Schalick ends four years of frustration against its archival, uses big inning, inspired play by freshmen to take down Woodstown
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville 5, Pitman 1
Gloucester Catholic 19, Salem 0
Schalick 9, Woodstown 6
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – The players on the Schalick softball team, veterans and newcomers alike, had been looking forward to Wednesday’s game with Woodstown for 10 months, ever since that bitter 3-1 loss in the South Jersey Group I quarterfinals.
In their offseason workouts. In their preseason practices. Even in the hallways during the school day, in the final hours before the game, the meeting with their rivals was on their minds.
With that singular focus guiding their play, the Cougars willed their way to an historic 9-6 win over the Wolverines Wednesday.
“I think me and a few of my teammates have been hyped this whole year, talking about it all year, how we were going to come back and get it and get revenge for how it ended last year,” infielder Liv VanAcker said. “Last year was such a good team and we were so close. And then talking to the previous graduates they were like you’ve gotta get this for us, and that motivated us even more.
“Throughout the school day we were hyped in the hallways, talking to each other, hyping each other us. The bus ride here was hype and when we got here we knew we were just going to get it.”
VanAcker, the second baseman in the middle of one of the biggest plays in last year’s playoff game, delivered two hits and three RBIs and freshman Kaylee Broglin provided seven strong innings in her first varsity start to lead the attack.
It was Schalick’s first win over the Wolverines in coach Rick Higinbotham’s four seasons and its first in the series since May 6, 2021, snapping a 11-game losing streak.
“It’s been a long time coming, but it feels good,” Higinbotham said. “It’s important because it’s a division win. I was telling the girls we need to stack division wins. Glassboro earlier in the week was a division win and then this one, so we need to keep stacking division wins. So it’s important. I wouldn’t say playoff-level important, but it’s important. Satisfying, very much.”
VanAcker had an RBI double in the third inning when the Cougars (2-0) took a 3-0 lead and a two-run single in the five-run fourth that gave them control of the game.
They sent 10 batters to the plate in the big inning. After a leadoff out, the next seven hitters all reached safely. Noelani Whitley single home the first run and kept the bases loaded. VanAcker cleared the bases with her single and accompanying error and she scored on Khloe McGrath’s single.
“I was looking for that pitch,” VanAcker said of her single. “I was ready for it and I saw it coming in.”
“I told the girls to go up with a plan and they all had a plan that inning,” Higinbotham said.
Broglin was told she was starting against the Cougars’ biggest rival the day before and responded by scattering six hits and striking out five. The first three hitters she faced reached to load the bases, but she got out of it with back-to-back strikeouts and an inning-ending ground out. The Wolverines threatened or scored in every inning but the sixth against her, but she never let it faze her.
“It was every opportunity,” she said. “I felt like (Higinbotham) really had faith in me that I could help them win. Especially because we hadn’t won against them in a while it just felt like a great opportunity for me to prove myself and show them that I’m capable of taking on teams like this.
“It made me think I really have to do good, I have to push myself and dig deep not just for me but for my team, too, because I know how much this means to everyone. It felt like I did really good and that I earned my spot.”
Broglin was one of four freshmen starters in the lineup who Higinbotham said “are contributing and doing well.” Designated hitter Noelani Whitley had three hits at the top of the order. Third baseman Paige Sparks had two hits and was one base three times. And second baseman Khloe McGrath had an RBI single and reached base twice.
The Wolverines, meanwhile, might have been in a hole after Schalick’s big inning, but they kept fighting. It was 9-4 going to the bottom of the seventh but it wasn’t over. Lila Bowling’s one-out triple made it 9-5 and courtesy runner Ella Winchell raced home on Ava White’s grounder.
Kendall Young kept the inning alive when she beat out an infield single, allowing the tying run into the on-deck circle. But Broglin ended the threat with a game-ending pop to second.
PENNSVILLE 5, PITMAN 1: The Eagles scored three runs in the third inning with a squeeze bunt, sacrifice fly and RBI single to take the lead and Graillyn Weber scattered five hits and struck out five.
