Category: SOFTBALL

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of March 23-28; all events 4 p.m. unless noted; x-scrimmage

MONDAY, MARCH 23
BASEBALL
x-Penns Grove at Pleasantville
x-Woodstown at Deptford
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech 3:45 p.m.
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Triton, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Washington Twp., Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24
BASEBALL
x-Schalick at Highland
SOFTBALL
x-Camden County Tech at Woodstown
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech
x-LEAP at Penns Grove
TENNIS
Pennsville at Cedar Creek
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Clearview, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
x-Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 6 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Delaware County, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley, 3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
BASEBALL
Cumberland at Salem
x-Camden Tech at Schalick
x-LEAP at Penns Grove
x-Salem Tech at Winslow
x-Woodstown at GCIT
SOFTBALL
x-Penns Grove at Highland
Salem at Cumberland
x-Schalick at Camden Tech
GOLF
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Clayton, The Birches, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Lower Cape May at Schalick
TRACK
x-Bridgeton at Salem
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Cedar Creek, 5:15 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Delaware County at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26
BASEBALL
Cumberland at Salem Tech
x-Highland at Woodstown
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Clayton
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Kingsway, RiverWinds, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. West Deptford, River Winds, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. GCIT, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
x-St. Joseph at Woodstown
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at CCBC-Catonsville, 3 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27
BASEBALL
LEAP at Penns Grove
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Gateway
TRACK
Woodstown at Pennsville
BOYS TENNIS
Mainland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Cinnaminson at Woodstown
COLLEGE BASEBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28
TRACK
Schalick at Delsea, 11 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Morris at Salem CC, noon

‘A hole in our dugout’

Salem CC softball sweeps doubleheader with coach in their thoughts; Freas named interim coach as Rodriguez prepares for heart surgery

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Freshman outfielder Megan Koski called it one of the most emotionally difficult sets of games she’s ever played in her softball career.

The Salem CC softball team swept another home doubleheader Friday, taking down Bucks County CC 13-9 and 13-5 at Watson Field, but you sense something was off and couldn’t fault the Mighty Oaks for being distracted.

They plodded through the day knowing their head coach, Angel Rodriguez, was in an area hospital awaiting bypass surgery after suffering what he described as “basically a mini heart attack” in his campus office Thursday morning.

“It was hard, but I think collectively as a team we just all knew that we needed to come together and do it for him and do it for a bigger reason than ourselves,” Koski said. “I think a lot of us felt some pressure because we didn’t want to disappoint him.

“This morning it was a little heavier without him here, but I think we all just kind of knew what needed to be done. It was a little bit messy, but I think we pulled it together.”

Rodriguez, 29, fell ill shortly after arriving at his office. He said he felt his chest tighten and began to sweat. He credited a co-worker with recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack and acted quickly on his behalf.

His surgery will be Monday or Tuesday with a possible release by the weekend followed by physical therapy. While he won’t be able to do any “extreme activity” in the immediate term, he hopes to get back in front of the team at least in two weeks. Assistant coach Mackenzie Freas has been named interim head coach and will run the team with assistants Chris Watson and Josie Bryszerwski until the fourth-year head coach is cleared to return.

“There’s no other place I’d rather be than in that dugout with them; it’s a special group we have,” Rodriguez said Friday night from his hospital room. “Mackenzie will step up as acting head coach just like last year and she’ll do a great job along with the other coaches. Hope to get back in time to hit a fun playoff run.”

Rodriguez texted the assistants an update on his status shortly after the opener started and Freas “tried to hold it together” the rest of the game. She spoke with athletics director Bob Hughes between games.

Freas took the team for three games last year while Rodriguez was serving a mid-season suspension, a punishment that actually stretched nearly a week due to postponements and cancelations. The Mighty Oaks lost in her first game in the role, then run-ruled Howard CC in both games of their next doubleheader.

The Mighty Oaks have dominated the series with Bucks, winning all six previous games handily. Whether it was the Centurions being better or the Mighty Oaks distracted, these games were closer than ever.

