Category: PENNSVILLE

Milestone Monday

Morgan scores 100th goal in hat trick, Walker moves closer to 200, school record as Woodstown laxers recover three times to beat Cinnaminson 9-7; this story will be updated

MONDAY’S GAMES
BASEBALL
Glassboro 9, Woodstown 8
Rancocas Valley at Schalick, ppd., wet grounds
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick 210, Cumberland 241
TENNIS
West Deptford 5, Pennsville 0
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown 9, Cinnaminson 7

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – The picture and the poster make it official.

Woodstown’s Emma Morgan scored three goals, including the 100th of her career, and had a hand in the go-ahead goal late in the fourth quarter to help the Wolverines’ girls lacrosse team edge Cinnaminson 9-7 Monday morning.

There was some thought the senior scored her milestone goal Saturday when the Wolverines (3-0) swamped Washington Twp. 21-3. They had the traditional commemorative poster ready for her and everything. But a miscommunication left her on 99. Not to worry; she was confident it was going to come sooner than later.

Morgan notched No. 100 with her first goal with 6:26 left in the first quarter that got Woodstown on the board after the Pirates (1-2) scored the first two goals of the game. It took only 16 seconds to get No. 101 to tie the game 2-2, and then she scored again later in the game.

She took the picture with the poster Monday.

“They thought I got it last game so I was kind of aware already it was coming, but I didn’t let it affect me at all,” she said. “This game was scrappy so every goal you had to really earn, which makes you feel better.”

Morgan became the second 100-goal scorer in the Wolverines’ lineup when she scored her first goal of the game. Delaney Walker ran her career total to 180 with two goals. The school record is 236 by Abigail Evans (2015-2018). Arianna Hyman also scored three goals and Angeline Lindenmuth scored once.

“It’s amazing,” Walker said. “I feel like me and Emma have been kicking butts all around the corner and think we’ve done so well together. We’ve been playing together since fifth grade and we just know. We don’t even have to talk to each other, we just directly know how to work together.”

“They do a good job of that,” coach Chris Murray agreed.

The Wolverines overcame adversity three times in the game to earn a measure of revenge for last year’s chippy loss to the Pirates.

They trailed 2-0 and tied it. They fell back 3-2, then scored four straight goals in the second quarter to take a 6-3 halftime lead. The Pirates rallied on the power play to tie it 7-7, then Woodstown’s Arianna Hyman scored twice in the final 2:39 to put it away.

“That was my big thing with them – don’t get in your head and play … your … game,,” Murray said. “They didn’t panic. They stayed calm and collected and played their game and came out with a win. That was big for us.”

Hyman broke the 7-7 tie when she collected the rebound off Morgan’s shot and fired it past the Cinnaminson goalie. Lizzy Daly picked off a Cinnaminson attack in the defensive end, got the ball up to Morgan who fired a long shot on goal that was knocked away, but Hyman was right there to follow it in. Hyman then gave them some insurance when she was stoned on an original shot in the crease, got it back from Angeline Lindenmuth and buried the second chance with 67 seconds to go.

“Last game we were worried about maybe getting face-guarded, Delaney and I, but I’m like let them because we have such a good arsenal of girls that they we’re all getting numbers on the stat board, which is amazing,” Morgan said. “I had no doubt if I didn’t make it someone on my team was going to get that and finish it.

“It’s nice to have that confidence and trust in all my teammates. It’s not just like Delaney and I running the show or something. We all contribute and do so well with each other. We made it, that’s all that mattered.”

Woodstown’s Delaney Walker (17) moved closer to 200 career goals and the school’s career record Monday. (Top photo) Emma Morgan (12) scored her 100th career goal in the game.
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GOALS
CINNAMINSON: Stevie Ormsby 3, Kiersten Huber 2, Olivia Lorimer, Teagan Fudala.
WOODSTOWN: Emma Morgan 3, Arianna Hyman 3, Delaney Walker 2, Angeline Lindenmuth.

Baseball

GLASSBORO 9, WOODSTOWN 8: The Bulldogs pushed across two unearned runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh after the Wolverines scored four in the top of the inning to take the lead.

Joey Tongue singled home Kody Harrell with the winning run after Jimmy McMahon scored the tying run the play before with on an error with the Bulldogs down to their last strike.

Sol Elmer’s bases-loaded triple earned the Wolverines a 7-7 tie in the seventh and he scored a go-ahead run on Walker Battavio’s single.

Battavio, Ty Coblentz, Drew Sutton and Talyn Priore all had two hits for the Wolverines.

Tennis

WEST DEPTFORD 5, PENNSVILLE 0
Carter Watson (WD) def. Sawyer Humphrey, 6-0, 6-0
Aiden Bardon (WD) def. Lucas Cooksey, 6-0, 6-0
Carter Weber (WD) def. Carter Willis, 7-5, 6-0
Chase Eagle-Jeffrey Hack (WD) def. Coen Rinnier-Matthew Forino, 7-5, 6-0
Allen Eastlack-Connor Watson (WD) def. Ian Peacock-Jacob Cheeseman, 6-1, 6-2
Record: West Deptford 4-0, Pennsville 3-3.

Girls golf

CENTERTON – Schalick senior Lena Virga won medalist honors for the first time this season and second time in her career when she posted 45 at Centeron Country Club to lead the Cougars over Cumberland 210-241. Teammate Cali Fisler’s 48 was the second-best round of the day.

SCHALICK (210): Lena Virga 45, Cali Fisler 48, Miya Watkins 59, Ella Burger 58; Elena McGovern 60, Caitlin Cutler 67.
CUMBERLAND (241): Molly Houck 50, Mollie Willis 61, Sophia Dunn 70, Kaitlyn Daly 60.


This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of April 6-11

MONDAY, APRIL 6
BASEBALL
Rancocas Valley at Schalick, 10 a.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Cumberland, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Pennsville at West Deptford, 11 a.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Cinnaminson at Woodstown, 10 a.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7
BASEBALL
Schalick at Clayton, 10 a.m.
Overbrook at Pennsville
Winslow at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Glassboro
SOFTBALL
Clayton at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook
Haddon Heights at Woodstown
BOYS GOLF
Cumberland at Schalick, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Overbrook, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Pitman, Pitman GC, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Williamstown, Scotland Run GC, 2:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Mainland at Schalick, 10 a.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Clearview at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Clearview
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Brookdale, 3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8
BASEBALL
Clearview at Pennsville
Glassboro at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Salem
SOFTBALL
Salem at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic
TENNIS
Kingsway at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
BCIT at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. West Deptford, RiverWinds, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Cecil, 2 p.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9
BASEBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Schalick
Pleasantville at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Clayton
Salem at Pitman
Salem Tech at Wildwood Catholic
SOFTBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Clayton at Pennsville
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Cumberland, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Pennsville at Delsea, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Timber Creek
Schalick at Overbrook
Woodstown at Haddon Heights
TRACK
Overbrook at Schalick, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Triton, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Holy Spirit at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Holy Spirit

FRIDAY, APRIL 10
BASEBALL
Haddon Heights at Pennsville
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Collingswood
SOFTBALL
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic, 10 a.m.
Glassboro at Woodstown
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Haddon Heights
Salem Tech at Haddonfield, 4:15 p.m.
TENNIS
Pennsville at Kingsway
Woodstown at Deptford
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley, 1 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11
BASEBALL
Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 11 a.m.
BOYS TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Woodstown at West Deptford Relays, 9 a.m.
Schalick at Bridgeton Relays, 9 a.m.
Woodstown at Univ. of Delaware
GIRLS TRACK
Woodstown at Univ. of Delaware
Pennsville, Salem, Schalick, Woodstown at West Deptford Relays, 9 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Middlesex (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC, noon

Big jump out of the gate

Salem’s Weathers reaps the benefits of his training, PRs by six inches in winning the Deptford Relays high jump his first time out this season

SATURDAY SCORES
BASEBALL
Haddon Heights 3, Woodstown 1
SOFTBALL
Ron Vinick Tournament, Millville
St. Joseph Acad. 6, Pennsville 1
Absegami 1, Pennsville 0
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown 21, Washington Twp. 3
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Mercer 8, Salem CC 0, 6 inns.
Mercer 8, Salem CC 0, 5 inns.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

DEPTFORD — Donovan Weathers’ coaches thought the Salem senior would PR in his first outdoor meet of the season, but the way he knocked it out of the water just blew them away.