Lily Edwards, Weber and Kenzie Widener all had two hits for the Eagles (2-0). Edwards and Weber got the third-inning rally started with a single and double, respectively. Kylie Harris squeezed the first run home, Weber rode home on Avery Watson’s sacrifice fly and Widener singled home Harris.
They extended the lead with two in the seventh. Weber had an RBI double and another run scored on an error.
Before the game, catcher Harris announced her commitment to Division III Shenandoah (Va.) University. She chose the Hornets over Salem CC and had offers from Ramapo and RCSJ-Cumberland.
“I think it was because the area and the coaches and the girls,” Harris said. “When I went on the phone and talked with coach (Olivia) Scarbrough, I could tell from the start she was someone I wanted to be coached by and wanted to be around for the next four years. When I went down to visit I had an opportunity to have lunch with all the girls. They’re so wonderful, so amazing.”
One of her travel ball teammates and the daughter of her travel team coach also are committed to play there.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 19, SALEM 0: The Rams bounced back from their loss at Pennsville with four-inning no-hitter by Shaili Monaghan. She walked one and struck out nine. Riley Friend drove in five runs to lead the offense.
Category: SOFTBALL
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) | 000 | 100 | 2- | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Woodstown (2-0) | 002 | 600 | x- | 8 | 8 | 4 |
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) | 025 | 908- | 24 | 9 | 2 |
| Pilgrim Academy (1-1) | 112 | 540- | 13 | 6 | 11 |
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.
Pennsville rallies
Eagles score 5 after a moment of reflection to rally past Gloucester Catholic in season opener, Weber fans career high 10; Woodstown no-hits Penns Grove
MONDAY SOFTBALL
Pennsville 8, Gloucester Catholic 5
Salem Tech 16, Lindenwold 5
Schalick 6, Glassboro 5
Wildwood 10, Salem 0
Woodstown 20, Penns Grove 0
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE – Between the top and bottom of the sixth inning Monday Pennsville catcher Kylie Harris, as she’s been known to do, called her teammates to a huddle in front of the dugout. Even though they trailed at the time, she told them with the ability she knows they have there still was time to pull out the game and they should try “any way you can” to make it happen, preferably in this next half inning they batted.
The Eagles answered her call, rallying for five runs in the home sixth to turn a day-long game of catch-up into an 8-5 season-opening win over Gloucester Catholic.
“We were definitely falling behind a little bit and I knew we had it in us to really get the ball rolling and after that we did,” Harris said. “I think that really gave us all a little push.”
Eagles coach Beth Jackson has been known to turn things over to her players once the game begins in recent years. She’ll give them words of encouragement and instruction in the pre-game and post-game huddles – and if anything needs to be added to the players’ moment – but once that first pitch is thrown she pretty much leaves it to them to provide the inspiration.
It’s not always the same player who delivers the message, and it doesn’t always happen in the sixth inning, but Harris, somehow, always seems to be in the middle of it.
“She does that a lot,” outfielder Kenzie Widener said. “It helps us get motivated and pumped up so we can get out of our heads and just keep firing at the ball. Even if we were down by one she would just give off this giant speech that would make us work together to win that game. I think that really got us together and helped us win.”
The Eagles needed something. They fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and trailed 5-3 going into the home sixth.
Reagan Wariwanchik got the rally started with a one-out single into right field. The Lions booted Gianna Evans’ double-play grounder to keep the inning alive and Gracie Mease loaded based with a bunt single. The next three hitters – the top of the Eagles’ talented lineup – all batted with the bases loaded and they all delivered.
Lily Edwards singled to make it 5-4. Graillyn Weber followed with a single to left to tie the game at 5. Harris gave them the lead with a sacrifice fly. And after Avery Watson walked to reload the bases, Widener, just looking to make contact to extend the lead, did just that and ripped a two-run single to make it 8-5. Widener went 3-for-4 in the game.
“It was a great comeback,” Widener said. “I think it was well deserved. We work our butts off out here. We did what we could to come back and win.”
