By Rick Fortenbaugh
For BucksLocalSports.com
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there’s probably never been a night quite like this in the annals of Lower Bucks County scholastic football.
At the top of the list, of course, is the Neshaminy at Pennsbury game tonight in front of a monster crowd at Falcon Field.
All that’s on the line here is the Suburban One National League championship, bragging rights in Lower Bucks football and probably the No. 2 seed for the District 1 Class AAAA playoffs.
Next up is the Council Rock South at Council Rock North game. This is also a huge rivalry with all kinds of playoff implications. Rock South has already garnered its first playoff spot in the young history of its program, while Rock North will be looking to make sure it gets its second.
The amazing thing is there’s an excellent chance the Suburban One National League could very well end up with five of the 16 Class AAAA playoff berths. For one league to have nearly a third of the field is both impressive and probably unprecedented.
It doesn’t stop there, however. Conwell-Egan will play in the first round of the Philadelphia Catholic League Class AAA playoffs this evening, while Bristol and Morrisville have road games that also have playoff implications.
Neshaminy (8-1) at Pennsbury (8-1), tonight, 7 p.m. — It really is anybody’s guess how this will go. Although Pennsbury wiped out its first eight opponents by wide margins, somehow it often didn’t look all that impressive. Sure enough, the Falcons stumbled on the road at Abington last week. The only losses for both Neshaminy and Pennsbury were to Abington. What makes this is strange is Abington also lost to both Council Rocks. If Abington coach “Tiny’’ Tim Sorber hadn’t messed up his timeouts against Rock South, his Ghosts would also be playing for a league title tonight against Truman. Neshaminy-Pennsbury can go either way. This will be about turnovers, execution and catching a break or two along the way.
Council Rock South (7-2) at Council Rock North (6-3), tonight, 7 p.m. — It will also be jumping in Newtown as the sister schools wage their latest war in a series that has been dominated by the unexpected. Rock South is more of a ball-control team; Rock North is the better passing team. Both defenses have been similar, although Rock North has really turned it on of late by crushing Abington on the road and coming up one point shy against Neshaminy on Heartbreak Ridge. Like Pennsbury-Neshaminy, don’t even bother trying to analyze or handicap this cross-town collision.
Conwell-Egan (5-4) vs. North Catholic (4-4) at Plymouth-Whitemarsh, tonight, 7 p.m. — North Catholic beat the Eagles in the regular season two weeks ago by the score of 19-15 in a contest that could have gone either way. Conwell-Egan is coming off a game in which Kerry McAnany scored four touchdowns. The Eagles are also looking for a semifinal playoff victory for the second year in a row.
Bristol (5-3) at Lower Moreland (6-3), tonight, 7 p.m. — The records are similar, but it’s Bristol that would appear to be a pretty solid favorite. The Warriors, who are currently in the fourth spot for a playoff berth, have been peaking and just crushed Springfield-Montco. Lower Moreland lost to Springfield and had its hands full in an earlier game at Morrisville. The home team is also fighting for a playoff berth, but it’s Bristol with the better talent.
Abington (6-2) at Truman (2-7), tonight, 7:30 p.m. — Despite missing out on some power points when a team backed out of a game earlier in the year, Abington looks to be in good shape for the playoffs as it enters tonight’s game in the ninth spot. Truman has made some progress this year under new coach John Iannunci. It’s also possible Abington may have a bit of a letdown after beating Pennsbury, keeping the score close.
Morrisville (5-4) at Conrad Science (0-7), tomorrow, 11 a.m. — This a repeat of a game from earlier in the season in which Mo’ville won, 47-0. Unless the Delaware team has gotten a sudden influx of last-minute talent, look for more of the same from a Morrisville team that will be able to do anything it wants.
William Tennent (1-8) at Bensalem (2-7), tonight, 7 p.m. — If nothing else, this represents a good chance for the Owls to finish up strong. (Bensalem is scheduled to play Norristown next week, but Norristown is in the playoffs). In fact, it’s a very good chance. The Tennent coaches do what they can, but some of the Panthers look like they belong on a JV field.

