Palverento, Mighty Oaks put Opening Day setback behind them, score run-rule sweep of Sussex; homegrown talent shines
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE —Despite all the softball she has played over the years, and even with a taste of the college game in the low-intensity fall, Savannah Palverento was as anxious as she’s ever been for a game during Salem CC’s opening-day doubleheader earlier in the week. And it showed.
She was a lot more comfortable with her surroundings the second time out Friday. And it showed.
The freshman from Pennsville collected her first two college hits, including her first college home run, and closed the game in the circle as the Mighty Oaks powered past Sussex 11-2 on the way to a run-rule doubleheader sweep. The Mighty Oaks won the second game 19-5 behind two big innings at the start and four no-hit innings from freshman pitcher Jordyn Busch.
It was a whole lot better for the Mighty Oaks (2-2) in general and Palverento in particular than getting swept by Lackawanna on Opening Day.
Palverento went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts from the leadoff spot in the two games and gave up seven runs in two innings in the circle in the opener. On Friday, hitting out of the 5-hole, she started a six-run second inning with a leadoff single and led off the four-run fourth with a homer. She pitched the fifth inning, giving up an unearned run and striking out the side.
“I was definitely nervous (Opening Day),” she said. “It wasn’t so much nerves — I feel like I got that part out — it was kind of getting in my head because I expected myself to do better than what I did.
“i definitely was a lot more comfortable today. I kind of just gave myself a mental reset and thanks to my coaches for giving us all a pep talk. We have so many more games to look forward to and we can’t just keep our head down on the past, we just have to move on.”
Palverento hit one home run in her four-year high school career (167 at-bats), her junior year against Salem. She called the one she hit Friday, in just her seventh college at-bat, “special” and not just because it was her first in college. Palverento lost her mother, Tina, in 2020 and Friday would have been her birthday.
“I told myself I was going to play hard for her today and I definitely did; I’m really proud of myself,” she said. “I definitely had a moment of clarity, like, oh my God, I just hit a home run and I was like, you know what, it was for her. Everything was for her.”
The Mighty Oaks got a big collective game from their Salem County players. The four local position players in the opener — Palverento, Lilly Peverelle (Pennsville), Ava Ortiz (Salem) and Sawyer Simmons (Pennsville) — were a combined 5-for-8 with five runs and four RBIs. Raegan Wilson (Salem) pitched the first four innings, allowing two hits and an unearned run.
Palverento didn’t play in the nightcap, but the Mighty Oaks’ contingent from Salem County showed out again. Bella Rappa (Pennsville) hit two doubles and together with Peverelle and Ortiz the homegrown players went 4-for-8 with four runs and three RBIs.
“Our goal when we first came in here was to not only try and recruit and let county student-athletes know that we’re here, but also anyone can do it,” Mighty Oaks coach Angel Rodriguez said. “For them, they grew up playing on this field, it’s very exciting to see their hard work pay off and they’re getting better. I know it takes a while to kind of reflect on it, but they’re starting to notice too how advances they’re starting to get at this game.
“I think it’s very cool. I think it opens up a lot of hopeful eyes for the county to say, hey, Salem Community College is here. It’s a good place to be and it’s a great place to be right now. Hopefully that opens up some other people seeing how good they’re doing to want to get behind them and want to do the same thing.”
The Mighty Oaks wasted little time taking control of the nightcap. They sent 13 batters to the plate in each of the first two innings, erupting for 17 runs. Their first eight hitters of the game all reached base and scored. J.J. Aguirre hit a three-run homer in the second inning, her third in the last two games.
Busch took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. She faced only three batters over the minimum to that point, struck out seven and had only five balls put in play. She lost the gem on a bunt single that loaded the bases after a pair of walks, then gave up a hard single off first baseman Rappa’s leg and a bases-clearing triple by Rachel Teague that ended her day. Emme Witter put out the fire with a strikeout, sacrifice fly and game-ending roller back to the circle.
“Knowing I was three outs away I was excited to get there, but I just was happy the way I did after Tuesday because I personally thought I didn’t give it my best on Tuesday,” Busch said. “Coming in and just having a great day on a day like this was nice. I was so close. I need three more outs, so it just makes you want to work harder.”
Top photo: Freshman Jordyn Busch carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of Salem CC’s second-game run-rule win over Sussex Friday. (Photo by Nolan Dowell)
GAME ONE
| Sussex (0-1) | 001 | 01- | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Salem CC (1-2) | 064 | 1x- | 11 | 8 | 2 |
GAME TWO
| Sussex (0-2) | 000 | 05- | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Salem CC (2-2) | 890 | 2x- | 19 | 16 | 0 |
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