Woodstown’s Brown’s perfect game, Schalick coach O’Brien’s 100th career win highlight the Friday Salem County sports roundup
SOFTBALL
WOODSTOWN 13, WILDWOOD 0
WILDWOOD – Kayla Brown hasn’t pitched much for the Woodstown softball team, but the Wolverines need her in their present shorthandedness in the circle and Friday she delivered in a big way.
Brown threw a five-inning perfect game, setting down 15 straight hitters with 13 strikeouts as the Wolverines blanked Wildwood 13-0. She also had three hits at the plate, including a pair of doubles.
She’d pitched in five games for a total of nine innings before this season, but Friday was her third outing in four games this week (12 innings).
On Friday she threw 68 pitches, 46 for strikes. She went to three balls on four batters (and struck them all out) and two balls on three others.
Her teammates supported her with 17 hits. Tulana Mingin went 3-for-4, Ellie Wygand 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Talia Guardascione 2-for-3. Lila Bowling and Cara Delia each drove in a pair of runs.
Mingin now has 116 career hits, sixth on the Wolverines’ all-time list. She is 16 hits away from becoming the program’s all-time hits leader.
GLOUCESTER 10, SCHALICK 0: The Lions held Schalick to three hits and got all the support they needed from an Ava Rogers home run. Taylor Sparks (double), Alexa Shimp and Rachael Irizarry had the Cougars’ hits.
CAMDEN TECH 20, SALEM 3: Phoenix Holland had two of Salem’s seven hits. Korrin Robinson, Morgan Johnson and Gianna Pelura drove in the Rams’ runs.
BASEBALL
SCHALICK 3, GLOUCESTER 0: Luke Pokrovsky and Jake Siedlecki combined on a two-hit shutout to give Cougars coach Sean O’Brien his 100th career victory. The only thing that kept Pokrovsky from going the distance was his pitch count. He threw 110 pitches and struck out 16 in 6 2/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was a one-out single in the fifth inning.
PENNSVILLE 9, WILLIAMSTOWN 2: The Eagles made it 4-0 in their nine games in eight day stretch. Mason O’Brien gave up six hits and two runs over the first 6 1/3 innings before Connor Starn came from behind the plate to get the final two outs. Jacob Grant and Cohen Petrutz each had two hits and Logan Streitz had two RBIs.
WOODSTOWN 7, WILDWOOD 2: Andrew Pedrick homered in a four-run fourth inning and four pitchers scattered four hits as the Wolverines won their third in a row. Jack Knorr and Jack Holladay both had two hits for the Wolverines. Logan Taylor had two RBIs.
BOYS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 4, MILLVILLE 1
Matthew Sooy (M) def. Gave Schneider, 6-3, 6-2
Maddox Efelis (P) def. Paul Azari, 6-2, 6-0
Brody Wiggins (P) def. John Abdill, 6-0, 6-0
Noah Flitcraft-Noah Bohn (P) def. Hadyn Mulherin-Jonah Smith, 6-0, 6-0
Luke Chamberlain-Sawyer Humphrey (P) def. Adarius Cannon-Kayden Renzi, 6-1, 6-1.
Records: Pennsville 8-1, Millville 2-5.
WOODSTOWN 5, OVERBROOK 0
Tim Schwienbacher 
def. Andrew Weaver, 6-3, 0-6, 10-5
Drew Stengel def. Logan Milas, 6-0, 6-1
Erich Lipovsky (S) def. Colin Campbell, 6-1, 6-2
Ben Stengel-Joseph Kurpis def. Connor Kustera-Alan Marcos, 6-2, 6-2
Mason Shimp-Luke Shaw def. Thomas Mason-NA, 6-1, 6-0
Records: Woodstown 5-1, Overbrook 0-8
CUMBERLAND 3, SCHALICK 2
Samuel Falk (C) def. George Gould, 6-0, 6-0
Luke Fischer (C) def. Jesus Espinoza, 6-0, 6-2
Chase Sheppard (C) def. Conor O’Toole, 6-3, 6-2
Rocky Monticolo-David Santana (S) def. Joey Nolan-Josiah Jiminez, 5-4 (ret.)
Kaden Barnes-Cayden Brzozowski (S) Mason Staffieri-Cayden Brzozowski, 6-4, 7-5.
Records: Cumberland 6-2, Schalick 4-3.
Category: SOFTBALL
A rough day
Delaware Tech hits seven homers in doubleheader, sweeps Salem CC, hands Mighty Oaks their first loss at Watson Field this season
FRIDAY’S REGION XIX SOFTBALL
Delaware Tech 15-15, Salem CC 6-3
Lackawanna 31-25, Raritan Valley 3-3
Mercer CC vs. Bucks County CC (2)
| REGION XIX | REGION | PCT | GB |
| x-Mercer (31-5) | 9-1 | .900 | – |
| x-Del Tech (19-7) | 8-2 | .800 | 1 |
| x-Salem (24-8) | 6-2 | .750 | 2 |
| x-Lackawanna (29-12) | 7-3 | .700 | 2 |
| Morris (7-11) | 3-9 | .250 | 7 |
| Sussex (2-18) | 1-7 | .125 | 7 |
| Raritan Valley (1-15) | 0-10 | .000 | 9 |
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE – The Salem Community College softball team hasn’t had a day like this since the first night of the year.