Bucks led the opener 7-2 after batting in the third before the Mighty Oaks erupted for six runs in the home third to take the lead. The visitors retook the lead in the fourth and Salem took it back for good with five runs in the bottom of the inning. The top five hitters in the Mighty Oaks’ lineup went a combined 13-for-20 with nine runs and six RBIs in the game. Bella Rappa went 4-for-4 with four RBIs at the back end of the lineup.

The Mighty Oaks fell behind in the nightcap, too – just not by as much – and ended up walking it off on Savannah Palverento’s sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. Palverento drove in four runs in the nightcap, seven in the doubleheader. 

Rappa went 7-for-7 with six RBIs in the doubleheader, raising her batting average .201 points over the last five games. Koski went 6-for-8 with three RBIs, raising her average to a team-leading .613, and Emme Witter had two hits in each game.

Freas could tell Rodriguez’ absence affected the way they played.

“I would say emotionally, yes,” she said. “When the girls have an error, something happens in the field, right away they look towards us and they’re waiting for that voice – I wait for that voice next to me,” she said. “They were almost waiting for that voice to get them ready and the same when they come off the field and they’re about to hit. I almost had to, like, channel my inner Angel to say the things to them that he would say.

“They definitely were looking around for him. It was a hole in our dugout, 100 percent.”

There were a lot of tears when the day was finally done.

“Pregame and postgame were the most emotional part,” she said. “It’s definitely playing for something bigger than us right now. That’s what our big speech was before the game: We’re playing for something so much more than the 19 of us standing right there. We have someone we’re fighting for, we’re scrapping it out for.”

GAME ONE
Bucks County CC0432000-981
Salem CC206500x-13201
WP: Jordyn Busch (5-2). 2B: Bella Rappa (S), Emme Witter (S), Jalyn Rambally (S), Megan Koski (S). 3B: Savannah Palverento (S).
GAME TWO
Bucks County CC (1-4)10013-5101
Salem CC (10-4)20443-13160
WP: Raegan Wilson (4-0). 2B: Bella Rappa (S), Jocelyn Melendez (S), Lilly Peverelle (S), Megan Koski (S).

Concern for coach

Rodriguez to miss Salem CC’s home softball doubleheader Friday with medical issue; baseball drops two close games at Northampton

THURSDAY BASEBALL
Northampton 6-4, Salem CC 5-2, Gm 1, 8 inns.
THURSDAY SOFTBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, ppd.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

The Salem CC softball team returns to the field Friday for a home doubleheader with Bucks County CC in which it will be heavily favored, but will be without its leader for the foreseeable future after fourth-year head coach Angel Rodriguez suffered what he described as “basically a mini heart attack” Thursday morning.

RODRIGUEZ

Rodriguez, 29 with no history of heart issues, said trouble arose “very sudden” as he worked in his office. He said he felt his chest tighten and began to sweat. He credited a co-worker with recognizing the warning signs and acting quickly on his behalf. He was transported from campus and was expected to remain hospitalized at least into Friday.

The Mighty Oaks were scheduled to play a doubleheader at RCSJ-Gloucester Thursday, but those games were postponed.

Rodriguez sent a text to the players later in the day to provide them “some clarity” on the situation.

“They were definitely a little concerned and worried,” he said Thursday night. “I think them being able to hear from me was a good sign. I don’t want them to stop their progress and what they’re doing. I told them to carry on, to play hard and win.”

Assistant coaches Mackenzie Freas, Chris Watson and Josie Bryszerwski will collectively coach the team until Rodriguez returns.

“I have all the faith in them,” the head coach said. “I know they’re going to get them right.”

Freas put the team through what Watson described as a “really good” practice Thursday.

“We just wanted to get the girls together and make sure everybody was good and they had everybody to learn on,” Watson said. “Just to get them all together was important.”

The doubleheader with Bucks is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Rodriguez suspects his doctors will probably discourage it, but he’ll somehow try to find a way to follow the games. The Mighty Oaks have an even bigger doubleheader scheduled Sunday at Delaware Tech.

“I’m sure it’s going to be emotional,” Watson said of Friday’s doubleheader. “We’re going to ask them to play with some intensity and focus for him.”

Baseball: Mighty Oaks swept

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Mighty Oaks were hoping to carry the momentum of a walk-off run-rule win in the series opener into Thursday’s doubleheader, but Northampton had other ideas.

