Category: SALEM CC

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.


Staff taking shape

Salem CC adds Crowley, Troy to its football coaching staff, Accorsi designates coordinators

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Salem CC football coach Jay Accorsi has added two assistants to his coaching staff and designated coordinator assignments just in time for the start of the program’s first spring practice Monday.

Accorsi on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of Chris Crowley and Damon Troy to join previously hired Joe Dougherty as his assistants. Their contracts are expected to be ratified by the school’s board of trustees April 9.

“I think it’s the start of a really great staff, which I knew would be kind of the easier pieces to put together,” Accorsi said. “I’m super ecited for both. They’re great, great people moreso than just coaches and I know they’re going to be able to mentor our young men here in this process of being in the community college and starting up, so I’m really, really excited that both of them are joining us.”

Crowley, a former head coach at Woodrow Wilson and Deptford high schools, will serve as the Mighty Oaks’ offensive coordinator with his position specialty still to be determined. Dougherty, who has been with the program since Accorsi was approved as head coach, will be the defensive coordinator and coach linebackers. Troy, a former Penn State and Rowan player, will coach defensive backs and likely be the assistant special teams coordinator.

Accorsi will be the special teams coordinator.

“I think it’s important as the head coach that I be involved in all the players,” he said. “Even though I was enticed to be one of either the offensive or defensive coordinator, I think it’s important I get to know all the players, which, really, special teams you’re involved with all the players.”

Crowley was head coach at Woodrow Wilson (now Camden Eastside) from 2008-11 and Deptford’s coach from 2014-2016 with a year as a Paul VI assistant in between. His Woodrow Wilson teams went 21-20, winning a WJFL Independence Division title in 2011. His Deptford teams were 9-21, but each won more games than the year before.

“Chris I’ve known for a long time,” Accorsi said. “He impressed me when he was the head coach at Woodrow Wilson High School (and) personally drove a player over (to Rowan) one day later on in the recruiting process and that player ended up being a really good player for us and a great young man … so that really impressed me when I met him early on.

“I’ve known him for a long time in all his different stints and a lot of different positions he was at, but that one struck me at Woodrow Wilson. He just really impressed me in that environment that he was in that I think will be able to give him some great experience to be in the environment and young men we’re with here. He’s somebody I had on the radar early in the process and certainly it worked out.”

Troy was one of Middle Township’s all-time best quarterbacks and an all-conference defensive back for then-assistant coach Accorsi at Rowan in 1997 and 1998 after transferring from Penn State. He helped the Profs to back-to-back appearances in the Division III national title game. 

“He was a great player for us,” Accorsi said. “What really impressed me about Damon when he was a player was he took a lot of younger players under his wing and really helped them in a lot of other areas besides football. He reached out to me in the process early on and had an interest getting into college coaching and I think it’s just a natural fit. He was somebody I always knew would be a great coach and had an interest in jumping in doing it. He’s going to be phenomenal.”

Accorsi said the next critical piece to building the staff is the offensive line coach and that search is continuing.

Salem CC approved bringing football to campus in November with designs on starting play this coming fall. The school recently purchased a piece of property in Carneys Point to serve as its practice field. The coaches expect about a dozen players already enrolled at school to participate in spring drills.

This story will be updated.

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.

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 in Brooklawn 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 week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of March 30-April 4

MONDAY, MARCH 30
BASEBALL
Salem Tech at Lindenwold
Schalick at Glassboro
Wildwood at Salem
Woodstown at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville
Lindenwold at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem at Wildwood
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick vs. Wildwood at Union League GC, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick girls vs. Williamstown, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester Catholic, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Pennsville at Wildwood
Schalick at Clayton
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Highland at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at St. Joseph
GIRLS LACROSSE
Cedar Creek at Woodstown

