PW, CB South, CR South & Upper Dublin were winners in Monday’s opening round of the District 1 Tournament. Check out the TNT (Tuff ‘n Tuffer) softball recaps. CB South/Downingtown East photos courtesy of Jennifer McDonald. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports' SOFTBALL GALLERIES.
Class 6A
#9 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 12, #24 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 2 (6 innings)
Every team understands the importance of a fast start.
Gia Bono made sure her Colonial squad would come out of the gate strong, smashing a three-run home run in the bottom of the first to give the Colonials a lead they would not lose.
“Gia Bono got us on board with a mammoth 3-run homerun to centerfield,” PW coach Mike Perez said.
Setting the stage for Bono’s blast were back-to-back singles by Zoey Robinson and Lori Flannery to start the game.
East answered with two runs in the top of the second. Carlly Franklin led off with a single, and Elena Bhatt followed with a double. With two outs, Lyla Becker and Sarah Zmuda (RBI) drew back-to-back walks. A single by Ashlyn Helmstetter plated the second run.
The Colonials put four runs on the board in the third to go on top 8-2 on their way to the win in the abbreviated contest. A four-run sixth brought an early end to the contest.
Emily Dobrowolski’s three-hit, three-RBI effort led the Indians.
Liv Brodzinski and Emma Keely shared pitching duties in the win.
By the numbers: Plymouth Whitemarsh: Emily Dobrowolski (3-for-4, 3RBIs, 1R), Zoey Robinson (2-for-3, 2RBIs, 1R), Lori Flannery (2-for-5, 1RBI, 1R), Gia Bono (2-for-3, HR, 3RBIs, 3R), Anna Powel (2-for-4, 1R), Maddie Swift (2-for-4, 1R), Joslyn Perez (2-for-4, 1R).
Liv Brodzinski (W) (5.0 4H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 4K), Emma Keely (1.0 IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 3K)
Central Bucks East: Carly Franklin (2-for-3, 1R), Elena Bhatt (2-for-3, 2B, 1R), Ashlyn Helmstetter (1-for-3, 1RBI)
Key inning: Bottom of third: The Colonials took a 4-2 lead into the inning and then added four more runs to all but put the game out of reach. Gia Bono drew a leadoff walk, and Anna Powel and Liv Brodzinski had back-to-back singles to load the bases. Lizzy LaNoce’s single plated a run, and with two outs, Emily Dobrowolski singled home a pair of runs. A fourth run scored on an East miscue.
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Mike Perez:
“I thought we did a really nice job making the CB East pitchers throw strikes rather than hitting ‘their pitch.’ We were patient and looking for specific pitches, especially early in the count and that really helped today.
“I was proud of the way our girls came out today, ready to hit but being patiently aggressive. The result was 17 hits, with everyone in the starting lineup collecting at-least one hit. Emily Dobrowolski led the way with three hits, and two hits apiece for Zoey Robinson (on base all five times including a 10 pitch RBI walk the sixth inning), Lori Flannery (game-winning single), Gia Bono, Anna Powel, Maddie Swift, and Joslyn Perez. It was a total team effort offensively today.
“Our pitchers once again did a great job with Liv Brodzinski going the first five innings. Other than a shaky second inning, she had four 1-2-3 innings. Emma Keely came in in relief and after loading the bases in the sixth, struck out the side to end the threat.”
Up next: Plymouth Whitemarsh will travel to #8 Council Rock North for a District 1 6A second round game Wednesday.
Central Bucks East 020 000 2-6-2
Plymouth Whitemarsh. 314 004 12-17-0
#12 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 10, DOWNINGTOWN EAST 6
The Titans displayed some remarkable resiliency in Monday’s opening round win.
Things certainly looked promising when the Titans opened up a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first
inning that was highlighted by a two-run double by Keira Im and a two-run home run by Maddie Motley. Maddie Jefferys also had a run-scoring single in the inning.
That 5-0 lead disappeared in a hurry.
In the top of the second, the visiting Cougars answered with five runs of their own, knotting the score 5-5.