Weathers won the boys high jump in the Deptford Relays Saturday, clearing the bar at 6-feet, 4-inches. His previous best was 5-10, but the way he’s been working in the run up to the meet that was a piece of cake and it was a just matter of how high he could take it.

“We were surprised he went 6-4, but not that he PR’d,” Rams coach David Hunt said. “We were confidently hopeful he would jump over six feet today, just because of all the jump work he’s put in.”

The jump work is a new element in his training. In the past, Hunt explained, the jumpers were getting the guidance in their specialties but didn’t necessarily have the drills to augment the instruction. Now they have someone working with them as a position coach in the guise of Hunt’s wife Rachel and Weathers has been working on his drills and technique.

“They’re getting coached hard,” Hunt said. “I’m not going to sugar-coat it, he tried to dodge a little bit of that hard work before, but now he’s running drills and doing all that … I think he sees it’s my senior year, I’ve got to invest in that and go out the right way. His ultimate goal is to be a state champion and go to nationals.”

The bespectacled 6-2 senior, a forward on Salem’s basketball team, beat four other jumpers stymied at 6-2, including Glassboro sophomore Moses Robles, who had already won the long jump and triple jump.

There were dramatic moments along the road to the win. To stay alive in the competition, Weathers needed to clear 6-0 on his third attempt. Robles entered the competition at 6-2 and needed all three attempts to clear that mark. Then all four of Weathers’ challengers XXX’d out at 6-4. Weathers nailed it on his first attempt with room to spare.

He tried 6-6 and missed all three attempts. He probably would have gotten it if he wasn’t sprinting back and forth to the triple jump pit to update Hunt on his progress.

“It’s a combination of the practice and his work ethic,” Rachel Hunt said explaining Weathers’ success. “I think he’s just dedicating himself to his craft as a senior. I think he saw the competition at indoor – he didn’t jump for indoor – and that’s driven him to push a little bit harder. He’s not just about going out there and jumping the bar. He’s really dedicated himself to doing the drills, completing the practice and, honestly, just showing up as a good motivator for the young guys.”

Among other top performances by Salem County athletes

— Schalick’s David Stewart finished second in the boys 400 hurdles (56.51) and second in the boys long jump (21-3.25). He grabbed second in the long jump on his final attempt.

— Penns Grove (3:29.87) and Salem (3:32.67) finished 3-4 in the boys 4×400 relay 

— Schalick’s Ethan McLean was third in the boys discus (134-9)– Penns Grove’s Bryan Garlic was second in the boys triple jump (44-3) and fourth in the 400 hurdles (56.84)

— Pennsville’s Aubrey Manorowitz was T-2 in the girls high jump (4-10) with Sandy Henry of Washington Twp. Manorowitz, Henry, event winner Amirah Murphy of Bridgeton and Addison Chiodi of Gloucester City all cleared 4-10, but Murphy made it on her second attempt while the other three took three. All four XXX’d out at 5-0.

The top three finishers in each event are awarded medals.

DEPTFORD RELAYS
(Event winners, Salem County top 6 finishers)
BOYS
400 hurdles: 1. Kareem Brown, Deptford 54.44; 2. David Stewart, Schalick 56.51; 4. Bryan Garlic, Penns Grove 56.84
800 SMR: 1. Pleasantville 1:33.56
4000 DMR: 1. Vineland 11:05.74
4×100: 1. Deptford 41.93; 4. Penns Grove (Reed, Roy, White, Goodson), 43.46
400 SHR: 1. Deptford 1:00.91
4×800: 1. Deptford 8:01.75
4×200: 1. Deptford 1:27.52
1600 SMR: 1. Gloucester City 3:36.12; 5. Schalick (Chomo, Stewart, Rhynie, Carter) 3:45.23
4×400: 1. Shabazz 3:22.74; 3. Penns Grove (Garlic, White, Allah, Goodson) 3:29.87; 4. Salem (Buzby, Seals, Bergen, Gregory) 3:32.67
Discus: 1. Jack Day, Seneca 137-6; 3. Ethan McLean, Schalick 134-9; 6. Jack Benfer, Schalick 121-10
High jump: Donovan Weathers, Salem 6-4; 6. Tommy White, Penns Grove 6-0
Long jump: 1. Moses Robles, Glassboro 22-1; 2. David Stewart, Schalick 21-3.25; 4. William Roy, Penns Grove 21-1.5
Pole vault: 1. Mason Henry, Deptford 13-6; 4. Caleb Jenkins, Schalick 11-6
Triple jump: 1. Moses Robles, Glassboro 45-11.5; 2. Bryan Garlic, Penns Grove 44-3
Javelin: 1. Kaden Roane, Deptford 170-0; 6. Gary Simonini, Schalick 149-0
Shot put: 1. Humberto Cuellar, Eastern 53-7.5; 4. JaKai Ingram, Penns Grove 47-7.5

GIRLS
400 hurdles: 1. Natalie Dumas, Eastern 59.66
800 SMR: 1. Kingsway 1:47.61
4000 DMR: 1. Williamstown 12:37.62
4×100: 1. Winslow 47.32; 6. Salem (Massengill, Tucker, Williams, Parsons-Smith) 50.84
400 SHR: 1. Winslow 59.60
4×800: 1. Eastern 10:07.99
4×200: 1. Winslow 1:41.11
1600 SMR: 1. Winslow 4:04.46
4×400: 1. Winslow 3:57.19
High jump: 1. Amirah Murphy, Bridgeton 4-10; 2. Aubrey Manorowitz, Pennsville 4-10
Javelin: 1. Brynn Greenwood, Williamstown 106-2
Long jump: 1. Brianna Growalt, Atlantic Tech 17-10
Pole vault: 1. Brynn Greenwood, Williamstown 10-6
Shot put: 1. Hannah Nuhfer, Delsea 44-1.5
Triple jump: 1. Trinity Brapoh, Willingboro 35-0.75
Discus: 1. Hannah Nuhfer, Delsea 170-9; 4. Tatiyonna Crawford, Pennsville 109-3

Baseball

WOODSTOWN — Haddon Heights played small ball to produce three runs in the third inning and three pitchers held Woodstown to a run and struck out 10 on the way to a 3-1 victory Saturday morning.

The Garnets parlayed two bunt singles, a sacrifice, an intentional walk and two hit batsmen into their three runs. The hardest hit ball of the inning was CJ Lovelidge’s line single to right that brought home the first run.

The Wolverines got one of the runs back in the third on Chase Harding’s bases-loaded walk. They had the tying runs in scoring position with one out in the seventh, but couldn’t get them home.

Drew Sutton had three of Woodstown’s six hits, going 3-for-3.

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Woodstown0010000-160
WP: Cole Simon. LP: Stone Hassler.

Softball

MILLVILLE — Pennsville scored a run in the first inning of its first game in the 41st annual Ron Vinick Tournament, but couldn’t push one across the rest of the day and lost to St. Joseph 6-1 and Absegami 1-0.

Kylie Harris’ sacrifice fly for the first out brought Lily Edwards home in the first to tie the St. Joe game, but after that the Eagles managed just five more hits. They did opened the sixth with a Harris single and Avery Watson’s double, but St. Joe reliever Elaina Portalatin struck out the next three batters to end the game.