TUESDAY, MARCH 31
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Pilgrim Academy
Sterling at Woodstown
BOYS TRACK
Penns Grove at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown at Clearview, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Montgomery County, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna, 3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Gateway
Pitman at Pennsville
Schalick at Woodstown
Wildwood Catholic at Salem Tech
SOFTBALL
Highland at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Paulsboro
Pennsville at Pitman
Salem vs. Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Woodstown
GOLF
Schalick vs. Washington Twp., Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick girls vs. Clearview, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Wildwood, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Clayton at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Triton at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Glassboro
BOYS TRACK
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Woodstown
GIRLS TRACK
Pennsville at Schalick, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Glassboro
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Lower Cape May
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Montgomery County at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Pleasantville, 1:30 p.m.
Wildwood Catholic at Salem Tech, 2 p.m.
Schalick at Ocean City
Woodstown at Haddon Heights
SOFTBALL
Clearview at Schalick
Highland at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Haddon Heights
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Pitman, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Monroe-Bronx, 2 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Howard CC at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4
SOFTBALL
Pennsville in Thunderbolt Tournament, Millville
TRACK
Salem, Schalick at Deptford Relays, 9 a.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Washington Twp. at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Mercer, noon

Lucas locks down

Former Schalick pitcher beats Salem CC in nightcap to give Dukes DH split, series win; Mighty Oaks’ Seitzinger goes distance in opener for first win

REGION XIX BASEBALL
Salem CC 7-3, RCSJ-Cumberland 1-8
RCSJ-Gloucester 10-19, Atlantic Cape 1-5
Northampton 12-12, Delaware County 9-1
Mercer 12-14, Delaware Tech 5-0
Sussex 6-10, Lackawanna 5-9
Morris at Raritan Valley
Montgomery 17-13, Bergen 7-1
Middlesex 15-6, Brookdale 13-3

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

VINELAND – When Lucas D’Agostino pitched at Schalick he used to relish the opportunities to go against the other teams in the county. Now that he’s in college, he was just as stoked to go against the junior college team from his county – and in a pretty big situation.

D’Agostino drew the start for RCSJ-Cumberland in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader with Salem CC and tasked with closing out weekend series. He answered the call, going six innings and the Dukes beat the Mighty Oaks 8-3 to split the twinbill after Salem won the opener 7-1 and win the three-game Region 19 series.

The freshman right-hander threw 113 pitches in his second-longest outing of the year, giving up four hits, two unearned runs and striking out a career-tying eight for his second win of the season. He gave up a run in the first and one in the sixth. After the first run, he allowed only two runners to reach scoring position over the next three innings and got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth with an inning-ending strikeout.

“It was cold, it was a little rough to start, but I ended up putting pitches where I wanted them and got lucky a couple times,” he said. “I laid a couple pitches in there that probably should’ve been hit pretty well, but other than that I feel like I hit my spots pretty well and kept them a little off-balanced, too.”

The Mighty Oaks reached him for a run in the first when he hit Jason LeBold, LeBold stole second and scored on Tyler Hacker’s single. But he wasn’t too concerned. His teammates rolled out the bats like he hoped in the bottom of the inning and gave him the lead to protect the rest of the game.

The Dukes put five up in the bottom of the inning off Salem starter Seth Bogan. Cole Shover scored on a wild pitch, Tyler Schoppe drilled a three-run homer and Nolan Murawski later delivered an RBI single.

Schoppe have five RBIs in the nightcap, Stover scored three runs and Kory Jenkins went 3-for-4 to complete a 7-for-11 series.

“Our offense battled back and put up a five spot in the bottom of the first to kind of set the tone,” D’Agostino said. “I thought that was a very big part of the game.

“The cold was tough today, but I think we battled and we locked in mentally for Game 2. Game 1 got out of our hands a little bit, but it was very impressive with my offense to get beat a little bit and then come back and set the tone for the next game.”

They gave D’Agostino two more runs to work with in the second on a bases-loaded walk to Schoppe and Chase Montgomery’s RBI single, and another in the third on another bases-loaded walk to Schoppe.

Salem won the opener to square the series behind a 114-pitch complete game from sophomore Pat Seitzinger and sophomore Jay Barber’s first college homer.

