Check out the recaps for SOL baseball teams in action Monday. Wissahickon/Great Valley photos courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports' BASEBALL GALLERIES.
Class 6A
#22 Council Rock South 7, #11 Methacton 0
Rock South may have been the road team, and the lower seed, but make no mistake, with Reed Curtier on the mound, CR South was a live underdog when it went on the road to play Methacton in its district opener on Monday afternoon.
And the Golden Hawks and their ace right-hander certainly rose to the moment.
Curtier, a Notre Dame commit, threw a no-hitter against the highly-touted Warriors, walking just two and striking out 14.
“Today was a great day for our team,” said CR South coach Greg Paprocki. “I think that was the most complete baseball game we’ve played the entire year.
“Obviously, Reed Curtier was outstanding on the mound, but I’m even more happy with the defense that was behind him when he wasn’t striking somebody out. We’ve struggled defensively the entire year and to come out in the biggest game of the season and make some really nice plays defensively was great to see.”
Offensively, CR South scored all of the runs it would need with two in the top of the first, but in all scored seven runs on eight hits. Left fielder Jack Reynolds had two doubles and two RBIs.
“Offensively, it kind of felt like we got back in our groove a bit,” Paprocki said. “Jack Reynolds (did an) awesome job of setting the tone early in the game and then having a big double late in the game.
“Overall, the offense was great, defense was great and, obviously, Reed’s no-hit performance was outstanding. Today’s a great win, and I believe it’ll be a confidence builder for our guys going into Downingtown on Wednesday.”
Key Players: CRS- Reed Curtier (7 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 14 K), Jack Reynolds (2-for-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs), Logan Kolimaga (2-for-4), Owen McLean (double, RBI).
Key Inning: Top of the 1st - Jack Reynolds and Owen McLean led off the game with back-to-back doubles to give the Hawks the lead. A Caleb Dubas ground out to short later scored McLean from third.
Next up: CR South (12-9) is on the road again Wednesday for a second-round game at #6 Downingtown West.
CR South 200 120 2 - 7 8 0
Methacton 000 000 0 - 0 0 4
#10 Plymouth Whitemarsh 11, #23 Lower Merion 1
It didn’t start out that great for Plymouth Whitemarsh pitcher Bobby Pasquarello.
The sophomore ace gave up a home run in the top of the first of his team’s opening round district playoff game against visiting Lower Merion.
But from that point on, he was pretty much untouchable, allowing just four hits the game, while striking out 10.
“In baseball, games often start and end on the mound, and that was evident today with the performance Bobby gave us,” said Colonials coach Chris Manero. “He mixed up several different pitches, and after a first inning home run, he just went to work.”
PW took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the second, and then put the game away with four runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to end the game via the mercy rule.
In all, the Colonials had 11 runs and drew seven walks. Spencer Rosen was 2-for-4 with a triple and four RBIs.
Key Players: PW - Bobby Pasquarello (WP, 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K), Spencer Rosen (2-for-4, triple, 4 RBIs), Mason Eagland (2-for-2, 2 RBIs, 2 runs), Michael Bongard (2-for-4).
Key Inning: Bottom of the 2nd - With two outs, Dom Criscuolo reached on an infield single, followed by a catcher’s interference call that allowed Cole Reilly to reach. Michael Bongard then singled to load the bases. A bases loaded walk to Brody Stump put PW on the scoreboard and Mason Eagland followed with a two-run single to give his team the lead for good.
PW coach Chris Manero: “The bottom of the second started with two quick outs, but a two-out bunt by Dom Criscuolo changed everything. He and I talked that over before the inning started, and he executed it perfectly. A catcher’s interference and a few infield dribbles later, we ended up taking the lead. Their starting pitcher, (Brian) Heck, is good. We just tried to work him enough to where we could capitalize on any opening we got.”
Next up: PW (15-6) moves on to the second round on Wednesday at #7 Owen J. Roberts.
Lower Merion 100 000 - 1 4 1
PW 030 044 - 11 11 0
#13 Wissahickon 5, #20 Great Valley 4
With three runs in the bottom of the second, Wissahickon retook the lead and then held off visiting Great Valley the rest of the way for the 5-4 first-round victory on Monday afternoon.
