Check out the TNT (Tuff ‘n Tuffer) softball recaps for teams in action in the District 1 Tournament. CR North/PW photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Pennsbury/Spring-Ford photos provided courtesy of Wesley Rule. Check back for photo galleries. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports' SOFTBALL GALLERIES.
District 1 6A second round
#1 NORTH PENN 3, #16 PERKIOMEN VALLEY 2 (Suspended)
The game will resume on Thursday (4pm) in the bottom of the third with Tallie Smink at the plate with a 3-1 count and no one out.
#3 PENNSBURY 10, SPRING-FORD 3
The Falcons rolled to the decisive win in Wednesday’s second round, pounding out 14 hits while freshman Paige Fidishun scattered six hits and did not allow an earned run. Not to be overlooked in the win was the Falcons’ standout defensive effort.
Pennsbury scored early and often, scoring a single run in the first when Jaylynn Rodweller delivered a two-out RBI single. In the second, Syd Kandravi doubled and scored when Keira Hoffman hit an RBI single. Bella Morales followed with an RBI single, and the Falcons led 3-0.
Pennsbury upped its lead to 5-0 in the third, an inning that was highlighted by a Fidishun double and RBI singles by Kandravi and Maddie McClung.
The Rams got on the scoreboard with a run in the top of the fifth, but the Falcons answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach.
Fidishun’s complete game win was her 18th win of the season. Kandravi led the Falcons’ hit parade with a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate.
By the numbers: Pennsbury: Syd Kandravi (4-for-4, 2B, 2RBIs, 3R), Jaylynn 
Rodweller (2-for-3, 2RBIs), Maddie McClung (2-for-4, 2RBIs, 1R), Keira Hoffman (1-for-3, 2RBIs), Bella Morales (1-for-3, 1RBI, 1R),
Paige Fidishun (W) (7.0 IP, 6H, 3R, 0 ER, 3BB, 2K) (1-for-3, 2B, 1R)
Key inning: Bottom of fifth – The Falcons erupted for five runs in an inning that included seven singles – one each from Jenna Thompson, Jaylynn Rodweller, Syd Kandravi (RBI), Maddie McClung (RBI), Keira Hoffman (RBI), Kaelyn Crocker (RBI) and Liv Czerniak (RBI).
Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry:
--Getting defensive: “Spring-Ford hit the ball hard, but our defense was really stellar today. They hit a long fly ball down the line in left field, and Kaelyn Crocker dove for it – an all-out dive – and caught it and held onto the ball.
“Then the first out of the last inning, their three hitter hit a shot to center field that JT (Jenna Thompson) came running in on, and she also dove, a full-out dive, and caught it before it landed on the ground.
“We actually had three (diving catches). Gia Ranniello, our catcher, dove and caught a ball in foul territory.
“It was funny because after we did our pre-game warmups, I came back in, and I said, ‘This is the best pregame we’ve had all season. I think they are ready to play,’ and then they go out and make three plays like that, and they made some other nice plays too, but those three really stood out.”
Up next: Pennsbury will host Haverford in a quarterfinal contest Friday.
Spring-Ford 000 012 0 3-6-0
Pennsbury 122 050 x 10-14-2
#4 SOUDERTON 4, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 3 (8 innings)
This was a game the Indians very well could have lost. Instead, they found a way to win, displaying their resilience – no one more so than senior Ava Detwiler.
Souderton coach Tyler Bui explained.
“We were one out away from ending the game when Ava misplayed a ground ball that allowed CR South to tie the game,” the Indians’ coach said. “Ava has had a sensational season and is a great leader whom her teammates adore.
“I kept thinking to myself that we can't let the season end like this for her. I saw Ava was visibly upset in the dugout, and she was due up to bat in the (eighth) inning. I looked at her and just simply said, ‘You got this.’ I knew she wanted more than anything for an opportunity to help us win the game.
