Month: June 2024

Summer showdown

Pennsville gets the nod in head-to-head matchup with Woodstown in their final pool game of the ATF Ginsburg 7×7 Classic

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITMAN – In the grand scheme of things, a 20-minute 7-on-7 football game in late June won’t mean much when both teams are fighting for a playoff spot in late October, but it meant plenty to Pennsville receiver Malik Rehmer.

Pennsville and Woodstown haven’t played in the regular season since 2020 despite being Group I programs in the same county less than 15 miles apart, so when they get put together in the final game of pool play in the Adam Taliaferro Foundation Ginsburg 7×7 Classic at Total Turf it’s a special occasion even if it is only half football.

This one went to the Eagles and was all for bragging rights as Eastern clinched their bracket’s spot in the semifinals even before the teams took the field. Robbie McDade threw third-down touchdown passes to Rehmer and Cole Campbell and the defense turned away a reserve Woodstown offense four times in a 22-3 win that left them 2-1 i(and Woodstown 0-3) in the pool.

“It meant way more,” Rehmer said. “The whole time being here we haven’t beaten Woodstown in any sport, so that was a good emphasis win. Played good all around, the whole team. It was a really good win. I don’t think people will forget this.”

The Eagles hadn’t beaten Woodstown in football since their 2017 season opener. Their boys basketball hasn’t beaten the Wolverines since 2019 (7 in a row) and girls basketball hasn’t since 2020 (8 in a row).

“It’ll really mean something to put on the pads and we actually play a real game, but it’s still good to get a win over Woodstown,” McDade said.

Of course, 7x7s are more about performance between quarterbacks, receivers and secondaries than results, but they still keep score. For the record, Pennsville was shutout by bracket winner and eventual runner-up Eastern in its first game, then swamped Bridgeton and beat the Wolverines. Woodstown lost a close one to Bridgeton, then fell to Eastern and the Eagles.

“Overall I was happy,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said. “We weren’t great in our first game and then we really improved a lot the second and third; we were real sharp the second game. We finished with a winning record (and) obviously when you play Woodstown you always want to get a win. It would’ve been nice to be sharp all three games, but overall (it was) a good day.”

McDade thought he was “a little rusty” in the first game against Eastern despite completing 10 of 17 passes in two possessions, but felt “good” in the ensuing two victories. He was 23-of- 40 with four touchdowns and three interceptions in the three games.

“He threw better than he threw last year at this point, which is what we wanted to see,” Healy said. “We obviously had a good day overall, but we know what we have to work on.”

In the game against Woodstown, he gave the Eagles a two-score edge when he hit Rehmer with a long touchdown pass against tight coverage by Wolverines’ Max Csaszar.

“Just a great ball from the best quarterback in South Jersey,” Rehmer said.

For Woodstown, it was the first time new head coach Frank Trautz got the chance to see his team against outside competition, which meant the first time seeing quarterback Jack Holladay running the offense as the starter.

Holladay has been dreaming of being the starter since his freshman year. He takes the reins from his cousin, Max Webb. A year ago in spot quarterback duty he didn’t throw a pass and had two rushes.

His first pass of the day was intercepted, but he responded by going 7-for-7 on the next series, culminating in the first of three touchdown passes to Anthony Bokolas, and ultimately completed eight in a row. He was 11-of-15 with two touchdowns against Bridgeton and 18-of-28 with three touchdowns to Bokolas and three interceptions. He played the first series against Pennsville before giving way to the younger set.

“I’m really excited to see what Jack’s gonna do this year,” Trautz said. “He’s a great athlete. He’s got all the tools you want in a quarterback. He can make every throw. He’s a really good athlete, so he’s going to be able to help us out as well in the run game a little bit and he’s ready for this.

“He got a ton of reps last year in practice and already what I’ve seen from him early on in the summer is a lot of good stuff. This is a great opportunity for him today to get some live reps. I think the sky’s the limit for him. He could have a real special year.”

Pennsville and Woodstown aren’t scheduled to play during the regular season. so Saturday’s meeting will be the only time they play this season — unless, of course, they get matched up in the playoffs.

Cherokee won the tournament. The Chiefs’ Evan Bryfogle was the most valuable player.

Woodstown quarterback Jack Holladay looks for a receiver during Saturday’s 7×7 tournament at Total Turf. On the cover, Pennsville receiver Malik Rehmer goes is motion as quarterback Robbie McDade awaits the snap.

Pennsville power play

Pennsville hits four inside-the-park homers, wraps up pool play with rout of Bridgeton; Elmer wraps up its tournament with win over Buena

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville 18, Bridgeton 1
Elmer 10, Buena 7

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON – The Pennsville Little League All-Stars already had their spot in the District 3 Final Four clinched before they took the field Saturday night, but they were determined not to take their foot off the gas.

Pennsville batted around in the top of the first and strung together eight straight two-out hits to produce six runs and had four inside-the-park homers among their 16 hits on the way to a 18-1 rout of Bridgeton in their final game of pool play.

“We came out swinging,” Pennsville manager Steve Pangle said. “We talked last game about how many looking third strikes we had and we wanted to stop that. They went up there aggressive and it helped.”

Pennsville, 3-1 in pool play, will host the opening round of the district Final Four at McLaughlin Field Monday and will play National 1 East Vineland (3-0) at 8 p.m. American 1 South Vineland (4-0) and Millville American (2-1) play the first game at 5:45 p.m.