The Eagles’ second game was a true pitchers’ duel. Pennsville’s Kelsey Cook scattered five hits and struck out two. Absegami’s Meghan Johansen allowed three hits, struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter.

The game’s only run was scored in the fifth on a passed ball with two outs. The Eagles put two runners in scoring position with one out in the fifth, but Johansen got the next two batters on a strikeout and ground out to end the threat. They put the tying run in scoring position with two outs in the sixth, but couldn’t bring it home before the game clock expired.

Girls lacrosse

WOODSTOWN — Delaney Walker scored six goals and five other players scored multiple goals as Woodstown routed Washington Twp., 21-3.

Angelina Lindenmuth and Arianna Hyman each scored four goals, while Isabella Lindenmuth, Emma Morgan and Emma Perry all had two apiece.

The 21 goals were the most the Wolverines have scored in a game since a 23-10 win over Haddon Heights in April 2022.

Walker, who scored 86 goals last season, is now 22 goals shy of 200 for her career. Morgan needs one more for 100.

College softball

REGION XIX SCORES
Mercer 8-8, Salem CC 0-0
Brookdale 7-4, RCSJ-Gloucester 2-13
Northampton 14-15, Middlesex 7-10
RCSJ-Cumberland at Camden
Bergen 7-9, Ocean 4-11
Delaware Tech 5-4, Lackawanna 4-5
Raritan Valley at Morris

MERCER 8-0, SALEM CC 0-0: The second-place Vikings held the Mighty Oaks off the scoreboard in the doubleheaand to two hits in each game.

Game One was close until the Vikings walked it off with five runs in the sixth inning before anyone got out.

SCC starter Raegan Wilson kept Mercer off the board for three innings, facing one batter over the minimum, but the Vikings broke the scoreless tie with two runs on three alternating singles in the fourth and added another in the fifth. The Vikings sent eight batters to the plate in the sixth with the final two runs scoring on passed balls.

The Mighty Oaks were hitless until Lilly Peverelle’s leadoff single in the fourth. Megan Koski had their other hit, a leadoff single in the fifth.

The Vikings jumped out early in the nightcap, scoring three in the first on a steal of home, reigning GASC Player of the Week Karisa Krawiec’s solo homer and Ammonie Wertz’ RBI triple.

They add two in the third and reached the run-rule threshold with three more in the fourth.

The Mighty Oaks managed only three bases runners against Mercer pitcher Ashley Haywood. Kasen Ervin and Emme Witter had Salem’s two hits and Peverelle drew a walk.


First schedule set

Salem CC’s inaugural football season to open with three straight home games at three different county high schools

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Three home games to open the season and four in three of Salem County’s five high school stadiums highlight the “traveling road show” that will be Salem Community College’s inaugural football season.

The Mighty Oaks finally matched dates with venues to complete their eight-game first-year schedule. They’ll open the season August 29 at Pennsville High School against Hudson Valley CC. They’ll play Nassau CC at Schalick on Sept. 12 and Thaddeus Stevens at Penns Grove Sept. 19. Their final home game is Oct. 17 at Pennsville against Sussex, the only other JUCO in the state that offers football.

Athletics director Bob Hughes said “it just kind of happened” that the first three games fell at home. The Mighty Oaks wanted to play an early game at home and head football coach Jay Accorsi said they took “what we could get” in order to play “legitimate teams and both military preps.”

During the weekends the Mighty Oaks use the county high school stadiums, the high school schedule for those teams has Pennsville hosting Woodstown, Schalick visiting Woodstown, Penns Grove hosting Pitman and Pennsville is at Schalick.

“All the credit goes to Jay in terms of putting the schedule together,” Hughes said. “We had talked through a lot of the parameters and are grateful to have partners in the local high schools and be able to partner with them to bring this, as we call it, our traveling road show across the county.

“It’s exciting. It makes it feel more real, especially as we go into having our first workouts this week. It’s happening.”

Their road games are Sept. 25 at Army Prep, Oct 3 at Sussex, Oct. 23 at Navy Prep (at Annapolis) and Oct. 31 at Erie CC.

“We thought it was important to have (a home game) early on,” Hughes said. “I am very happy we have this first stretch at home to hopefully establish a little bit of presence with the community.”

SALEM CC 2026 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DATETEAMTIMEVENUE
Aug. 29Hudson ValleyTBDPennsville
Sept. 12NassauNoonSchalick
Sept. 19Thaddeus StevensNoonPenns Grove
Sept. 25at Army Prep6:30 p.m.
Oct. 3at SussexTBD
Oct. 17SussexTBDPennsville
Oct. 23at Navy Prep2:30 p.m.Annapolis
Oct. 31Erie CCTBD



Happy home opener

Heads-up base running move helps Salem Tech rally to win inaugural home baseball game, Chargers softball rallies past Highland, and more

THURSDAY SCORES
BASEBALL
Pennsville 8, Paulsboro 3
Salem Tech 15, Wildwood Catholic 9
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech 14, Highland 11
Paulsboro 19, Penns Grove 1
BOYS GOLF
Pitman 180, Woodstown 182
Schalick 165, Overbrook 204
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown 4, Pennsville 1
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC 21-20, Monroe-Bronx 0-1

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – For all the runs that scored in the game on balls put in play, the game-winning run in Salem Tech’s historic home opener Thursday was scored on a heads-up play by a runner on the base paths.

Lucas Clement caught the pitcher and catcher napping between pitches with two outs in the fifth inning of a tie game and smartly stole home to give the Chargers the lead for good in an eventual 15-9 win over Wildwood Catholic in the first home game in their baseball history.

Clement was stationed at third, having moved around the bases on a walk, stolen base and passed ball, and was studying the interaction between Crusaders catcher Ash O’Donnell and reliever Theo Margarites, who had just come into the game moments earlier. The window opened and he was gone.

“I was standing over there for a while,” the senior third baseman explained, “and I realized every time that pitcher got the ball he just never gave me any attention. As soon as he caught the ball and started walking back I realized I can get home. I didn’t know if (coach John Helsel) would be a big fan of that with it being two out, but as soon as he threw the ball back I just saw my chance and took it.

“I went on my own. I didn’t know if he was going to be happy about it, but I knew if I got home it’d be a good thing and put us by a run. He hasn’t spoken to me about it yet; he’s my trade school teacher, so we’ll see. He might never allow me to do that again.”

Quite the contrary. Helsel wants the Chargers to be aggressive. They stole 10 bases in the game, six in a five-run second inning that staked them to a 6-0 lead.

Clement’s mad dash wasn’t the only time the Chargers’ speed got them a run. Courtesy runner Brayden McAllister didn’t slow down coming around third in the second inning when Landon Haley was called safe on a close two-out play at first similar to the one that got Phillies manager Rob Thomson tossed in the first inning against Washington earlier this week. It got that five-run outburst started. And Chase Pompper scored all the way from first in the sixth inning when he stole second and the attempt to get him at second sailed into center field.

“I like putting a little pressure on them; pressured people crack,” Helsel said. “I thought (Clement’s dash) was a great heads-up play. I have no problem with that. I want to be aggressive. I tell them keep their eyes open. If they throw over, go. They’ve got to catch the ball, throw the ball and catch it again to get you. I’ll take that chance.”

The third and fourth innings nearly did the Chargers in. They had trouble fielding pop ups in the infield in the third and the miscues allowed the visitors to tie it. The Crusaders tacked on three more in the fourth to get Tech starter Bryce Harris out of the game.

The Chargers missed an opportunity to answer the Crusaders’ big tinning when they loaded the bases with three straight one-out walks, but couldn’t get the runners home. They had a threat in the fourth, too, but only got one run out of it.

Jack Beal replaced Harris on the mound for the Chargers and he gave them three innings of shutout relief. The hard-throwing right-hander four hits and struck out five. The Crusaders loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but he put out the fire with a strike out and a game-ending grounder to second.