Freshman right-hander Nate Hammond, who has been dominant for most of the season, had a 
couple rough patches against the Patriots, who took advantage of errors and had clutch hits to keep this one close. But leading 5-4 after four, Hammond settled down and retired the final nine batters over the final three innings to secure the win.
“It was a great playoff win for our program against a very good Great Valley team,” said Wissahickon coach Andy Noga. “Nate Hammond set the tone for us right away. He came out with a 1-2-3 first inning on the mound, then led off the bottom half with a double to get us going offensively.
“I think that gave him a lot of confidence and he carried that throughout the day.
Hammond went the distance, throwing just 88 pitches, allowing four hits, one earned run, no walks and four strikeouts.
The Trojans also took advantage of sloppy defense, as they had just five hits themselves, but made the early runs hold up.
Key Players: W - Nate Hammond (WP, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K; 1-for-3, double), Josh Stonesifer (double, 1 RBI), Jack Weiss (1 RBI).
Key Inning: Bottom of the 3rd - Tied 2-2, Guilio Carbo led off with a single, Ryan Kim walked, and an error scored a run to put Wissahickon back in front. Jack Weiss followed with an RBI single and a fifth run, which proved decisive, scored on a wild pitch.
Wissahickon coach Andy Noga:
“Offensively, we did a good job taking advantage of some defensive mistakes and continued to put
pressure on them all game. We were also able to wear some pitches and finished the day getting hit by six pitches as a team, which speaks to the toughness and grit of this group.”
--Props: “Jack Weiss came through with a big timely hit, and we had contributions throughout the lineup to help extend the lead late. Defensively, I thought we played a clean game when we needed to and made the routine plays behind our pitchers.
“Dylan Shanter made two huge plays for us out in left field that kept them from getting extra-base hits. We teach our outfielders to go get the baseball, and there’s nobody better in our program at doing that than Dylan. He’s made big plays for us out there all year and today was no different.
“Josh Stonesifer had another great day behind the plate and continues to be a steady leader for this group. I’m proud of the way our guys competed and handled the moment today.”
Next up: Wissahickon (13-8) is on the road at #4 Pennsbury in the second round on Wednesday.
Great Valley 002 200 0 - 4 4 2
Wissahickon 203 000 x - 5 5 2
#9 Souderton 6, #24 Avon Grove 5 (12 innings)
There were numerous times where Souderton’s season looked cooked on Monday night. However, the Indians may have been down, but they were never out.
After trailing most of the game, they scored in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings, and then after Avon Grove put up a 3-spot in the top of the 12th, the Indians rallied again and walked it off in the bottom of the inning for the marathon 6-5 victory in the opening round of the district playoffs.
“Crazy,” Souderton coach Mike Childs said. “I have been in some crazy games during the regular season, but nothing like this in 30 years during the playoffs.
“I told them in the last inning, when we were down by three, do yourselves a favor and do not give up on and fight till the end and they did! This was definitely a team win and we live to play another day.”
A walk and two singles with two outs in the 12th, including a single to left by Gavin Wisnoski to plate the tying and winning runs, were the difference for Souderton.
Trailing 2-1, Souderton tied it in the seventh without a hit, taking advantage of two walks and a hit batter, with Colesen Hoffman driving home the run with a sac fly.
Wisnoski and Brett Pollock both had two-hit games for the Indians.
On the mound, Johnny Byrwa went the first six innings, and allowed just four hits and two earned runs. Brett Pollock pitched 5 1/3 out of the bullpen, striking out 10, before leaving after 105 pitches as Avon Grove rallied in the top of the 12th. Ethan Lesh recorded the final two hits of the 12th and was the winning pitcher.
Key players: S – Johnny Byrwa (6.0 IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 4K), Brett Pollock (5.1 IP, 3H, 3R, 2ER, 4BB, 10K), Ethan Lesh (WP, 0.2 IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 1K), Gavin Wisnoski (1-for-2, 2RBIs, 1 run), Brett Pollock (2-for-3, 1RBI, 1 run), Colesen Hoffman (1RBI), Michael Lyons (1RBI), Charlie Hunsicker (RBI)
Key inning: Bottom of 12th – Brett Pollock and Trent Lutz singled, and Colesen Hoffman was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. After a strikeout for the inning’s second out, pinch-hitter Michael Lyons – down to his last strike - kept the game alive and scored a run with a bases-loaded walk. Charlie Hunsicker followed with an RBI infield single, setting the stage for Wisnoski’s heroics.