JoJo Mannino and Nathan Breeden both went 3-for-3. Mannino had six RBIs and Breeden three. Mannino hit two of the inside-the-park homers, while Nathan Breeden and Nate Morrison had the others. Morrison, John Swiderski, Chase Pangle and Caleb Fontaine had two hits apiece. 

Mannino went 4-for-8 with eight RBIs in the four pool games. Breeden went 5-for-9, Morrison 7-for-12 (with seven runs) and Swiderski 6-for-10. Morrison and Swiderski had at least one hit in every game.

Bridgeton retired the first two Pennsville hitters in the first, then the hit parade began. Swiderski got the ball rolling with a single and Mannino followed with an inside-the-park home run for a 2-0 lead.

Breeden and Pangle had back-to-back doubles (3-0), Fontaine an RBI triple then stole home (5-0) and Brayden Weatherbee, Lauden Tighe and Brayden Roberts had consecutive singles (6-0) before an infield out ended the inning.

“That just shows their heart and fight,” Pangle said. “They’re a no-quit team. They keep battling no matter how many outs there are, no matter what the situation is; they keep fighting. That showed in the first and third innings.

“Our first two hitters went down pretty quick – they were hard hit – and then our third batter was able to get the bat on the ball and it opened us up. Hitting is contagious and they fell in line and started hitting.”

Pennsville added five in the second with Breeden’s two-run triple the big blow. And they scored seventh in the third  — again all with two outs – highlighted by back-to-back inside-the-park homers by Mannino (a three-run play) and Breeden.

“I’ve never seen that many legit inside-the-park home runs,” Pangle said. “To me the field looked smaller, so I thought we were going to not be able to take doubles and triples maybe, but the fielders were just having a hard time. They were jumping up instead of back and the ball would hit in front of them and roll all the way to the fence.”

ELMER 10, BUENA 7: Elmer scored four in the first inning and four in the fourth to open a 10-3 lead, then held off Buena’s sixth-inning comeback bid to win finish 2-2 for the tournament. They won their final two games after opening with a pair of tight losses to the division’s Final Four qualifiers.

Chase Moir went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and Grayson Bingham had three hits and two RBIs. Brandon D’Agostino and winning pitcher Easton Aulffo had two hits apiece.

Pennsville 18, Bridgeton 1

Pennsville657-18160
Bridgeton000-114
WP: Caleb Fontaine (1-0). LP: J. Martinez. 2B: Chase Pangle (P), JoJo Mannino (P), Nathan Breeden (P), Nate Morrison (P), R. Reyes (B). 3B: Caleb Fontaine 2 (P), Nathan Breeden (P). HR: JoJo Mannino 2 (P), Nathan Breeden (P), Nate Morrison (P). Scoring by Gamechanger.

Elmer 10, Buena 7

Buena002104-791
Elmer41140X-10132
WP: Easton Aulffo. LP: Jack Quinlan. 2B: Chase Moir (E), Grayson Bingham (E). 3B: Brandon D’Agostino (E), Clayton Bishop (E). Scoring by Gamechanger.

District 3 LL Tournament

AMERICAN WLRUNSNATIONALWLRUNS
x-South Vineland4037-14x-East Vineland3029-15
x-Pennsville3128-12x-Millville American2120-18
Elmer2236-20West Cumberland1215-16
Buena1325-19Penns Grove0311-25
Bridgeton043-64
x-Clinched spot in double elimination round

MONDAY’S GAMES
(At Pennsville LL)
South Vineland vs. Millville American, 5:45 p.m.
East Vineland vs. Pennsville, 8 p.m.
TUESDAY’S GAMES
(At South Vineland LL)
South Vineland-Millville American winner vs. East Vineland-Pennsville winner, 5:45 p.m.
South Vineland-Millville American loser vs. East Vineland-Pennsville loser, 8 p.m.

District 3 Final Four set

First round of the District 3 12U Little League double-elimination stage set after South Vineland, Millville win; Pennsville mathematically clinches without playing

FRIDAY’S GAMES
South Vineland 6, Buena 5
Millville American 7, Penns Grove 6

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

The Final Four of the District 3 Little League Tournament was finalized Friday before the final day of pool play when South Vineland and Millville American scored one-run victories in their final pool games.

South Vineland clinched the No. 1 seed in the American Division when it held off a sixth-inning rally by Buena to win 6-5. Millville American rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to get past Penns Grove 7-6 for the second spot from the National.

With South Vineland’s win, Pennsville clinched the 2 seed from the American Division regardless of the outcome of their game Saturday at Bridgeton. Even if Pennsville is upset by winless Bridgeton and finishes 2-2 in pool play, they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over both Buena and Elmer, who play each other Saturday to go 2-2.

East Vineland clinched the No. 1 seed in the National Division earlier in the week.

“It’s huge for Pennsville baseball,” Pennsville manager Steve Pangle said. “It hasn’t been done since 2019 (when they won the district title), so this is a big milestone for Pennsville baseball and it kind of shows you this team is relentless and is ready to go on as far as we can.”

Pennsville will play East Vineland and South Vineland will play Millville when the double-elimination phase of the tournament starts Monday at Pennsville.

In Millville, Penns Grove had their hosts on the brink of elimination after scoring four runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 6-3 lead, their third lead of the game.

Chase Hassler delivered what appeared to be the death blow when he ripped a two-run double to knock Millville out of the potential run-ratio tiebreaker and put West Cumberland in position to make the Final Four. Hassler’s hit followed a game-tying single by Bryce Painter and a go-ahead double by Tariq Robinson.