“That’s the team I just know we are capable of being all the time and it was just so great to see the bats back,” Harris said. “I definitely think we had a little bit of nerves (because of the) first home game. I think we were just trying to get back in the groove, but that last inning, seeing that rally, it was so much fun.”
Now with a lead to protect, Weber finished off the Lions from the circle. And even when the visitors got a runner on in the seventh she didn’t flinch. Harris picked that runner off first to end the game.
Weber looked comfortable in her new role as the Eagles’ main pitcher. She gave up seven hits and hits and struck out 10, beating her career-high she established last year against the Lions (seven). After the Lions scored their three in the first, the junior struck out the side in the second and gave up just two runs and three hits the rest of the way – none over the final 2 1/3.
“I might have just thrown too much over the plate in the beginning,” she said, “but then I got used to the umpire and what his zone was and that helped.
“I’m definitely more confident this year, for sure. I’m excited to be pitching and I like it. I’m glad to be out there.”
| Gloucester Catholic (0-2) | 301 | 010 | 0- | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Pennsville (1-0) | 010 | 115 | x- | 8 | 11 | 2 |
SCHALICK 6, GLASSBORO 5: Freshman starting pitcher Noelani Whitley’s inside-the-park home run with one out in the sixth inning gave the Cougars a 6-4 lead and freshman Kaylee Broflin turned back Glassboro’s threat in the seventh inning after the Bulldogs put the tying run in scoring position with one out.
The Cougars broke a scoreless tie with five in the fourth. They scored the first three runs when the Bulldogs misplayed a grounder off Whitley’s bat and scored the other two on an error on a bad throw to thwart a stolen base.
“Our freshmen pitchers did a great job today,” Cougars coach Rick Higinbotham said. :They were throwing strikes and keeping the ball down in the zone. I was pleased with their performance.”
| Glassboro (1-1) | 000 | 031 | 1- | 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Schalick (1-0) | 000 | 501 | x- | 6 | 5 | 3 |
WOODSTOWN 20, PENNS GROVE 0: The Wolverines opened their season by converting 14 walks and seven hit batsmen into 20 runs and three pitchers combined on a four-inning no-hitter. They already were leading 9-0 when they erupted for 11 runs in the third inning. Leah Clark, Madison Roback and Brianna Hitchner combined for the no-hitter, facing one batter over the minimum. The only two base runners they allowed reached on errors and one eventually got cut down at the plate.
| Penns Grove (0-1) | 000 | 0- | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Woodstown (1-0) | 54(11) | x- | 20 | 6 | 2 |
SALEM TECH 16, LINDENWOLD 5: The Chargers erupted for 10 runs in the first inning and coasted to their third victory. Shelby Drummond, Isabele Roberts and Rachel Reed drove in three hits apiece. Drummond and Roberts both had two-run doubles in the big first inning. Roberts pitched the first two innings and retired all six batters she faced, striking out five.
| Lindenwold (0-1) | 003 | 2- | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Salem Tech (3-1) | (10)60 | x- | 16 | 9 | 3 |
WILDWOOD 10, SALEM 0: Addison Troiano went 4-for-4 with three extra-base hits and drove in five runs and Emma Contreras held the Rams to three hits while striking out 14 in six innings. Isla Bohn had all three Salem hits, singles in the first, third and fifth.
| Salem (0-2) | 000 | 000- | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Wildwood (1-1) | 301 | 105 | 10 | 9 | 0 |
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
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.”
| Morris | 000 | 00- | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Salem CC | (13)42 | (10)x- | 29 | 12 | 0 |
| Morris | 102 | 00- | 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Salem CC | 804 | 5x- | 17 | 11 | 0 |
Region XIX Softball Standings
| DIVISION II | R19 | ALL | GSAC |
| Lackawanna | 6-0 | 19-6 | |
| Mercer | 5-1 | 17-1 | 4-0 |
| Delaware Tech | 4-2 | 9-7 | |
| SALEM CC | 5-3 | 13-7 | 4-0 |
| Sussex | 2-6 | 2-10 | 2-4 |
| Morris | 0-4 | 0-4 | 0-2 |
| Raritan Valley | 0-6 | 0-6 | 0-4 |
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 Tech | 000 | 00- | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Cumberland | (10)03 | 0x- | 13 | 8 | 0 |
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.
| Paulsboro | 001 | 00- | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Schalick | 6(12)2 | 1x- | 21 | 19 | 0 |
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.