Labels: Bristol, Conwell-Egan, CR North, CR South, Morrisville, Neshaminy, Pennsbury

This Thanksgiving will mark the 80th time that Bristol and Morrisville will meet on the football field.
With this historic date approaching the athletic departments at the schools are planning to have a special celebration to honor this milestone.
Because of the proud tradition surrounding the Bristol – Morrisville football rivalry, a special halftime ceremony is planned honoring all the former players from both schools
In addition, both teams will be wearing commemorative jerseys to mark the anniversary of this game. The schools are selling these commemorative jerseys to any former player or supporter at a cost of $30.
The Bristol jersey will be red with white numbers with Bristol in the front with the commemorative patch. The Morrisville jersey will be white with blue numbers with Morrisville on the front with the commemorative patch.
All that is needed to order is your number and size. Orders need to placed before Oct. 30 to have them in time for the game. For more information on the Bristol jerseys, call Greg Pinelli at 215-781-1051 or via e-mail at gpinelli55@gmail.com. For more information on the Morrisville jerseys, call John Hubiak at 215-736-2681.

Labels: Bristol, Morrisville

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

Last year, Morrisville captured the BAL Constitution Division championship hands down. This season, the Bulldogs were forced to go to the wire with DelCo Christian Academy and Jenkintown breathing down their necks right down to the last BAL matchup.
Morrisville entered their league finale May 13 tied with DelCo and Jenkintown. Both teams had five BAL wins, threatening the Bulldogs chances of repeating as Constitution champions.
At 5-6 overall, Morrisville’s season had been a mixed bag of sorts with the Bulldogs winning all the games they should have won and none of those they could have.
Last Wednesday at Williamson Park, the ‘Dawgs reversed that trend in a single inning, plating 10 runs to end the game early while sending Lower Moreland home on the short side of an 18-8 score.
Though Morrisville remained unbeaten in the Constitution Division all season long, the defending division champion Bulldogs needed a win against the Lions in order to repeat. That’s exactly what they got.
“Last year, we easily won the division,” stated starting pitcher Matt Evans. “This year, we had to work for it.
“Coming out and winning the games we had to win--that’s been the highlight to the season.”
Ahead, 8-3, after four innings, Lower Moreland chased Evans from the hill with 5 runs in the top of the fifth. With two on and two out, sophomore righthander Steve Driscoll came on and extinguished the Lions’ rally however without any further damage.
Morrisville went right back to work in the bottom of the frame. The big blow was struck by senior first baseman Marty Murray, who cleared the bases with a grand slam in the fifth.
For Murray, it was his second home run of the day. He hit a 2-run shot earlier in the battle.
“We knew the importance of the game and we had the top of the lineup coming up so if we were going to do it, it was going to be then,” said Murray.
With Eugene Figeuroa, Evans and another runner cramming the bases, Murray got the pitch he was looking for on the first pitch. The senior smoked it.
“He threw me a pitch I could hit. I went up there and I was sitting dead red. I wanted that pitch and I got it.”
Kyle Schnee and Chad Demi also hit for safeties in the contest.
“We came out in the fifth inning and put up a couple of long balls,” stated Evans. “We’re swinging the bats good right now; that’s all you can really ask for.”
While the May 13 win was sandwiched between a 10-run loss to non-league rival Holy Ghost Prep, it came right after a 10-run triumph over Jenkintown. According to Murray, the ‘Dawgs have come a long way since the beginning of the season when they dropped three of their first four including losses to BAL rivals Bristol and New Hope-Solebury.
“It was rocky in the beginning but it’s getting better now,” said Murray. “It’s coming together at the right time--right before the playoffs.”
Evans didn’t get the win last week--Driscoll did--but Matt is 3-1 on the season with mound victories over Faith Christian, Girard College and Plumstead Christian Academy. Evans and senior ace Chad Demi have been the Bulldogs one-two punch on the hill this season. The pitcher of record in both the win over the Drakes and another over DelCo Christian, Demi surrendered a single run in both wins combined.
“He’s facing all the big dog teams and he’s coming out and throwing strikes,” stated Murray. “He’s putting a lot of them down so he’s stepping up a lot.
“If we get the bats going together with him [on the mound], we can beat anybody.”
While Demi did his job on the hill, the ‘Dawgs put the bat on the ball, pushing 10 runs across the plate in each of the wins over the Drakes and DelCo.
But it was more than that, said Demi.
“Runs are always good but even better, everybody was making the plays in the field,” stated Demi. “I had a few strikeouts but the people in the field did their job; that’s what gave us the victory.”
In addition to a slow start, Morrisville also experienced some growing pains with a midseason slump that saw the Bulldogs drop a 10-6 game to Devon Prep and another to Friends League rival George School.
“[Devon Prep] came out and swung the bats really good that game,” explained Evans. “Their pitcher came out and threw strikes and did what he had to do.”
More recent wins over Jenkintown and now, Lower Moreland, have righted the Bulldogs’ ship just in time for the postseason.
“We had a couple of tough losses in there but right now, we’re hitting our stride at the right time, winning games that we need to win--winning the big games,” said Evans.
“Right now, it looks pretty good heading into districts.”
Last year, Mo’ville made it all the way to the District One championship before falling to Christopher Dock. The Bulldogs used comeback wins to get to the D-I finale. Down two runs, the Bulldogs put up a three-spot in the bottom of the seventh to walk off with a 7-6 triumph over Bristol in the opener. Tied at 3-all against DelCo, then senior pitcher Matt Miller hit a grand slam in the top of the eighth before retiring the side to send Morrisville to the championship.
While the Bulldogs lost that game, 10-0, the game that everybody remembers the most this season is this year’s 11-1 loss to Bristol. Against lefty Mike Devane, the ’Dawgs just couldn’t seem to get any wood on the ball in key situations.
“Bristol was a killer,” stated Demi. “If we played them now, the tables would be turned--we’d be up 11 runs on them.
With district seeding expected to be announced sometime tomorrow (May 15), the Bulldogs are hoping to draw Bristol in district play once again.
Morrisville is more than likely hoping to conjure images of last year’s run to the D-I finale.
***
NOTES: District play begins May 21 with the semifinal slated for May 26 and the championship May 28 (weather permitting).