But Millville rallied in the bottom of the inning, scoring all four runs without ever recording an out.They opened the inning with a triple and RBI double by Ayden Hahn. Carter Robinson delivered a bases-loaded double to tie the game 6-6 and get the winning run to third, and Vash Jacobs brought that home with a grounder to first.

Penns Grove held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 earlier in the game.

In Buena, South Vineland took a 6-1 lead into the sixth inning then held on as Buena scored four runs to make it close. South Vineland pounded out 11 hits in the game with Mason Mendez and Joel Rodriguez getting two apiece. Rodriguez also had two RBIs.

Even though Pennsville has clinched a playoff spot, it has no plans of letting off the gas in its final pool play.

Third baseman Caiden (Chili) Colomy won’t play as he recovers from getting struck with a foul ball Thursday night at South Vineland (and his status for Monday is uncertain), but he will be in the dugout with his teammates. And the pitching plan may be a little more flexible with JoJo Mannino unavailable to throw and Colomy out, but beyond that, Pangle said, “we’re going to go business as usual.”

“We’re going to give the kids the mindset we win we’re in so that way we still have all of our effort and everything there,” Pangle said. “We’re still going into the game to win the game. We’re not just going to sit back and relax.”

Millville American 7, Penns Grove 6

Penns Grove010104-671
Millville American010024-7102
One out when winning run scored.
WP: Trevor Shelton. LP: Grayson Spinelli. 2B: Grayson Spinelli (PG), Zac Dordell (PG), Carter Robinson 2 (MA), Ayden Hahn (MA), Braydon Moore (MA), Trevor Shelton (MA). Scoring from Gamechanger.

South Vineland 6, Buena 5

Buena100004-5101
South Vineland00321X-6111
WP: Antonio LeBron. LP: Na’Sir Crippen. 2B: Dominic Wargo (B), Antonio LeBron (SV), Jozeah Rodriguez (SV), Keyden Potts (SV). 3B: Mylus Moore (SV). Scoring by Gamechanger.

District 3 LL Tournament

AMERICAN WLRUNSNATIONALWLRUNS
x-S. Vineland4037-14x-E. Vineland3029-15
x-Pennsville2110-11x-Millville Amer2120-18
Buena1218-9W. Cumberland1215-16
Elmer1226-13Penns Grove0311-25
Bridgeton032-46
x-Clinched spot in double elimination round

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville at Bridgeton, 5 p.m.
Elmer at Buena, 5 p.m.
MONDAY’S GAMES
(At Pennsville LL)
South Vineland vs. Millville American, 5:45 p.m.
East Vineland vs. Pennsville, 8 p.m.

Salem football +

Here is the 2024 West Jersey Football League schedule for the divisions involving Salem County’s teams

2024 WEST JERSEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
(Divisions involving Salem County teams; all games 7 p.m. unless noted, x-scrimmage)

AUG. 19
x-Mainland, Cape May, West Deptford at Schalick, 10 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Salem, 10 a.m.
x-Woodstown at St. Joseph’s Academy

AUG. 23
x-Schalick at Buena, 10 a.m.
x-Salem at Absegami, 6 p.m.

AUG. 29
Collingswood at Clayton, TBA
West Deptford vs. Manchester Twp., 10 a.m. (at Ocean City)
Pennsville at Gloucester City

AUG. 30
Schalick vs. Cedar Grove, 9:30 a.m. (at Egg Harbor Twp.)

AUG. 31
Willingboro at Salem, noon

SEPT. 6
Overbrook at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Penns Grove at Deptford, 6 p.m.
KIPP Cooper Norcross at Camden Catholic, TBA
Cumberland at Schalick
Delsea at Woodstown
West Deptford at PennsvilleSEPT. 7
Paulsboro at Audubon, TBA
Haddonfield at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Glassboro at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Cinnaminson at Salem, noon

SEPT. 13
Audubon at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at West Deptford
Pennsville at Overbrook
Schalick at Woodstown

SEPT. 14
Camden Catholic at Paulsboro, TBA
Salem at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Glassboro at Penns Grove, noon

SEPT. 20
Overbrook at Florence, 6 p.m.
Paulsboro at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Salem at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
West Deptford at Camden Catholic
Woodbury at Woodstown

SEPT. 27
Woodbury at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Pennsville at Camden Catholic

SEPT. 28
Collingswood at Haddon Twp., 10:30 a.m.
Overbrook at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
West Deptford at Audubon, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Salem, noon

OCT. 4
Haddon Heights at Camden Catholic, TBA
Deptford at Glassboro
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Pleasantville at Woodstown
Sterling at Collingswood
West Deptford at Haddonfield
Woodbury at Gateway

OCT. 5
Schalick at Paulsboro, 10:30 a.m.
Clayton at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Middle Twp. at Salem, noon

OCT. 11
Audubon at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Glassboro at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
Schalick at Gloucester City, 6 p.m.
Salem at West Deptford

OCT. 12
Pennsville at Paulsboro, 10:30 a.m.
Willingboro at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Camden Catholic at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Delran at Penns Grove, noon

OCT. 18
Pennsville at Lawrence, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at Camden Catholic
Glassboro at Schalick
Paulsboro at West Deptford

OCT. 19
Penns Grove at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Audubon at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Salem, noon

OCT. 25
Woodstown at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Camden Catholic, TBA
Paulsboro at Clayton, TBA
Collingswood at Pennsville
Overbrook at West Deptford
Woodbury at Schalick

OCT. 26
Salem at Penns Grove, noon

NOV. 27
Camden Catholic at Paul VI, TBA

NOV. 28
Haddon Twp. at Audubon, TBA

Showdown in S. Vineland

South Vineland comes from behind to stop Pennsville in District 3 American Division battle of unbeatens; Pennsville now looks to clinch a 2 seed in Saturday’s pool finale

DISTRICT 3 LL TOURNAMENT
THURSDAY’S GAME
South Vineland 7, Pennsville 2

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

VINELAND – Before the start of their District 3 Little League Tournament showdown with South Vineland Thursday, the Pennsville players’ focus was squarely on winning the game and clinching the top seed out of the American Division.