The Mighty Oaks had a chance to make a statement in the region in their record-setting second season back on the field, but Delaware Tech showed why it’s still the big dog in Region XIX. The three-time reigning region champion Hawks hit six home runs in the first game and used two big innings in the nightcap to sweep the doubleheader 15-6 and 15-3.
They were the first two losses the Mighty Oaks (24-8) have taken at Watson Field since moving their home games to the Pennsville Little League complex last summer; they had won their first 14 games there. It’s also the first time they’ve been swept in a doubleheader since dropping two to Fayetteville State 8-0, 5-3 on their Opening Day.
They hadn’t been beaten like Friday in a doubleheader since Del Tech swept them 14-5, 15-2 last March.
“We ran into a team that could hit and we didn’t,” Mighty Oaks coach Angel Rodriguez said. “That’s the biggest takeaway. We did not have good approach today and we ran into a team that had a good approach. We’ve gotta be better disciplined batting.”
What made it troubling is it comes at the start of a stretch that includes all three of the other projected Region XIX playoff teams in their next four doubleheaders. With Del Tech behind them, they go to Lackawanna CC Saturday and to region undefeated Mercer CC Tuesday. Tucked in between, they host winless Ocean CC Sunday.
“They’re going to be tough games,” Rodriguez said. “We knew that coming into it. The biggest one is be ready to go, keep moving forward.”
Del Tech used the long ball to win the opener. The Hawks (19-7) hit six homers in the game, with Brooklyn Richardson hitting two.
They actually hit for the home run cycle as a team. Both of Richardson’s blasts were two-run shots, as was team homer leader Mackenzie Whaley’s ninth of the year in the first inning. Kameron Sockriter hit a solo shot, Ally Marly a three-run shot and Natalie Berry a grand slam that Oaks centerfielder Karyn Trice nearly kept in the park.
The Hawks hit four homers over the final two innings and three in the seventh.
“At the beginning of the season – we were laughing about it – this is a totally different team than what we’ve had in the past and I was like we might hit 10 home runs during the season,” Del Tech coach Guy Wilkins said. “I said we were going to hit a lot of doubles and triples because we have some speed, but in the last few games we started hitting some home runs.
“The girls can hit. I just didn’t think they were going to hit the long ball.”
The Mighty Oaks got in on the act in the seventh inning when Vaye Savage hit a two-run shot to close the scoring.
The homers by Whaley and Berry gave Del Tech a 6-0 lead. The Mighty Oaks cut the deficit to 6-2 in the fourth on Faith Penn’s two-run single. Savage’s sacrifice fly got them within 6-3 in the fifth, but the Hawks restarted the power machine and pulled away.
Salem ace Morgan Mecham kept the Hawks’ bats through the first three innings of the nightcap, but then they erupted for eight runs in the fourth – with Whaley hitting a three-run double and Amara Cropper hitting a two-run homer – and seven more in the fifth.
The Mighty Oaks led the nightcap 1-0 on Courtney Hoggard’s RBI single in the first inning. Haylee Pickrell homered in the fourth and Hoggard had an RBI single in the fifth. Hoggard had five hits in the doubleheader.
Despite the tough day, Hernandez did see some positives.
“Our defense played very well,” he said. “We were definitely pleased with the way we were playing defense. We knew we can play that well on defense. We know we’re a good hitting team. We just have to make better adjustments.
“We’re going to be able to learn a lot from this. A lot of people stepped up in different ways in a couple at bats, so we’re looking to carry that on and keep moving from there.”
BASEBALL
SALEM CC 6, CAMDEN CC 3: The Mighty Oaks won their fourth in a row and seventh in their last eight games as they try to make a late push for the playoffs. They are now 15-20 overall, 8-15 in Region XIX with 14 games remaining, 12 against region opponents and nine against teams with losing records. The Camden series concludes Saturday with a doubleheader at the Carneys Point Rec Complex starting at noon.
Timely blast
Harris’ first homer lifts Pennsville to fourth straight road win this week; includes results from Thursday’s Salem County sports calendar
THURSDAY SOFTBALL
Overbrook 8, Schalick 2
Pennsville 14, Pitman 7
Woodstown 26, Glassboro 2
By Riverview Sports News
PITMAN – Kylie Harris couldn’t have picked more opportune time to hit her first high school home run.
With her team mounting a late charge, the sophomore catcher launched a three-run homer in the sixth inning to give Pennsville the lead for good in an eventual 14-7 win at Pitman.
The Eagles were down 7-6 entering the sixth after Pitman’s Emory Sharpnack hit a grand slam in the fifth. Sierra Stultz and Avery Watson opened the inning with singles, then after an out, Harris hammered her long ball over the scoreboard in left field.
It was her 51st career hit and came in her 117th career at-bat. She was 0-for-3 in the game coming into the at bat with a strikeout and two fly outs.
“Kylie’s home run was definitely clutch,” Pennsville coach Beth Jackson said. “I’m sure she was frustrated from her first couple of Abs. The girls always want to contribute and she did in a big way.”
The Eagles scored two more runs in the inning on wild pitches. Bella Farina put the game out of reach with a three-run homer in the seventh. It was her career-high fourth of the season.