Next up: Souderton (14-7) moves on to Wednesday’s second round at #8 Neshaminy.
Avon Grove 001 100 000 003 - 5 9 2
Souderton 001 000 100 004 - 6 7 3
#14 Downingtown East 5, #19 Council Rock North 1
A little bit of sloppiness in the field and a pair of early runs from host Downingtown East proved too much for Council Rock North to overcome in its first-round district playoff game on Monday, as the Indians saw their season come to an end by a 5-1 final score.
Downingtown East scored two runs in the second and two more in the third to take command in this game.
“It’s always intriguing to compete against teams from other districts that you do not see during the regular season, and today we were humbled by a very strong performance from Downingtown East,” said CR North coach Matt Schram. “They also did an outstanding job against our starter (Ben Hinderberger), who has been magnificent for us all season.
“D-East executed the little things at a high level and capitalized with two-out runs, while we left runners on base in key two-out situations. That was ultimately the difference today. They were the better team and deserve a great deal of credit.”
CR North did score one run in the top of the fourth to get within three, on an RBI single by Anthony Fedejko, but it would get no closer, managing just one hit the rest of the game.
In all, the Indians finished with just five hits for the game.
While Downingtown East advanced to play #3 Pennridge in the second round on Wednesday, CR North finishes its season with a 13-8 final record.
“Our season was a success, and I am incredibly proud of how hard our players fought to earn their way into the playoffs,” Schram said. “Starting the season 1-5 against two of the largest schools in the area, both with tremendous depth, was a difficult challenge. However, the way this group responded by finishing the regular season 8-1 speaks volumes about the character, resilience, and growth of this young team. That finish is something to be proud of and serves as a strong foundation moving forward.
“It is always difficult to see the seniors move on, especially a group like this one that truly exemplified leadership, commitment, and what it means to pass the torch to the next generation of players. Their impact on this program will not be forgotten. The future of CR North Baseball is very bright, and this group helped set the standard for what is to come in the years ahead.”
CR North 000 100 0 - 1 5 3
Downingtown East 022 100 x - 5 8 2
#12 Garnet Valley 6, #21 CB West 5 (8 innings)
After a rough end to the regular season, CB West went on the road for a first-round playoff game on Monday, and fought to the end - rallying from a three-run deficit to tie the game in the top of the sixth to force extra innings - but in the end, host Garnet Valley had the last at bat, and walked it off in the bottom of the eighth for the 6-5 win.
“Tough way to end it, but it was a great game,” said Bucks coach Thomas Spratt. “I’m proud of the way we battled and came back to tie the game. We hit balls hard right at guys, and their outfield made plays.”
The Bucks pounded the ball all game - out-hitting Garnet Valley 10-8 - including a home run in the sixth by Noah Gerstein that jumped started the rally tie the game at 5.
Left fielder Christopher Katsikis had two doubles and two RBIs, while Jacob Greer and Stephen Verdolini also had two hits each.
But in the eighth, a pair of walks and a RBI single with two outs ended the game in favor of Garnet Valley, which moves on to play #5 Spring-Ford on Wednesday.
CB West wrapped up its season with an 11-9 record.
“All three of our pitchers - Verdolini, (Jack) Hogenauer and Greer - threw well and did a great job keeping us in it and minimizing after giving up runs,” Spratt said. “Garnet Valley’s starting pitcher did a good job keeping us off balance with his breaking ball. They were impressive on the bases and hit balls hard.”
CB West 020 012 00 - 5 10 2
Garnet Valley 020 300 01 - 6 8 2
#16 Boyertown 7, #17 Cheltenham 3
Beating Boyertown at Boyertown, in the playoffs, has always been a tall task, and for a Cheltenham team back in the playoffs, Monday’s opener was bound to be a tough task.
And it played out that way, too, as the host Bears scored three times in the bottom of the first and added on throughout, before having to hold off a spirited comeback attempt in the seventh, as the Panthers saw their season come to an end by a 7-3 final score.
Briefly, Cheltenham led this one, as Emile Chanoine drew a leadoff walk, stole second and third and scored on a sac fly to right by Nate Leary in the top of the first.