Seitzinger gave up five hits, walked seven and struck out two to earn his first win of the season and lower his ERA to 6.23. The only run he allowed was Chase Montgomery’s one-out homer in the second.

The Mighty Oaks answered the blast with two runs in the third to take the lead. Cliff Wysinger tied the game with an RBI double and J.J. Pankowski scored the go-ahead run from third when he beat the throw home on Tyler Hacker’s grounder to short.

They extended the lead with three in the sixth on Colin McLaughlin’s RBI single, a run-scoring error and Pankowski’s sacrifice fly. Barber’s homer in the seventh brought the final margin.

Barber, Wysinger and Roman Hernandez all had two hits in the game.

Salem CC0020032-7100
RCSJ-Cumberland0100000-151
PAT SEITZINGER (W 1-3) and Jacob Sharrow. RYAN BEEBE (L 2-1), Tito Perez (7) and Zack Braig. 2B: Cliff Wysinger (S), Jason LeBold (S), Roman Hernandez (S). 3B: Jay Barber (S). HR: Jay Barber (S), Chase Montgomery (RC).
Salem CC1000011-353
RCSJ-Cumberland521000x-886
SEAN BOGAN (L 1-2), Louie Rivera (2), Tyler Jacker (6) and Trevor Hernandez; LUCAS D’AGOSTINO (W 2-1), Adam Radzieta (7) and Zack Braig. 2B: Kory Jenkins (RC). HR: Tyler Schoppe (RC)

Region XIX Baseball Standings

DIVISION IIIR19ALLGSAC
RCSJ-Gloucester13-116-413-1
RCSJ-Cumberland10-218-4-17-2
Middlesex8-215-64-1
Northampton7-213-7
Brookdale7-612-76-4
SALEM CC7-612-154-4
Camden5-58-83-5
Montgomery4-44-4
Bergen4-75-134-7
Ocean3-66-93-6
Atlantic Cape2-82-82-8
Union1-122-120-9
Delaware County0-100-10

Tons of runs

Salem CC softball sets modern era scoring records for the second time this season in sweep of Morris

REGION XIX SOFTBALL
Salem CC 29-17, Morris 0-3
Delaware Tech 9-3, Mercer 0-9
RCSJ-Gloucester at Bergen
Northampton 18-15, Camden 9-5
Lackawanna 8-20, Sussex 0-4
Brookdale 18-15, Middlesex 0-4

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – The Salem CC softball team batted around – twice – to start their doubleheader, batted around again at the end of it and scored a lot of runs in between. A lot of runs.

The Mighty Oaks set modern era school records for runs in a game and runs in a doubleheader Saturday when they rolled over Morris 29-0 and 17-3 at Watson Field.

It was their most prolific day since reviving the program four years ago. The 29 runs in the opener and 46 runs in the twinbill broke the records they set in a 16-6, 27-4 road sweep of Anne Arundel two weeks ago.

“It was very exciting knowing that we beat a record and set a new one that we can beat during this season, too, I’m sure,” outfielder Sawyer Simmons said.

“That’s always fun to do,” shortstop Lilly Peverelle agreed. “I think it did shock us a little bit how much we were able to score but … we’re an aggressive team, we know how to run the bases, we know how to be strong in the box and do our jobs.”

Just like the 27-run game against Anne Arundel, the Mighty Oaks scored 13 runs in the first inning of the opener against the Titans, who had been beaten similarly by Lackawanna in their first two games earlier this week. Unlike that Anne Arundel outburst, they were much more patient at the plate, with 18 batters sitting through 82 pitches and 11 walks in the first inning alone.

They had gotten so far in front, all 16 players available Saturday had gotten into the game when Tiana Wilson batted in the bottom of the second inning, another inning they batted around. The only player who didn’t get a plate appearance was starting pitcher Raegan Wilson – and interim coach Mackenzie Freas would’ve made it happen for the PO from Salem had she been made aware.

All 15 players who went to the plate scored at least one run in the opener and 13 had at least one hit and one RBI in the doubleheader.

