SOFTBALL: Chico’s Bail Bonds thumps Roger Green and Associates in battle of unbeatens in New Hope Fitness Softball League

By Andrew Atwal
For BucksLocalSports.com

As spring turns to summer, as nice, comfortable days turn to hot and unbearably humid days, there are some people in New Hope who try and beat the heat by taking part in the New Hope Fitness Softball League. That sure is some way to beat the heat.

Each week, softball teams gather at the New Hope-Solebury High School fields to engage in fun, but competitive action. However, what was unexpected when teams first began recruiting for players was how ridiculously hot the summer would be; over 20 days of 90-plus degree heat as of July 15.

Teams come from all over the area to play. Some of the softball squadrons include Havana Restaurant, Triumph Brewery, Chico’s Bail Bonds (of whom New Hope Mayor Larry Keller plays for), and Roger Green and Associates.

On July 15, Chico’s Bail Bonds played against Roger Green and Associates in a battle of two undefeated teams and what could be a championship game preview.

The sweat immediately began drenching from players’ faces even before the opening pitch was thrown. The temperature at game time hovered around 90 degrees, with humidity making it feel close to 100.

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BASEBALL: New Hope-Solebury JV team drops close one to Bristol

By Andrew Atwal
For BucksLocalSports.com

New Hope-Solebury’s junior varsity baseball team lost a close pitchers’ duel to Bristol High School, falling, 5-3, in eight innings yesterday (May 13) at home.

New Hope’s Evan Brown was dominant, despite the no-decision. Brown pitched seven strong innings, giving up three runs while striking out 12 batters. He also contributed on the base paths by scoring a run.

Brown was sailing through the Bristol lineup until the fourth inning when he gave up two runs on a double into the gap in the outfield. He gave up another run in the sixth on a two-out single which tied the game at three.

Sloppy play seemed to decimate the Warriors’ chances early in the contest.

They gave up a run in the first on a pop fly that should have been caught and two more in the second inning on a wide throw to first base and on a dropped fly ball.

However, Bristol fought back, scoring twice in the eighth inning to put the game away.

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Baseball: Hopewell Valley Central finds a gem in James Harrity

By Andrew Atwal

For BucksLocalSports.com

This spring, the Hopewell Valley Bulldogs baseball team featured a pitching staff composed of mainly seniors. As the season progressed, however, the ‘Dawgs would find their rotation anchored by a junior — Jimmy Harrity.

Harrity quickly developed into Hopewell’s number-one starting pitcher, leading the team in innings pitched (51), strikeouts (45), and wins (9).

The 11th-grader will have to be even better next year because the Bulldogs lose some of their key pitchers, including Alex Mottle, Brian Miller, Travis Gerstacker and Ben Meer, to graduation.

For Hopewell coach Ken Harrison, Harrity exceeded his expectations.

“After the JV season ended last year, we had a meeting with the players and he was one of the guys who we expected to come onto the varsity team and pitch this season,” Coach Harrison said. “We didn’t know how well he would do, but we didn’t think he would go undefeated.”

Harrison went on to say that Harrity became Hopewell’s number one pitcher by season’s end, and became that pitcher that was going to go out and win on a consistent basis.

“For him to go undefeated and pitch against the quality of teams he did, it was a great surprise and was great for our ballclub.”

Going into next season, Harrison expects Harrity to be the Bulldogs’ number one pitcher.

“Next year, he’s not going to be under-the-radar anymore, so he is just going to have to come out next season and throw that much better.”

Harrity, however, still needs to work on his secondary pitches in order to become that much more effective.

“He throws a mid-80s fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. His fastball is his best pitch. His secondary pitches are getting better, and once he can throw those pitches even better, he will be even more difficult for other teams to beat.”

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Lacrosse: Hopewell defeats Pennington in rivalry for The Rock

By Andrew Atwal

For BucksLocalSports.com

In a rivalry featuring two schools that are separated by under a mile, the Hopewell Valley Bulldogs played host to the Pennington Red Raiders on Thursday in a battle for The Rock.

Hopewell staged a second half comeback to reclaim The Rock from Pennington.