Farina and Stultz each had three hits in the game. Harris and Watson each had two.
With the victory, the Eagles (7-4) swept their run of four road games in as many days, outscoring their opponents 56-7.
WOODSTOWN 26, GLASSBORO 2: The Wolverines filled the box score with their highest scoring game in eight years.
Ten players had hits, 13 had RBIs. Alyssa Baber’s grand slam and RBI double highlighted a 14-run first inning. Tulana Mingin went 3-for-3 and Ellie Wygand went 4-for-4. Kayla Brown and Hannah Hitchner drove in three runs apiece. Talia Guardiscione scored five runs.
The 26 runs were the most the Wolverines have scored in a game since a 27-5 win over Salem on May 4, 2016.
OVERBROOK 8, SCHALICK 2: Overbrook (5-2) opened a 7-0 lead after three innings. Schalick (3-3) scored twice in the fourth.
BASEBALL
Pennsville 11, Pitman 1
Schalick 12, Overbrook 5
Woodstown 7, Glassboro 1
BOYS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 5, WILDWOOD 0
Gabe Schneider (P) def. Giorgio Palesano, 6-0, 6-0
Maddox Efelis (P) def. Brian Damian, 6-0, 6-0
Maddox Efelis (P) def. Christopher Olivera, 6-0, 6-0
Noah Bohn-Noah Flitcraft (P) def. Cristopher Hernandez-Yahir Reyes, 6-0, 6-0
Luke Chamberlain-Carter Willis (P) def. Gabriel Hernandez-Simon Palacias, 6-0, 6-1
Records: Pennsville 7-1, Wildwood 1-4.
SCHALICK 5, PENNS GROVE 0
George Gould (S) def. Alex Ramirez Martinez, 6-0, 6-0
Jesus Espinoza (S) def. Poyraz Erdonmez, 6-0, 6-1
Conor O’Toole (S) def. Angel Perez Herrera, 6-0, 6-0
Rocky Monticolo-David Santana (S) def. Ricardo Vichi-Anthony Pacheco, 6-0, 6-1
Kaden Barnes-Cayden Brzozowski (S) def. Pablo Sanchez Correa-Stuart Mondragon, 6-1, 6-4
Records: Schalick 4-2, Penns Grove 1-3.
GOLF
Overbrook vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC
TRACK
Pitman at Salem
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGHLAND 2, SALEM TECH 0 (25-22, 25-21): Deshean Maldonado served for 11 points with three aces in Salem Tech’s tightest match of the year. Gabe Rich kept the Chargers (0-5) in it with 19 assists, six digs and three aces.
GIRLS LACROSSE
WOODSTOWN 14, EGG HARBOR TWP. 2: The Wolverines (3-3) got back to .500 and handed EHT (6-1) its first loss of the season.
Cover photo: Pennsville’s Kylie Harris steps into the box in the sixth inning Thursday before hitting her go-ahead three-run homer.
Good game, let’s eat
Pennsville softball routs Salem, then heads off for some team bonding and baked ziti; includes all the reported Salem County high school sports results
WEDNESDAY SOFTBALL
Pennsville 17, Salem 0
Williamstown at Woodstown, ppd.
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
SALEM – The Pennsville softball team has always been a group that’s kept its eye on the prize. It’s one of the things that has made it so successful over the years.
The Eagles had a very specific prize in mind Wednesday as they were taking out Salem 17-0.
“Baked ziti” was heard from their dugout along about the third inning of the Tri-County Classic Division game and at regular intervals thereafter.
Actually, it wasn’t so much a prize as a destination. After the Eagles got back to school and cleaned up, they were headed to teammate Cara Hoyt’s house for some team bonding and big helpings of the tasty pasta treat.
“We usually have team bonding, so we always get at Cara’s house and her parents make us ziti, so it’s kind of like a tradition,” outfielder Mary Montagna said. “We have one at Cara’s and we have one at Reagan’s (Wariwanchik) and at Reagan’s we play volleyball and stuff.
“I love ziti. I’m going to get two platefuls.”
The dinner was a players-only affair, but Eagles coach Beth Jackson was OK with that.
“That’s their thing,” she said. “It’s nice that they get together and do that. I used to have them at my house way back like 2013 or ’14, we would have a cookout and whatnot, so it’s something they do every year.
“I remember doing it when I played soccer. We always had a spaghetti dinner before the first night game. We’d play Woodstown under the lights and we’d all get together for a spaghetti dinner. I know a lot of the teams do it.”
Savannah Palverento pitched a one-hitter and allowed just four base runners in the five-inning game. The only hit she allowed was Sade Jones’ opposite-field single with one out in the third inning. She struck out five, including the final out of the game. It was the first time she has not worried about her right (pitching) hand since developing a blister on the middle finger two weeks ago.
“I thought considering the fact my hand’s been messed up this entire week I felt a lot better pitching today compared to other games,” Palverento said.
The Eagles (6-4), playing their third road game in as many days and seventh in nine days, pounded out 15 hits with eight of their nine starters collecting at least one. Kylie Harris and Avery Watson both went 3-for-4, with Harris, a sophomore, collecting her 50th career hit. Bella Rappa and Montagna each had two hits and three RBIs. Lilly Birney (two hits), Sierra Stultz and Hoyt drove in two runs apiece.