“I told her, while she was taking her practice swings, that once Kathryn Jones got on base, we were going to get her moving. Kathryn did her job by smashing a ball past the shortstop to give us a leadoff runner in extra innings. This would set the stage for Ava to punch a base hit right over the second baseman's head, which allowed Kathryn, who took off on the pitch, to score on a throw to home that got by the catcher. This was an emotional win for Ava and several of our seniors. They knew it was close to coming to an end for them today, but they all did their share of keeping things going for us.”
--The beauty of redemption: Armed with a 3-1 lead, just three outs separated the Indians from a win. That number was reduced to two when sophomore Madi Mott struck out the first batter she faced in the top of the seventh. That’s when the game took an unexpectee turn.
Three straight full-count walks loaded the bases with one out. It looked as though the Indians were going to escape unscathed when Mott fielded a grounder and fired home for the inning’s second out,
Detwiler recounts the next play.
“Madi (Mott) was pitching a really good game, and all of her pitches looked like they were right there, but they weren’t calling it, so I think that put some pressure on us fielders, and with the bases loaded, I was playing behind the bag,” the senior captain said. “The ball came to me, and with the girl running, I kind of lost it. I got in my head a little bit.”
Two runs scored, and suddenly, it was a tie game with the go-ahead run on third base. Detwiler’s emotions ran the gamut.
“I was like – ‘I don’t want my senior year to end here. We have to get past this game,’ so I was pretty upset and a little emotional,” she said. “I was looking at the girls around me, and I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t want this to be the last time I play with them.’
“I trust my team, and I know we’re a good hitting team, and I knew we could come back. Yes, it was tied, and yes, it was kind of scary. I just knew deep down that we were going to get out of this. Then there was an amazing defensive play (by second baseman Emma Messmer) to end that inning.
“In the seventh inning, we didn’t get anything, and we went out for the eighth, and I think we were all a little emotional, but we have confidence in each other, so that was good. Madi pitched a great eighth inning, and when we went to hit, as soon as Kathryn (Jones) got a hit, I just felt kind of relief because I know she’s going to steal a base or something.
“My first pitch was a high strike, and I’m like, ‘Well if the next one’s right down the middle, I’m gonna swing at it.’ It was definitely lower than the first one, and I swung. I was a little nervous because Kathryn was already halfway to second and the ball was in the air. It was right by the line, and I didn’t think anyone was gonna get it, so I got to first. When they threw (home), I just ran. I saw Kathryn got home and I was so happy.
“At that point, it was 3-3, and it was kind of on me with that error and stuff, and to have the game-winning hit, it just made it all worth it because I felt that pressure as a senior – ‘I don’t want this to end,’ and just to get that redemption, I just know that God was working in that moment for me. It all just made it really, really special.”
As for the celebration - it was a good one.
"Everyone was so happy, and they were slapping our helmets so hard," Detwiler said. "Both me and Kathryn were talking afterwards - we probably could have gotten a concussion from how hard they were hitting us - it's all fun. We were just so excited."
--The game: From the outset, this game was tightly contested. The visiting Golden Hawks got on the scoreboard first when Avery Ochs lined a solo home run to left field to lead off the second inning.
Rock South’s 1-0 lead held until the bottom of the fourth when senior Skyler Bynes ripped a solo shot to left field that evened the score.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Indians scored a pair. With one out Kendal Nelson doubled to right field, and Cora Richter – in a rare at-bat the varsity level - followed with a single. Katie Straub’s sacrifice fly plated a run, and then it was Kiera Fadden roping a triple to left field that scored a run to put Souderton on top 3-1.
“Cora Richter’s hit – that really started us off,” Detwiler said. “She got the game ball for that. She’s a really good player, and I’m so happy that next year she’ll take over first base for me because she’s just a great player.”
Natalie Neubauer retired the heart of the Indians batting order in order in the bottom of the inning, setting the stage for extra innings. Mott had a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the eighth, and the Indians won it in the bottom of the inning.
Mott, who earned the win, did not allow a hit in four innings, striking out five and walking four. Straub threw the first four innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out five and walking one.
