The SOL/BAL captured the title of the 16-team Phillies Carpenter Cup competition sponsored by Nike. The SOL/BAL won three straight games Wednesday, capping a memorable day with a come-from-behind 9-6 win over defending champion Tri-Cape. Recap sponsored by TNT (Tuff 'n Tuffer). Photos provided courtesy of Gregory Powell. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports' SOFTBALL GALLERIES.
2026 Carpenter Cup Classic
SOL/BAL Rallies to win Carpenter Cup Classic
Fun.
It was a word Gia Bono used often when talking about the SOL/BAL’s run to the title in the 16-team Carpenter Cup Classic, and the rising PW junior and her teammates sure had a whole lot of fun at their opponents’ expense, winning three straight games in Wednesday’s championship round to capture the tournament title.
“We had a lot of fun, and I think when you’re having fun, success comes with it,” said Bono.
Making the SOL/BAL’s run especially impressive was the fact that after earning a 3-0 win over the Pioneer Athletic team in a quarterfinal game, the squad rallied from a 6-0 deficit to defeat Mid Penn 8-7 in eight
innings in the semifinals, and then – in the championship game – the SOL/BAL dug itself out of a 5-0 hole to defeat defending champion Tri-Cape 9-6.
“This team just never gave up,” Bono said. “We all wanted to do was win. Our goal was to win, and we knew we could come back.”
“Twice it looked like we were going to lose,” Neshaminy rising senior Ellie Miller said. “I think all of us got really close in such a short time, and we really had that team atmosphere. I feel like we all just clicked, and we just played great.”
Throw in the fact that the SOL/BAL had what is believed to be the youngest team in the tournament, and the team’s title run is even more impressive.
“We’re so proud,” coach Mike Perez said. “We tried to put together a team that was diverse and had a lot of different skill sets. As coaches, we could put anybody anywhere literally, but it’s also tough to get everyone in in situations like this.
“We knew what the lineup was capable of, and they just go out and play the game and never quit. They keep the energy up the whole time, and they’re resilient kids. They seem to enjoy playing with each other. They created a bond really fast.”
Pennsbury rising sophomore Kaelyn Crocker – who plays summer ball with the Pennsbury Gems 18U Gold - was one of four freshmen on the SOL/BAL roster.
“I loved meeting new people, just making new friends,” she said. “Some of us knew each other, and we tried to make it welcoming for everyone. I didn’t even know most people’s grades, honestly. We just like to play. It was so much fun competing with everyone. It was awesome how we came together and were able to play like a true team. It was really special.”
In Wednesday’s championship round, the SOL/BAL did not commit an error in three games.
“We felt very comfortable with each other, which I think helped a lot,” CR South rising junior Jenna Pesapane said. “We would communicate a lot on the field to make sure everyone knew who was covering what bag in different situations.
“I felt like we played very mature and with a lot of experience even though we didn’t have a lot of experience.”
Added Perez, “It was a lot of fun watching them gel over these couple games. It was a blast.”
Carpenter Cup Classic final
SOL/BAL 9, Tri-Cape 6-5
The SOL/BAL found itself on the short end of a 5-0 score after two innings in Wednesday’s title game. But it was hardly cause for concern for a team that had rallied from six down in its semifinal game.
Sure enough, the SOL/BAL rallied yet again, evening the score with a five-run third inning. The SOL/BAL benefitted from three Tri-Cape errors in the inning. Contributing singles were Jenna Pesapane, Gia Bono (RBI) and Paige Fidishun (2 RBIs)
“We were hitting the ball really well, and we had runners on, but we lined out into two double plays in back-to-back innings,” Perez said. “A couple of their runs were scored on little looping singles that just happened to fall in, and it was early, and the girls believed in themselves.”
Tri-Cape plated a run in the top of the fourth to retake the lead at 6-5. A three-run bottom of the fifth was highlighted by a two-run triple from Kiera Fadden that put the SOL/BAL on top 8-6.
“That was a huge play,” Perez said of Fadden’s triple. “It was funny – the first pitch of that at-bat, I called a bunt. She pulled back -it was called a strike, and she was mad at herself. She’s like, ‘I’m a good bunter normally.’
“I was joking with her – I was like, ‘You pulled that back intentionally just so you could hit.’ She smacked it. She was phenomenal.”