“We were able to get everyone in off the bench, so I know for them that’s a really good feel-good game for everyone,” Freas said. “To see everyone come in and be able to produce runs at that high number it feels great … They need to know that whoever is behind them is going to be able to produce – and they did. I’m sure it makes them feel good like I have someone who will have my back.” 

The Mighty Oaks batted around in the fourth inning, too, sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring more 10 runs. The first 10 batters all reached safely – seven with hits — and scored. Ava Ortiz drove in the single-game record-breaking runs with a two-run single, her second hit of the inning.

The second game was more of the same. They scored eight runs in the first inning – all with two outs – to answer the run Morris scored in the top of the inning. Savannah Palverento tied the game with an RBI grounds-rule double and Kasen Ervin gave them the lead for good with a two-run opposite-field single to right.

They added four in the third on Lilly Peverelle’s two-run homer and Jordyn Busch’s two-run double, and batted around in the fourth to score five runs. The homer was Peverelle’s second of the year. Her first came in the Anne Arundel doubleheader.

“I didn’t think it was going to go over because the wind was blowing in,” she said. “Then I saw that it was starting to trail and I was like ‘yes’ because it was an inside pitch and I kind of struggle with those but I’ve been getting them lately.”

Peverelle was on base five of her six times at bat and made several sharp defensive plays in the field, including a diving catch to her glove side on the first play of the the nightcap and turning a double play to end it. Simmons went 4-for-5 in the doubleheader, reached six times in her seven plate appearances and scored six runs.J.J. Aguirre had five RBIs in the doubleheader and Palverento had three hits with six RBIs and was on base six times in nine plate appearances.

“I knew I wanted to hit the ball every single time I went up, so when I was walking it was still good because you’re still getting on base and you’re doing a job that needs to be done,” Simmons said. “Then I would get back in the dugout and be like, oh, I’m almost up again, oh wow. It was definitely exciting.”

RODRIGUEZ UPDATE: Mighty Oaks head coach Angel Rodriguez is scheduled to come home from Cooper University Hospital in Camden Sunday after undergoing triple bypass heart surgery earlier this week. Rodriguez has been getting around and recently completed a walk of 300 steps. “I talked to him yesterday,” Freas said. “He sounded real good.” The players are looking forward to seeing him. “We can’t wait to get him back, most definitely,” Simmons said. “It’s great hearing all the good news we’re getting back.”

Morris00000-026
Salem CC(13)42(10)x-29120
WP: Raegan Wilson. LP: Brooke Wilson
Morris10200-383
Salem CC8045x-17110
WP: Emme Witter. LP: Jamie Lynn Konvtroski. HR: Lilly Peverelle (S).

Region XIX Softball Standings

DIVISION IIR19ALLGSAC
Lackawanna6-019-6
Mercer5-117-14-0
Delaware Tech4-29-7
SALEM CC5-313-74-0
Sussex2-62-102-4
Morris0-40-40-2
Raritan Valley0-60-60-4



Not-so golden hour

Mighty Oaks get caught in toughest 30-minute window of the sundown sky at The Treehouse

REGION XIX BASEBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland 19, Salem CC 2
Ocean 11, Union 1
RCSJ-Gloucester at Atlantic Cape, ppd.
Raritan Valley 14, Morris 10
Northampton at Delaware County, ppd.
Brookdale at Middlesex
Bergen at Montgomery, ppd.
Sussex 13, Lackawanna 7

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – There’s a reason it’s called a home-field advantage. Playing in your own ballpark provides a confidence you just don’t get playing on the road. The home team knows the way ground balls react in the infield, the best way to run down a fly ball in the outfield, even the way the shadows fall across the grass.

But sometimes even that’s not enough.

The Salem CC outfield lost three balls in the eerie multi-colored backdrop that’s particular to the early evening sky at the Carneys Point Rec Complex in a seventh-inning come-apart that turned Friday night’s 19-2 loss to RCSJ-Cumberland into a rout.

Fly balls hit by the Dukes’ Zack Braig, Kory Jenkins and Christian Willis all got past the Mighty Oaks’ outfielders to keep an eventual nine-run inning going. It would have been easy to think they had lost the balls in the lights, but it wasn’t that at all.

