North Penn & Plymouth Whitemarsh earned wins in the completion of suspended District 1 6A second round games. Check out the TNT (Tuff ‘n Tuffer) recaps. NP/PV photos courtesy of Keith Clemens Photography, and PW/CR North photos courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for galleries of both games. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports' SOFTBALL GALLERIES.
District 1 6A second round
#1 NORTH PENN 11, #16 PERKIOMEN VALLEY 3
The Knights – clinging to a 3-2 lead - resumed their suspended game with the Vikings in the bottom of the third inning and took care of business in a hurry.
Tallie Smink was at the plate with a 3-1 count when the game was suspended. She took just one pitch and drew a walk. By the time the inning was over, the Knights – sparked by Alana Battavio’s three-run blast - led 7-2 on their way to the no-doubt-about-it win.
While Felicia Connolly notched the complete game win, striking out 17, Alana Battavio stole the spotlight at the plate, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 with a single, double and home run, five RBIs and two runs scored.
By the numbers: North Penn: Alana Battavio (3-for-3, 2B, HR, 5RBIs, 2R), Gianna Howard (1-for-2), Alana Drummond (1-for-3, 3B, 1R), Gabby Battavio (2RBIs, 2R)
Felicia Connolly (W) (7.0 IP, 3H, 3R, 1ER, 2BB, 17K) (1-for-3, 1RBI)
Key inning: Bottom of third – Tallie Smink and Gabby Battavio drew back-to-back walks, setting the stage for Alana Battavio, who smashed a three-run home run to center field. With one out, Alana Drummond ripped a triple to right field, and she scored on Brandi Groarke’s ground out, giving the Knights a 7-2 lead.
Up next: North Penn will host #9 Plymouth Whitemarsh in a District 1 6A quarterfinal game Friday (4pm).
Perkiomen Valley 101 010 0 3-3-3
North Penn 214 301 x 11-9-3
#9 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 4, #8 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 3 (11 innings)
The Colonials made their second road trip to Council Rock South in as many days worth the trip, rallying for a run in the 11th inning to eke out the win.
“I’m so proud of and happy for our girls right now,” PW coach Mike Perez said. “They gave it their all yesterday before the rains came and paused the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth.
“To have to come back for a long road trip the next day, versus a really good Council Rock North team in less-than-ideal conditions is not an easy thing to do. But our girls were ready to go today. Shout out to CR North’s grounds crew for getting the field playable. And all the praise to that team - they played their hearts out.”
Liv Brodzinski scored the winning run on a Rock North miscue, and it took a clutch defensive play by the Colonials in the bottom of the inning to escape with the win. It came when first baseman Lizzie LaNoce fielded the bunt on a squeeze play and tug out the runner attempting to score.
Earlier, the Colonials took a 2-0 lead in the second. Anna Powel led off the inning with a double and scored when LaNoce delivered a one-out double. Joslyn Perez’s single plated LaNoce for the inning’s second run.
LaNoce’s RBI single in the fourth upped PW’s lead to 3-0, but the Indians battled back.
In the bottom of the fourth, Alison Bodick hit a solo home run to left field to make it a 3-1 game. The Indians knotted the score in the fifth in an inning highlighted by a bunt single by Kayla Ripper and an RBI double by Chelsea Seiler. They also benefitted from an error.
Ripper’s five-hit game led the Indians.
Emma Keely notched the win, allowing just one earned run in seven innings of relief. Rock North’s Mia Kiskurno threw all 11 innings and allowed just seven hits and three earned runs.
By the numbers: Plymouth Whitemarsh: Lizzie LaNoce (3-for-4, 2B, 3RBIs, 1R), Joslyn Perez (2-for-5, 1RBI), Anna Powel (2B, 1R), Liv Brodzinski (2B, 1R)
Liv Brodzinski (4.0 IP, 6H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 4K), Emma Keely (W) (7.0 IP, 5H, 2R, 1ER, 2BB, 7K)
Council Rock North: Kayla Ripper (5-for-6, 1R), Chelsea Seiler (2-for-4, 2B, 1RBI), Alison Bodick (HR, 1RBI, 1R).
Mia Kiskurno (11.0 IP, 7H, 4R, 3ER, 4BB, 9K)
Key inning: Top of 11th – With the international tiebreaker in effect, Liv Brodzinski was on second base to start the inning. An error on Lizzy LaNoce’s grounder to lead off the inning allowed Brodzinski to score from second.
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Mike Perez:
--The game: “Mia Kiskurno pitched really well, and we struggled to get things going yesterday. We were able to manufacture a run in the 11th on a big hit by Lizzie LaNoce. Emma Keely and our defense took care of the rest.
“We took some time to celebrate after a well-earned victory but know we need to get right back into ‘game mode’ for a big match-up vs North Penn tomorrow.”
--Props: “Lizzie had a tremendous game and constantly picked up the team. She was responsible for knocking in 3 of the 4 runs and had a huge defensive play in the bottom of the 11th, tagging out the potential tying run at the plate on a squeeze play.
“Liv Brodzinski did a great job starting in the circle, going four innings and only giving up one run. And as she’s been doing all year, Emma Keely came in relief, throwing four-plus innings yesterday and two-plus more today, giving up one earned run, striking out seven and securing the win.
“Joslyn Perez also had a great game, collecting two hits, driving in a run, and making some great defensive plays at shortstop. 
“Emily Dobrowolski also collected two hits and caught the final out to seal the deal.”
Council Rock North coach John Engelhardt:
“Mia Kiskurno was outstanding yesterday and today and pitched more than well enough for us to win. In playoff softball, the difference often comes down to executing in key moments, and unfortunately, we didn’t do that today while PW did. Credit to their players and coaching staff for taking advantage of those opportunities.
“That’s the reality of playoff softball. Small moments can decide everything. My heart hurts for our eight seniors playing their final high school softball game. I have tremendous respect for each of them, not only for what they accomplished on the field, but for the people they are. They are all destined for great things, and it was truly a privilege to coach this senior group.”
Up next: Plymouth Whitemarsh will travel to #1 North Penn for a District 1 6A quarterfinal contest. Council Rock North closed its successful season with a share of the SOL Patriot Division (8-2) and an overall record of 14-7.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 020 100 000 01 4-8-1
Council Rock North 000 120 000 00 3-11-2
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