That setback turned out to be temporary as the Titans scored five runs in the bottom of the third. This time, there would be no Cougar comeback.
The Titans were led by the two-hit efforts of Cam Lee, Keira Im, Maddie Motley and Hannah McClintock.
Brooke Taylor earned the win in the circle, throwing the first four innings. Alexis Griffin threw the last three innings.
By the numbers: Central Bucks South: Cam Lee (2-for-4, 2RBIs, 2R), Keira Im (2-for-4, 2 2B, 2RBIs, 1R), Maddie Motley (2-for-4, HR, 3RBIs, 1R), Hannah McClintock 2-for-4, 2, Kaylie Bonsal (1-for-3, 1RBI, 1R)
Key inning: Bottom of third – Locked in a 5-5 tie, the Titans capitalized on a pair of Cougar errors to score five unearned runs. Contributing singles were Kaylie Bonsall (RBI), Erin Ruddell (RBI), Cam Lee (2 RBIs) and Maddie Motley (RBI).
Brooke Taylor (W) (4.0 IP, 5H, 5R, 2ER, 3BB, 4K), Alexis Griffin (3.0 IP, 4H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 1K).
Central Bucks South coach Ali Theis:
“It was a great win today involving the entire team! We came out hot offensively and had to remember to keep the pressure on. We keep each other in check and try to control the momentum that was helping us today.
“As a coach, I need to show my confidence in them to validate their confidence. Our defense was on today too, with routine grounders and pop ups and throws on the run, and a double play. All around full team win.”
Up next: Central Bucks South will travel to #5 Neshaminy for Wednesday’s second round contest.
Downingtown East 050 010 0 6-9-6
Central Bucks South 505 000 x 10-11-1
#13 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 7, #20 BOYERTOWN 1
The Golden Hawks took an early 3-0 lead and never looked back on their way to an opening round win.
Natalie Neubauer was in command in the circle, tossing a complete game win. She allowed just five hits and one run while striking out six and walking none.
“Today was a tremendous total team victory for us in the opening round of district playoffs,” Rock South coach Scott Molle said. “From the first pitch to the final out, the girls competed with confidence, energy, and focus in all facets of the game as we were able to earn a hard-fought win against a very solid Boyertown team. District playoff games are never easy, and our team showed great composure and determination throughout the afternoon.”
The Golden Hawks added a run to their lead in the fourth. The inning began with back-to-back singles by Mickey DeYoung and Molly Gabriele. Both runners advanced on a ground out, and Ashlyn Curtier singled to plate the Hawks’ fourth run.
The Hawks added three runs in the sixth, thanks to RBI singles by Paige Brady and Avery Ochs as well as RBI double by Sophia Salamon.
The Bears scored their lone run in the top of the seventh on a solo home run by Daphne Carver.
“Our coaching staff could not be more proud of the way the girls responded today,” Molle said. “We know we had not been playing our best softball recently, but this group showed a lot of character by putting that behind them and embracing the mindset that the playoffs are a brand-new season. Records no longer matter once postseason play begins, and the girls fully bought into taking things one game at a time and focusing only on the task in front of them. Their effort, attitude, and togetherness today were exactly what you hope to see this time of year.”
By the numbers: Council Rock South: Ashlyn Curtier (2-for-2, 2B, 2RBIs, 2R), Avery Ochs (2-for-3, 1RBI, 1R), Margot McLean (1-for-3, 2RBIs), Sophia Salamon (1-for-3, 2B, 1 RBI)
Natalie Neubauer (W) (7.0 IP, 5H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 6K)
Key inning: Bottom of third – Jenna Pesapane led off the inning with a single and scored when Ashlyn Curtier lined a double to left field. With one out, Avery Ochs drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a groundout, and both scored when Margot McLean lined a single to center, giving the Golden Hawks a 3-0 lead.
Council Rock South coach Scott Molle:
--Neubauer in charge: “Natalie Neubauer was simply outstanding in the circle today. Natalie was in complete control from start to finish, striking out six batters, walking none, and allowing just one earned run in the seventh inning with two outs. In the heat, she stayed composed and attacked hitters all game long while mixing her pitches extremely well. She worked ahead in counts, trusted her defense behind her, and competed on every pitch. It was one of Natalie’s strongest performances of the season and exactly the type of outing you need in playoff softball.”