In the bottom of the sixth, the SOL/BAL tacked on an insurance run, thanks to two-out singles by Fadden and Ellie Miller. Katie Straub made it three singles in a row, and her hit plated a run that gave the SOL/BAL a 9-6 lead.
Tri-Cape didn’t go down quietly, putting a pair of runners on base in the top of the seventh on a walk and single, but Liv Brodzinski mowed down the next two batters she faced, retiring the final batter on a fly ball to center fielder Jill Rickards that set off a jubilant celebration.
“It was actually really fun,” said Pennsbury rising sophomore Kaelyn Crocker, who had a pair of hits in the title game. “I was very confident in our team, and I was like, ‘We got this.’
“I think the other team was more scared, honestly, because we were coming back all day.”
“It was so exciting,” said Pensapane, who also plays with the Pennsbury Gems 18U Gold. “This was our goal coming in, and we did the job, which was great, and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other group of girls.”
Straub earned her second win of the day – throwing four strong innings. The rising sophomore entered the game with the SOL/BAL trailing 5-0. She allowed two hits and one unearned run, walking a pair and striking out two.
“Honestly, as a freshman, I was just trying to do what I could do best and throw strikes, hit my spots and trust my defense behind me,” said Straub, who also had a pair of hits.
By the numbers: SOL/BAL: Gia Bono (3-for-4, 2B, 1R1RBI, 1R), Jenna Pesapane (2-for-4, 1R), Kaelyn Crocker (2-for-4, 2B, 1RBI, 1R), Kiera Fadden (2-for-4, 3B, 2RBIs, 2R).
Katie Straub (W) (4.0 IP, 2H, 1R, 0ER, 2BB, 2K) (2-for-4, 1RBI), Liv Brodzinski (1.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB)
Key inning: Bottom of fifth – Trailing 6-5, the SOL/BAL put three runs on the board to take a lead it would not lose. Jill Rickards (Neshaminy) and Kaelyn Crocker (Pennsbury) led off with back-to-back singles, and both runners scored when Kiera Fadden (Souderton) ripped a triple to right field. Ellie Miller (Neshaminy) and Katie Straub (Souderton) drew back-to-back walks to load the bases, and Fadden scored the third run of the inning on a wild pitch
Tri-Cape 410 100 0 6-9-4
SOL/BAL 005 031 x 9-14-0
Carpenter Cup Classic Semifinal
SOL/BAL 8, Mid Penn 7 (8 innings)
Things did not look promising when Mid Penn opened up a 6-0 lead.
But the never-say-die SOL/BAL rallied to score six runs in the bottom of the fourth, knotting the score 6-6 and setting the stage for extra innings.
In the top of the eighth with the international tiebreaker in effect, Mid Penn scored a single run to go on top 7-6. The SOL/BAL answered in the bottom of the inning.
The inning began with Katie Straub on second base. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Margot McLean and scored the tying run on a sac fly by Jenna Pesapane. Ellie Miller followed with a single to center
and scored when Gia Bono roped a double – her third of the game – that plated the game-winner, giving the SOL/BAL the walk-off win and propelling the team into the title game against defending champion Tri-Cape.
By the numbers: SOL/BAL: Gia Bono (4-for-4, 3 2B, 2RBIs), Zoey Robinson (2-for-4, 1RBI), Jenna Pesapane (1-for-3, 2RBIs, 1R), Jill Rickards (2-for-3, 2B, 1R), Paige Fidishun (3B, 1RBI), Kendall McCafferty (1RBI)
Katie Straub (W) (5.0 IP, 7H, 2R, 1ER, 1BB, 4K)
Key inning: Bottom of fourth – Trailing 6-0, the SOL/BAL erupted for six runs to knot the score. Gia Bono (Plymouth Whitemarsh) – who was a perfect 4-for-4 – led off the inning with a double to left field and was replaced by courtesy runner Kiera Fadden. Kendall McCafferty (Neshaminy) followed with a single that plated Fadden, and with two outs, Jill Rickards (Neshaminy) singled. Katie Straub was safe on an error that allowed two runs to score. Margot McLean (Council Rock South) drew a walk, and Jenna Pesapane followed with an RBI single to center. Zoey Robinson (Plymouth Whitemarsh) and Bono followed with back-to-back RBI singles to even the score 6-6.
