Chargers advance

Salem Tech boys beat Pennsauken Tech in two close games to reach SJ Group II bowling semifinals; Tech girls, Salem boys fall

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

Consistency from all five spots in the lineup propelled the Salem Tech boys into the semifinal round of the South Jersey Group II Tournament.

The Chargers defeated Pennsauken Tech 2-0 Tuesday at Wood Lanes. They won 787-731 and 898-878.

They now play at Overbrook (12-2-1) Thursday for a spot in Saturday’s finals opposite the Manchester Twp.-Seneca winner at Laurel Lanes.

“In the past we have struggled with bowling in high-pressure situations,” Tech coach Matt DiTizio said. “We struggled early in the first game, but the boys all made the correct adjustments and we were able to pull off the win.

“The second game Penn Tech came out swinging and they bowled really well; we were just more consistent through the lineup.”

The Chargers (5-7-2) were the only one of the three Salem County teams in action Tuesday to advance. In the girls SJ Group II quarterfinals, Salem Tech lost at Manchester Twp. 2-0 (912-471, 757-615) and Salem lost to Camden Catholic in the Group I boys quarterfinals 2-0 (869-826, 855-829)

Josh Mackey’s 202 was the Chargers’ high game in Game One of their match, while Rosario Torres rolled their high game in Game Two (203) and high series (374). The Chargers’ other three bowlers – Raymond Ridgway, Evan Malone and Aaron Dean – were all within 10 pins of each other for the match.

Dean was nearly 70 pins better in Game Two (125-192) and Malone 70 pins better than Penn Tech’s No. 2 in Game Two (169-96) to offset an opposing 226 and 201 and help that win along.

“It was close and we were actually down going into the tenth frame, but the boys capitalized on a strong ninth frame and we were able to pull off the sweep,” DiTizio said. “We are excited that we made it this far this early in our program and are looking forward to playing on Thursday.”

In the other matches, Alexis Cagle rolled the high game (161) and high series (263) for the Salem Tech girls and Zachary Gannon rolled a 500 series for the Salem boys (236-264).

The Salem girls (4-9) travel to undefeated New Egypt (19-0) today for their SJ Group I semifinals. The winner faces the survivor of Friday’s Clayton-Gloucester match in Saturday’s finals at Laurel Lanes.