Wednesday sports report
Here are scores and highlights from regular-season games on Wednesday’s Salem County sports calendar
BASEBALL
Cumberland 34, Salem 3
SOFTBALL
Cumberland 18, Salem 2
GOLF
Woodstown 177, Schalick 181
Overbrook 217, Pennsville 221
TENNIS
Schalick 4, Lower Cape May 1
BOYS LACROSSE
Cedar Creek 7, Woodstown 5
BASEBALL
CUMBERLAND 34, SALEM 3: The Colts sent 27 batters to the plate in the second inning and scored 22 runs on top of the seven they scored in the first. Kevin Fiorani, Boyd Fithian, Peyton Brenner and Josh Holt all had four RBIs in the game for Cumberland. Austin Davis got the Rams on the board in the fourth with an RBI single and Troy Carey doubled home two runs in the fifth.
SOFTBALL
CUMBERLAND 18, SALEM 2: The Colts scored all their runs in the first three innings and held Salem to two hits. Isla Bohn and Julianna Love got the Rams’ hits in the fourth inning and scored their two runs.
BOYS LACROSSE
CEDAR CREEK 7, WOODSTOWN 5: Robby Cote and Cole Simon scored two goals apiece for the Pirates. Woodstown held a 1-0 lead after the first quarter.
GOLF
WOODSTOWN 177, SCHALICK 181: Nate Valente shot a 6-over-par 41, Lucas Fulmer (42) played his last four holes in 1-over-par and Jack Bucksar shot 44 to post the top three scores in the match at Town & Country Golf Links. Seth Fisher posted Schalick’s low round (44).
WOODSTOWN: Jack Bucksar 44, Nate Valente 41, Logan Jones 50, Lucas Fulmer 42; Greyson Hyland 54, Austin Wood 51.
SCHALICK: Jaxwon Weber 45, Seth Fisher 44, Anthony Sepers 46, Reed Bucolo 46; Michael Nelson 48, Shawn Kelly 48.
OVERBROOK 217, PENNSVILLE 221: Pennsville posted two of the day’s top three scores, but Overbrook put all of its counters in the 50s to win the match at Sakima CC. Pennsville’s Caden Thomas was medalist (50).
OVERBROOK: Jeffrey Boyd 51, Braxton Gillis 54, Ashton Kubat 57, Mark Scott 55; Harry Cieślak 57, Joseph Lniane 58.
PENNSVILLE: Trevor Hann 53, Caden Thomas 50, Abigail Bohn 56, Jack Haley 62, Makenna Minguez 63, Keagan Kaminski 63.
TENNIS
SCHALICK 4, LOWER CAPE MAY 1
Gabe McFeeley (S) def. Ismael Lopez, 6-0, 6-0
Reece Loatman (S) def. Nathan Chase, 7-5, 6-4
Tyr Brattlie (S) def. Keaton Black, 6-4, 6-3
Chris Hawes-Robbie Claxton (LCM) def. Cooper Halperin-Christopher Chica, 6-1, 6-3
Angelo Boston-Gavin McGrath (S) def. Aiden Teng-Hebuedy Ulloa-Rodriguez, 6-2, 6-3
Records: Schalick 1-0, Lower Cape May 0-1.