Rappa ran her career totals to 77 hits and 54 RBIs. Bella Farina’s RBI moved her within two of 50 for her career.
The Eagles led 5-0 after two innings, then broke it open with eight in the third. They sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning. Hoyt and Montagna both had two-run singles.
“They continue to hit the ball,” Jackson said. “They’ve hit the ball all week. We continue with the hitting and making the adjustments to the different pitchers that we see and taking it one day at a time, one at-bat a time. Today’s done, now we focus on Pitman tomorrow.”
The Pitman game completes a run of four road games in as many days. The Eagles have won the first three all by shutout, including Jackson’s 200th career coaching win Tuesday at Wildwood. They haven’t allowed a run since the sixth inning of their loss at West Deptford Saturday and have allowed only two runs in their last 19 innings.
Wednesday roundup
BASEBALL
PENNSVILLE 7, MILLVILLE 3: Mason O’Brien and Jacob Grant each drove in a pair of runs and the Eagles took the lead with a four-run fourth inning. Luke Wood pitched the first six innings, allowing three hits and striking out eight. O’Brien came on to start the seventh but struggled and Connor Starn came from behind to plate to get the last three outs all by strikeout.
GOLF
WOODSTOWN 156, PENNSVILLE 191: Woodstown’s Jacob Schermerhorn (37) edged Pennsville’s Jake Isaac by a stroke for medalist honors at Sakima GC.
Kingsway girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
Schalick vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC
TRACK
Overbrook 101.5, Pennsville 32.5
Penns Grove at Schalick
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 5, DELRAN 0
Gabe Schneider (P) def. Aidan Moskowitz, 6-0, 6-0
Maddox Efelis (P) def. Evan Therur, 6-0, 6-1
Brody Wiggins (P) def. Jacob Charney, 6-0, 6-0
Noah Flitcraft-Noah Bohn (P) def. Colin Thiel-Justin Hatcher, 6-0, 6-0
Luke Chamberlain-Sawyer Humphrey (P) def. Billy Boyce-Matt Rocha, 6-0, 6-1
Records: Pennsville 6-1, Delran 2-2.
Vineland at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
KINGSWAY 21, WOODSTOWN 5: Ally Phalines scored eight goals and Phoebe O’Rourke (five assists) and Madi Rothwein had four each for the Dragons (5-3). Delaney Walker scored three goals for Woodstown (2-3) and assisted on the goals by Blair Baldi and Emma Morgan.
Tuesday roundup
Here’s a look at what happened in Salem County sports on Tuesday
BASEBALL
SALEM 7, CLAYTON 3: The Rams picked up their second win of the season behind Colin Finney going the distance, allowing six hits, no earned runs and striking out six. Terrell Robinson went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Chase Davis had two hits. The Rams jumped out to a 6-0 lead through innings.
“It was a great win today, a real team win with everyone getting on base and manufacturing runs,” Rams coach Eric Fizur said. “This is one of the best group of young men I’ve ever coached. They are completely selfless and care about each other.”
To that point, catcher Andrew May continues to take one for the team. He has been hit by a pitch seven games in a row.
PENNSVILLE 18, WILDWOOD 5: Peyton O’Brien and Chase Burchfield both had three hits and three RBIs and the first five batters in the Eagles’ lineup went a combined 12-for-19 with eight RBIs. The Eagles scored five runs in the top of the first and never looked back.
SCHALICK 10, PENNS GROVE 0: Ricky Watt had three hits and two RBIs, Luke Pokrovsky had two hits and two RBIs, and three Schalick pitchers combined on a three-hitter. Starter Cole Hartley retired all nine batters he faced. Enrico Hatz went 3-for-3 and Matt Lamazza went 2-for-2.
WOODSTOWN 13, OVERBROOK 5: Brent Williams, Rocco String and Jack Holliday all collected three hits to lead the Wolverines. Williams had three doubles and three RBIs. Andrew Pedrick, Jack Knorr, Blake Bialecki and Thomas Tucci had two hits apiece.
SOFTBALL
PENNSVILLE 12, WILDWOOD 0: Savannah Palverento went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and combined with Sierra Stultz in the circle for a one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts. The Eagles got hits from everywhere in the lineup. Kylie Harris had three doubles, Lilly Birney went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, Bella Rappa went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, Bella Farina went 3-for-4 and Mary Montagna went 2-for-4.
WOODSTOWN 16, OVERBROOK 6: Tulana Mingin had three hits, Hannah Hitchner drove in three runs and Kayla Brown and Grace White combined in the circle for the win. Cara Delia and Lila Bowling had two hits apiece.
CLAYTON 13, SALEM 3: The Rams jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and outhit their hosts 12-10, but couldn’t get the others runners home. Meanwhile, the Clippers took advantage of 12 walks. Kyla Henderson and Phoenix Holland both had three hits for Salem.
SCHALICK 22, PENNS GROVE 0: Cloe Elliott drove in seven runs and Taylor Soarks had four RBIs. The Cougars scored 11 runs in the first inning.