The Spartans swept the twin bill in two close games, winning the opener 6-5 in extra innings and taking the nightcap 4-2.

Northampton scored the winning run in the opener on a passed ball with two outs in the eighth inning. Kyle Stoner opened the inning by reaching on an infield error. He was sacrificed to second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a ball that got away from catcher Trevor Hernandez.

The Mighty Oaks tied the game 5-5 with three in the sixth. Hernandez had an RBI single and Aiden Nestor tied it with a one-out two-run single. They had bases loaded with one out in the seventh, but couldn’t get the runs home.

Tyler Hacker, Roman Hernandez and Nestor all had two hits for Salem in the game.

Jared Diefenbach held the Mighty Oaks to two hits in the nightcap, but the first was sophomore Jason LeBold’s two-run homer in the third that gave Salem a 2-0 lead. Diefenbach retired the first seven he faced before Jacob Sharrow walked in advance of LeBold’s homer. Hacker had Salem’s other hit.

Northampton cut its deficit in half in the fifth, then scored three in the sixth to take the lead. Matthew Tankred’s two-run homer with two outs broke a 2-2 tie.

Salem County Spring 2026

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for Spring 2026; events at 4 p.m. unless noted; administrators/coaches forward updates to al.muskewitz@gmail.com; x-scrimmage

MARCH 16
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Northampton at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 17
TENNIS
x-Cumberland at Schalick
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Woodstown at Absegami, 5 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Northampton (2), noon

MARCH 18
BASEBALL
x-Millville at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
x-Middle Twp. at Schalick
TENNIS
x-Millville at Pennsville

MARCH 19
BASEBALL
x-Bridgeton at Salem
x-Schalick at Paulsboro
SOFTBALL
x-Gateway at Woodstown
x-Salem at Bridgeton
TENNIS
x-West Deptford at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Delran at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.

MARCH 20
BASEBALL
x-ACIT at Salem
Pennsville at West Deptford
SOFTBALL
x-Salem at Lower Cape May
x-Salem Tech at Schalick
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Delsea, Wild Oaks GC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Atlantic Cape at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Bucks at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

MARCH 21
TRACK
Woodstown at Upper Darby Relays, 9:30 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape (2), noon

MARCH 22
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, noon

MARCH 23
BASEBALL
x-Penns Grove at Pleasantville
x-Woodstown at Deptford
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Triton, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 24
SOFTBALL
x-Camden County Tech at Woodstown
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech
x-LEAP at Penns Grove
TENNIS
Pennsville at Cedar Creek
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Clearview, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
x-Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 6 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Delaware County, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 25
BASEBALL
Cumberland at Salem
x-Camden Tech at Schalick
x-LEAP at Penns Grove
x-Salem Tech at Winslow
x-Woodstown at GCIT
SOFTBALL
Salem at Cumberland
x-Schalick at Camden Tech
GOLF
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Clayton, The Birches, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Lower Cape May at Schalick
TRACK
x-Bridgeton at Salem
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Cedar Creek, 4 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Delaware County at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 26
BASEBALL
Cumberland at Salem Tech
x-Highland at Woodstown
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Clayton
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Lower Cape May at RiverWinds, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. West Deptford, River Winds, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. GCIT, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
x-St. Joseph at Woodstown
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at CCBC-Catonsville, 3 p.m.

MARCH 27
BASEBALL
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Gateway
TRACK
Woodstown at Pennsville
BOYS TENNIS
Mainland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Cinnaminson at Woodstown
COLLEGE BASEBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 28
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Morris at Salem CC, noon

MARCH 30
BASEBALL
Salem Tech at Lindenwold
Schalick at Glassboro
Wildwood at Salem
Woodstown at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Gloucester at Pennsville
Lindenwold at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem at Wildwood
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Pennsville, 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
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

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.

APRIL 1
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Gateway
Pitman at Pennsville
Schalick at Woodstown
Wildwood Catholic at Salem Tech
SOFTBALL
Highland at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Pitman
Salem at Deptford
Schalick at Woodstown
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Clearview, Westwood GC, 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
Salem CC at Montgomery County, 3:17 p.m.