Labels: Baseball, Morrisville

By Ryan Feldman
For BucksLocalSports.com

BRISTOL — Neshaminy-Pennsbury is like the Duke-North Carolina, Michigan-Ohio State, Red Sox-Yankees of Bucks County high school sports.
Whenever the Redskins and Falcons face each other in any sport, it’s a must-see event. And that was certainly the case May 12, as the Pennsbury and Neshaminy softball teams met as part of Lower Bucks Softball Night at Bristol Memorial Field.
After defeating Neshaminy 4-1 earlier this season, the Falcons duplicated that performance with another 4-1 victory, breaking the divisional tie and putting them in the driver’s seat for the Suburban One League title.
“It’s huge,” Pennsbury pitcher Kait Schilling said about the win. “It’s like a starting point for us going into the playoffs."
The Redskins struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Erin Quense that scored Courtney Clee.
In the top of the third, Pennsbury loaded the bases on a couple of base hits and an error. That’s when Kirby Groves came up and knocked in all three runs with a bases clearing double. Morella Wells made it 4-1 after knocking in Groves with an RBI single.
“We did some good things to get runners on base in front of (Kirby),” said Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry. “And that was huge for her to hit the ball that hard with two strikes.”
Neshaminy had a chance to get a run back in the bottom of the fifth, when but D’Anna Devine threw out a runner at the plate after misplaying a hard-hit ball to second base.
“It’s an understatement to say it was big,” McSherry said about beating Neshaminy. “There was a lot at stake, but we still have games left to play.
“We see them as the best team in the league, so it’s really big. To say before the season that we were going to beat them twice, I would have said you were crazy.”
As is the case with most quality softball matchups, this game was all about pitching and defense. Sarah McGowan pitched well for the Redskins (14-2, 10-2 SOL), but Schilling pitched even better for Pennsbury (13-3, 11-1 SOL). Schilling gave up just three hits and struck out six batters. She was in control for the entire game, despite getting down early.
“The key for me was staying focused on every single pitch,” said Schilling. “Even though we got down in the first inning, I stayed confident because I knew we could come back.”
***
Pennsbury 004 000 0 – 4 11 1
Neshaminy 100 000 0 – 1 3 0
(May 12 at Bristol Mem. Fld.)
***
WP-Schilling, 6 K’s LP-McGowan, 4 K’s
2B: P-Rossi, Groves. RBI: N-Quense, P-Groves 3, Wells
***
Bristol prevails