Following a 1-1 tie after the first quarter, Pennington poured it on in the second; tallying three scores and shutting out Hopewell to take a 4-1 lead at halftime.

However, the second half was a different story.

The Bulldogs trimmed the lead down to two goals with a beautiful shot by sophomore Pat Ekel. Hopewell would trail by two going into the fourth quarter and hoped to keep the momentum going from Ekel’s goal. However, the Pennington lead could have been even less if not for a few remarkable saves by Red Raiders goalie Joe Alesio.

The first several minutes of the fourth quarter saw an evenly matched affair, but Hopewell took charge during the last five minutes of the game, scoring three times.

With just over four minutes remaining, Chaz Bell carved up Pennington’s defense to cut the Red Raiders lead down to just one goal. And then just a minute later, senior Ryan Mahn tallied his second goal of the game, which tied it back up at four.

When time was running out for the Bulldogs it again was Ekel who threw a shot past Pennington goalie Alesio which proved to be the game winner for Hopewell who finished off the season with an 11-8 record.

After time expired, the joy of victory and the agony of defeat was seen vividly on each teams’ bench.

Pennington players were yelling at underclassmen with one player telling the underclassmen, “I will not lose to Hopewell again next year.”

On the other hand, Bulldog players were in jubilation over the victory. With smiles reigning down on players’ faces, they quickly ran over and got The Rock to put back into Hopewell’s trophy display case.

Pennington was led by Ben Colallio, who scored two goals for the Red Raiders – a team that ended the year at 10-8 overall – winning four straight games going into the contest with the Bulldogs.

In addition to scoring two goals for Hopewell, Mahn recorded an assist as well. Elliot Rose and Kyle Farina also had an assist each for the Bulldogs.

After the game, Pennington coach David Donohue reflected on the loss to Hopewell.

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Girls Soccer: For New Hope-Solebury, State Tournament brings a challenge and opportunity

By: Andrew Atwal

For BucksLocalSports.com

 

For the New Hope-Solebury Lady Lions a regular season featuring just two losses and district championship pale in comparison to what lies ahead for the team going into this week’s state tournament.

The season also contained three wins over archrival Chris Dock, including a win in the district championship, and two wins over Class AAAA schools (Plymouth Whitemarsh and Truman).

NH-S also saw outstanding contributions from freshman forward Meghan Wilson who scored over 20 goals in her first year on the varsity squad.

Head coach Chris Shank said that although Wilson has been outstanding this season, one player does not make a team. Shank also noted that although she is one of the smallest players on the team, she has stepped up at various times throughout the season.

However, heading into the state playoffs, the “X-Factor” for the Lady Lions could be how hot they have been playing in recent weeks. As a matter of fact, the team’s last loss was all the way back on April 24 against Saucon Valley in the Southern Lehigh tournament.

Coach Shank talked about the success the team has had this season.

“We have become a family. That’s our saying; your team versus our family.”

Success has surrounded the Lady Lions’ soccer program in recent years, including two soccer players last year that continued their careers at division one programs.

But Coach Shank noted that last year the team featured a lot of individual players, and this year the team has really come together as a family.

Shank even noted that the team has received contributions from many different players including from defenseman Emma Natale, who scored the second goal against Chris Dock in the district championship and who coach Shank noted was her “first goal (on Varsity) ever.”

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BOYS HOOPS: Basketball runs through the bloodlines in the Alton family

By: Andrew Atwal

For BucksLocalSports.com

When talking about the Alton brothers, the term all in the family comes to mind, with the subject of basketball being the topic.

Will Alton is a Division III starter at Penn State Abington where last season, he averaged over 15 points and four assists a game as a sophomore for the Nittany Lions.

Max is a standout on the Hopewell Valley Central boys varsity team. Not only does he start for the Bulldogs, but he also averaged a little over 14 points per game as a junior.

Youngest of the Alton brothers, True, is a combination of Max and Will, according to his dad, Bob Alton. True plays AAU basketball where he averaged almost 13 points a game. He also was among the top scorers in the Hopewell Basketball Spring Hoops recreation league.

But first Will just wants to be better than everyone else.