“I was just trying to keep it so they weren’t scoring any runs and could come back and win,” Beal said. “I was a little pumped up because it was the first game at Vo-Tech so I was trying to throw a little harder. I was really trying to get the first (home) win for the team.”

The Chargers’ entire fifth-inning rally came with two outs and once they got to the top of the order. Pompper got it started by reaching on an infield throwing error that got him to second. Cooper Coles and Clement delivered RBI singles to tie it. Clement scored the go-ahead run with his dash then Harris delivered a two-run single to make it 12-9.

Coles went 3-for-3, reached base all five times he came to the plate, scored five runs and was a homer shy of hitting for the cycle.

The Chargers tacked on three more in the sixth on Pompper’s run around the bases, an RBI single by Clement and Jaxson Raymond’s RBI double.

“This was a good game because, I told them, it showed character,” Helsel said. “After the Cumberland (10-run) first inning they all started fighting. I just was worried they were going to do what they did at Cumberland (after falling behind). But they overcame that and showed character by doing that.”.

Prior to first pitch school officials commemorated the inaugural home game with superintendent Jack Swain throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. It came in a little high, but when Salem Tech supporters talk about this day years from now they’ll say it was right down the middle.

Wildwood Catholic0063000-8104
Salem Tech150153x-15107
WP: Jack Beal. LP: Carter Givner.

PENNSVILLE 8, PAULSBORO 3: It might not have been as impressive as the day before, but Mason O’Brien pitched out of another bases-loaded no-out situation and kept the game from getting away.

The junior left-hander came in to start the sixth inning with a 5-2 lead after starter Gavin Spears threw 72 pitches and fanned 10 through the first five. He gave up a walk, back-to-back singles and another walk to force in a run to start his outing, then struck out the next three hitters to put out the fire.

In Wednesday’s combined no-hitter against Pitman, O’Brien entered in mid-count with bases loaded and none out and got out of it with a short fly to left and two strikeouts. He got through the next inning on three pitches, an ultra-immaculate inning he called “pretty cool,” and finished with 19 pitches total, enough to tell head coach Matt Karr he wanted to pitch the next day.

“The coaches have a lot of trust in me and when they have a lot of trust in me then I believe in myself more,” O’Brien said. “I have the confidence in going out there and being capable of getting all those three outs with no one scoring or maybe one run scoring. I’m just thankful to my coaches for believing in me in those situations and allowing me to come in.”

“Mason is one of our leaders, (he’s) been starting since his freshman year,” Karr said. “There are not many other people I trust more than him. He and (Logan) Streitz are our leaders.”

The Red Raiders (0-3) had lost their first two games by a combined score of 39-3, but they led 2-1 after Kayden Weber’s open-field home run in the third. The play developed when Eagles outfielder Stevie Fatcher ran full-speed into the left field fence Aaron Howard style and chipped three teeth while the ball bounded away.

Fatcher stayed down for a while allowing Weber to round the basis. Once he got to his feet Fatcher stayed in the game and, Karr said, “gave us a big shot of energy by showing his toughness.”

The Eagles (2-0) took the lead in the bottom of the inning on Dante Cummings’ RBI single and a run-scoring error. They extended it in the fourth on O’Brien’s RBI single and Streitz’ sacrifice fly.

The Eagles answered the run Paulsboro got off O’Brien in the sixth with three in the bottom of the inning. Streitz had a two-run single and Fatcher’s sacrifice fly brought home the final run.

Cummings had three hits for the Eagles, while Spears, O’Brien and Grady Sanders each had two.

Paulsboro1010010-354
Pennsville012203x-8120
WP: Gavin Spears. LP: Julius Scott. HR: Kayden Weber (Pa).

Softball

SALEM TECH 14, HIGHLAND 11: Morgan Fogg and Carmen Mott hit back-to-back run-scoring doubles to highlight a six-run sixth inning rally that lifted the Chargers (5-1) to their season-best third straight win.

Fogg’s double snapped an 11-11 tie and gave the Chargers their first lead of the game. Mott followed with a two-run shot to extend the lead.

The Chargers, currently seventh in the South Jersey Group II power points standings, trailed 11-9 entering the inning. Shelby Drummond got the rally started when she circled the bases with a double and error. Claire Kier singled home Izzy Roberts to make it 11-10. Kier scored the tying run on a passed ball.

Roberts swent 4-for-4 at the plate and then set down the Tartans in order in the seventh, with two strikeouts, to close out the game.

Highland1413110-11123
Salem Tech104126x-14111
WP: Shelby Liber. LP: Soledad Vasquez-Milstein

PAULSBORO 19, PENNS GROVE 1: The Red Raiders erupted for 12 runs in the first inning and held Penns Grove to two hits for the game. They had only four hits, but took advantage of 15 walks. Yeneris Garcia and Nyasia Numan had Penns Grove’s two hits.

Golf

PITMAN 180, WOODSTOWN 182: Joey Zubert played his final five holes on the front nine at Town & Country Golf Links in even par to shoot a 4-over-par 39 and win medalist honors in the tight match. Jack Bucksar posted Woodstown’s low round (41).
PITMAN: Max Pappalardo 49, Jake Bowen-Ashwin 44, Joey Zubert 39, Logan Sharpnack 48, Luke Friscoll 53, Dane Collum 52.
WOODSTOWN: Jack Bucksar 41, Alejandro Vazquez 44, Logan Jones 46, Austin Wood 51; Greyson Hyland 53, Chris Porreca 54.

SCHALICK 165, OVERBROOK 204: Michael Nelson birdied his final hole to pick up two shots on the leader and share medalist honors with teammate Seth Fisher at 4-over 40. All four of the Cougars’ counters at Kresson CC were in the 40s
SCHALICK: Anthony Sepers 42, Michael Nelson 40, Seth Fisher 40, Hunter Dragotta 43; Bradford Foster 45, Dylan Sheehan 51.
OVERBROOK: Jeffrey Boyd 48, Joseph Linane 56, Mark Scott 52, Harry Cieslak 48.

Tennis

WOODSTOWN 4, PENNSVILLE 1
Drew Stengel (WO) def. Lucas Cooksey, 4-6, 6-4, 10-3
Sawyer Humphrey (P) def. Mason Shimp, 7-6, 7-5, 10-3
Luke Shaw (WO) def. Carter Willis, 6-0, 6-0
Vincent Merendino-Nick DiTeodoro (WO) def. Matthew Forino-Ian Peacock, 6-0, 6-1
Connor Miller-Josh King (WO) def. Coen Rinnier-Jacob Cheeseman, 6-1, 6-2
Records: Woodstown 3-1, Pennsville 3-2.

College softball: SCC sweeps

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — The Salem CC softball team made a long and fruitful trip to Flowers Park, sweeping Monroe-Bronx 21-0 and 20-1.

It’s the first time the Mighty Oaks (15-9) have scored 20 runs in both games of a doubleheader since the revival of the program

The Mighty Oaks pounded 26 hits in the doubleheader (12 and 14), while Raegan Wilson (three) and Emme Witter (two) scattered five hits and both struck out nine in the circle.

In the opener, Megan Koski and J.J. Aguirre both went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Lilly Peverelle homered..

The Mighty Oaks hit four homers in the nightcap. Aguirre hit two of them and had six RBIs. Witter and Tiana Wilson hit the others. Witter went 4-for-5.

The Mighty Oaks host Howard CC Friday at noon.


Confident Cougars find a way

Schalick ends four years of frustration against its archival, uses big inning, inspired play by freshmen to take down Woodstown

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville 5, Pitman 1
Gloucester Catholic 19, Salem 0
Schalick 9, Woodstown 6

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – The players on the Schalick softball team, veterans and newcomers alike, had been looking forward to Wednesday’s game with Woodstown for 10 months, ever since that bitter 3-1 loss in the South Jersey Group I quarterfinals.