But Boyertown answered with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the inning.
Cheltenham mounted a two-out rally in the seventh, as Jack Haugen singled, Finn Kopp reached on an error, Haugen scored on an error, and then Eamon Ivory roped a RBI single to get it to 7-3, but it wouldn’t get any closer.
Haugen finished 2-for-4 with a double and also stole a base. Chanoine had a double and stole two bases. Kopp also stole two bases for the Panthers.
Cheltenham coach Lukas Nakkula
“It was definitely a tough loss and tough to end the season on that. We competed and battled all game - we just didn't get the big hits with guys on base that we needed to get. We pitched well and played great defense but needed to do more at the plate to get the win.
“I am very proud of this team though for the season we had. It is a great group of guys who worked really hard all year, so it is hard to see it come to an end. It’s the first time in a long time Cheltenham has made it to the playoffs, and I am happy it was this group. Although it is tough to see the season end, I am proud of this team, and we had a great season!”
Cheltenham finished its season with a 13-8 record.
Boyertown moves on to a second-round game at #1 Haverford High on Wednesday.
Cheltenham 100 000 2 - 3 6 1
Boyertown 301 120 x - 7 10 4
#18 West Chester Henderson 5, #15 Quakertown 4
Quakertown found ways to score in the first inning on Monday.
The Panthers had just one hit, but managed to plate three runs thanks to two walks, a hit batter and a steal of home.
But that’s where the offensive production ended, as they managed just one hit the rest of the way and couldn’t overcome a five-run second inning from visiting West Chester Henderson in a season-ended 5-4 loss.
“It was a close one from beginning to end,” said Quakertown coach Jon Pallone. “We accomplished a goal of getting out to a lead early but just couldn’t end the second inning. Have to hand it to their pitcher, Ciarmello, he battled back and adjusted after a tough first.”
Five singles and two walks helped Henderson in the second inning. But Quakertown pitchers - namely William Bowen who threw 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief - held down the fort.
Max Drews singled and ended up scoring on an error for the Panthers in the fifth, but that’s where the offense would end.
Henderson advanced to play #2 Coatesville in the second round on Wednesday.
Quakertown wrapped up its season with an 11-10 record.
“Our guys fought hard all the way through the game,” Pallone said. “Every person was bringing the energy and locked in.
“I’m going to miss our seniors. Their four years really flew by. Each and every guy is an excellent person with great character. They played hard and constantly chose to do the right thing. They have left their mark on Quakertown baseball. Now it is time for the next generation to step up and continue the path.”
Henderson 050 000 0 - 5 9 1
Quakertown 300 010 0 - 4 2 0
Class 5A
#7 Springfield (Delco) 6, #10 Upper Dublin 5
Upper Dublin battled back from a three-run deficit with runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but could get no closer, as the Flying Cardinals saw their season come to an end by a 6-5 final score at Springfield (Delco) on Monday.
Tied at 3 after two innings, Springfield added two in the third and one in the fourth to go up 6-3. The Cougars belted out 12 hits for the game.
Gavin Litten had a sac fly in the fifth and an RBI ground out by Blake Skahan in the sixth drew UD within one.
Senior second baseman Eddie Stoffel, an integral part of UD’s state title run a year ago, wrapped up a stellar career by going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Noah Watson also had two hits, while Litten had a double and an RBI.
Upper Dublin finished its season at 11-10.
Springfield advances on to play at #2 Upper Moreland in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Upper Dublin 120 011 0 - 5 9 1
Springfield 302 100 x - 6 12 0
#5 West Chester Rustin 10, #12 Hatboro-Horsham 0 (5 innings)
Offensively, Hatboro-Horsham never got untracked on Monday, as host West Chester Rustin scored five runs in the second and remained relentless, pounding out 10 runs on 12 hits in a mercy-rule shortened 10-0 opening round matchup that ended the Hatters season.
H-H managed just two hits, a single by Connor Cataldi in the second, and a single by Chase Canney in the fourth.
Rustin had five extra base hits, including three home runs, two of which came in a five-run second innings.
H-H wrapped up its season with a 5-16 record.
Rustin will play #4 Radnor in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Hatboro-Horsham 000 00 - 0 2 2
Rustin 052 12 - 10 12 0
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