"We honored Katie and Madi for pitching a really great game and keeping us in it," Detwiler said. "We played as a whole team, and we really contributed all together.
"Skyler Byrnes, who is another captain, and I were talking about how we really worked as a team, and our chemistry is really good right now."
By the numbers: Souderton: Kiera Fadden (2-for-4, 3B, 1RBI), Ava Detwiler (2-for-4, 1RBI), Skyler Byrnes (1-for-2, HR, 1RBI, 1R), Kendal Nelson (1-for-2, 2B).
Katie Straub (4.0 IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 5K), Madi Mott (W), (4.0 IP, 0H, 2R, 0ER, 4BB, 5K)
Key inning: Bottom of eighth – Kathryn Jones led off the bottom of the eighth with a single, and then Ava Detwiler singled to right field with Jones scoring on the throw for the walk-off win.
Souderton coach Tyler Bui:
--Respect for the Hawks: “I know anything I say will not make the CR South team feel any better, but what a gutsy performance by those girls. They competed in a way that would make any coach proud. Natalie Neubauer was sensational and did a great job of keeping us in check.”
--Props: “These are the types of games that make you better during a postseason run. It was truly a team effort. We used 15 players, and every one of them was up to the task. I was especially proud of Cora Richter, who came up with a big pinch hit to give us our first lead. Cora has been working on her swing, and I just felt like the adjustments she has been making during practice would translate against today’s pitching. That was a big spot for a player who had only five varsity at-bats this season. She was very deserving of the game ball.
“Our pitching has been phenomenal this year with the five players we have used this season. Today, in our first postseason game, we used two pitchers who haven't had any varsity experience before this year. Madi Mott and Katie Straub have been getting the job done all year, so I had the utmost confidence in them. Once again, they kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win when our offense wasn't hitting on all cylinders. This was a great experience for the two of them, who had to throw a lot of stress pitches given the nature of the game. This will only help them get stronger in their development.”
Up next: Souderton will host #5 Neshaminy in Friday’s District 1 6A quarterfinal round. Council Rock South closed out its season with a 12-10 record overall, 5-5 in the SOL Patriot.
Council Rock South 010 000 20 3-3-2
Souderton 000 120 01 4-9-1
#5 NESHAMINY 4, #12 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1 (5 innings)
To say the least, it was an unusual ending.
With five innings in the book, Wednesday’s second round game was halted for an impending storm.
“Both teams came into the school, the girls were playing hacky sack together and hanging out,” Neshaminy coach Sarah Martoccio said. “And the umpires came in and made the decision (to call the game), and in the hallway, one team wins and one team loses.
“The girls are friends – they’re friendly with each other, so we didn’t want to have it go the way it did. Obviously, we’re grateful for the win, we’re grateful that we came out in the early innings and put runs up and played well defensively, but it’s just not a fun way to win a playoff game or have a team’s season end.”
Molly Ambrosius, who earned the win, worked herself out of a jam in the top of the first after Erin Ruddell led off with a double, and Cam Lee drew a walk. Ambrosius coaxed a pop fly to the infield out of the next batter she faced, struck out the next and collected the third out on an infield fly.
The Redskins scored two runs in the bottom of the first, thanks to Zahmira Coppolla-Miller’s two-run home run. The Titans left the bases loaded in the second, and catcher Maddie Jacoby prevented potential damage by gunning out a runner attempting to steal second.
In the third, Neshaminy upped its lead to 3-0. Ellie Miller drew a one-out walk, and Kendall McCafferty singled, setting the stage for an RBI single by Coppola-Miller.
The Titans got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth when Ruddell hit a leadoff double to center, moved up to second on Lee’s groundout and scored on a sac fly by Keira Im.
Neshaminy got that run back in the bottom of the inning when Kendall McCafferty – who singled – scored on a two-out single by her younger sibling, Riley McCafferty.
That closed out the scoring for both sides.