“The way the sky started to look, as soon as the ball got above the trees we lost it right away,” leftfielder Jason LeBold said. “Cliff (Wysinger) said he couldn’t see. Roman (Hernandez) said he couldn’t see. We were trying our hardest to direct each other, but as soon as the ball got in that sky, we couldn’t see a thing.

“There’s like a 30-minute point where you can see well, (then) the sky gets weird, then it gets real dark and you can see well again. We were the unlucky ones in the field during that moment in time.”

It wasn’t the first time the gloaming has given them trouble. It happened in the nightcap of last year’s doubleheader against the Dukes.

“Not as bad (as Friday),” LeBold said, “but we had two balls dropped. They even had some.”

“It was really weird today,” Mighty Oaks coach John Holt said. “It was pink, yellow. I looked at it myself.”

The Dukes carried a 10-2 lead into the seventh after pulling away from a one-run game with four in the fifth inning and three in the sixth. Jenkins hit a two-run homer in the fifth and Malachi Woods had a two-run double in the sixth.

The Mighty Oaks scored their two runs in the third inning on Tyler Hacker’s two-run triple to get within 3-2, but for the most part Dukes right-hander Otley Makosky kept them off-balance. They did collect nine hits, but 15 of their outs were in the infield.

“They shut our offense down,” Holt said. “Their guy (Makosky) did a real good job holding runners over there and we didn’t get enough guys on to get it rolling.

“We just didn’t execute. They executed, we didn’t execute; that’s baseball sometimes. I think we’re better than that score and hopefully tomorrow we can come out and show them that we are.”

The teams play a doubleheader Saturday at Cumberland. Pat Seitzinger (0-3, 8.50) and Sean Bogan (1-1, 7.20) will draw the starts for the Mighty Oaks. Former Schalick pitcher Lucas D’Agostino (1-1, 4.00) is expected to start Game 2 for the Dukes. 

ACORNS: LeBold and Hernandez both had a pair of hits for the Mighty Oaks … Hernandez, the right fielder, helped cut down a runner at the plate in the fourth inning (with a relay from second baseman J.J. Pankowski) to keep it a 3-2 game … The loss snapped a season-long five-game winning streak. 

RCSJ-Cumberland (17-3-1)0300439-19180
Salem CC (11-14)0020000-294
OTLEY MAKOSKY (W 4-0) and Zack Braig; SETH McCORMICK (L 2-3), Nick Reckard (6) and Trevor Hernandez. 2B: Zack Braig (RC), Cole Shover (RC), Kory Jenkins (RC), Malachi Woods 2 (RC), Angel Rodriguez (RC), Jason LeBold (S), Roman Hernandez (S). 3B: Tyler Hacker (S). HR: Kory Jenkins (RC).

Region XIX Standings

DIVISION IIIR19ALLGSAC
RCSJ-Gloucester11-114-411-1
RCSJ-Cumberland9-117-3-16-1
Middlesex6-113-52-0
Northampton5-211-7
Brookdale6-411-55-2
SALEM CC6-511-143-3
Camden5-58-83-5
Montgomery3-43-4
Bergen4-65-124-6
Ocean3-66-93-6
Atlantic Cape2-62-62-6
Union1-122-120-9
Delaware County0-80-8

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland (2)
Atlantic Cape at RCSJ-Gloucester (2)
Delaware County at Northampton (2)
Delaware Tech at Mercer (2)
Lackawanna at Sussex (2)
Morris at Raritan Valley (2)
Montgomery at Bergen (2)
Middlesex at Brookdale (2)
SUNDAY’S GAMES
Raritan Valley at Orange County (2)
Delaware Tech at CCBC Catonsville (2)
Lackawanna at Rockland (2)
Ocean at Union (2)
RCSJ-Gloucester at Atlantic Cape

Chargers get started

Salem Tech shut out in its first baseball game in school history, but not discouraged; Schalick routs Paulsboro in its season opener, and more

BASEBALL
Cumberland 13, Salem Tech 0
Schalick 21, Paulsboro 0
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Clayton
GOLF
Kingsway girls 204, Schalick 253
Cumberland 181, Pennsville 220
West Deptford 164, Salem Tech 240
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
CCBC-Catonsville 11-6, Salem CC 0-3

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON – To paraphrase Salem Tech right-hander Cole Sacks, playing in the first varsity baseball game in school history was cool … until it wasn’t.