After the third inning the mission had changed. It had gone from just winning the game to doing everything going forward for their friend and teammate Caiden Colomy.

The Pennsville third baseman took a foul ball in the face batting in the top of the third inning and had to leave the game. The players who remained gave it all they had before things unraveled in the fifth inning and South Vineland went on to take a 7-2 victory for the upper hand in the division.

“Even the kids were saying ‘Let’s do it for Chili,’” Pennsville manager Steve Pangle said. “They were trying to do it for their teammate and friend who got hurt.”

Pennsville trailed 3-2 when Colomy came to the plate with two outs in the third. The ball came off the bat and hit him in the nose and forehead, leaving a bruise around his left eye. He was taken to a nearby hospital for care. Reports to Pangle shortly after the game indicated Colomy was fine just waiting for the doctor. Tests later revealed no fractures, but the player will have to follow up with the eye doctor.

His status for Saturday’s pool play finale wasn’t immediately known. Pennsville plays at Bridgeton, the weakest team in the division, with the expectation of locking up the 2 seed in the division for the round-robin stage of the tournament, so they probably could play without him although they’d prefer all hands on deck. It was said Colomy didn’t want to come out of the game when he was injured.

With him out, Pennsville not only loses its regular third baseman, but the No. 2 hitter in the lineup and another pitcher.

“You could see in previous games what our 1, 2, 3, 4 hitters have done,” Pangle said. “He brings a lot to the game, both at third base and as our 2 hitter. He’s in the 2 hole for a reason. So, yeah, that hurt having to skip his spot. That gave us one less hitter, one less contact hitter, to have in the game.
“It hurt, but the kids kept their heads up there for a while, especially when he got hurt, and that was big turning it into the game for Chili.” 

For the record, the first four hitters in Pennsville’s lineup were a combined 8-for-20 with six runs, six RBIs, two doubles, two homers and a .700 on-base percentage in the first two games. Colomy was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and pitched in each game.

John Swiderski hits behind Colomy in the lineup. He assumed Colomy’s 0-1 count when play resumed and promptly singled up the middle. Everybody in the order moved up a spot. Brayden Weatherbee took over at third base in the bottom of the inning, later trading places with catcher Caleb Fontaine in the fourth.

“Everyone was trying to rally because he was hurt,” Swiderski said. “I knew what was going on. I knew it couldn’t be an automatic out; that happened to me before. It ramped me up. I wanted to win.”

The night started well for Pennsville. They scored twice in the first inning with the help of three  errors that helped them circle the bases. South Vineland tied it in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back RBI doubles, took the lead in the second and extended it in the fourth to bring a pitching change.

Pennsville put together a threat in the fifth, putting the tying runs in scoring position with one out and the top of the order that would have included Colomy coming to the plate, but they couldn’t bring them home.

“It just didn’t work out,” Pangle said. “It was a high-pressure point (n the game). Nine out of 10 times he’s going to come through. This just happened to be that one time.”

South Vineland made them pay by scoring three in the bottom of the inning taking advantage of the same shortcomings Pennsville did in the first inning. South Vineland can clinch the No. 1 seed in the American Division by beating Buena Friday.

South Vineland 7, Pennsville 2

Pennsville200000-234
South Vineland21013X-743
WP: Derek Cuba (1-0). LP: JoJo Mannino (1-1). 2B: Joel Rodriguez (SV), Elijuah Perez (SV), Derek Cuba (SV).

District 3 LL Tournament

AMERICAN WLRUNSNATIONALWLRUNS
S. Vineland3031-9x-E. Vineland3029-15
Pennsville2110-11Millville Amer1113-12
Buena1113-3W. Cumberland1215-16
Elmer1226-13Penns Grove025-18
Bridgeton032-46
x-Clinched spot in double elimination round

FRIDAY’S GAMES
South Vineland at Buena, 5:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Millville American, 5:45 p.m.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville at Bridgeton, 5 p.m.
Elmer at Buena, 5 p.m.
MONDAY’S GAME
(At Pennsville LL)
American 1 vs. National 2, 5:45 p.m.
East Vineland vs. American 2, 8 p.m.

Table is set, time to eat

Salem CC women’s basketball has ‘historically busy’ offseason, signing eight players, two assistants

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Brian Marsh has had an “historically busy” offseason, as busy as any the Salem CC women’s basketball coach can remember as a player, coach or manager. And it was all in the name of bringing his program up to speed with the competition and on the map.

Marsh has spent the last few months scouring the landscape to bring aboard players and assistant coaches that will provide flexibility in games and even conduct proper practices.

He has brought in eight new players – four bigs and four guards – and a pair of assistant coaches to give the Mighty Oaks full complements in each area.

Last year he was recruiting to build a brand new program, at least one that hadn’t fielded a team in 10 years, and this year he was basically doing the same, but with the benefit of a product to show the prospects he was chasing.