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Delsea, Centerton CC
Woodstown vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
Salem Tech girls vs. Clayton, Sakima CC
BOYS TENNIS
CUMBERLAND 4, WOODSTOWN 1
Samuel Falk (C) def. Tim Schwienbacher, 6-2, 6-0
Luke Fischer (C) def. Drew Stengel, 6-2, 6-2
Eric Lipovsky def. Chase Sheppard, 2-6, 6-3, 10-7
Josiah Jiminez-Joey Nolan (C) def. Joseph Kurpis-Ben Stengel, 6-4, 7-5
Justin Nolan-Mason Staffieri (C) def. Luke Shaw-Mason Shimp, 4-6, 6-3, 10-2
Records: Cumberland 4-2, Woodstown 4-1.
SCHALICK 5, GLASSBORO 0
George Gould (S) def. Rowan Somdahl-Sands, 6-0, 6-0
Jesus Espinoza (S) def. Jesus Lopez, 6-0, 6-0
Conor O’Toole (S) def. Kileche Umbaofu, 6-0, 6-0
Rocky Monticolo-David Santana (S) won by forfeit
Cayden Brzozowski-Kaden Barnes (S) won by forfeit
Records: Schalick 3-2, Glassboro 0-5.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
WILLIAMSTOWN 2, SALEM TECH 0 (25-12, 25-12): Justin Reuther had six kills, Connor Vautour had five and Gavin Batterman 20 assists for Williamstown (5-2).
Busy week ahead
Woodstown, Pennsville both have a full calendar this week; Wolverines go 5 in 5 days, Eagles 4 in 4 but all on the road
EDITORS NOTE: This story has been edited from an earlier version.
MONDAY SOFTBALL
Buena 14, Schalick 1
Ocean City 8, Woodstown 5
Pennsville 14, Paulsboro 0
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – A demanding week, made more challenging over the weekend, got off to a tough start for the Woodstown softball team. But when faced with such a daunting task, the approach the Wolverines are taking is “one inning, one game at a time.”
Ocean City rallied twice – once before a 71-minute weather delay and once after – to knock off the Wolverines 8-5 Monday.
It was the start of an unprecedented stretch of five games in five days for the Wolverines (3-3), a stretch that is expected to test their depth and stretch their pitching staff.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had five games scheduled in one week,” starting pitcher Grace White said. “But I think we’re doing really good working as a team together and I think we’ll easily get the job done. I think it’ll all work out.”
The task is daunting enough with a full squad, but the Wolverines are down a pair of pitchers following the absence of Liv Boultinghouse and Johanna Way. Coach Dave Wildermuth declined to comment on any aspect of their situation and it is not known how long the players will be unavailable.
It has caused to Wolverines to do some creative shifting. White remains at the top of their pitching rotation, but the development pressed Kayla Brown into an extended role in the circle. It’s likely the Wolverines will alternate the two until the situation is resolved to keep from overworking either of them.
“Thirty-five innings is very tough for any pitcher,” White said, “but like I said I’ll do whatever it takes for my team.”
White started Monday and pitched into the fifth inning, when she was lifted after surrendering back-to-back doubles to Taylor Vaugh and Anna McCabe that tied the game. Brown came in from second base at that point and pitched the final three innings. She gave up an inherited run, two of her own, four hits and two intentional walks.
“I’ve pitched in like two or three Woodstown games ever,” Brown said. “I used to pitch for travel, but I’m only a second baseman here at Woodstown. I think getting called in is an opportunity in a way, but at the same time I just hope I do right by my coaches and teammates because I don’t want to let them down.”
Brown pitched in five games previously for the Wolverines and had never gone more than three innings. She threw a total of six innings in four appearances last season without allowing a run and pitched three shutout innings in her only appearance as a freshman. She spent all weekend throwing to prepare herself for the expanded role.
As the second baseman she wields a big bat. Her two-run double highlighted the Wolverines’ three-run first inning.
The Red Raiders (6-2) erased that early deficit with four in the third inning that was interrupted by the weather delay. Jessica Mooney delivered a game-tying two-run double right before the stoppage, then starting pitcher Brooke Douglas put her team in front with an RBI double on the first pitch after play resumed.
The Wolverines tied it 4-4 on Hannah Hitchner’s RBI single in the home third and Ellie Wygand’s sacrifice fly gave them a 5-4 lead in the fourth. Ocean City retook the lead in the fifth and added an insurance run in the sixth. The Red Raiders’ pitchers didn’t give up a hit after Aubrie Rennie’s leadoff single in the fourth.
“They got some timely hits,” Wildermuth said. “We played a good game in the field and we hit the ball. I guess the best way to describe it is they outhit us a little bit. Outpitched us just a hair and outhit us.”
The Wolverines aren’t the only county softball team with a tough week ahead. Pennsville opened a stretch of four games in four days – all on the road – with a 14-0 shutout of Paulsboro.
By the time this week ends the Eagles will have played eight road games in 11 days. They haven’t played a home game since their season opener April 5 and won’t play at home again until April 22. Before last Thursday the last time they practiced on their field was March 25.
“I’m glad we’re not baseball and we have to worry about pitch counts,” Eagles coach Beth Jackson said. “That would make it even more challenging, so it’s nice we don’t have to worry about that.”
This week’s stretch couldn’t have started better. Lilly Birney hit a two-run homer, came within a centerfielder’s rolling catch at the fence of an earlier homer and drove in four runs, Kylie Harris had two doubles among her three hits and two RBIs and the Eagles broke it open with an eight-run second inning. Sierra Stultz relieved starter Savannah Palverento in the circle in the first inning and allowed only four baserunners over five innings.