The Chargers played their first official game Thursday, and after a promising beginning they lost at Cumberland 13-0 in a five-inning game that was pretty competitive after the first inning.

And it was a promising start. The Chargers got their first two batters on in the top of the first and loaded the bases with one out, but Cumberland squashed the threat with an inning-ending double play. Then it got away in the bottom of the inning when the Colts put 10 runs in the board.

School administrators had talked about adding baseball since bringing athletics to its campus eight years ago and while strategically expanding their offerings over the years pulled the trigger on it this academic year along with field hockey in the fall and softball in the spring. The softball team played its first official game Tuesday, a 7-6 win over Cape May Tech in the NJTAC Tournament.

“It was definitely pretty cool to play,” shortstop Chase Pompper said. “Ever since my freshman year they’ve been saying they were going to get a team. It feels good to play at my school that I go to. It was a little bit disappointing (to lose the inaugural game), but it definitely can go up from here, though.”

“I see great things for us in the future,” coach John Helsel said. “Once we get that (first win), we’ll be all right. I’m not worried about them.”

Sacks, a junior, drew the Chargers’ Inaugural Game start. He was excited about the opportunity and felt good going to the mound, but “just wasn’t on it,” hitting three batters and walking four before getting an out (a sacrifice fly) and being lifted when it was 5-0. The Colts added five more runs in the inning on five hits off Bryce Harris.

“It was cool until it wasn’t cool,” Sacks said. “Being the first game ever was very cool, but not the way it went down. That was my first time pitching since seventh grade in a real game. It’s been a while. I really wasn’t nervous, just wasn’t on it.”

“He’ll bounce back,” Helsel said.

Pompper got the Chargers’ first hit in school history, a sharp single to right on the second pitch of the game. Sacks had their other hit, a single down the third base line leading off the fourth inning.

After Pompper’s single, Cooper Coles walked. The runners advanced on Lucas Clement’s ground out – a close play at first – and Sacks was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Colts put the fire out when they turned Jaxon Raymond’s slow roller into a double play. The way the inning started got the Chargers excited and made Colts coach Kyle Daddario “a little more nervous than I anticipated coming into this game.”

“We definitely started off good, that’s for sure,” Pompper said.

Take out the first inning and it was a game. Harris put the Colts down in order in the second. And Daulton Sites put them down in order in the fourth (on 13 pitches, the last one popping the mitt with authority).

Daddario was impressed with the way the Chargers, a team with only two seniors and three freshmen starters, made the fundamental plays in the field and predicted they would be competitive with a lot of the teams they play going forward.

“I felt they threw strikes, I think that’s the biggest thing, but they were very good at making the routine plays, especially after that first inning,” he said. “A lot of small things they did well. Sometimes with a first-year program or even just a young team you see a lot of mistakes in that aspect and to be honest the first inning got away from them because they walked a lot of guys.

“They hit the ball. They put the ball in play. There weren’t a lot of strikeouts. If they capitalize in that first inning I don’t know what I would’ve done. That would’ve changed my entire game plan. If that first inning didn’t get away from them, we’re in a completely different ball game and we’re still playing right now.”

The Chargers won both of their preseason scrimmages by wide margins, but hadn’t seen anyone the likes of the Colts, who were coming off a 34-3 rout of Salem in their season opener that included a 22-run second inning. 

Everybody in the lineup had at least a hit or an RBI in the first inning; Colin Sheppard had RBIs in each of his two plate appearances. Kam Fiorani had an RBI double in the first and a two-run homer in the third. As impressive as the first two games have been for his squad, Daddario said after going 5-19 a year ago he’s not taking the offensive output for granted.

