Rodriguez back home

Recovery ‘going well’ for the Mighty Oaks softball coach as he works to return from heart surgery

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Salem CC softball coach Angel Rodriguez is back home following successful heart surgery and plans to have a “very involved week” as he slowly returns to the team.

The fourth-year head coach, 29, underwent triple bypass last Tuesday after falling ill in his office the previous Thursday and has been making steady progress on his return to the dugout.

“Good news; I’m back HOME,” he wrote in a text message Monday. “Everything is going well per (the) medical team with healing. Walks have been much improved. (The) countdown until I can get back continues, but it’s very, very close.”

The Mighty Oaks have four doubleheaders this week, including two big road dates with Region 19 leaders Lackawanna (19-6) and Mercer (17-1). They went 5-3 in Rodriguez’ absence, including a first-ever modern era win over Delaware Tech and a record-setting sweep of Morris on Saturday.

Rodriguez hopes, but wouldn’t immediately commit, to attending Friday’s home doubleheader with Howard CC.

“I’m back on softball talks more with the staff more now,” he said. “There’s a good chance (he’ll be at Friday’s games), but I don’t want to commit to that just yet.”

This story will be updated.