Mighty Oaks handcuffed in high-level situations, swept by Lackawanna in Region 19 doubleheader
TUESDAY REGION 19 SOFTBALL
Lackawanna 6-5, Salem CC 5-2
Sussex at Orange, ppd.
Mercer 21-15, Raritan Valley 0-0
Northampton at Middlesex, ppd.
Dutchess 11-9, Bergen 5-0
RCSJ-Gloucester 14-13, Camden 0-0
RCSJ-Cumberland at Brookdale, ccl
| REGION 19 DIVISION II | ALL | REG |
| Mercer | 23-1 | 9-1 |
| Delaware Tech | 15-3 | 7-1 |
| Lackawanna | 17-15 | 4-2 |
| Salem CC | 10-10 | 4-4 |
| Raritan Valley | 2-14 | 1-9 |
| Sussex | 1-11 | 1-9 |
| Morris | 1-5 | 0-0 |
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE – A year ago at this time the Salem CC softball team was 14 games deep into a record-setting 19-game winning streak that defined its season. But that was an experienced group that developed discipline at the plate that allowed it to come through in high-leverage situations.
This year’s team is battling to stay above .500. It has a lot of more newcomers and is still learning those things, the way last year’s team had to in its first year together. Sometimes those lessons come with unpleasant outcomes.
The Mighty Oaks came to the plate numerous times with runners in scoring position during Tuesday’s Region 19 doubleheader with Lackawanna, but they saw limited returns in those situations and were swept by the Falcons 6-5 and 5-2.
“We didn’t do a good job making adjustments at the plate,” Salem coach Angel Rodriguez said. “We had a hard time making sure we are attacking pitches that we need to.
“Once we start doing that a little bit better I think we’ll be all right. Balls just didn’t go our way sometimes, and sometimes that’s just softball.”
The Mighty Oaks (10-10) came to the plate with bases loaded eight times in the doubleheader – four times in each game – and got only two hits to produce three runs. They were 4-for-16 with runners in scoring position in the opener, 6-for-25 in the doubleheader. Their hitters were 3-for-15 after the Falcons pitchers had seen them for a third time in the game.
“Unfortunately that’s been the story of our season,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve struggled with runners in scoring position all the time. It’s just something we have to do a better job of and taking advantage of being able to hit a hard ground ball or line drive rather than trying to do too much with a pitch.
“We’re going to get more opportunities, that’s the good news, so the more we keep getting that the more we’ll have opportunities to make adjustments to see the other side of that success.”
The Mighty Oaks loaded the bases in each of the first two innings of Game One. They got nothing in the first inning, but scored three in the second to answer the Falcons’ three in the top of the inning. They tied the game on Callie Rozak’s bases-loaded HBP and Bella Rappa’s two-run single.
They also loaded them with none out in the sixth inning and the only run they scored out of that came on a wild pitch to give them a 4-3 lead. Lackawanna retook the lead in the seventh on three consecutive hits capped by Laniah Tasker’s two-run single.
The Mighty Oaks never led in the nightcap, but they threatened. They loaded the bases in the third with one out down 2-0, but scored only one run on Chantelle Haskie’s two-out single. They also loaded them with two out in the fourth but failed to bring the tying or go-ahead runs home.
“We have a lot more incoming players this year,” Rodriguez said. “They’re slowing making that adjustment (to this level), but it’s not quite there yet. The more they keep attacking, the better they’ll get. It’s just about recognizing this level of pitching and intensity and capitalizing. “
GAME ONE
LACKAWANNA 6, SALEM 5
| Lackawanna | 030 000 2- | 6 | 13 | 0 |
| Salem | 031 001 0- | 5 | 6 | 2 |
GAME TWO
LACKAWANNA 5, SALEM 2
| Lackawanna (17-15) | 200 012 0- | 5 | 10 | 2 |
| Salem (10-10) | 011 001 0- | 1 | 8 | 0 |
Riverview Sports News 