BRISTOL — In the first game of the May 12 showcase double-header, Bristol (13-2) prevailed, 5-1, when Kierstin Cain struck out 14 batters and Ashley Cantiello doubled and drove in two runs. Losing pitcher Casey Hollopeter tripled for the Bulldogs (11-5).
***
Morrisville 000 001 0--1
Bristol 004 001 x--5
WP-Cain (10-2). LP-Hollopeter. 2B-Rodriguez (B), Cantiello (B). 3B-Hollopeter. RBIs: B-Cantiello 2, Rodriguez, Pond.
***
Bulldogs belt Phil-Mont Christian

MORRISVILLE — In its first game of the day, Morrisville (11-4) got a double and triple from winning pitcher Kaylee White in a 14-4 home triumph over Phil-mont Christian Academy that took just five innings to complete because of the mercy rule.
***
Philmont Christian 200 11--4
Morrisville 212 73--14
WP-White (4-0). LP-Whitbeck. 2B-White, Steele (M). 3B-White.

Labels: Morrisville, Morrisville. softball, Neshaminy, Pennsbury

There were two big scores involving Lower Bucks County high school softball teams yesterday.
One found Bristol avenging an earlier loss to beat Christopher Dock, 2-1. The other found Pennsbury falling to Abington a day after a big win over Neshaminy.

Bristol 2,
Christopher Dock 1

LANSDALE — The BAL standings are now all tied up again for first as Mike Lalli’s Warriors (9-2) got even for last week’s loss.
Kierstin Cain was tremendous with a two-hitter and 15 strikeouts. Jocelyn Hickey threw a three-hitter and fanned eight in defeat. All the runs were unearned with Bristol scoring twice in the fourth on a throwing error.
Bristol (9-2) 000 200 0 — 2 2 1
Christopher Dock (12-2) 000 100 0 — 1 3 3
WP-Cain (7-2). LP-Hickey (12-2).
***
Abington 4, Pennsbury 3

FAIRLESS HILLS - One day after Pennsbury's big win over Neshaminy, the Falcons (10-2) suffered their first league loss to drop back into a tie for first.
Mirella Wells doubled and Alyssa Becker was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, but it wasn’t enough to save pitcher Kate Schilling.
Abington 102 000 1 — 4 5 1
Pennsbury 010 110 0 — 3 9 4
WP-Wendel. LP-Schiling. 2B-Muehlbronner (A), Wells (P). RBIs; A-Muehlbronner, Tolton, Hilliod. P-Becker 2.
***
Bensalem 6,
Council Rock South 5

BENSALEM — Don “Bogie" Bogan’s rapidly-improving Owls picked up their first win when Julia Quigley smacked two doubles in support of pitcher Leanna Quandt. Aleisha Diamond and Quigley had two RBIs, and Jen McGinley and Brittany Barnett were each 3-for-3.
Council Rock South (0-11) 000 121 1 — 5
Bensalem (1-10) 003 120 x — 6
WP-Quandt. LP-Shafer. 2B-Deal (CRS), Quigley (B) 2. RBIs: B-Ewing, Diamond 2, Quigley 2.
***
Morrisville 16,
Plumstead Christian 0

PLUMSTEAD — Ivan “The Guru of High School Sofball’’ Colon’s Bulldogs returned to their winning ways when Kaylee Whtie and Alina Sierra blasted home runs. Sierra also doubled, Shaylynn Porras had three hits and Casey Hollopeter had six Ks.
Morrisville (6-2) 170 08 — 16 13 0
Plumstead Christian 000 00 — 0 1 5
WP-Hollopeter (5-2). LP-Taylor. 2B-Sierra (M). HR-Sierra, White (M).
***
Neshaminy 3, Truman 2

BRISTOL TWP. — The Redskins (10-1) are now back in a first place following the five-hit, six-strikeout pitching of Sarah McGowan and two RBIs by Christina Udris, including a game-winning single in the seventh.
Truman stared well with two in the first behind an RBI double by Courtney Tenaglia. Rachael Alligood struck out seven in defeat.
Neshaminy (10-1) 002 000 1 — 3 7 1
Truman (7-5) 200 000 0 — 2 5 6
WP-McGowan. LP-Alligood. 2B-Tenaglia (T). RBIs: N-Quense, Udris 2, T-Coffman, Tenaglia.
***
Kennedy-Kenrick 2,
Conwell-Egan 1

NORRISTOWN — The Eagles followed up an exciting win with a tough loss in 11 innings. Nicki Trois was the winning pitcher and doubled. Stacie DeNucci pitched a five-hitter in defeat. Both teams scored in the seventh.
Conwell-Egan (5-7) 000 000 100 00 — 1 3 0
Kennedy-Kenrick 000 000 100 01 — 2 5 0
WP-Troisi. LP-DeNucci. 2B-Troisi.