Tuesday sports report
Salem CC baseball moves closer to .500 with a road win, softball coach Rodriguez recovering after undergoing successful bypass surgery, Salem Tech softball wins inaugural game in program history
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech 7, Cape May Tech 6
GOLF
Clearview 158, Woodstown 185
West Deptford 171, Pennsville 216
Washington Twp. girls 195, Schalick 227
TENNIS
Cedar Creek 3, Pennsville 2
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC 11, Delaware County 5
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley, ppd., wet grounds
By Riverview Sports News
MEDIA, Pa. — The Salem CC baseball team moved another step closer to getting back to .500 Tuesday with their fourth straight win, 11-5 at Delaware County CC.
The Mighty Oaks improved to 10-13 and play the Phantoms at home Wednesday.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
CARNEYS POINT — Reports from the Salem CC softball team indicate head coach Angel Rodriguez underwent successful bypass surgery Tuesday.
“We’re just feeling thankful and blessed beyond words that Angel’s surgery was successful and he’s doing good,” interim coach Mackenzie Freas said. “We miss him tremendously.”
Rodriguez said over the weekend he hoped to be released as early as Friday, be back in front of the players in two weeks and “get back in time to hit a fun playoff run.”
“We’re all here for Angel and we just want to see him have a healthy recovery and get back on the field as soon as possible,” athletics director Bob Hughes said. “Right now our thoughts are with him and his health.”
The Mighty Oaks were scheduled to play a doubleheader at Raritan Valley Tuesday, but the games were postponed due to poor field conditions.
PREP SOFTBALL
WOODSTOWN — The Salem Tech softball team got its program off to a successful start Tuesday when it edged Cape May Tech 7-6 in the opening round of the NJTAC Tournament. Shortstop Shelby Drummond had two hits and two RBIs to lead the offense, while freshman Isabel Roberts struck out eight in a complete-game in the circle.
The Chargers scored the go-ahead run on an infield error in the bottom of the sixth after Cape May Tech tied the game with four in the top of the inning. The game ended in the seventh when they cut down a runner at the plate.
The Chargers’ baseball team plays its first official game Thursday at Cumberland.
GOLF
Boys
At Town & Country Golf Links
CLEARVIEW 158, WOODSTOWN 185
CLEARVIEW: Thomas Luu 37, Ryan Stankoski 39, Patrick Furfari 41, Joshua Baron 41; Daniel Marrow 45, Blaise Voit 42.
WOODSTOWN: Jack Bursar 44, Greyson Hyland 42, Lucas Fulmer 49, Austin Wood 50; Nate Valente 52, Blake Bialecki 51.
At RiverWinds
WEST DEPTFORD 171, PENNSVILLE 216
WEST DEPTFORD: Ben Perticari 40, Grayson Ryer 44, Ryan Delaney 43, Chase Dunda 44; Braeden Warren 68.
PENNSVILLE: Trevor Hann 49, Caden Thomas 51, Makenna Minguez 55, Abigail Bohn 61; Keagan Kaminski 64, Jack Haley 64.
Girls
At Centerton GC
WASHINGTON TWP. 195, SCHALICK 227
WASHINGTON TWP.: Paige Weber 42, Tessa Reilley 41, Viviene Aimone 57, Alessandra Caballero 55; Danica Bailey 57, Macy Sorrentino 62
SCHALICK: Lena Virga 56, Cali Fisler 56, Elena McGovern 58, Brooke Brown 57; Miya Watkins 65, Jazmin Perez 64.
TENNIS
CEDAR CREEK 3, PENNSVILLE 2
Miguel Manalang (CC) def. Lucas Cooksey, 6-0, 6-0
Sawyer Humphrey (P) won
Finnegan Watson (CC) def. Ian Peacock, 6-2, 0-6, 10-8
Carter Willis-Matthew Forino (P) def. Tristan DiGiacomo-Yahir Blanco, 6-4, 7-5
Lukek Senn-Shyler Aponte (CC) def. Coen Rinnier-Jacob Cheeseman, 6-7 (5-7), 6-0, 11-9.
Records: Cedar Creek 1-0, Pennsville 0-1.