Rock South’s hit parade: “Offensively, it was great to see our lineup producing from top to bottom. Eight of our nine hitters recorded at least one hit, and collectively the girls did a tremendous job seeing the ball well, staying disciplined at the plate, and putting together quality at-bats throughout the game. We had good approaches, timely hitting, and constant pressure on the defense all afternoon.”
--Props: “Ashlyn Curtier had another terrific game for us, going 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and 2 walks. Beyond the numbers, Ashlyn gave us several outstanding at-bats and consistently put together quality plate appearances. She continues to grow and improve every single week, and it has truly been exciting to watch her development over the course of the season. She brings great energy to our lineup and continues to make a major impact for us.
“Avery Ochs also had a big day offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored, and a walk. Avery was locked in at the plate all game long and consistently hit the ball hard. She has done a tremendous job for us all season in key moments, and once again today she came through with timely hits when we needed them most. Avery continues to be one of the toughest outs in our lineup and has been incredibly consistent for us down the stretch.
“Margot McLean turned in one of her best overall performances of the season both offensively and defensively. Margot got us on the board early with a huge two-out, two-strike, 2 RBI single that brought home our first two runs of the game and gave us a big spark offensively. She also added a walk and several quality at-bats throughout the afternoon. Defensively, she played with confidence and made some really strong plays in the field. We are incredibly proud of the strides Margot has made this season, and today was another example of the growth and hard work she has put in all year long paying off in a big moment.”
--Looking ahead: “Overall, this was a fun and rewarding team win for our program, but we know the work is far from finished. We are looking forward to getting back to practice tomorrow to prepare for a very talented Souderton team on Wednesday. It will be another tough challenge, but we are excited for the opportunity. We know our girls will come ready to compete, play for one another, and leave everything they have on the field.”
Up next: Council Rock South will travel to #4 Souderton Wednesday for a second- round contest at 6pm.
Boyertown 000 000 1 1-5-1
Council Rock South 003 103 x 7-10-0
#10 METHACTON 11, #23 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 7
The Bucks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jill Boyle drew a one out walk and advanced to second on a single by Marley Swain. Boyle and Swain both advanced on an infield single off the bat of Sam Hooven. West got on the board on a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman shortstop Makala Burkholder.
Methacton answered with five runs in their half of the first inning. Both teams plated runs in the third inning. The Bucks’ run came in the top half of the inning when Boyle lined a full count pitch over the center field fence for her second home run of the season, cutting the Warriors lead to 5-2.
But Methacton came right back with two runs in their half of the third. Neither team would score again until the top of the fifth when the Bucks put another run on the board. The inning started when pinch hitter Hailey Sigler lined a single to left field. Sigler eventually reached third base when Jill Boyle and Marley Swain got back-to-back singles for West. Sigler then sprinted home on a passed ball.
Methacton answered right back in their half of the fifth when Kaitlin Pettine hit a solo home run to center field putting the Warriors up by a score of 8-3 after five. Methacton scored three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for an 11-3 lead going into the final at bat for West.
The Bucks did not give up as they were able to load the bases in the top of the seventh inning. Hailey Sigler reached base for the second time on an error. Kat James followed that up with a double down the left field line. With one out, Marley Swain drew a one out walk to load the bases for clean-up hitter catcher Sam Hooven. Hooven cleared the bases when she hit a grand slam home run to dead center field, cutting the Warriors lead to 11-7. The Warriors starting pitcher Sadie Fitch re-entered the game and was able to get the final two outs to seal the victory for Methacton.