In their offseason workouts. In their preseason practices. Even in the hallways during the school day, in the final hours before the game, the meeting with their rivals was on their minds.

With that singular focus guiding their play, the Cougars willed their way to an historic 9-6 win over the Wolverines Wednesday.

“I think me and a few of my teammates have been hyped this whole year, talking about it all year, how we were going to come back and get it and get revenge for how it ended last year,” infielder Liv VanAcker said. “Last year was such a good team and we were so close. And then talking to the previous graduates they were like you’ve gotta get this for us, and that motivated us even more.

“Throughout the school day we were hyped in the hallways, talking to each other, hyping each other us. The bus ride here was hype and when we got here we knew we were just going to get it.”

VanAcker, the second baseman in the middle of one of the biggest plays in last year’s playoff game, delivered two hits and three RBIs and freshman Kaylee Broglin provided seven strong innings in her first varsity start to lead the attack.

It was Schalick’s first win over the Wolverines in coach Rick Higinbotham’s four seasons and its first in the series since May 6, 2021, snapping a 11-game losing streak.

“It’s been a long time coming, but it feels good,” Higinbotham said. “It’s important because it’s a division win. I was telling the girls we need to stack division wins. Glassboro earlier in the week was a division win and then this one, so we need to keep stacking division wins. So it’s important. I wouldn’t say playoff-level important, but it’s important. Satisfying, very much.”

VanAcker had an RBI double in the third inning when the Cougars (2-0) took a 3-0 lead and a two-run single in the five-run fourth that gave them control of the game.

They sent 10 batters to the plate in the big inning. After a leadoff out, the next seven hitters all reached safely. Noelani Whitley single home the first run and kept the bases loaded. VanAcker cleared the bases with her single and accompanying error and she scored on Khloe McGrath’s single.

“I was looking for that pitch,” VanAcker said of her single. “I was ready for it and I saw it coming in.”

“I told the girls to go up with a plan and they all had a plan that inning,” Higinbotham said.

Broglin was told she was starting against the Cougars’ biggest rival the day before and responded by scattering six hits and striking out five. The first three hitters she faced reached to load the bases, but she got out of it with back-to-back strikeouts and an inning-ending ground out. The Wolverines threatened or scored in every inning but the sixth against her, but she never let it faze her.

“It was every opportunity,” she said. “I felt like (Higinbotham) really had faith in me that I could help them win. Especially because we hadn’t won against them in a while it just felt like a great opportunity for me to prove myself and show them that I’m capable of taking on teams like this.

“It made me think I really have to do good, I have to push myself and dig deep not just for me but for my team, too, because I know how much this means to everyone. It felt like I did really good and that I earned my spot.”

Broglin was one of four freshmen starters in the lineup who Higinbotham said “are contributing and doing well.” Designated hitter Noelani Whitley had three hits at the top of the order. Third baseman Paige Sparks had two hits and was one base three times. And second baseman Khloe McGrath had an RBI single and reached base twice. 

The Wolverines, meanwhile, might have been in a hole after Schalick’s big inning, but they kept fighting. It was 9-4 going to the bottom of the seventh but it wasn’t over. Lila Bowling’s one-out triple made it 9-5 and courtesy runner Ella Winchell raced home on Ava White’s grounder. 

Kendall Young kept the inning alive when she beat out an infield single, allowing the tying run into the on-deck circle. But Broglin ended the threat with a game-ending pop to second.

PENNSVILLE 5, PITMAN 1: The Eagles scored three runs in the third inning with a squeeze bunt, sacrifice fly and RBI single to take the lead and Graillyn Weber scattered five hits and struck out five.

Lily Edwards, Weber and Kenzie Widener all had two hits for the Eagles (2-0). Edwards and Weber got the third-inning rally started with a single and double, respectively. Kylie Harris squeezed the first run home, Weber rode home on Avery Watson’s sacrifice fly and Widener singled home Harris.

They extended the lead with two in the seventh. Weber had an RBI double and another run scored on an error.

Before the game, catcher Harris announced her commitment to Division III Shenandoah (Va.) University. She chose the Hornets over Salem CC and had offers from Ramapo and RCSJ-Cumberland.

“I think it was because the area and the coaches and the girls,” Harris said. “When I went on the phone and talked with coach (Olivia) Scarbrough, I could tell from the start she was someone I wanted to be coached by and wanted to be around for the next four years. When I went down to visit I had an opportunity to have lunch with all the girls. They’re so wonderful, so amazing.”

One of her travel ball teammates and the daughter of her travel team coach also are committed to play there.

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 19, SALEM 0: The Rams bounced back from their loss at Pennsville with four-inning no-hitter by Shaili Monaghan. She walked one and struck out nine. Riley Friend drove in five runs to lead the offense.

Big blast

Woodstown senior’s first ever homer highlights sixth-inning rally that lifts Wolverines over Schalick in back and forth game

WEDNESDAY’S SCORES
Gateway 10, Penns Grove 0
Pennsville 12, Pitman 0
Woodstown 9, Schalick 6

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Noah Williams couldn’t have picked a better time to hit the first home run of his life. Not the season. Not his career. His entire 17-year-old life.

WILLIAMS

The Woodstown senior outfielder launched a three-run homer into the football stadium with nobody out in the sixth inning Wednesday to give the Wolverines the lead in an eventual 9-6 win over rival and defending South Jersey Group I champion Schalick. 

It was him first homer in 24 varsity at-bats – he had 20 last season – but it had been longer since he’d gone yard. A lot longer.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever hit one in a Woodstown uniform, not even before high school; that’s my first one ever,” he said. “I’ve been close a couple times, but that was by far my farthest hit.”
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A quick and very unscientific post-game measurement set the blast at 340 feet in the air and 386 feet from home plate to where Woodstown athletics director Joe Ursino picked up the ball.

“It was awesome,” he continued. “I didn’t think it was going at first, but once I saw the right fielder going back I knew it was over. It’s an unreal feeling. I’ve never felt like that in my life. I honestly felt like I was going to throw up, if I’m being honest.

“I was pumped. I was so pumped. It means everything to me. My dad’s here, my whole family’s watching me. Even my dog’s here. It was awesome. I thought I’d hit one (eventually), but I didn’t think it would be in this situation. It was surreal.” 

The Wolverines (2-0) staged multiple comebacks before taking the lead for good under Schalick’s sixth-inning, three-error collapse. The Cougars (2-1) led 3-0 on Ricky Watt’s three-run homer in the first and 6-4 after Evan Glaspey’s two-run double in the top of the sixth.

They answered Watt’s homer with two runs in the home first on Tommy Tucci’s bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly by Williams. It stayed that way until fifth when they took a 4-3 lead on Drew Sutton’s two-run single.

“We came back all game long, every inning,” Woodstown coach Marc DeCastro said. “We didn’t always score, but we were on every inning. We didn’t give them any inning. It was when it was going to break through.

“We came back twice to take the lead twice, but I thought through six innings we came back every single inning. We were down right away, turned that into 3-2 so it was already a win. From there we had people on, people on and just couldn’t get that one hit until we got it in the sixth.”

The Wolverines sent nine batters to the plate in their big inning. It started with a walk and a single and then the Cougars threw away Stone Hassler’s bunt allowing the tying run to score. Williams followed by hammering an inside fastball into the football stadium. Sol Elmer restarted the process with a walk, was sacrificed to second and took off for third forcing another bad throw that allowed him to score.

Schalick coach Sean O’Brien agreed it was just a matter of time before the Wolverines broke through.

“It was kind of coming because we played poorly all game long,” he said. “They had many opportunities to break the game open and they didn’t do it, so it was a matter of time before it happened. They deserved to win the game. They played better than we did. We put together two innings to hit and that was it, that’s all we did.”