“You remember the team last year,” Marsh said. “I only had eight, so I didn’t have enough to go 5-on-5 (in practice), so me and the assistant coach had the jump in. I wanted not only the players to be 5-on-5, but in case something happened I wanted some numbers.”

No chance of being short now. The goal was to get bigger, more physical, more athletic and more sure-handed, and with this bunch he’s done that, giving him 13 players (with maybe one more to come) for what he considers his first full year as head coach.

The bigs:

Imara James, 5-11, Bridgeton. The first commitment in the class to get the ball rolling and a projected power forward considered a nice steal.

Akira Chambers, 5-11, Cleburne Texas. A strong rebounder who can take charge inside and still shoot out to 15 feet.

Daniella Gustin, 6-0, Houston. Long and athletic, a combination of James and Chambers who could have a immediate impact. Attended the same Texas high school as Mighty Oaks softball player KC Garcia.

Jolee Robinson, 5-9 , Delta, Colo. Coming to Salem to play softball alongside her sister Jill Robinson, but also was a strong basketball player in high school.

“We had to get bigger,” Marsh said. “We needed to do a better job on rebounding and our interior defense. I told the team I needed to do a better job of getting them in positions to succeed. I thought we were small, we’re going to play fast, but we’d get outrebounded by 30 rebounds a game sometimes and it’s really hard to win games like that. So, my first priority was to go big. We got big.”

The guards:

Imirah (MyMy) Trader, 5-5, Wilmington. College transfer with two years of eligibility. Led A.I. Dupont is points, assists, steals as a senior. She played on the boys varsity as a sophomore when her school cancelled the girls season because of COVID. 

Ny’Aijah Jackson, 5-9, Wilmington. Versatile player who led A.I. Dupont in rebounds and was second in assists, steals and blocked shots looking forward to reuniting with Trader.

Ray’Nesecia King, 5-4, Dallas. Blue-collar defensive specialist who brings the toughness to set up and break the press.

Genovanna (Gia) Tjaden-Smith, 5-9, Wilmington. A long, athletic wing from Delaware Military Academy who can play multiple positions.

“Once I got my rebounding and my interior defense, one of the other things we needed to get better at was our ballhandling and setting up the press and breaking the press,” Marsh said. “We just didn’t have enough ballhandlers.

“I loved my players from last year’s depth, but we needed some toughness and that’s what we got. Last year we just didn’t have the numbers to press. I want to play an up-tempo style, I want to press; we just didn’t have the numbers last year. I have the numbers now.”

Kiara Eubanks and Garret Sample are the two new assistants. Eubanks was a four-year player at Wilmington and an assistant on that staff last year. Eubanks was a senior manager and women’s basketball practice player at Temple – just like Marsh – and he’ll work with the guards.

“They know what it takes to play at a high level,” Marsh said.

The pieces seem to be in place. Now, it’s just a matter of finding the right combinations and going to play a schedule that includes 16 home dates.

“To be really honest I was hoping after we recruited last year what I was going to do was have five new incoming players, but with the way things worked out I realized that wasn’t going to be enough,” Marsh said. 

“It was definitely easier recruiting this year because we have a team and people can go on our website and see what we have,. It’s easier once you set the table already. Last year it was hard to recruit … because we don’t even have a team yet. They set the table. It’s time to eat.”

Elmer tastes victory

After tough losses in its first two games, Elmer crushes Bridgeton for its first win in the District 3 LL Tournament

By Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON – The Elmer Little League Majors All-Stars didn’t let a pair of tough losses in their first two games get them down.

Their bats erupted for 11 hits and Mateo Cummings pitched a three-inning no-hitter as Elmer crushed Bridgeton 17-1 for its first win in this year’s District 3 Tournament.

Three players had two hits and four had at least two RBIs. 

“We came out after two tough losses and before the game we got together and said we need to go out there and play to the ability like we have in the last two games and play aggressive and the guys stepped up and did that,” Elmer manager Matt Schneider said. “Guys 1 through 11 in the order all put the bat on the ball.

“We were aggressive right out of the box. I told the guys let’s play hard and run from the start.”

Brandon D’Agostino and Easton Aulffo both had two hits and three RBIs. Ryan Schneider hit a pair of triples with two RBIs and Paul McCormick had a two-run single in the first inning.

Cummings threw 48 pitches in his gem, 30 for strikes. He struck out seven, walked one and hit a batter.

“Mateo was on our regular-season team this spring and he struggled a little bit,” Schneider said. “We really wanted to give him this game for a confidence builder. It was a good morale boost for him.”

Elmer plays its final game of pool play Saturday at Buena.

“This was a good game to get under our belt and after the tough ones we had it’s nice to rally and hopefully take that momentum and put it towards Buena on Saturday,” Schneider said. “As much as I’d love to be 4-0, being in a position to be .500, having lost to the two (division-leading) teams, it’s going to be good for us to finish on a high note.”

DISTRICT 3 TOURNAMENT
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
Elmer 17, Bridgeton 1
East Vineland 8, West Cumberland 5

District 3 LL Tournament

AMERICAN WLRUNSNATIONALWLRUNS
Pennsville208-4x-E. Vineland3029-15
S. Vineland2024-7Millville Amer1113-12
Buena1113-3W. Cumberland1215-16
Elmer1226-13Penns Grove025-18
Bridgeton032-46
x-Clinched spot in double elimination round

THURSDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville at South Vineland, 5:45 p.m.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
South Vineland at Buena, 5:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Millville American, 5:45 p.m.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville at Bridgeton, 5 p.m.
Elmer at Buena, 5 p.m.