“Today was a good start with good defense and we scored runs,” Jackson said. “Today was a good showcase of how good they can do with minimizing mistakes and whatnot.”
As for the rest of the week, the Eagles will take the same approach as Woodstown – one game at a time.
“Now that today is done with Paulsboro, our focus is tomorrow to go to Wildwood,” Jackson said. “Just take it day at a time, one thing at a time. Today is done, good job, enjoy the win, now we turn our focus to Wildwood tomorrow. Beyond that, I’m not worrying about it. One day at a time.”
Cover photo: Kayla Brown will see more time in the circle as Woodstown finds itself down a couple pitchers.
This week’s schedule
Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of April 15-20; all events 4 p.m. unless noted
Monday
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Collingswood
Woodstown at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Buena at Schalick
Ocean City at Woodstown
Pennsville at Paulsboro
GOLF
OLMA vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Sterling, Town & Country GL, 3:30 p.m.
Pennsville vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC, 3:45 p.m.
Wildwood boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Kingsway, 3:45 p.m.
Deptford at Schalick
GIRLS LACROSSE
Eastern at Woodstown
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Triton at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Bergen CC
Tuesday
BASEBALL
Clayton at Salem
Penns Grove at Schalick
Pennsville at Wildwood
Woodstown at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Wildwood
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Penns Grove
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Delsea, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech girls vs. Clayton, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown at Cumberland, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove
Schalick at Glassboro
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Williamstown
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Millville
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Ocean CC (2), 1 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Salem
Williamstown at Woodstown
GOLF
Kingsway girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC
Woodstown vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Overbrook at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
Delran at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Vineland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Kingsway at Woodstown
Thursday
BASEBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
LEAP at Penns Grove
Pitman at Pennsville
Schalick at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Pitman
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Wildwood, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick
GOLF
Overbrook vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Pitman at Salem
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Highland at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Egg Harbor Twp., 5:30 p.m.
Friday
BASEBALL
Gloucester City at Schalick
Wildwood at Woodstown
Williamstown at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
GCIT at Salem
Schalick at Gloucester City
Woodstown at Wildwood
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Camden CC, 3 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC (2), noon
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown at Overbrook, 3:45 p.m.
Cumberland at Schalick
Pennsville at Millville
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Egg Harbor Twp.
Saturday
BASEBALL
Schalick at Eastern, 10 a.m.
Pitman at Woodstown, 11 a.m.
Hedelt Tournament, Oakcrest
Pennsville vs. Buena, noon
Pennsville vs. Oakcrest, 3 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Camden CC at Salem CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna (2), noon
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Lower Cape May, 10 a.m.
TRACK
Penns Grove, Pennsville, Salem, Schalick at Woodbury Relays, 9 a.m.
Nearly perfect
Salem CC’s Mecham comes within a leadoff walk of a perfect game, her no-hitter, sophomores take spotlight in softball sweep of Morris
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE – Saturday was the day for Salem Community College to celebrate the softball sophomores who helped restart the program and those upperclassmen played big roles in helping the Mighty Oaks score an historic sweep of County College of Morris 8-0, 10-0 guaranteeing them a winning regular season.
The Mighty Oaks recognized nine sophomores after the nightcap. The group combined for 10 hits, 10 runs and seven RBIs in the doubleheader and spun two shutouts, including Morgan Mecham’s near perfect game in the nightcap.
The group has been part of 40 wins since they helped revive the program last year.
“I’m getting emotional again,” coach Angel Rodriguez said. “They’re awesome. As we’re sitting there honoring them, we started reflecting back on the zoom calls and the conversations we had, having them on campus for the first year.
“They’re a great group. We wouldn’t be here today without them. They had a lot of hard work, dedication, sacrifices they made from their families. Seeing them giving me the opportunity in my first year and theirs, seeing the growth that they’ve had, I couldn’t be any prouder. Seeing where they were a year ago to now is incredible. Hats off to them for putting in the work and choosing us.”
Mecham pitched a five-inning no-hitter in the nightcap. She walked the game’s leadoff hitting on a 3-2 pitch, then retired the next 15 hitters in a row. It is believed to be the first no-hitter in the program’s history.
She threw 64 pitches, 44 for strikes. She got five ground outs and four fly outs. Only two balls made it to the outfield. It was her ninth shutout and reduced her ERA to 1.57 for the season.
“I might be the worst statistical coach in America; we didn’t even know it (was a no-hitter) until after the game,” Rodriguez said. “When we got in the huddle I said I think she had a no-hitter. Then it was announced over the speaker and we were like, yeah, we were right.
“She’s been hot all year. Today she just went out and did her thing. Sophomore Day. Parents were there. It was awesome to see it all come together. She was zoned in. I don’t even know if she knew it, either. She was kind of shocked herself.”
Sophomore Vaye Savage was the big hitter in the opener. She went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer in the second inning and a double. Freshman Ella Hayes went 3-for-3 in the nightcap with a two-run homer. Hayes, second in the nation in batting entering the doubleheader, is now hitting .628 (54-for-86) with 51 RBIs for the season.