Mid Penn 023 100 01 7-15-1
SOL/BAL 000 600 02 8-12-0
Carpenter Cup Classic Quarterfinal
SOL/BAL 3, Pioneer Athletic 0
Liv Brodzinski (PW) and Paige Fidishun (Pennsbury) were brilliant in the circle, combining for the complete game three-hit shutout. Brodzinski started and threw four scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out three. Fidishun did not allow a hit in three shutout innings, walking three and striking out three.
Kendall McCafferty’s RBI single in the bottom of the third gave the SOL/BAL a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, the SOL/BAL added a pair of insurance runs. McCafferty led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Fidishun. Mia Lucke (Abington) drew a walk, putting runners on the corners. McCafferty scored on a passed ball, and Lucke advanced to third on the same pitch. Lucke scored on a sac bunt by Kaelyn Crocker, giving the SOL/BAL a 3-0 lead that held the rest of the way.
By the numbers: SOL/BAL: Jenna Pesapane (2-for-3, 1R), Kendall McCafferty (2-for-3, 1RBI, 1R), Kaelyn Crocker (1RBI).
Liv Brodzinski (W) (4.0 IP, 3H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 3K), Paige Fidishun (3.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 3BB, 3K)
Key inning: Bottom of third: Jenna Pesapane (Council Rock South) hit a one-out single to left field, and Gia Bono drew her second walk of the game. Kendall McCafferty (Neshaminy) grounded a single to center that plated Pesapane with the only run the SOL/BAL would need.
Mid Penn 000 000 0 0-3-0
SOL/BAL 001 002 x 3-6-1
--Bono on a tear: In a tournament that was a team effort in the truest sense of the word, Gia Bono was an all but impossible out at the plate in Wednesday’s championship round. The rising junior was 7-for-9 with three walks and three RBIs in three games.
Take away the SOL/BAL’s 3-0 win over Pioneer Athletic that saw her draw a pair of walks and go 0-for-1, and Bono was 7-for-8 in the final two games with four doubles.
“I really try not to lose and at least foul it off every pitch if I can’t get ahold of it,” she said. “But I think having fun really does come into it because if I’m not having fun, it’s just like – ‘Well, why am I here?’”
Bono was also a steadying presence behind the plate for the SOL/BAL’s talented pitching staff.
“Getting comfortable with the pitchers is a big role for me as the catcher,” she said. “When they’re having fun, I’m having fun, and it just all goes together.”
Perez was not surprised to see Bono excel.
“She was on fire,” he said. “When she wasn’t getting a hit, she was getting walks.
“She’s phenomenal behind the plate. I see it every day (as her coach at PW), but it’s fun for other people to get to see it.”
--Straub steps to the fore: After throwing just two innings in the SOL/BAL’s first four games, Souderton rising sophomore Katie Straub certainly delivered when her number was called in the semifinal and final, notching wins in both games.
“She’s amazing,” Perez said. “We played her in the (district) playoffs. We knew what she was capable of as a pitcher, but just her as a player – she’s an amazing kid, a bundle of joy and energy, willing to do whatever it takes.
“You see her confidence on the mound as a freshman. She’s not a really big kid, and it’s fun to watch. She’s great on the bases. She was phenomenal.”
Straub threw five innings to close out the SOL/BAL’s 8-7 win in eight innings to Mid Penn, allowing only one earned run. Against a dangerous Tri-Cape team that had scored 44 runs in five games, Straub was in complete command, allowing just two hits and one run (unearned) in four strong innings.
“She only got two innings in four games, and I knew she was really fired up,” said Gia Bono, her batterymate behind the plate. “Usually, I try to build up their confidence and be like – ‘You got this,’ but I didn’t really have to do that because she knew what she was there to do, and she did great.”
With the championship on the line Wednesday, Straub acknowledged she felt some pressure.
“But just having the team that I had and the defense and offense we had, I could breathe a little more, and it wasn’t as stressful,” she said. “Our team definitely does not give up energy. We’re always on the fence cheering for each other. Even if we are repeating cheers, we don’t care as long as we’re up and we’re enjoying the moment.”
When she wasn’t pitching, Straub – who plays for Invasion 18U Showcase - saw action in right field and also shortstop.