Inter-active

InterAc All-Stars rally in late innings again, topple Tri-Cape All-Stars in bottom of ninth for first Carpenter Cup title

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PHILADELPHIA – Over the past four summers the Tri-Cape All-Stars have experienced almost every emotion a baseball team can feel. They’ve been over the moon winning Carpenter Cup championships in 2021 and 2022 and they felt the despair of losing in the championship game last year.

But even as the rosters change each year nothing could compare to the hurt they felt Wednesday when they lost this year’s title game in Citizens Bank Park after leading with six outs to go.

InterAc, a championship game first-timer with at least one big-league prospect on its roster, pushed across two runs in the eighth inning to tie the game and then scored an unearned run in the ninth to pull out a 3-2 win.

“It’s awful,” Pennsville junior Peyton O’Brien said. “To come all this way and then to lose, especially when we were up the whole game and we thought we were going to win and to lose it late it just sucks. You always hate losing no matter what.”

Tri-Cape led 2-0 going into the bottom of the eighth, but InterAc tied the game on Cole Kirschner’s two-run double to right center. They scored the game winner off William Grayson (Oakcrest), one of two pitchers Tri-Cape manager D.J. Gore added late Tuesday night to give them enough arms to compete.

The ninth started when Tri-Cape third baseman Guy Lynam misplayed leadoff man Lucas Albert’s bunt into a two-base error. Albert (Germantown Academy) went to third on a wild pitch and scored the game-winner with a head-first slide on Jimmy Amplo’s sacrifice fly to left field.

It was a familiar scenario for InterAc. They won their semifinal game against defending champion Jersey Shore Tuesday with a four-run rally in the ninth.

“I like them,” Gore assessed of the InterAc team. “It’s an all-star team. For us, when we talk about, like, our St. Augustine Prep and Gloucester Catholic, it’s similar to what that is over there.

“Very good franchise. You see a Louisville commit, potential major-league draft pick, start the game against us. We had our 1 going, too, and I think it was a treat for the fans to watch there. It’s a really good franchise. They do things the right way. We just needed to play a little better today.”

Tri-Cape All-Stars manager D.J. Gore gathers his team after it just lost to InterAc in the bottom of the ninth inning of the Carpenter Cup championship game. Schalick’s Luke Pokrovsky (44) is in the foreground.

Tri-Cape did have the go-ahead runner in scoring position twice in the top of the ninth, but couldn’t bring it home. They also came up empty with a runner at second and one out in the fourth and bases loaded with two outs in the seventh after having Jack Mustaro (Gloucester Catholic) cut down in a collision at the plate earlier in the inning.

“There were opportunities; I think we could have put the game away and we just didn’t do it,” Gore said. “You can’t do that in all-star caliber kind of baseball. Give credit to them for what they did and being able to withstand and make some plays when they needed to make some plays. 

“You have to execute in some situations. There were some things we’d like to have back to do but we didn’t, but you can’t fault anybody’s effort or anything like that. These kids have given up three weeks of the summer to represent the Tri-Cape franchise and I couldn’t be any prouder of a group of kids.”

InterAc started Tague Davis (Malvern Prep), the son of former major-leaguer and Phillies studio host Ben Davis, and Tri-Cape countered with Miami commitment Tate DeRias (Gloucester Catholic). Both pitched the first three innings. Davis gave up two hits, an unearned run and struck out five. DeRias pitched three no-hit innings.

Tri-Cape’s first three pitchers threw seven shutout innings, giving up four hits and one walk.

“It feels really good getting a chance to go out there and throw (in a major-league stadium),” DeRias said. “You step on the mound and it’s kind of like, ‘Wow, this is where all the pros play, this is where the guys I look up to pitch.

“It’s pretty cool to soak it in and go out there and throw three hitless innings. Not many guys might have the chance of that happening in the future, so hopefully it was taste of the future for me. I’d love to come back as a major league ballplayer and pitch (here).

”All three Salem County players batted in the game.O’Brien (first base) and Chase Burchfield (designated hitter) drew starts and Schalick’s Luke Pokrovsky went into right field late in the game and chased down Kirschner’s game-tying double in the eighth.

O’Brien was a last-minute addition to the starting lineup and went 1-for-2. He drove in Tri-Cape’s second run of the game with a single in the fourth after fouling off three straight payoff pitches. He went 3-for-7 with two RBIs in the tournament.

“It was awesome,” he said. “I was up in a big spot, man on third, one out and I was refusing to strike out. I knew I had to put a ball in play and try to make things happen and that’s what I did and got the RBI.”

Burchfield was 0-for-2 and Pokrovsky, who pitched in each of Tri-Cape’s first three games and was given his first chance to hit Wednesday, went 0-for-1 and hit by a pitch.

Carpenter Cup Championship Game
InterAc 3, Tri-Cape 2

Tri-Cape001100000-281
InterAc000000021-372
One out when winning run scored.

WP: Hunter West (1-0). LP: William Grayson (0-1). 2B: Hunter Ray (TC), Jack Mustaro (TC), Sergio Droz (TC), Cole Kirschner (IA).