Ambrosius earned the win, allowing just four hits and one run in five innings.
By the numbers: Neshaminy: Kendall McCafferty (2-for-3, 2B, 1B), Zahmira Coppola-Miller (2-for-3, HR, 3RBIs, 1R), Ellie Miller (1-for-2, 2B, 2R)
Molly Ambrosius (W) (5.0 IP, 4H 1R, 1ER, 4BB, 3K)
Central Bucks South: Erin Ruddell (2-for-2, 2 2B, 1R), Audrey Im (1-for-2, 2B), Keira Im (1RBI)
Key inning: Bottom of first – With one out, Ellie Miller doubled to center field and advanced to third on a ground out. Zahmira Coppola-Miller smashed a two-run home run to center field, spotting the ‘Skins an early 2-0 lead.
Neshaminy coach Sarah Martoccio:
--Props: “Zahmira (Coppola-Miller) had a phenomenal game. In the first inning, she hit a two-run home run to put us on top, and then she had an RBI single in the third, so she had three of our four RBIs on the day.
“Kendall McCafferty stayed hot with a single and then a double to lead off the bottom of the fifth, which then her sister (Riley McCafferty) hit a rocket down the first baseline that scored her sister.
“Molly (Ambrosius) had a great game. South is an awesome hitting team. We know they have bats and that they put up an offensive fight, but Molly did a really nice job of trying to keep them off balance, mixing her pitches well and limiting their powerful offense to only a few hits.
“The hits they had were really good hits, but our defense had a really nice game. Jill Rickards had a really nice catch in center field to break up an inning, and Molly had a three-pitch inning which was cool – we had three outs on three pitches.
“They have worked so hard for this, and I can’t express how proud of them I am.”
Up next: Neshaminy will travel to #4 Souderton Friday for a district quarterfinal game. The winner will earn a state berth, and the losing team will also remain alive for two remaining state berths. Central Bucks South closed its season with a 14-8 record overall. They were 6-4 in the SOL.
Central Bucks South 000 01 1-4-0
Neshaminy 201 01 4-7-1
#8 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3, #9 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3 (Suspended)
The game will resume on Thursday (3:30pm) in the bottom of the ninth with one out and Liv Schlindwein at the plate.
District 1 5A quarterfinals
#3 UPPER MORELAND 6, #6 UPPER MERION 0 (5 innings)
Delaney Stout got the job done in the circle and at the plate, sophomore Jordyn Gibbs had a huge day at the plate, and Claire Walton was once again a key contributor. The trio played starring roles in Wednesday’s game that was halted after five innings due to a severe thunderstorm.
“We knew going into today's game, with the call for storms, we would need to score and get as many runs on the board as we could early in the game,” UM coach Melanie Martino said.
The Golden Bears did just that, putting a pair of runs on the board in the bottom of the first
In the bottom of the fourth, Jordyn Gibbs hit a solo blast that put the Golden Bears on top 3-0.
The Bears doubled their lead in the fifth. With one out, Taylor Pagano singled, and Delaney Stout followed and was safe on an error. Claire Walton’s second RBI single of the game gave UM a 4-0 lead. Sofia Magagna followed with an RBI single, and Gibbs delivered an RBI single that made it a 6-0 game, a score that stood until the game was called after a delay for a thunderstorm.
The win guaranteed the Golden Bears a coveted berth in the state tournament.
“Making states again was a goal this team set, and seeing them achieving their goal makes me so incredibly happy for them and so proud of them. They are a great group of hardworking athletes.”
By the numbers: Upper Moreland: Claire Walton (2-for-3, 2RBIs), Sofia Magagna (2-for-3, 1RBI, Jordyn Gibbs (2-for-3, HR, 2RBIs, 1R)
Delaney Stout (W) (5.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 2BB, 10K) (2-for-3, 1R)
Key inning: Bottom of first - The two-run first was highlighted by singles from Delaney Stout, Claire Walton (RBI), and Sofia Magagna.