“In one of the games, I needed a pitcher to warm up, and I said, ‘Grab one of the catchers who isn’t in the game,’” Perez said. “Katie, who I didn’t even know was a catcher, dives into her bag, grabs her helmet and catcher’s glove, and said, ‘I’ll do it.’ I said, ‘I didn’t even know you were a catcher. Where’d this come from?’ She’s an amazing kid. She was on all day long.”
--Props galore: There were plenty of heroes in the SOL/BAL’s journey to a 7-1 record and the tournament title.
“Jenna Pesapane had a huge play – they’re all blending together at this point, and I guess it may have been Monday,” Perez said. “She had a huge diving catch to stop some runs. She was huge defensively and had a couple big hits throughout the day.
“Kaelyn Crocker was in the flex position playing left field and threw a kid out at home to stop a rally. Then I put her in the third game (against Tri-Cape) to hit, and she had a great game. She had a great two days, and she’s a wonderful kid. She’s an absolute gamer.
“Ellie Miller is another junior who didn’t play (Carpenter Cup) last year. She was a great contributor. She found ways to get on base. I don’t know what she batted in the tournament, but she just got on base.
“Everybody top to bottom was amazing. Even those that didn’t contribute as much in the box score, everyone was up and the energy was great, the camaraderie was great, and it was a lot of fun to be part of, for sure.”
--Coaches mesh together: Not to be forgotten was the job of the coaching staff.
“I just think the coaching staff did really well with managing all the players,” CR South rising junior Jenna Pesapane said. “Even if they were in the game or not in the game, everyone knew their job and knew their role and was very team oriented.”
Joining Perez on the coaching staff were Springfield Twp coach Heather Gehlaus, Abington coach Tina Hesdon and Council Rock South coach Scott Molle.
“We had a great group,” Perez said. “Everyone gets along really well. Tina called our pitches with the help of Heather and did an amazing job over the tournament of keeping our pitching staff together and working with them and working with our catchers. Our pitchers did a great job. We gave up some runs, but a lot of them on little bloop singles. I thought our pitching staff did amazing and our defense was phenomenal.”
--Extra innings: It was quite a week for Souderton rising senior Kiera Fadden, who not only was a key contributor to the SOL/BAL’s title run but also committed on Tuesday to continue her softball career at Salisbury University…this was the first Carpenter Cup title for the SOL in a decade. The SOL won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
What was the key to the SOL/BAL’s success?
CR South rising junior Jenna Pesapane: “We just had a lot of belief in each other, and we didn’t let the moment get too big and just worked at just chipping away – one inning at a time and one at-bat at a time and just trusting in each other that we would be able to get it done.
“We just had a lot of fun and played very loose. We supported each other, cheered loud and just wanted everyone to make sure they felt like they were supported.”
Pennsbury rising sophomore Kaelyn Crocker: “Everyone was really invested in every game, and nobody wanted to lose or go home. Everyone was there for the win every step of the way. When we got down, we obviously knew that we had work to put in. We were playing some great teams, so everyone just put their heads down and started to grind, and we stayed together the whole time. Even in the dugout, we were all talking and cheering so loud for each other. It was just awesome.”
What did you enjoy most competing in the Carpenter Cup Classic?
CR South rising junior Jenna Pesapane: “I think the best thing was just connecting with the girls from the other teams and getting to play with them, getting to know their personalities. We clicked instantly. It was so much fun. It was definitely one of my favorite teams I’ve ever been a part of.”
PW rising junior Gia Bono: “Probably the group of girls. They really made it fun, no matter what. If something happened, you just shook it off and knew someone else had your back.”
Souderton rising sophomore Katie Straub: “Definitely that I didn’t have to worry about the future, and I could just stay in the moment and have fun as a freshman. You don’t get a lot of chances to do that because I am always worried about what’s next, but just being in the moment and having fun with everybody around me was definitely a good experience.”
Pennsbury rising sophomore Kaelyn Crocker: “I think the best part was not just being able to play with all these new people and making such great memories, it was that everyone left everything on the field and tried their hardest, no matter what. Even if people weren’t playing or we were rotating in and out, everybody was up and cheering the whole time. It was just an awesome environment to be in.”
Neshaminy rising senior Ellie Miller: “I think the best part about it is it’s very competitive, and I just love being around girls who love softball, and that was the biggest thing for me – being with girls who love the game as much as I do. It was a really great experience. I loved it, and I would recommend it to anyone who has a chance to do it.”
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