The sweep ran the Mighty Oaks’ record to 24-6 on the season. With 44 games on the schedule, they are now guaranteed the first winning regular season in school history.
“It was definitely one of our goals from last year, just to keep improving as a group and we definitely did that,” Rodriguez said. “As I say all the time we just keep it going each week. Our goal was set to get more than 16 (wins) so we did more than the first year.
“We’ve gone back and dug up some records. For us, those are just things you can take in and be proud of, but we’re just trying to do whatever we can to keep just being good and improving. Obviously, it feels good when you win.”
The Mighty Oaks were scheduled to return to Watson Field Sunday against Cecil College, but the doubleheader has been canceled. Their next games now are Friday at home against Delaware Tech.
Team immortalized
Pennsville LL Senior Softball World Series team immortalized with billboard on clubhouse Wall of Fame
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE – Bella Rappa was a rock during Pennsville Little League’s run to the Senior Softball World Series last summer, but when it came to unveiling the sign that commemorated the feat during the league’s opening ceremonies Friday night she didn’t mind saying she was a little nervous.
Rappa was called on to pull the bright yellow cord to reveal the billboard that will forever immortalize the team on the clubhouse wall, and it was all she could do to keep a steady hand.
“I didn’t want to pull it and the whole thing come down, but I think I did a pretty good job,” she said.
The dark blue sign is affixed at the far right of a row that carries similar signs from 1985, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2006 and 2022. It reads, “2023 Senior League Softball Eastern Region Champs” and contains the names of each player, manager and coach.
Eagles manager Chris Watson wasn’t sure as late as Thursday who was going to help him pull down the blue sheet covering the sign, but as the time drew closer everyone sensed it was so appropriate for Rappa to do the honors. “It was very cool, actually, the way it worked out,” Watson said.
Rappa lost her dad, Nick, a big supporter of the program, two days after the team won the Section championship and the first baseman dedicated playing the rest of the tournament program for him.
The team rallied around her. They swept the district and sectional tournaments in Pennsville, then swept the state tournament in North Jersey and the regionals in Massachusetts. They advanced to the World Series in Delaware where they went 2-4, beating teams from Puerto Rico and The Philippines in pool play, and ultimately finishing tied for seventh in the 10-team field.
They were welcomed home with a parade down Broadway riding atop a Pennsville fire truck and led out by a Pennsville police cruiser. Unveiling the sign, much like raising the pennant on opening day, was the last official act of a championship season.
“(Seeing the sign) was really nice just because this year there was a lot on the line, especially with the passing of my dad,” Rappa said. “The girls all thought that was our main goal, to get farther than we did last year, so to win East Regions and then be up there back-to-back is something that’s really special to all of us.”
Catcher Kylie Harris was emotional when she unveiled last year’s sign for a team that won the state and were thwarted in the regional final and she was trying not to cry this time.
“Being up there for the second time with the people that I love the most and are closest with, it’s definitely a tear-jerker,” she said.
Since this team has been together it has won district titles six times across various age groups, South Jersey four times and the state championship twice. Watson said the newest sign recognizes one of the best teams in the local LL’s 72-year history.
“It puts them up there at the top, one of the greatest teams to ever play down here at Pennsville Little League,” he said. “I’m very proud of that, that they were able to do it two years in a row. They were knocking at the door for so long, too, and then to finally get over the hump those last two years and win the state championship and go dominate the East Regional is huge. We’ll remember all that a long time.”
“It was pretty cool seeing my name up there two times,” infielder Bella Farina said. “It’s really fun to see all our hard work paid off and be on the side of a building. It’ll be really freaky to see my name up there in like 15-20 years. It’ll be crazy. I don’t know how I would feel.”
Although the championship run didn’t end the way the players would have liked, it provided them a lifetime of memories – memories that no doubt will come rushing back when the players, years from now, perhaps with daughters playing in the league themselves, return to the complex and look up to the clubhouse’s second story.
Rappa will remember “that I did it for my dad and made my dad proud.”
“I’m very proud of myself and my team for fighting through our personal battles and being able to come out on top, even if it is just a sport, but it’s more than just a sport to all of us,” Savannah Palverento said. “I know Little Me would probably be freaking out because these names … I don’t know who they are but just the fact they’re up there is like wow, that’s just amazing, and now my name’s up there twice, so wow, I’m amazing for being up there.”
The Pennsville LL was founded in 1952. Helping with this year’s opening ceremonies were Delaware Blue Rocks mascot Rocky Bullwinkle and the Pennsville Eagle, with Farina under the hood. The mascots threw out ceremonial first pitches.
This year, the league has more than 30 teams for children from 4 to high school age. Among the highlights of this year’s schedule are Pitch, Hit and Run competitions for softball (May 13) and baseball (May 17) and a Home Run Derby (June 1).
Cover photo: Pennsville LL first baseman Bella Rappa pulls off the cover (L) and then embraces manager Chris Watson after unveiling the sign that commemorates the team’s 2023 run to the Senior LL Softball World Series Friday night.
