SOL/BAL added an unearned run in the fourth and two more in the fifth with Souderton freshman Abby Burns delivering the big blow – a two-run double to left center. Quakertown junior Halle Frederick and Bischoff – who had singled – both scored on Hughes’ double.
Silber and Hughes were both 2-for-2 to lead the SOL/BAL. Hughes scored a pair of runs and drove in two runs. Silber scored a run and had three RBIs. Juckniewicz scored three runs out of the leadoff spot. Volpe earned the win in the circle, allowing three hits and three runs in three innings while Burns allowed just one hit and one run (unearned) in two frames.
The outcomes aside, the Carpenter Cup play provides an opportunity to team up with players that are rivals during the high school season. On Monday, Nuneviller joined forces with fellow Rock Gold Waye teammates Amanda Greaney (North Penn), Korynn Bischoff (Upper Dublin), Gianna Iadonisi (Pennridge) and Tara Tumasz (Central Bucks South).
“The best part is getting to experience of meeting new people from the conference and actually instead of playing against them – getting to know them as a person and being able to play teams we’ve never played before like Delaware County,” Nuneviller said. “It was nice getting to know the (players from conference teams) this way instead of just seeing them as our rivals.”
Pennsbury freshmen Caitlyn Martell and Quinn McGonigle represented the National Conference.
“I’ve heard of a couple of the girls but never really knew them personally,” said Martell, who plays summer ball for Pennsbury Gems 16U Futures. “We faced a lot of them before, so there were some familiar faces.
“I really like being able to play with new people and the best from around our area and getting to know the girls. Also, competing against the best possible competition we can see.”
“(The best part) is getting to be with all the girls who we don’t normally play with,” Hughes said. “And then playing against them in school ball.
“Next year if we have the opportunity to go against North Penn, who’s not in our conference, I’ll know the pitcher and catcher and that’s cool. The little jokes that you have and can take on the field next year – it lightens the game.”
The top four teams from Monday’s play are scheduled to return to compete in an eight-team playoff on Wednesday, but a torrential downpour forced the postponement of the final two games of the day. The SOL/BAL awaits its status.
“I really hope we get a chance to come back Wednesday,” Hughes said.
“We’re hopeful we get another shot,” said North Penn coach Rick Torresoni, who assisted Boyer. “Because these girls can do it.”
SOL/BAL 534 12 15-10-1
PCL 120 10 4-4-2
SOL/BAL (15) – Victoria Juckniewitz 1-3-1-0; Gianna Iadonisi 1-0-0-0; Sam Nuneviller 2-3-2-2; LauraRose Morelock 1-0-0-0; Brianna Hughes 2-2-2-2; Madison Silber 2-1-2-3; Amanda Greaney 1-0-0-0; Tara Tumasz 2-1-0-0; Halle Frederick 1-2-1-0; Korynn Bischoff 2-1-1-1; Mady Volpe 3-0-1-3; Taylor Avery 2-0-0-0; Quinn McGonigle 2-0-0-0; Caitlyn Martell 1-1-0-0; Kammy Kropinski 0-1-0-0; TOTALS 23-15-10-11.
PCL (4) – Maggie Loomis 3-0-1-1; Julia DiSands 3-0-0-0; Sophia Spurio 2-1-0-0; Mary Picozzi 3-0-1-1; Kylee Guerrera 2-0-0-0; Paris Balilonis 0-2-0-0; Madison Thompson 1-0-1-0; Christina Jackson 1-0-1-0; Samantha Lachette 1-0-0-0; Sarah Vargas 1-1-0-0; Paige Paciolla 2-0-0-0; TOTALS 19-4-4-2.
2B-Sam Nuneviller. SF-Brianna Hughes. SB-Kammy Kropinski, Brianna Hughes. LOV-SOL/BAL 5, PCL 6.
SOL/BAL IP H R ER BB SO
Mady Volpe (W) 3.0 3 3 3 1 2
Abby Burns 2.0 1 1 0 1 2
PCL IP H R ER BB SO
Mary Picozzi (L) 1.0 3 8 8 4 1
Julia DiSands 4.0 7 7 5 5 3
Delaware County 101 050 7-7-2
SOL/BAL 000 700 0 7-8-2
Delaware County (7) – Brooke McKeown 3-1-1-0; Tess Smiley 2-1-1-0; Ava Franz 3-2-0-0; Sam Williams 0-0-0-0; Audrey Kochanowicz 2-0-1-0; Sara Sullivan 3-1-1-1; Ameenah Ballenger 3-1-2-3; Kelly McLaughlin 2-1-0-1; Rebecca Halford 1-0-0-0; Annie Bechtold 2-0-0-0; Abby Layden 1-0-0-0; Claire Overton 1-0-0-0; Lauren Lofland 1-0-1-2; TOTALS 24-7-7-7.
SOL/BAL (7) – Brianna Hughes 4-1-1-2; Victoria Juckniewicz 3-0-1-1; Gianna Iadonisi 0-0-0-0; Amanda Greaney 2-1-1-0; Tara Tumasz 2-1-0-0; Madison Silber 0-0-0-0; Mady Volpe 2-0-0-0; Abby Burns 1-0-0-0; Caitlyn Martell 2-1-1-0; Kammy Kropinski 1-0-0-0; Korynn Bischoff 2-1-1-2; Halle Frederick 1-0-0-0; Taylor Avery 2-1-2-1; LauraRose Morelock 0-0-0-0; Quinn McGonigle 2-1-1-1; Sam Nuneviller 0-0-0-0; TOTALS 24-7-8-7.
2B-Audrey Kochanowicz, Amanda Greaney. SAC-Sam Williams, Sam Nuneviller. LOB-Delaware County 8, SOL/BAL 3.
Delaware County IP H R ER BB SO
Rebecca Halford 4.0 8 7 7 2 1
Kelly McLaughlin 2.0 0 0 0 1 3
SOL/BAL IP H R ER BB SO
Mady Volpe 2.0 5 5 2 1 0
Abby Burns 2.0 5 5 2 1 0
Mercer County 3-0-0 07 10-9-1
SOL/BAL 030 10 4-6-1
Mercer County (10) – Julia Baber 4-0-0-0; Allie Bridgeman 4-1-1-1; Bella Truelove 3-2-2-1; Jackie Masone 3-1-1-2; Haley Lestician 3-2-2-0; Rachel Doan 3-1-1-2; Lizzie Kelly 3-0-0-1; Delaney Misier 0-0-0-0; Jentle Sheridan 1-0-0-0; Avery Kontura 1-1-1-2; Lexi Scourtas 1-1-1-1; Marissa Whitney 0-1-0-0; TOTALS 26-10-9-10.
SOL/BAL (4) – Brianna Hughes 3-0-1-4; Victoria Juckniewicz 3-0-1-0; Mady Volpe 3-0-0-0; Abby Burns 0-0-0-0; Amanda Greaney 1-0-0-0; Madison Silber 1-0-0-0; Tara Tumasz 1-1-0; Gianna Iadonisi 1-0-0-0; Halle Frederick 1-0-0-0; LauraRose Morelock 1-0-0-0; Korynn Bischoff 2-2-2-0; Quinn McGonigle 0-0-0-0; Taylor Avery 1-0-0-0; Sam Nuneviller 1-0-1-0; Kammy Kropinski 1-1-1-0; Caitlyn Martell 0-0-0-0; TOTALS 20-4-6-4.
2B-Rachel Doan, Jackie Masone, Brianna Hughes. SAC-Halle Frederick, SB-Korynn Bischoff, Caitlyn Martell. LOB-Mercer County 6, SOL/BAL 5.
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