Another key element to the win was freshman Talyn Priore coming in to pitch with bases loaded and none out in the sixth. He came in to face the heart of Schalick’s order after the Wolverines’ intentionally walked Watt to load the bases and put out the fire on 13 pitches with a fly to Williams in left and two strikeouts looking. He got the win.

“We needed this so much,” Williams said. “It’s a big moment for us.”

Top photo: Woodstown’s Noah Williams reacts to hitting his first-ever home run, a go-ahead blast in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s win over Schalick. (Photo by Michelle Tucci)

Schalick3000030-6104
Woodstown200025x-992
WP: Talyn Priore. LP: Mason Sanchez. HR: Ricky Watt (S), Noah Williams (WO)

PENNSVILLE 12, PITMAN 0: The Eagles opened their season with five-inning combined no-hitter from Logan Streitz and Mason O’Brien.

Streitz worked the first 2 2/3 innings, walking four and striking out four. O’Brien came on in the middle of a count with the bases loaded and finished the game on 19 pitches (16 strikes), including the purest of immaculate innings — three pitches in the fifth inning.

“The plan from the get-go was to throw him between 50 and 60 pitches,” Eagles coach Matt Karr said of Streitz. “I told him after the game we didn’t take him out for lack of trusting you. Today is April 1, I want you playing meaningful baseball June 1. No sense pushing it. It’s a marathon not a sprint.”

The Panthers put only five balls in play against the two Pennsville pitchers, including a fly ball to right in the first inning that Jeff Wagner turned into an inning-ending double play. It was the only ball they hit to the outfield.

“We were just so dialed in we get to the third inning and I’m looking at my coaches and ask, ‘have we made a play in the field,'” Karr said. “I’m trying to count the balls they put in play.

“We didn’t even know (about the no-hitter) until we got out to left field after the game. I think it was (assistant coach Ryan Wood) who said ‘Did they have a hit?’ Then the guy doing the Gamechanger for us said, nope, a no-hitter.”

The hitters supported their pitchers’ effort with nine hits. Gavin Spears and O’Brien both had a pair at the top of the lineup. Stevie Fatcher had four RBIs.

Pitman00000-005
Pennsville4026x-1290
WP: Logan Streitz. LP: Drew Keefe.

GATEWAY 10, PENNS GROVE 0: Colin Murray held the Red Devils to one hit and a walk over five innings and struck out 12 and hit a two-run double in the five-run second inning that broke the game open.

Dylan Hyatt had the only Penns Grove hit, a one-out single in the first inning. Murray struck out eight in a row after the hit and retired 12 straight before walking Ronniel Terrero in the fifth. He faced one batter over the minimum.

The Gators scored a run in the first, then took control with five in the second highlight by Enzo Gambale’s two-run single and Murray’s double. Nick Watts had two hits and three RBIs.




Tuesday sports report

Scores and highlights from Tuesday’s Salem County sports calendar; Woodstown, Salem Tech score softball wins; tough day for Salem CC baseball, softball

SOFTBALL
Salem Tech 24, Pilgrim Academy 13
Woodstown 8, Sterling 3
BOYS TRACK
Penns Grove at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville 5, Glassboro 0
Woodstown 5, Clearview 0
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Montgomery County 26, Salem CC 4
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Lackawanna 10-2, Salem CC 2-0

By Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — The thing Woodstown softball coach Rob Hildebrand really likes about his lineup is its capability to deliver from any spot at any time regardless of the situation, but they’re especially tough late in the game.

That ability was on full display in the fourth inning Tuesday when the Wolverines scored six runs with two outs to break open a one-run game and power an 8-3 win over Sterling.

“I’ve never had an opportunity to coach a team on any level, and I tell them all the time, where we get better every single time we get another at bat against a pitcher,” Hildebrand said. “We only get stronger as the middle of the game goes on and like our third at-bat every game that’s when everybody starts hitting. I’m proud for them to be able to hit the ball.”

Kendall Young’s three-run double and Talia Guardascione’s inside-the-park homer highlighted the big inning. The Wolverines (2-0) led 2-1 going into the fourth and then sent 10 batters to the plate to break it open.

Brianna Hitchner scored on Ellie Wygand’s ground out that was the second out of the inning and cleared the bases. Guardascione followed by slashing her homer past a drawn-in left fielder to the fence. Madison LaPalomento scored on Grace Hitchner’s single and after Lila Bowling and Macie Moore drew walks to load the bases Young brought them all home with her double.

Hildebrand called Young’s hit a “sign of relief.” The Wolverines loaded the bases in the third with nobody out and only scratched out a couple runs.

Guardascione’s homer was the second of her career. Her first also was an inside-the-parker, against Salem last season.

“She’s the two-hole hitter and they play her in a lot in the outfield,” Hilderbrand said. “When they play her in like that she burns them. She’s so fast, I knew she was going to score when she came around second.”

The Wolverines took a 2-0 lead in the third on RBI singles by Grace Hitchner and Moore.

Leah Clark went the distance in the circle, allowing five hits, one earned run and striking out four. She retired the first seven batters she faced and faced the minimum through three innings.

The Wolverines host rival Schalick Wednesday.

Sterling (1-1)0001002-351
Woodstown (2-0)002600x-884
WP; Leah Clark. LP: Peyton Emmertz. HR: Talia Guardascione.

SALEM TECH 24, PILGRIM ACADEMY 13: The first-year Chargers took advantage of 11 walks and 11 errors to score a school-record 24 runs and win for the fourth time in five starts.

Shelby Drummond went 3-for-3, Claire Kier had three RBIs, Kate Liber and Morgan Fogg both had two hits and two RBIs. Drummond has hit in all five games and is hitting .769 (10-for-13) for the season. Kier also has hit in all five games.

The Chargers broke a 2-2 tie with five runs in the third inning and then broke it open with nine in the fourth.

Salem Tech (4-1)025908-2492
Pilgrim Academy (1-1)112540-13611
WP: Isabele Roberts. LP: Addison Brittin. HR: Moriah Parmer (PA)

Tennis

PENNSVILLE 5, GLASSBORO 0
Lucas Cooksey (P) def. Andrew Miller, 4-6, 6-0, 10-5
Sawyer Humphrey (P) def. James Pence, 6-0, 6-0
Jacob Cheeseman (P) def. Seth Taylor, 6-1, 6-1
Coen Rinnier-Matthew Forino (P) def. Joy Patel-Vincent Pasquarello, 6-1, 6-1
Records: Pennsville 2-1, Glassboro 0-2.

WOODSTOWN 5, CLEARVIEW 0
Drew Stengel (WO) def. Dan Meader, 7-5, 6-0
Mason Shimp (WO) def. David Carter, 6-1, 6-1
Luke Shaw (WO) def. Cole Harper, 6-4, 6-2
Vincent Merendino-Nick DiTeodoro (WO) def. Chase Roberts-Jared Wax, 6-3, 6-4
Connor Miller-Josh King (WO) def. Matt Kalpas-Raj Rana, 7-5, 6-2
Records: Woodstown 1-1, Clearview 1-2.

College baseball

MONTGOMERY 26, SALEM CC 4: The Mustangs continued to mash the baseball, setting a season high in runs while scoring in double figures for the fourth game in a row. They have scored 75 runs over the last four games.

The 26 runs were the most the Mighty Oaks have given up in a game since reviving the program. The previous high came in a 25-7 loss to RCSJ-Cumberland in April 2024.

College softball

LACKAWANNA 10-2, SALEM CC 2-0: Mackenzie Adolfson hit a two-run homer in each game for Lackawanna, but the swing in the second game was the dagger for the Mighty Oaks.

Salem’s Jordyn Busch and Lackawanna’s Ayahna Fleisher were locked in a scoreless pitching duel for five innings in the nightcap, but one pitch broke the ice. Adolfson launched a two-run homer to center to get the Falcons on the board.

