N.J. Little League Tournament: All 3 Salem County entries playing in same division; if they dominate the division one will be odd-man out
NJ LITTLE LEAGUE DISTRICT 3
| AMERICAN DIV. | W-L | RF-RA | NATIONAL DIV. | W-L | RF-RA |
| East Vineland | 0-0 | 0-0 | Buena | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Elmer | 0-0 | 0-0 | N. Vineland | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Franklin Twp. | 0-0 | 0-0 | S. Cumberland | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Pennsville | 0-0 | 0-0 | S. Vineland | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Woodstown | 0-0 | 0-0 |
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
All three Salem County teams in this year’s District 3 Little League Tournament – the one that ultimately sends teams to Williamsport – are assigned to the same division, which could create some interesting dynamics come the end of next week.
The teams representing the Pennsville, Woodstown and Elmer LLs are all together in the five-team American Division, along with East Vineland and Franklin Twp.
In a best-case scenario the Salem County entries dominate the division, but leaves someone in the group the odd-man out for the double-loss district finals. Or, with East Vineland a heavy favorite, they could be three teams battling it out for one spot. The top two teams in each division after pool play advance.
“I think it’s kind of cool, but then it’s like, ugh, who’s the odd-man out,” Elmer manager Ray Harding said.
“It’d be great if we can get two representatives from Salem County,” Woodstown’s Dave Murnane agreed.
The tournament gets underway Friday with three 5:45 p.m. games: Elmer at East Vineland, Woodstown at Franklin Twp. and North Vineland at South Vineland. The full schedule is listed below.
Two of the three county teams are combo clubs with other leagues, which makes for some interesting dynamics as those managers try to blend the talent of the incoming players with the players they’re more familiar. Elmer has joined forces with West Cumberland, and Woodstown has incorporated players from Alloway and Salem into its roster.
Of the players Harding knows best, Jameson Hughes gives them consistent production at the top of the lineup and speed on the bases, Roman Allen has a grand slam, Brody Emigholz provides speed on the bases and Connor Harding and Cash Williams look for extra bases out of the box. Connor Harding “won us a lot of games” during the regular season and will be among their top pitchers.
“It’s been interesting,” the elder Harding said. “It’s kind of like we’re going to have to see when we get there. We’ll get the kinks worked out with Vineland and then win or lose we’ll shoot for Monday (at Woodstown) and go from there.”
Woodstown manager Dave Murnane is a little uncertain of what lies ahead as well, but it’s more about the competition than his roster.
Among the pitchers, Mason Fackler works quickly and has been “very efficient hitting the strike zone” for Murnane’s Woodstown league team. Ryan Garton has been a top pitcher in Alloway with a good mix of pitches and Ashton Wadman has been an ace in Salem.
“With four games in six days, you’ve got to be strategic,” Murnane said. “I’m very interested to see what the pitchers do.”
Wadman, Breslin Murnane and Alloway’s Logan Roback are among the team’s top hitters and Woodstown 10-year-olds Nolan West and Pax Arnold are said to be sharp with the glove.
“I’m excited,” said Murnane, the Woodstown league president. “It’s like I said to my coaches: We could get killed or we could win every game. I have no idea what to expect. I have a pretty good idea from us, but I have no idea from the other teams. It’ll be fun.
This story will be updated.
NJLL DISTRICT 3 (10-12) TOURNAMENT
POOL PLAY SCHEDULE
(All games 5:45 p.m. unless noted)
Friday’s Games
Elmer at East Vineland
Woodstown at Franklin Twp.
North Vineland at South Vineland
Saturday’s Games
Pennsville at Franklin Twp., 7 p.m.
East Vineland at Woodstown, 5 p.m.
Buena at South Cumberland, 7 p.m.
June 29
East Vineland at Pennsville
Elmer at Woodstown
South Cumberland at North Vineland
June 30
East Vineland at Franklin Twp.
Elmer at Pennsville
South Vineland at South Cumberland
North Vineland at Buena
July 1
Franklin Twp. at Elmer
Woodstown at Pennsville
South Cumberland at Buena
DISTRICT FINALS
July 6
at Buena LL
Game 1: American 1 vs. National 2
Game 2: National 1 vs. American 2, 8 p.m.
July 7
at North Vineland LL
Game 3: Winner G1 vs. Winner G2
Game 4: Loser G1 vs. Loser G2, 8 p.m.
July 9
at Pennsville LL
Game 5: Loser G3 vs. Winner G4, 7 p.m.
July 10
at South Vineland LL
Game 6: Winner G3 vs. Winner G5, 7 p.m.
July 11
at South Vineland LL
If necessary, 7 p.m.
Winner advances to Section IV Tournament at Hammonton, July 17
SALEM COUNTY ENTRIES
PENNSVILLE
Manager: Mike Lucas
Gamechanger: 12u Pennsville Allstars
Roster: (0) Michael Genna, (3) Dante DiMarco, (6) Drew LaPalomento, (7) Mason Searver, (8) Tyler Colomy, (13) Ryan Lucas, (15) Kolton Karr, (17) Luca Codamo, (24) Gauge Hill, (23) Maddox Stafford, (88) Connor McGovern, (97) Lachlan Tighe
Notes: Several players are siblings of players on team that won the district title two years ago.
WOODSTOWN
(Combined with Alloway, Salem)
Manager: Dave Murnane
Gamechanger: 2026 Woodstown Majors AllStars
Roster: Breslin Murnane, Grant West, Jacob Buggy, Mason Fackler, Nolan West, Pax Arnold, Logan Roback, Robert Phelon, Ryan Garton, Ashton Wadman, Daulton Hawks, Xander Shimp
Notes: Six players are from Woodstown LL, three from Alloway, three from Salem.
ELMER
(Combined with West Cumberland)
Manager: Ray Harding
Gamechanger: 12U All Stars 2026 Elmer And West Cumberland
Roster: (1) Austin Waller, (27) Brody Emigholz, (16) Cash Williams, (41) Connor Harding, (44) Damon Houchins, (24) Jameson Hughes, (9) Kip Trembley, (13) Lane Hymer, (2) Levi Rugenus, (7) Mirocco Pierce-Stephenson, (3) Roman Allen, (86) Sam Tighe.
Notes: Six players are from Elmer LL, six from West Cumberland
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