Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Softball Team of the Decade Bracket: The Elite Eight is set

There were several home runs, ground-rule doubles, line-drive snares and pick-off plays at first…

But when it was all counted up and finalized, the Softball Team of the Decade Tournament had boiled down to its final eight.

The Softball Team of the Decade Tournament is brought to you by The Reporter, Times Herald and Montgomery Media.

It is also available online at papreplive.com.

Polls to vote on each of the tournament matchups will be posted on Twitter @ReporterSports.

There were eight matchups in the first round.

The most tightly-contested matchup pitted 2017 Spring-Ford against 2019 North Penn, and the Knights came together to win 52.3 to 47.7 in the voter percentage.

North Penn’s other two squads also punched their tickets to the quarters.

2018 NP edged 2011 Hatboro-Horsham 55-45, and 2013 North Penn got by crosstown rival 2011 Lansdale Catholic 72-28.

In a tightly-contested battle, 2014 LC battled past 2010 Dock 59.9 to 40.1.

That sets up two interesting quarterfinal matchups in the bottom half of the bracket.

No. 3 2013 North Penn takes on No. 11 2019 North Penn, and No. 7 2014 LC meets No. 15 2018 North Penn.

2015 St. Basil is in the quarters, courtesy of a 59.3-40.7 victory over 2011 Dock.

2010 Hatboro-Horsham also advanced, thanks to a 64.5-35.5 win over 2011 Souderton Area.

Big Red’s other squad came out with the win though, as the 2014 Indians prevailed 64.7-35.3 over 2018 Springfield Montco.

2019 Spring-Ford is still alive, as the Rams won 64.9-35.1 over 2012 Hatboro-Horsham.

That sets up two more intriguing matchups, as top-seeded Souderton takes on No. 9 2015 St. Basil, and No. 4 2019 Spring-Ford meets No. 5 2010 Hatboro-Horsham.

St. Basil, 2019 North Penn and 2018 North Penn all came through with road wins in the first round.

There could be a lot more drama in store.

Voting for the quarterfinals take place this week on Twitter.