Oaks sweep Ocean

Salem CC baseball in its hottest run of the season, wins third straight and sixth in last seven games

By Riverview Sports News

TOMS RIVER – A simple approach at the plate and the schedule at large has the Salem CC baseball team playing some of its best ball of the season as it makes a push for a playoff berth.

The Mighty Oaks extended their winning streak to three games and scored their sixth win in the last seven games Wednesday when they swept a doubleheader at Ocean County College 13-6 and 6-3.

Coupled with their doubleheader sweep of Bergen CC Saturday, it marked the first time the Oaks have swept consecutive doubleheaders since 2021 – Middlesex (May 1) and Delaware County (May 4).

“The boys played hard today,” Oaks coach John Holt said. “As a team our approach at the plate was solid and we were able to produce.

“We’re continuing to take a one-game-at-a-time mentality as a team and the boys are playing for each other. It’s great to see.”

The sweep left the Oaks 14-20 for the season with 15 games remaining. A record of .500 or better qualifies them for the playoffs..

For the second straight game every spot in the Oaks’ lineup had at least one hit in the opener. Catcher Angel Velez had the hot bat early with a two-run triple and two-run double in his first two at bats. He was 3-for-4 with four RBIs.

The Oaks scored 12 runs over the first four innings. They have scored 10 runs of more in five of their last seven games. They are 9-2 this season in games they score 10 runs of more.

J.D. Wilson pitched a complete game in the opener. He struck out 10. He gave up six hits, but only one over his final 18 outs.

“J.D. did a great job for us and fought for the complete game,” Holt said. “Again, he wanted to put the team on his back.”

The Oaks took a 4-2 lead in the nightcap with three runs in the third inning and extended the lead with single runs in the fifth and sixth. Demetrius DeRamus and Joe Fekete each had two hits.

Three relievers behind starter Ryan Silnik threw three innings of no-hit relief to preserve the lead. Sean Kelby struck out four in his two innings of work.