“Will just does not give up. If the team is down by a significant amount towards the end of games, it does not make a difference; he fights until the end,” Mr. Alton said of son Will.

The six-foot guard has been dominating opponents at Penn State Abington where he relies on his speed to get to the basket and get easier, higher-percentage shots. Last season as a sophomore, he was named third team All-North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC).

Will led the Nittany Lions in free throws made and free throws attempted, sinking 120 of 163 shots from the foul line. Will also led the team in games started and minutes-per-game.

Although he was a sophomore last year, it was his first year at Penn State Abington because he transferred from Division II University of Wilmington, where he had a basketball scholarship. Will transferred because he did not like the team’s coach.

During the break, Will is also working hard to advance his skills while holding a summer job.

“I play basketball for about three hours each day and take around 500 shots daily. I also am involved with numerous local summer leagues and run a mile a day, jump rope, and lift weights five times a week,” Will said.

Though he knows a thing or two about the hoops game, Mr. Alton never coached Will.

“In fifth and sixth grade, he thought he knew everything about basketball,” Mr. Alton said. “But by the time he got into high school, he wanted to be better than everyone else and started listening to my advice, which helped his game.”
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FOOTBALL: South defeats North in annual All-Star Game

By: Andrew Atwal

For BucksLocalSports.com

 

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Conwell-Egan football coach Kevin Kelly took that mantra to task last Saturday night when he led the South senior all-stars to a comeback victory over the North in the 35th annual Bob Sands Memorial Bucks County Lions Senior All-Star Classic at CB West’s War Memorial Stadium in Doylestown.

Last year, the North, under the guidance of Archbishop Wood head coach Steve Devlin, defeated the South, 16-7, in Kelly’s first appearance in the classic, which pits the best senior football players in lower Bucks County against their counterparts to the North.

Though the game was held in the same location as last year, the outcome would prove much more satisfying to Kelly as well as the rest of the South all-stars.

While the North bolted out to a quick lead on the strength of a 13-yard touchdown run by William Tennant fullback Tyler Hamlet and a field goal in the opening stages of the second quarter, the tide would turn dramatically in favor of the South shortly thereafter.

Bensalem linebacker John Marcelline recovered a North fumble with seven minutes left in the second quarter, which lead to a touchdown strike on a pass from Conwell-Egan quarterback Anthony Singlar to Truman receiver Drew Peterson which cut the North lead to 10-7, going into halftime.

The South would keep the pedal to the medal in the second half.

Bristol RB Woodrow Vorters sprinted for a 46-yard touchdown run to give the South their first lead of the game at 13-10.

Later in the third quarter, Pennsbury RB Dante Devine added a three-yard touchdown run to expand the lead to 10 points, going into the final frame.

Devine added another score on a beautiful 81-yard TD catch-and-run from Singler late in the fourth quarter. Devine again struck in the final minutes on a 51-yard touchdown run to give South a 34-10 victory over the Northern All-Stars.

The South has now won the contest five out of the last six years.

Neshaminy RB/LB Stephen Stemme was awarded the sportsmanship award for the South while Singlar was awarded Most Valuable Player for the South; Tony Latronica captured MVP honors for the North.

After the game, South coach Kelly reflected on the win.

“It was just a great win for the kids. They really played outstanding football in the second half,” Kelly said. “We had to get Dante (Devine) in space and our quarterback (Anthony Singlar) played really well.”

Coach Kelly also emphasized how well his team was able to control the line of scrimmage in the second half, which was one of the reasons for the South’s big turnaround.

Vorters, who had a long touchdown run in the first half, talked about how much of an honor it was just to be named to the team.

“It meant a lot. I’m just a small kid from Bristol. I just wanted to end my High School career with a bang. I did not want to leave on a bad note,” Vorters said. “It means everything to me to be named to the team and I really feel accomplished for all I was able to do throughout high school.”

One of the keys to the South’s win was the play of Devine, who scored three times in the second half.

“It was just fun to play in this game. I got to play with a lot of my friends that I didn’t get to play with on Pennsbury,” Devine said. “It meant a lot for me to be named to this team.

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