InterAc’s Lucas Albert slides head first into the plate with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. (Photo courtesy of The Phillies)

Cover photo: The players from the InterAc All-Stars raise the Carpenter Cup after beating Tri-Cape in the tournament championship game. (The Phillies/Miles Kennedy)

Back in the finals

Pennsville’s O’Brien plays big role in eighth-inning rally that sends Tri-Cape to Carpenter Cup finals for fourth year in a row

CARPENTER CUP
Tuesday’s semifinals
at Citizens Bank Park
InterAc 5, Jersey Shore 4
Tri-Cape 6, Delaware County 3
Championship Wednesday
at Citizens Bank Park
InterAc vs. Tri-Cape, 9:30 a.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PHILADELPHIA — Peyton O’Brien never took part in Kids Run The Bases at Citizens Bank Park when he was growing up, but given the chance Tuesday afternoon, he ran like the wind.

The rising Pennsville senior might not have the wheels of Trea Turner, but his Bryce Harper-like base-running savvy played a big part in the eighth-inning rally that lifted his Tri-Cape All-Stars past Delaware County 6-3 and into the Carpenter Cup championship game for the fourth year in a row.

Tri-Cape will play the InterAc/Independent stars in CBP Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. They raised the Cup in 2021 and 2022 and lost in the title game last year.

“Man, it’s awesome,” O’Brien said. “For one, to just be able to play in this park and, two, to be to be able to play for something makes it’s even better.”

The Tri-Cape/Delco game was tied at 3 after Delco scored twice in the top of the eighth, but Tri-Cape answered quickly in what manager D.J. Gore called “the epitome” of the secret to the program’s success in this four-year run: Buying into what the coaches ask the players to do.

Hunter Ray (Lower Cape May) led off the bottom half of inning with a walk and with one out O’Brien, who entered the game in the sixth for starting Pennsville teammate Chase Burchfield, sent a shot into right centerfield for his second hit of the tournament. Ray drew a throw to third and O’Brien smartly took the extra base when the infielders drifted away from the bag.

Zach Maxwell (Delsea) then dropped a “terrific” bunt in front of the plate that Gore called the difference in the game. Delco third baseman Harrison Maull charged and tried to backhand flip it toward home, but the ball sailed well past the catcher allowing Ray to score the go-ahead run. O’Brien kept coming and slid in well ahead of the ball getting back to the pitcher covering to make it 5-3.

“I always try to stay aggressive,” O’Brien said. “I might not be the fastest kid, but whenever I can get an extra bag I try to take it and try to do my best on the bases because that’s a big asset in the game that people forget about.

“On the ball I hit I was just trying to get an extra bag. I took a peek at second and saw there was no one covering and I thought the outfielder was going to try to throw the guy out at third so I knew I had an advantage so I took the extra bag. (On the bunt) I was down to third as quick as I could and as soon as I saw that ball go by the catcher I didn’t think twice, I just went straight home.”

“It was good baserunning,” Gore said. “It was a good baseball play.”

The burst of speed certainly impressed O’Brien’s teammates.

“I just think he must have been put on the treadmill lately,” Burchfield said. “He can run now.”

Burchfield drew the start at DH and reached base in both his plate appearances after falling behind 0-2 in both at-bats. He coaxed a walk in the third inning and scored Tri-Cape’s first run and singled to left to load the bases in the fourth.

“I went down 0-2 and I knew I just had to put something in play,” he said. “I didn’t want to strike out on three pitches; I was like I’ve got to work an at-bat here. It landed in the right spot, so it felt pretty good. I wasn’t nervous. I thought it was pretty fun to be out here and get a hit.”

Schalick’s Luke Pokrovsky threw an inning out of the bullpen. He got Tri-Cape out of a jam in the sixth, but left with two on and one out in the seventh.

He replaced Travis Large (Ocean City) after Campbell McCormack one-hopped the fence to plate Delco’s first run. He put the tying run on base with a walk, but got out of the trouble with an fielder’s choice that put runners at the corners and an inning-ending strikeout.

His seventh started well with a ground out to first, but he was lifted after a walk and a single. Nate Bott (Kingsway) put out that fire and wound up getting the win.

“I was kind of nervous (but) no more nervous than other places, like normal ball parks,” Pokrovsky said. “I just tried to throw strikes, but I was pulling off a lot.”

It was likely the left-hander’s final pitching outing of the tournament as Gore said he would be used as a position player/hitter in the championship game. Pokrovsky has pitched in all three of Tri-Cape’s tournaments games thus far. In 3 2/3 innings he allowed two hits, no runs and struck out five.

After today we’re going to be able to flip Luke to be able to hit tomorrow so we’re going to look to see that side of him,” Gore said. “I know that’s a really special side. He’s done a really good job for us on the mound, but he’ll be a position player for us tomorrow.”

In the other semifinal, InterAc scored four runs in the ninth inning to take the lead, then held off a rally in the bottom of the ninth to eliminate defending champion Jersey Shore 5-4. They will be playing in the championship game for the first time.

Tri-Cape 6, Delaware County 3

Delaware County000001020-374
Tri-Cape00102003X-671
WP: Nate Bott (1-0). LP: Sabo Graham (0-1). S: Benedetto Andreoli (1). 2B: Campbell McCormack (DC), James Quici (DC).

InterAc 5, Jersey Shore 4

Inter-Ac000001004-561
Jersey Shore000100201-451
WP: D.J. Peterson (1-0). LP: Dylan Shaffer (0-1). 2B: Tague Davis (IA), Joe Maier (JS). 3B: Tommy Markey (IA)

Getting to know …

Woodstown’s Bryce Belinfanti

By Brian Tortella
For Riverview Sports News

When Bryce Belinfanti walked onto the field for his first game last season, he knew he had huge shoes to fill. 

Woodstown star running back James Hill Jr,, coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons while setting the program’s single-season rushing yardage mark (1,636) in the process, suffered a couple ACL injuries in the offseason that delayed and ultimately ended his senior campaign.