SCC softball splits
Mighty Oaks rally from bad loss in opener to win nightcap, earn important Region XIX split, first-ever win over Delaware Tech
SUNDAY SOFTBALL
Delaware Tech 17-6, Salem CC 0-9
Suffolk 12-3, RCSJ-Gloucester 7-13
Corning at Lackawanna
Brookdale 20-10, Chesapeake 6-2
Dutchess 15-10, Middlesex 3-9
Bloomfield at Camden
By Riverview Sports News
GEORGETOWN, Del. — The Salem CC softball team didn’t let an absolute thumping in the first game get them down and rallied from an early deficit to win the nightcap and earn a split with region heavyweight Delaware Tech.
The Mighty Oaks put together a six-run rally in the fourth inning of the nightcap to win the getaway game 9-6 after losing the opener 17-0.
It was the first time this season they went on the road without head coach Angel Rodriguez. The fourth-year coach remained back in South Jersey awaiting surgery after suffering a heart attack in his office late last week.
“We always tell the girls that Game 1 doesn’t define Game 2,” interim head coach Mackenzie Freas said. “In our day-to-day lives our mornings may be rough, but that doesn’t definitely our nighttime or our entire day. Reset and recover.”
The win in Game 2 was the Mighty Oaks’ first ever over the Roadrunners, ending a streak of 11 straight losses. They fell behind in the first inning of the game 3-0, but came to life in the fourth, scoring six runs with the help of three bases-loaded walks.
Jocelyn Melendez got the rally started with a leadoff double and scored the first run off back-to-back one-out singles by Chantelle Haskie and Jalyn Rambally. Haskie stole home on a double steal with Rambally. The Mighty Oaks tied it and then took the lead on back-to-back bases-loaded walks to Emme Witter and Megan Koski and extended the lead when the Roadrunners misplayed Savannah Palverento’s grounder to short and a bases-loaded walk to Bella Rappa.
Jordyn Busch gave the Mighty Oaks a shutdown inning in the bottom of the fourth, setting the Roadrunners down in order for the second time in the game. Busch gave up two hits and two walks in the first inning, then two hits and two walks until the seventh when the Roadrunners put together a threat that brought the tying run to the plate. She struck out nine.
The Mighty Oaks made it 7-3 in the fifth when Lilly Peverelle scored on a passed ball and added two more in the seventh on Witter’s sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Melendez.
“The girls were ready to start fresh in Game 2 and you could tell right off the bat,” Freas said. “Those three runs in the first inning didn’t define the whole rest of the game.
“In that big inning we kept preaching patience and baserunners. The girls fought for one another, picked each other up and were one another’s biggest fans.”
In the first game, Abby Marsh held the Mighty Oaks to two hits — a first-inning single by J.J. Aguirre and a fifth-inning double by Savannah Palverento — three base runners and got 10 strikeouts among her 15 outs. She retired 11 in a row between the two hits.
The Roadrunners (8-6) pounded 20 hits against two Salem pitchers. They reached the run-rule threshold in the third inning, then turned it into a rout with nine runs in the fourth. Mary Maichle went 4-for-4 with five RBIs, Madison Fox went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, Madison Myers went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and four other players each had two hits.
The loss snapped a six-game winning streak.
The Mighty Oaks (11-5) have two more road doubleheaders scheduled this week before returning to Watson Field Saturday for a scheduled noon twin bill against Morris.
| GAME ONE | R | H | E | ||
| Salem CC | 000 | 00- | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Delaware Tech | 422 | 9x- | 17 | 20 | 0 |
| GAME TWO | R | H | E | |||
| Salem CC | 000 | 610 | 2- | 9 | 13 | 0 |
| Delaware Tech | 300 | 000 | 3- | 6 | 6 | 2 |
Region XIX Standings
| DIVISION II | ALL | REG | GSAC |
| Mercer | 12-0 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| Lackawanna | 13-6 | 2-0 | |
| Delaware Tech | 8-6 | 3-1 | |
| SALEM CC | 11-5 | 3-3 | 2-0 |
| Sussex | 2-6 | 2-2 | 2-2 |
| Morris | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Raritan Valley | 0-6 | 0-6 | 0-4 |
Riverview Sports News 