Labels: Bristol, Conwell-Egan, Morrisville, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Truman

Morrisville pushed runs across the plate early and often yesterday in a 16-2 rout of Bicentennial Athletic League (BAL) rival Calvary Christian.

Leading 6-2 after three innings, the Lady Bulldogs plated eight more runs in the fourth frame.

In a game that took place at the Somerton Youth Organization ball fields, the big hit was crushed into centerfield by catcher Alina Sierra.

The Morrisville backstopsman hit a two-out bases-clearing double with sacks jammed that put the ‘Dawgs on top 12-2.

Morrisville plated two more runs in the frame and two more in the fifth on its way to a mercy rule-shortened five inning win.

With it, the unbeaten Bulldogs pushed their record to 4-0 overall, 3-0 in the BAL Constitution Division.

In a four-game stretch thus far, Morrisville has outscored its opponents, 56-11. Casey Hollopeter got the win in the circle for the Bulldogs.
--Sports Editor Steve Sherman

Labels: Morrisville, softball

While roundball fans bemoan the end of the high school hoops season, some turning their attention to the NCAA and March Madness, others are gladly welcoming the warm weather and the start of the spring varsity season.
WBCB 1490AM begins its spring broadcast coverage this afternnon, giving you the play-by-play when Morrisville hosts Bicentennial Athletic League rival Girard College High School. The first pitch is to be delivered at 3:30 p.m.
To listen live here, click here
For a list of local games being broadcast by 'BCB and sister station 1350AM WHWH, click here

Labels: Baseball, Morrisville, WBCB

Council Rock South rebounded from a Jan. 27 loss to Pennsbury, posting a 30-point win over the Falcons last night at South. Ann Silverthorn was high scorer for the Golden Hawks with 10 points. Chelsea Allen, Steph Gillio and Alex Wheatley chipped in with 9 points apiece. South took a 31-18 edge into the half on its way to a 59-29 triumph Jan. 29 at South. With the win, the Hawks pushed their season mark to 12-7 overall on the season. Lacey Balascsak was high scorer for Pennsbury with 11 points.

LINESCORES
...................1....2....3....4.....Final
CR South.......13...18....11...17.......59
Pennsbury......8...10.....4.....7.......29


CR SOUTH
Ann Silverthorn, 10
Chelsea Allen, 9
Steph Gillio, 9
Alex Wheatley, 9
Jackie Weber, 8
Emily Nowicke, 7
Lea Britton, 3
Lindsay Kirlin, 2
Alexa Crosier, 2

PENNSBURY
Lacey Balascsak, 11
Lauren Pisauro, 7
Kersten Formento, 3
Kelly Rebert, 2
Lauren Gerity, 2
Emily Atunrase, 2
Molly Phillips, 2



Morrisville rebounded from a Jan. 27 loss to Lower Moreland with a 13-point triumph over MaST Charter last night at home. Cassandra Gainey led the Lady Bulldogs' scoring effort with 11 points. Tanya Argueta and Jah'Mirra Chambers added 8 points apiece as Morrisville outpaced the Panthers 37-24 Jan. 29 at home. With the win, the Bulldogs pushed their record to 7-11 overall on the season.

LINESCORES
.......................1....2....3....4.....Final
Morrisville..........10....8......8....11.......37
MaST Charter......4.....4......5....11.......24

MORRISVILLE
Cassandra Gainey, 11
Tanya Argueta, 8
Jah'Mirra Chambers, 8
Kievanna Lacey, 5
Shey Porras, 3
Staci Ramagli, 2

MaST CHARTER
Meena Byers, 11
Kaitlyn Rapko, 9
Megan McCarthy, 2
Saralyn Andrick, 2

- Steve Sherman, sports editor

Labels: Council Rock South, Girls Basketball, Girls Hoops, MaST Charter, Morrisville, Pennsbury