DeRamus, Velez recognized

Salem CC outfielder, catcher, big pieces of the Mighty Oaks’ second-half turnaround, named third-team picks on All-Region XIX baseball team

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

Salem Community College outfielder Demetrius DeRamus and catcher Angel Velez, two of the team’s hottest hitters in the second half of the season, were selected to the All-Region XIX baseball team.

Both were third-team picks, DeRamus and an outfielder and Velez as the designated hitter.

“They were both key parts to getting the ball rolling in the right direction,” Mighty Oaks coach John Holt said. “They both learned to make adjustments in regards to their approach and their swing throughout the year, which helped them in regards to their statistics.

“The thing I guess I preached the most that I spoke to them about was if you look at our stats nationally as a bunch of individuals we’re not very high in a lot of categories but if you look at the where we rank statistically as a team most of the good categories we’re in the top 15, top 20.

“I think that just proves we were better playing as a team than we were as a bunch of individuals and those two guys in particular really bought into that. They were keys to getting the season turned around and getting us where we had to be.”

DeRamus was the Oaks’ second-leading hitter (.374), was tied for the team lead in hits (64) and led them in doubles (17), homers (7) and RBIs (59). He made no errors in the field.

He hit .438 (42-96) with 36 RBIs during the second-half turnaround that culminated in the Oaks’ first Region XIX playoff appearance in 13 years. He went 8-for-14 with two homers and eight RBIs in their three playoff games against Northampton.

“Demetrius works very hard at his craft in regards to his swing and his hitting and made necessary adjustments throughout the year to adjust to college-level pitching and how people were attacking him,” Holt said.

Velez was the Oaks’ third-leading hitter (.369) with 55 hits and two homers. His 48 RBIs was second on the team. He was 24-for-46 (.522) with 18 RBIs during their 15-game winning streak that secured their playoff berth. He was 8-for-13 with nine RBIs in the playoffs.

“Angel made the adjustment to start hitting the ball to all fields and became an incredible opposite-field hitter to the point where that home run he hit against Northampton (in the playoffs) was opposite-field power,” Holt said.

The All-Region teams were dominated by top three tournament seeds RCSJ-Gloucester, Brookdale and Northampton. They had all 10 first-teamers, 24 total players and the Player, Pitcher and Coach of the Year.

Brookdale’s Rocco Brzezniak was Player of the Year. Northampton’s Austin Beard was Pitcher of the Year. RCSJ-Gloucester’s Rob Valli was Coach of the Year.

The Oaks had the biggest turnaround in the region. They were 11 games under .500 on April 9. The next day they started on an 18-1 tear that included the 15-game winning streak that guaranteed their first winning season since the revival of the program.

“They were a resilient group,” Holt said. “A lot of teams being down 10 under .500 could’ve folded. Instead, those guys bought into what we were trying to teach them and they battled all the way through. To qualify for the playoffs and play as well as we did down the stretch, there’s a lot to be real pleased with this season and with the future.”