“Last year was a year of struggle for us,” Daddario said. “Nothing was given to us last year. I think we’ve got to take these first two games with a grain of salt. It’s early. We don’t know anything yet. We only won five games last year, so we have nothing to be super excited about right now. It’s a long season. We want to maintain the momentum, but we don’t want to have this fill our heads in any way.”

The Chargers, meanwhile, have two more games on the road before playing their inaugural home opener Thursday against Wildwood Catholic. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Salem Tech00000-020
Cumberland(10)030x-1380
WP; Ethan Cruz. LP: Cole Sacks. HR: Kam Fiorani (C).
Chase Pompper delivered Salem Tech’s first hit, a single to right on the second pitch of the game. Top photo: Cole Sacks drew the Chargers’ Opening Day start.

SCHALICK 21, PAULSBORO 1: The defending South Jersey Group I champions opened their season in a rousing way.
Ricky Watt hit a two-run homer in the first inning and drove in three runs, Jacob Schalick went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and the Cougars erupted for 12 runs in the second inning to turn an already comfortable lead into a rout.

Watt’s homer followed a season-opening triple by Evan Sepers and an RBI single by Evan Glaspey. The 12-run inning was highlighted by two-run doubles by Schalick, Wyatt Cushane and Cooper Willoughby.

Three Schalick pitchers held the Red Raiders to six hits and struck out 11. Starter Cole Hartley was credited with the win.

Paulsboro00100-151
Schalick6(12)21x-21190
WP: Cole Hartley. LP: Julius Scott. HR: Ricky Watt (S).

GOLF
WEST DEPTFORD 164, SALEM TECH 240: The Eagles posted the top four rounds of the match. Ben Perticari was low medalist with a 3-over-par 39 on the front nine at RiverWinds. Freshman Daniel Atanasio posted the Chargers’ low round (56).

WEST DEPTFORD: Ben Petricari 39, Ryan Delaney 41, Grayson Ryer 40, Chase Dunda 44.
SALEM TECH: Daniel Atanasio 56, Thomas Conto 63, Sophia Conto 59, Hannah Kormann 62; Jonah Baynes 69, Aaron Zeeman 72.

CUMBERLAND 181, PENNSVILLE 220: Manntram Patel and Thomas Marguglio shared medalist honors after posting 7-over 43s at Running Deer GC. Trevor Hann and Caden Thomas both shot 49 for Pennsville’s low rounds.

CUMBERLAND: Manntram Patel 43, Thomas Marguglio 43, Cody Walker 47, Giuseppe Impellizzeri 48; Cristian Godinz 50, Chase Selby 71.
PENNSVILLE: Trevor Hann 49, Caden Thomas 49, Abigail Bohn 61, Makenna Minguez 61; Keagan Kaminski 63.

KINGSWAY GIRLS 204, SCHALICK 253: Sophomore Kendall Stewart (48) and freshman Lanie Whitehead (49) posted the two low rounds of the match to lead the Dragons. Cali Fisler posted Schalick’s low round (59).

KINGSWAY: Lanie Whitehea 49, Kendall Stewart 48, Olivia O’Neill 51, Gracie Christopher 56; Hadley Burkę 56, Karlie Tomforde 57.
SCHALICK: Cali Fisler 59, Ava Marynowicz 63, Brooke Brown 65, Natlie May 66; Jazmin Perez 69, Alexis Ohara 70.

COLLEGE SOFTBALL
CCBC CATONSVILLE 11-6, SALEM CC 0-3: The Mighty Oaks were shut out on six hits in the five-inning opener and held to four hits in the nightcap.

In the nightcap, the Mighty Oaks cut an early 2-0 deficit in half on Jocelyn Melendez’ squeeze bunt in the fifth, then gave up a two-run homer to Aliceanna Weibley in the bottom of the inning. Megan Koski’s RBI double drew them within 4-2 in the sixth, then Ava Blum delivered a two-run single for the hosts in the bottom of the inning.