Belinfanti was going to be a big factor in the Wolverines’ offense as it was, but now he was thrust into the main role.

Woodstown had to rely on Belinfanti, a junior, who had just 421 yards and four touchdowns to his name in his two prior seasons playing second fiddle to Hill.

He was ready. Belinfanti ended the season with 1,740 yards and 21 scores on 214 attempts while helping the Wolverines win the South Jersey group 1 title. That’s good for just over eight yards a carry.

“Bryce is a phenomenal athlete,” said former Woodstown head coach John Adams, who retired following the season after 14 years at the helm. “His sophomore year he played in the slot for us and we started to rotate him in the backfield because of his abilities. Heading into last year we were planning on doing a lot with him and James Hill both in the backfield together but then when James got hurt we knew Bryce would be able to carry the load. He didn’t miss a day of workouts and got his body right to carry the ball over and over again.

“His ability speaks for itself. We tweaked a few things for him in the run game allowing him to use his patience and vision more and the rest is history. He probably would have had a lot more yards and TDs than he did if we didn’t take him out by halftime in a few games. I recall him having five TDs by the half in the first round of the playoffs (Dunellen). I really think he could have eclipsed 2,000 yards and I am excited to cheer him on this year cause I know he has that ability to do it.”

Get to know Bryce Belinfanti as he aims to improve on his fantastic junior season  and potentially reach that 2,000-yard mark. He’ll be in action Saturday when the Wolverines play in the Coach Ginzburg 7×7 Tournament at Total Turf in Pitman.

Riverview Sports News: Reflecting on last season, what was that special year like for you?

Bryce Belinfanti: Last season will always be my favorite of all. Starting the season not knowing what to expect was definitely nerve wracking, but once we played week by week I realized we were the best in South Jersey. It was an unreal feeling winning the first sectional in Adams’ final season.

RSN: What do you like most about playing football compared to other sports?

BB: I like playing football outside of all sports because of the hype and energy the game brings, but my favorite part is the character it makes you. Having to fight week by week with no excuses.

RSN: Were you at all surprised that you were able to break the single-season yardage record? What does that mean to you?

BB: Breaking the rushing record was not on my mind getting through the season, but once I hit 1,000 in the regular season I was on a roll. The sectional game I didn’t think I broke the record until I found out I rushed for 182. It means everything to me since I come from and played for Woodstown my whole life. I always believed I was the best and finally showed Woodstown and the county.

RSN: Looking ahead at your schedule, is there any one game that you have circled on the calendar? You open up with an always tough Delsea and rematch Woodbury down the road. Not to mention Penns Grove and Salem, I’m sure there’s no love lost there.

BB: Headed into the season I try not to get ahead of myself. I try to play week by week. I am excited to play Delsea since they have one of the best rushers in the state as well (senior Dan Russo).  I think it’ll make a good South Jersey matchup between two good teams.

RSN: What’s your expectation for this upcoming season, and what have you and the team been doing in preparation?

BB: My expectations for this season are high. I think our senior class can lead the team to new heights and we know how to win. At the moment we are doing summer workouts and field workouts to get everyone ready. I’m excited to see where we go.

RSN: What did you like most about Coach Adams, and how were you feeling when he decided to step away?

BB: My favorite thing about Coach Adams was him keeping us disciplined no matter who we were playing. He always had trust in us and was flexible to the type of player I am. I’m forever grateful for that.

RSN: How about new coach Frank Trautz? He seems like he has some good experience coming from a distinguished program like Haddonfield.

BB: Coach Trautz is the man with the plan. He has concepts from simple to advanced and is definitely an offensive mind. Just like Adams, he trusts us and bases formations and plays off of who is in and how they play. He makes it a comfortable coaching change and I’m excited to see what else he throws at us coming from Haddonfield.

RSN: Who’s someone you’ve looked up to growing up?

BB: Growing up I’ve always looked up to my big brothers. My oldest brother played for Adams at Woodstown and was a hell of a running back just like me. He also ran for 1000. Being the youngest I’ve always wanted to be like them.

RSN: What do you do away from the field? What do you do for fun in your down time? Any extracurricular activities?

BB: When I’m away from the field I do like to play basketball here and there. But mostly (being from the country) I love cars, trucks, and dirtbikes and it’s something I wouldn’t mind getting into in the future. I always fish also.

RSN: Now to the fun stuff, what’s your favorite pre-game hype song?

BB: My go to pregame hype songs get to thumping. I love to listen to drill music or Philly rap songs like Meek Mill and YoungBagChasers. It’s only right when you’re in the game time mode.

RSN: What about your go-to snack?

BB: My go to snack is always a Reese’s Fast Break bar. They’re the best and always hit. Plus it brings quick energy.

RSN: Tell me a little bit about your future. Do you see yourself playing football at the next level and what school is your realistic “dream” college?

BB: In my future I see money in many ways. I do skilled trades like hardscaping, remodeling and campground maintenance. So I see a future in a connecting business. But I do want to continue playing football at a high level also. A realistic school I want to go to is LIU, since they show me some good interest and it seems like a fun place to be. I just have to keep working to get there because I never thought I’d be wanting to go to college until last year.

RSN: How would you like to be remembered in Woodstown athletics history?

BB: In Woodstown I want not just me, but the team I’ve played with my whole life to get the respect we deserve. We had Woodstown more packed than ever to come watch us. We had zero transfers, zero recruiting players from out of town and still got things done. I want to be remembered as an electric player and one of the greatest.