Bottom of fifth –Upper Moreland coach Melanie Martino:
--Props: “Delaney Stout did an outstanding job in the circle today with 10 strikeouts in five innings. She also was one of our offensive leaders today going 2-for-3 moving runners into scoring position. Claire Walton continues to be an important offensive leader for us with consistently putting the ball in play and scoring us runs.
“Sophomore Jordyn Gibbs had a great day at the plate, hitting the ball hard including an absolute bomb that cleared two fences for a solo homerun.”
Up next: Upper Moreland will travel to #2 Springfield-Delco for a district semifinal Friday.
Upper Merion 000 00 0-1-1
Upper Moreland 200 13 6-10-0
#5 UPPER DUBLIN 3, #2 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY 1
In a tightly contested game, the Cardinals found themselves on the short end of a 1-0 score after the Mount plated an unearned run in the top of the first. It was still a 1-0 game heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.
“We had a couple runners on in the second and third, but all of a sudden, you look at the scoreboard, and it’s the top of the fourth,” UD coach Heather Boyer said. “We’re still down 1-0, and you start doing the math.”
It was in the fourth inning that the Cardinals – or more specifically, Kate Brannigan – delivered in a big way with a two-run home run.
“Kate has been steady – at .300 all year, and she’s got pop in her bat,” UD coach Heather Boyer said. “If I bunt her in that situation, I’m giving up an out to get Paige (McKenna) to third, but if I let her swing away, maybe she gets that base hit that scores a run or maybe it’s extra bases. It was swing away from the get-go, and she took the pitch and blistered it to left center field. There was no doubt about it – off the bat, you just knew.
“She’s rounding first, she’s so pumped up, she’s excited - jumping up and down towards her teammates in the dugout, hustling around the bases, and that just energized the girls for the inning. We went from a 1-0 deficit to 2-1.
“At that point, Kyla really had started commanding the circle like she always does. The second half of the Mount lineup – they might have had two balls in play. It was strikeout, strikeout, strikeout.”
In the fifth inning, the Cards added an insurance run. Garrison doubled and was replaced by courtesy runner Jolie Shepherd, who advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and she scored on a sac fly in foul territory in left field by Paige McKenna.
“The girl made a great catch, but it was an easy tag-up for Jolie to score,” Boyer said.
“Jolie did a great job – she was in the right spot at the right time.”
In the bottom of the sixth, the Mount had a pair of two-out base runners, but Garrison forced a popup to second base to end that threat. She struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh for a win that punched the Cardinals’ ticket into the state tournament.
Garrison was once again brilliant, allowing just one hit and no earned runs. She walked two and struck out 14.
By the numbers: Kyla Garrison (W) (7 IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, 2BB, 14K) (3-for-4, 2 2B), Kate Brannigan (HR, 2RBIs, 1R), Paige McKenna (1-for-2, 1RBI, 1R)
Key inning: Bottom of fourth – Trailing 1-0, UD scored two runs in the fourth. Kate Brannigan erased that 1-0 deficit with one swing of the bat, hitting a two-run round tripper that also plated Paige McKenna, who was on second.
Upper Dublin coach Heather Boyer:
“The girls have had a really great year. I wasn’t sure coming into the season. I knew our pitching would be good, and I knew we had some experience back in the outfield and Kate Brannigan at shortstop, but we had some holes to fill, and the kids that have stepped in have done an amazing job. Probably most impressive was their ability to continuously produce good offensive output when we need it, and it tends to alternate. Kyla is very consistent that way, but one day, it’s Kate Brannigan, the next day it’s Maddie Small and the next day it’s Amelia Jesuit. There’s different kids stepping up at different times to get things done, and that’s what makes a really good, cohesive team, and that’s important going into this next stage of things.”
Up next: Upper Dublin will travel to #1 West Chester East on Friday for a district semifinal.
Upper Dublin 000 210 0 3-6-1
Mount St. Joseph 100 000 0 1-1-0
- Log in to post comments