The Mighty Oaks threatened in the seventh, getting two runners in scoring position with one out, but couldn’t get them home. Savannah Palverento and Bella Rappa opened the inning with singles and moved up on Sawyer Simmons’ sacrifice, but Fleisher got out of it with a pop out to the catcher and game-ending grounder to the pitcher.

Salem also had a runner in scoring position in the first inning with two outs but stranded her.

Adolfson’s two-run shot in the opener highlighted a four-run first inning. The Mighty Oaks cut their deficit in half in the third on an RBI single by Megan Koski and Bella Rappa’s bases-loaded hit batsman, but the Falcons answered with two in the bottom of the inning and walked it off with four in the fifth.

The doubleheader starts a busy week for the Mighty Oaks. They travel to Monroe-Bronx Thursday, host Howard CC Friday and visit Mercer Saturday.

‘First of many more’

Salem Tech scores its first baseball win in school history in rout of Lindenwold; includes reported scores and highlights from Monday’s Salem County sports calendar


BASEBALL
Salem Tech 24, Lindenwold 2
Schalick 5, Glassboro 0
Wildwood 26, Salem 2
Woodstown 15, Penns Grove 2
GOLF
Gloucester Catholic 170, Salem Tech 208
Woodstown 187, Pennsville 222
Schalick 164, Wildwood 245
Schalick girls vs. Williamstown, Centerton CC
TENNIS
Penns Grove 4, Glassboro 1
Pennsville at Wildwood
Schalick 3, Clayton 2
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Highland 2, Salem Tech 0 (25-19, 25-15)
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at St. Joseph
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown 18, Cedar Creek 11

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

LINDENWOLD — Sometime during the course of the day Tuesday, the players on the Salem Tech baseball team are going to pass around a shiny new baseball that each will sign his name until there’s no space for another. When the last player has signed one of them is going to take that baseball and run it back up to the school where it will be set in a place of honor for posterity.

The Chargers made history Monday afternoon. They won the first game in their baseball program’s history, routing Lindenwold 24-2.

“Being the first coach is an honor and getting the first win’s an honor,” head coach John Helsel said. “I’m so happy for all the kids and for Mr. Swain (superintendent Jack Swain) because I know he really loves baseball. I’m glad I could get us our first of many more to come, I believe.”

Jaxon Raymond was credited with the inaugural win. He pitched the first four innings, giving up one hit and striking out 10. Jack Beal pitched the fifth, giving up one hit and striking out the side.

Raymond didn’t give up a hit until the fourth, faced only two over the minimum through the first three innings and struck out the side twice.

“I would say (he pitched) good, just from the amount of strikes I threw (43 in 82 pitches) and how fast I got out of innings,” Raymond assessed. “JI felt I wasn’t going to do good and started a little flat, (but) halfway through the first inning just more strikes were coming through the zone.”

“He was a little shaky in the beginning, but once he got his command down he was good,” Helsel said. “He had a little trouble with that mound – it was a little rough where they were landing – but once he got used to it, he was all right.”

The Chargers (1-1), who lost their inaugural game 13-0 at Cumberland, were as prolific in this game as they were in winning their two preseason scrimmages. They banged out 14 hits and took advantage of 12 walks and seven Lion errors. Cooper Coles went 3-for-5 with five RBIs. Chase Pompper had two hits and three RBIs. Lucas Clement had two hits and two RBIs, and Shamus Smith and Raymond had two hits apiece.

Take away the 10-run first inning of the Cumberland game and the Chargers have outscored their opponents 24-5 over their last nine innings.

“They showed me they bounced back and didn’t let that (Cumberland) game bother them,” Helsel said. “We played well. We had some real good hits. We were sound defensively.”

Pompper scored the first run in school history when he raced home on Coles’ inaugural RBI single after reaching on an error and going all the way to third on a passed ball. Coles scored on Clement’s RBI single. Clement scored on a wild pitch and Harris’ sacrifice fly made it 4-0. They added four more in the second and then broke it open with 11 in the third.

The Chargers also gunned down their first runner attempting to steal when freshman catcher Logan Hearn nailed Julius Hammond trying to steal second in the second inning.

This Chargers play their first home game in school history Thursday against Wildwood Catholic.

Salem Tech (1-1)44(11)05-24141
Lindenwold (0-3)10010-227
WP: Jaxon Raymond. LP: Aidan Ryan.

SCHALICK 5, GLASSBORO 0: Ricky Wattt went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and starting pitcher Jamari Whitley threw 3 2/3 innings of no-hit ball with eight strikeouts to lead Schalick over Glassboro, 5-0, Monday.

Cole Hartley broke a scoreless tie with a two-run single in the third. Watt doubled the lead with a two-run double in the fourth. Evan Glaspey’s grounder to short produced the Cougars’ fifth run. Evan Sepers had two hits for the Cougars.

Three Schalick pitchers held the Bulldogs to two hits and struck out 13. Whitley faced 15 batters and threw 66 pitches in his first start of the year. Mason Hollywood went the next 2 1/3, giving up one hit and striking out three. Mason Sanchez pitched the seventh, giving up a hit and fanning two.

The defending South Jersey Group 1 champs have given up just one run in their first two games.

Schalick (2-0)0022010-5100
Glassboro (0-2)0000000-021
WP: Jamari Whitley. LP: Ryan Newell.

WOODSTOWN 15, PENNS GROVE 2: Talyn Priore went 4-for-4 in his varsity debut, three pitchers scattered two hits and the Wolverines pulled away from a one-run game with an 11-run third inning.

Drew Sutton came on after starter Cole Begley struggled out of the gate and gave the Wolverines 2 2/3 innings of no-hit relief with five strikeouts. Stone Hassler went the final two innings without allowing a hit and fanning six of the seven batters he faced.

Eighteen Wolverines got at least one plate appearance and 14 reached base. Priore was their only batter with multiple hits. Ty Coblentz, Luke Fraley and Tommy Tucci drove in two runs apiece.

Woodstown (1-0)21(11)10-1590
Penns Grove (0-1)20000-220
WP: Drew Sutton. LP: Liam Irvin.

WILDWOOD 26, SALEM 2: Nolan Mawhinney had a two-run double and Owen Bannon a two-run single to highlight an 11-run second inning that broke the game open. The first three runs in the inning scored on bases-loaded walks.

Bannon had five RBIs in the game. Gianni Troiano went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and Trevor Triano scored six runs.

Three Wildwood pitchers held Salem to three hits, two by Jonathan Bower. The Rams scored both their runs in the fifth inning. Bower led off with a triple and scored on Izaiah Santiago’s ground out. Cole Sayers scored on a double steal.

Wildwood (2-0)2(11)643-26152
Salem (0-2)00002-2310
WP: Will Auly. LP: Rudulfo Perez.

Tennis

PENNS GROVE 4, GLASSBORO 1
Andrew Miller (G) def. Alex Ramirez Martinez, 6-4, 7-5
Stuart Mondragon (PG) def. James Pence, 6-4, 6-4
Anthony Pacheco (PG) def. Seth Taylor, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2
Juan Ortiz-Adan Gonzalez (PG) def. Nico Tsoukalis-Vincent Pasquarello, 6-0, 6-0
Jesus Arrendondo-Rene Ruiz (PG) won by forfeit
Records: Penns Grove 1-0, Glassboro 0-1
NOTE: It’s the fourth year in a row the Red Devils have won their season opener.

SCHALICK 3, CLAYTON 2
James Mai (CL) def. Gabe McFeeley, 6-2, 6-4
Tyr Brattlie (S) def. Jayden Sanchez, 6-0, 6-1
Michael Cummings (CL) def. Reece Loatman, 7-5, 7-5
Cooper Halperin-Christopher Chica (S) def. Robert Shultz-Malcolm Turpin, 6-4, 7-5
Angelo Boston-Gavin McGrath (S) def. Emmanuel Ansah-Bryne Contravo, 6-0, 6-0
Records: Schalick 2-0, Clayton 0-1.