Becoming a tough out
Pennsville gives one of state’s best teams a battle for seven innings before falling 8-5; Woodstown falls to Paul VI
THURSDAY BASEBALL
Gloucester Catholic 8, Pennsville 5
Paul VI 8, Woodstown 4
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE – It had been a pretty good week for the Pennsville baseball team as it was. To beat one of the top teams in the state Thursday would have made it a downright historic one.
it didn’t happen as the Eagles came up short against Gloucester Catholic 8-5, but if nothing else the week served as a good measuring stick for a team with high aspirations in the Tri-County Classic Division and South Jersey Group I.
Earlier in the week the Eagles (3-2) knocked off two of South Jersey’s premier teams – county rival Woodstown and Delsea – giving a program with 22 total players a ton of confidence going into a game a team loaded with Division I prospects.
After giving the Rams all they could handle for seven innings – without their top three pitchers available or their only senior (injured) – they are convinced if they keep buying into what coach Matt Karr is selling and continue to play for each other and the next man in the lineup they can beat anyone.
“It’s a huge measuring stick,” Karr said. “I told those guys out there in left field the New Jersey media tells us that’s the best team the state has to offer right now … and if (that’s the case) any day we put our cleats on and come play baseball we’re going to compete with anybody no matter who we’re playing.
“We’ve got 22 guys in our whole program and we’re playing teams who have 25 guys in the dugouts and kids who just pitch. We just have to have that mindset next guy up and when it’s my turn to do something for the team I’ve got to find a way to do it. We preach selfless baseball. If you’re not going to be the guy who gets the big RBI, that’s fine, be excited for the guy who does. If we get 22 guys all buying into that idea, it’s limitless how far we can go.”
Mason O’Brien brought that next-man-up mentality to this windy, overcast day. Karr handed him the ball for the second time this season when the Eagles were down 7-1 and the freshman left-hander responded with four innings of solid relief to give his team a chance.
He gave up three hits, a run and struck out three. With O’Brien holding the Rams in check, the Eagles climbed back into it with four runs in the fifth inning.
“We put Mason in the leadoff spot and out on the mound today because of his approach to the game every day,” Karr said. “He is a guy who is not afraid of anything. He’ll step in the box against anyone. He has what we call that ‘dawg mentality.’ He’s just going to get in there and battle.”
O’Brien showed that from the very beginning when he laced the first pitch from Rams starter Henry Pancoast the opposite way past shortstop Noah Danza, a Virginia commitment who homered in the top of the inning, for the first of his two hits. He slater cored on Chase Burchfield’s single that sliced away from left-fielder Sal Marziani.
Burchfield finished with three hits and two RBIs. Luke Wood had two hits and Mason’s brother Peyton had two RBIs.
“My mindset out there was just trust my teammates, give my all,” Mason O’Brien said. “I didn’t really worry about who they were. I went out and tried to play my best ball and I think I did. We talk about it all the time, trust in each other; that’s how we become a good ball team. We just became a better team (this week).”
The Eagles easily could have folded in the second inning after the Rams squashed a threat by turning Wood’s scorching liner with bases loaded into an inning ending double play.
“If that gets through, it’s a whole new ballgame,” Karr said.
Instead of buckling, they stayed in the moment and eventually got back in the game with a four-run fourth inning that made it 7-5. Peyton O’Brien highlighted the rally with a two-run double and he scored on Burchfield’s second RBI single that chased Pancoast.
“Pennsville always gives us trouble, especially when we play down here,” Rams coach Dennis Barth said. “I told the kids we’re coming down there, they’re going to give it to you, they ain’t going to back down from you, they always play good. We’ve got to lead.”
Future opponents can expect the same treatment.
“Right now,” Mason O’Brien said. “If someone comes to play us … it’s gonna be really hard to beat us.”
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 8, PENNSVILLE 5
| Gloucester Cath. (5-0) | 403 001 0 – | 8 10 3 |
| Pennsville (3-2) | 100 040 0 – | 5 9 2 |
PAUL VI 8, WOODSTOWN 4: Jack Petrillo went 4-for-4, Ryan Fayette had three hits and starter Anthony Ungaro pitched four shutout innings before the Wolverines got the on the board. Brent Williams and Andrew Pedrick both had a double and each drove in a pair of runs for the Woodstown.
PAUL VI 8, WOODSTOWN 4
| Paul VI (4-1) | 203 201 0 – | 8 14 2 |
| Woodstown (2-3) | 000 013 0 – | 4 5 1 |
Cover photo: Gloucester Catholic shortstop Noah Danza (L) is greeted by his teammates after hitting a three-run homer in the first inning against Pennsville.
Thursday roundup
WOODSTOWN 13, CUMBERLAND 3: The Wolverines pulled away from a close game with an eight-run fourth inning and got back in the win column. Alyssa Baber had two hits and two RBIs, Kayla Brown had two hits, Johanna Way had three RBIs and Ellie Wygand had two RBIs.
GOLF
WOODSTOWN 169, PENNSVILLE 169: Jeffrey Covely shot a medalist-winning 40 and Jacob Schermerhorn shot 41 to lead Woodstown in the match at Town & Country Golf Links. Jake Isaac was Pennsville’s low man (41).
BOYS LACROSSE
MAINLAND 16, WOODSTOWN 3: Harrison LaMonica, Joe Eyde and Ty Pierce scored three goals apiece for Mainland. Laitton Roberts and Lucas Sperry scored goals for Woodstown.
Riverview Sports News 