Oaks felled

Bergen rallies for 5 in bottom of the ninth to prevent Salem CC from sweeping the series

By Riverview Sports News

PARAMUS – The Salem Community College baseball team looked in great shape to collect its first three-game series sweep in three years Monday, but Bergen CC had other ideas.

The homestanding Bulldogs scored 11 runs over the final three innings, including five in the bottom of the ninth, to break the Mighty Oaks’ hearts, 14-13. Nick Alverez’ one-out single was the game-winner.

The Mighty Oaks won the first two games of the series by sweeping Saturday’s home doubleheader with two strong outings from their starters. Their last three-game series sweep came against Camden CC April 6, 7 and 14, 2021.

The Mighty Oaks seemingly took control of the game with seven runs in the fourth inning and led 10-3 when they lifted starter Ben Foote after six.

They sent 13 batters to the plate in their big inning. Yen Rodriguez tripled home the tying run and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. Demetrius DeRamus singled home a run, Cole Dawson hit a sacrifice fly and three runs scored on consecutive bases-loaded hit batsmen and a bases-loaded walk.

They led 11-5 going into the bottom of the eighth, but Bergen scored four to tighten it up.

Salem got some separation with two more in the top of the ninth on Angel Velez’ sacrifice fly and Jared Vandersteur’s RBI double and needed only to retire the Bulldogs (10-21) in the ninth to nail down the victory.

Bergen chipped away against J.D. Wilson and got it to 13-11. Matt Decker came in with two runners on. He issued a walk to load the bases and then gave up RBI singles to Ian Scalabrini and Enger Ortiz to tie the game. The Oaks cut down a runner on the bases on the play that tied the game, but then Alvarez followed with his game-winning hit.

Foote gave up seven hits, three earned runs, walked one and hit three in his six innings. The bullpen, however, gave up eight hits, six walks and 11 earned runs over the final three.

Vandersteur went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and Matt Murphy went 3-for-6. Wilson and Dawson each had a pair of RBIs.

The Oaks (11-20) won’t have long to fret over the loss. They’re back at it Tuesday 3:30 p.m. against Luzerne County CC at the Carneys Point Rec Complex.

BERGEN CC 14, SALEM CC 13