Central Bucks West coach Mike Daher:
"It is always tough when you lose in the first round of the playoffs and you always want to advance and keep playing. But I am extremely proud of how our girls played today and the fact that they never gave up the entire game. Kendall Kornuszko pitched a very competitive game and kept us close through the afternoon. She pitched well enough to win the game. But we just did not make the plays we needed to make defensively, and we did not get the timely hits we needed offensively to pull this one out. We have a young team so playing in the playoffs can only help us in the future. Hopefully our younger players can learn from this playoff experience, and we can win some of the close games we lost this year moving forward. I was especially proud of our four seniors who will be leaving our program. Jill Boyle, Kat James, Marley Swain, and Hailey Worthington meant a lot to our program, and they will definitely be missed next year. They were great role models for our younger players and really set a positive example through their hard work throughout their time at West."
Central Bucks West closed out its season with an 8-13 record.
Central Bucks West 101 010 4 7-10-3
Methacton 502 013 x 11-10-1
#11 HAVERFORD 8, #22 QUAKERTOWN 0
The Fords scored single runs in each of the first three innings and then blew Monday’s opening round District 1 6A game open with a five-run fifth inning.
The Panthers managed just one hit - a leadoff single by Kira Jefferson in the top of the first. She moved over to second on the sacrifice bunt of Cadence Jozefowski, but that’s where she was stranded.
Senior Ali Daly retired the next 21 batters she faced in a stellar outing in the circle. She did not walk a batter and fanned 10.
Quakertown closed out its season with an 11-10 record.
Quakertown 000 000 0 0-1-4
Haverford 111 050 x 8-11-0
Class 5A
#5 UPPER DUBLIN 5, #12 WEST CHESTER RUSTIN 2
Kyla Garrison limited Rustin to just one hit (and no earned runs) while fanning 14 and walking none in an impressive complete game win in Monday’s opening round district contest. For the Cards’ senior ace, who has rewritten the program record books, it was yet another in what has become almost routinely excellent outings.
For good measure, Garrison was also 3-for-3 at the plate and was in the middle of a four-run first.
“An early turning point in the game was when WC Rustin stranded runners at first and second in the top of the inning, and we came out with great energy in the bottom of the inning and answered with four runs to force a huge momentum swing,” UD coach Heather Boyer said. “After that, Garrison had great command in the circle and did a fantastic job of keeping hitters off balance.”
Rustin plated a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, benefitting from several UD miscues to make it a 4-2 game. Upper Dublin responded with a run in the bottom of the inning when Maddie Small scored on an RBI groundout by Ava Renye.
Garrison took care of business with a 1-2-3 seventh, striking out the first two batters she faced and then closing it out with a groundout.
By the numbers: Upper Dublin: Paige McKenna (2-for-3)
Kyla Garrison (3-for-3) (WP) (7.0 IP, 1H, 2R, 0ER, 0BB, 14K)
Kay inning: Bottom of first – Dooley Hennessey led off the bottom of the first with a single to right, and her courtesy runner, Jolie Sheppard, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ava Renye and then moved up to third on a single by Garrison. Sophia Vitella followed with an RBI single, and then Paige McKenna delivered a single that drove in a pair and gave the Cards a 3-0 lead. Kate Brannigan followed with a single and then Sarah O’Brien had an RBI single that plated McKenna, putting the Cards on top 4-0.
Upper Dublin coach Heather Boyer:
“The win was an important start to the postseason. It allowed our underclassmen who saw limited postseason time last season to get more comfortable in this environment, which will help to build confidence moving into our second round at the Mount on Wednesday.”
Up next: Upper Dublin will travel to #4 Mount St. Joseph Academy for Wednesday’s second round game.
WC Rustin 000 002 0 2-1-4
Upper Dublin 400 001 x 5-9-3
#8 UPPER MERION 12, #11 HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 (5 innings)
Ten days after the Hatters defeated Upper Merion 5-1 in a non-league contest, the Vikings returned the favor, earning a no-doubt-about it mercy rule win in Monday’s opening round of the District 15A Tournament.
The Hatters managed just three hits this time around – one each by Maya Ravi, Cara Neeld & Isabelle Karpovich.
Hatboro—Horsham closed out its season with an 8-13 record overall.
Hatboro-Horsham 000 00 0-3-1
Upper Merion 803 1x 12-15-0
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