Golf

WOODSTOWN 187, PENNSVILLE 222: The Wolverines counted three scores in the 40s at Sakima CC, led by medalist Nate Valente’s 44. Trevor Hann (49) posted Pennsville’s low round.

WOODSTOWN: Jack Bucksar 45, Nate Valente 44, Alejandro Vazquez 48, Lucas Fulmer 50; Julia Swierczynski 52, Blake Bialecki 52.
PENNSVILLE: Trevor Hann 49, Caden Thomas 52, Abigail Bohn 59, Keagan Kaminski 62; Makenna Minguez 63, Jack Haley 65.

SCHALICK 164, WILDWOOD 245: Senior Seth Fisher was bogey-free over his final six holes at Union League National and shot 2-over-par 38 to win medalist honors. Jaxon Weber and Anthony Sepers followed close behind with 41s. All six Schalick players posted rounds in the 40s.

SCHALICK: Jaxon Weber 41, Anthony Sepers 41, Seth Fisher 38, Reed Bucolo 44; Michael Nelson 44, Bradford Foster 49.
WILDWOOD: Angel Gonzalez 55, Jess Alamein 54, Sarai Salas-Lopez 66, Alex Vida’s 70, Kianely Velasquez 71.

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 170, SALEM TECH 208: Medalist Chad Niederman birdied his first hole and went on to post a 2-over-par 38 at Sakima CC to lead the Lions. Teammate Zack Payne birdied his last hole and shot 41. Freshman Cohen Sutton (45) posted the Chargers’ low round.

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC: Anthony Beach 44, Nicholas Kolodzey 47, Zack Payne 41, Chad Niederman 38; Emmit Kiniry 47.
SALEM TECH: Cohen Sutton 45, Thomas Conto 50, Hannah Kormann 56, Sophia Conto 57; Jonah Baynes 71.

Pennsville rallies

Eagles score 5 after a moment of reflection to rally past Gloucester Catholic in season opener, Weber fans career high 10; Woodstown no-hits Penns Grove

MONDAY SOFTBALL
Pennsville 8, Gloucester Catholic 5
Salem Tech 16, Lindenwold 5
Schalick 6, Glassboro 5
Wildwood 10, Salem 0
Woodstown 20, Penns Grove 0

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Between the top and bottom of the sixth inning Monday Pennsville catcher Kylie Harris, as she’s been known to do, called her teammates to a huddle in front of the dugout. Even though they trailed at the time, she told them with the ability she knows they have there still was time to pull out the game and they should try “any way you can” to make it happen, preferably in this next half inning they batted.

The Eagles answered her call, rallying for five runs in the home sixth to turn a day-long game of catch-up into an 8-5 season-opening win over Gloucester Catholic.

“We were definitely falling behind a little bit and I knew we had it in us to really get the ball rolling and after that we did,” Harris said. “I think that really gave us all a little push.”

Eagles coach Beth Jackson has been known to turn things over to her players once the game begins in recent years. She’ll give them words of encouragement and instruction in the pre-game and post-game huddles – and if anything needs to be added to the players’ moment – but once that first pitch is thrown she pretty much leaves it to them to provide the inspiration.

It’s not always the same player who delivers the message, and it doesn’t always happen in the sixth inning, but Harris, somehow, always seems to be in the middle of it.

“She does that a lot,” outfielder Kenzie Widener said. “It helps us get motivated and pumped up so we can get out of our heads and just keep firing at the ball. Even if we were down by one she would just give off this giant speech that would make us work together to win that game. I think that really got us together and helped us win.”

The Eagles needed something. They fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and trailed 5-3 going into the home sixth.

Reagan Wariwanchik got the rally started with a one-out single into right field. The Lions booted Gianna Evans’ double-play grounder to keep the inning alive and Gracie Mease loaded based with a bunt single. The next three hitters – the top of the Eagles’ talented lineup – all batted with the bases loaded and they all delivered.

Lily Edwards singled to make it 5-4. Graillyn Weber followed with a single to left to tie the game at 5. Harris gave them the lead with a sacrifice fly. And after Avery Watson walked to reload the bases, Widener, just looking to make contact to extend the lead, did just that and ripped a two-run single to make it 8-5. Widener went 3-for-4 in the game.

“It was a great comeback,” Widener said. “I think it was well deserved. We work our butts off out here. We did what we could to come back and win.”

“That’s the team I just know we are capable of being all the time and it was just so great to see the bats back,” Harris said. “I definitely think we had a little bit of nerves (because of the) first home game. I think we were just trying to get back in the groove, but that last inning, seeing that rally, it was so much fun.”

Now with a lead to protect, Weber finished off the Lions from the circle. And even when the visitors got a runner on in the seventh she didn’t flinch. Harris picked that runner off first to end the game.

Weber looked comfortable in her new role as the Eagles’ main pitcher. She gave up seven hits and hits and struck out 10, beating her career-high she established last year against the Lions (seven). After the Lions scored their three in the first, the junior struck out the side in the second and gave up just two runs and three hits the rest of the way – none over the final 2 1/3.

“I might have just thrown too much over the plate in the beginning,” she said, “but then I got used to the umpire and what his zone was and that helped.

“I’m definitely more confident this year, for sure. I’m excited to be pitching and I like it. I’m glad to be out there.”

Gloucester Catholic (0-2)3010100-562
Pennsville (1-0)010115x-8112
WP: Graillyn Weber. LP: Maddie McGinn.

SCHALICK 6, GLASSBORO 5: Freshman starting pitcher Noelani Whitley’s inside-the-park home run with one out in the sixth inning gave the Cougars a 6-4 lead and freshman Kaylee Broflin turned back Glassboro’s threat in the seventh inning after the Bulldogs put the tying run in scoring position with one out.

The Cougars broke a scoreless tie with five in the fourth. They scored the first three runs when the Bulldogs misplayed a grounder off Whitley’s bat and scored the other two on an error on a bad throw to thwart a stolen base.

“Our freshmen pitchers did a great job today,” Cougars coach Rick Higinbotham said. :They were throwing strikes and keeping the ball down in the zone. I was pleased with their performance.”

Glassboro (1-1)0000311-583
Schalick (1-0)000501x-653
WP: Noelani Whitley. LP: Gianna Askin. HR: Noelani Whitley.

WOODSTOWN 20, PENNS GROVE 0: The Wolverines opened their season by converting 14 walks and seven hit batsmen into 20 runs and three pitchers combined on a four-inning no-hitter. They already were leading 9-0 when they erupted for 11 runs in the third inning. Leah Clark, Madison Roback and Brianna Hitchner combined for the no-hitter, facing one batter over the minimum. The only two base runners they allowed reached on errors and one eventually got cut down at the plate.

Penns Grove (0-1)0000-003
Woodstown (1-0)54(11)x-2062
WP: Leah Clark. LP: Domari Torres Caraballo.

SALEM TECH 16, LINDENWOLD 5: The Chargers erupted for 10 runs in the first inning and coasted to their third victory. Shelby Drummond, Isabele Roberts and Rachel Reed drove in three hits apiece. Drummond and Roberts both had two-run doubles in the big first inning. Roberts pitched the first two innings and retired all six batters she faced, striking out five.

Lindenwold (0-1)0032-526
Salem Tech (3-1)(10)60x-1693
WP: Isabele Roberts. LP: Veronica Guardado.

WILDWOOD 10, SALEM 0: Addison Troiano went 4-for-4 with three extra-base hits and drove in five runs and Emma Contreras held the Rams to three hits while striking out 14 in six innings. Isla Bohn had all three Salem hits, singles in the first, third and fifth.

Salem (0-2)000000-034
Wildwood (1-1)3011051090
WP: Emma Contreras. LP: Avah Brown.