On a roll

Salem CC baseball continues march to getting better, run-rule Delaware County CC for fifth straight win; scored double digit runs for the fifth straight game, collected 17 stolen bases

REGION XIX BASEBALL
Salem CC 15, Delaware County 4, 7 inns.
Morris at Rockland
RCSJ-Gloucester 19, Lackawanna 10
RCSJ-Cumberland 16, Raritan Valley 12
Sussex at Orange County
Middlesex 9, Bergen 2
Camden at Brookdale
Queensborough at Union

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The Salem CC baseball team is on a roll. The Mighty Oaks have scored double digit runs in every game of their current five-game winning streak – 66 total – banged out 67 hits and stolen 60 bases.

Yet as good as the numbers have been over the last week, coach John Holt knows there’s more in the tank. Their 15-4 win over Delaware County CC Wednesday was just another step in getting to it.

“Honestly, we’re just trying to continue to get better because we haven’t played our best baseball yet,” Holt said after watching his team run-rule the winless Phantoms. “We’re not where we need to be yet, so we’ve got to take these opportunities just to continue to work on things and get better every game.”

Where was the “better” Wednesday? In the box score, every spot in their lineup scored at least one run and eight of the nine spots had at least one stolen base. They put a crooked number on the board in every inning they scored.

But that’s not where you’d find it. The better on this day came in their mindset, one day after a rather pedestrian win over the Phantoms on the road.

They had what Holt called a “very heart-to-heart conversation” before taking the field and the message hit home.

“(Holt) just talked about, like you said, we haven’t been playing our best baseball recently and we haven’t really played with emotion,” right fielder Roman Hernandez said. “We were just going out there going through the fundamentals. Just because we’re playing a team that we’re supposed to beat doesn’t mean anything, like we should treat them like the best team in the country and we haven’t been doing that.

“We’ve got to do that soon because (this weekend’s opponent) Cumberland is a very good team. We’ve got to start playing with some heart because they’re gonna want it as bad as we want it, if not more. I think today we definitely figured it out a little bit. Brought us closer together. I definitely enjoyed the talk. I think most of our team did also.”

Starter Andre Stewart gave the Mighty Oaks three no-hit innings to open the game. Their first four batters of the game reached base against Delco starter Aaron Wright, a Salem player last fall, and three scored. They batted around in the third to extend the lead to 7-1 and sent 11 batters to the plate in the fourth to score six more. At that point, every spot in the lineup had scored a run and they had 14 stolen bases. 

Jason LeBold, Sal Mesete and Jacob Sharrow had two hits apiece. LeBold was on base all four times he batted and stole three bases. Mesete and Jay Barber reached base all three times they batted. Barber also stole three bases. Aiden Nestor hit the first pitch offered by Delco’s first reliever for a two-run double in the third that made it 6-1. Sharrow had a two-run triple in the fourth that made it 9-1.

The Mighty Oaks stole 18 bases in the series opener with Atlantic Cape last Friday. They are now second in JUCO Division III and eighth in all of the NJCAA in stolen bases.

Delaware County (0-8)0010300-4 34
Salem CC (11-13)304620x-15100
AARON WRIGHT (L 0-1), Jayden Jeter (3), Hector Fierro (4) and Carlos Alverez-Rivero, Joe Watson (5), Teegan Jillard (6). ANDRE STEWART (W 3-0), Mike Valente (4), Pat Seitzinger (7) and Jacob Sharrow. 2B: Aiden Nestor )S_, Chase Hortiz (S). 3B: Jason LeBold (S), Jacob Sharrow (S).
THE LAST FIVERHSB
Delaware County 151017
Delaware County 111713
Atlantic Cape 15156
Atlantic Cape 13156
Atlantic Cape121018
Salem CC’s Sal Mesete (27) scores a third-inning run ahead of the tag of Delco catcher Carlos Alvarez-Rivero Wednesday. Top photo: Jason LeBold (4) steals home standing up in the first inning. It was one of 17 stolen bases the Mighty Oaks had in the game.