APRIL 2
BASEBALL
Pleasantville at Penns Grove, 1:30 p.m.
Schalick at Ocean City
Woodstown at Haddon Heights
SOFTBALL
Clearview at Schalick
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.

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

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

APRIL 6
BASEBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Schalick at Clayton
SOFTBALL
Clayton at Schalick
Woodstown at Glassboro
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Cumberland, Centerton CC, 3:30
TENNIS
Pennsville at West Deptford, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Cinnaminson at Woodstown, 10 a.m.

APRIL 7
BASEBALL
Rancocas Valley at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Overbrook at Pennsville
Woodstown at Glassboro
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Overbrook
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS GOLF
Cumberland at Schalick, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Overbrook, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Pitman, Pitman GC, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS TRACK
Pennsville at Penns Grove
TENNIS
Pennsville at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford, 3:45 p.m.
Mainland at Schalick
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Kingsway at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Clearview at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Clearview
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

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

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

APRIL 10
BASEBALL
Haddon Heights at Pennsville
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Winslow at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Collingswood
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Haddon Heights
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic
Salem Tech at Haddonfield, 4:15 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

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

APRIL 13
BASEBALL
Salem at Clayton
Salem Tech at Mastery Charter
Schalick at Penns Grove
Wildwood at Pennsville
Woodstown at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Schalick
Pennsville at Wildwood
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Clayton, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. OLMA, White Oaks CC, 3:30 p.m.
TRACK
Gloucester Catholic, Wildwood at Salem
TENNIS
Highland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Millville, 3:45 p.m.
Wildwood at Schalick
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Kingsway at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Kingsway
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Harford, 1 p.m.

APRIL 14
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Washington Twp., 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 15
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Woodstown
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Woodstown at Salem
Schalick at Pitman
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Pennsville, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester Catholic, Westwood GC, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Delsea, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Timber Creek at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick
TRACK
Schalick at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem
GIRLS TRACK
Pennsville at Glassboro
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Mainland

APRIL 16
BASEBALL
Bridgeton at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Millville
SOFTBALL
Sterling at Schalick
TENNIS
Cumberland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Woodstown at Lenape, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Mainland at Woodstown
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Mercer at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

APRIL 17
BASEBALL
Cumberland at Woodstown
Middle Twp. at Salem
Salem Tech at Atlantic City
SOFTBALL
Cape May Tech at Salem
Woodstown at Cumberland
TENNIS
Pitman at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Delsea, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Millville
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Camden, 3 p.m.

APRIL 18
BASEBALL
Schalick at Haddon Twp., TBD
Salem at Gloucester, 10 a.m.
Sterling at Woodstown, 11 a.m.
TRACK
Woodbury Relays
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Camden at Salem CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Sussex, noon

APRIL 20
BASEBALL
Salem Tech at Pilgrim Academy
SOFTBALL
Buena at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at LEAP, 3:45 p.m.

APRIL 21
BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Salem Tech at Clayton
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Overbrook, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Wildwood, Union League National, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Schalick
TRACK
Penns Grove at Schalick, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GCIT at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Bergen at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Morris, 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 22
BASEBALL
Overbrook at Penns Grove
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Overbrook
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Williamstown, Scotland Run, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Bergen, 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 23
SOFTBALL
LEAP at Penns Grove
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Pitman, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Sterling, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Schalick at Haddon Heights
TRACK
Clayton at Salem
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Brookdale, 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 24
BASEBALL
Buena at Salem
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Winslow
SOFTBALL
Lower Cape May at Salem
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 25
BASEBALL
Schalick at Vineland, 10 a.m.
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Highland, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Raritan Valley at Salem CC, noon

APRIL 27
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Pitman
Salem at Gateway
Salem Tech at Bridgeton
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pitman at Pennsville
Schalick vs. Woodstown, Elmer LL, 6:30 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Pennsville, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Cumberland, TBA, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Triton, Valleybrook CC, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Clearview, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Wildwood at Pennsville
TRACK
Schalick at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
GIRLS TRACK
Overbrook at Pennsville
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Washington Twp., 5:30 p.m.

APRIL 28
BASEBALL
Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Bridgeton
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
West Deptford at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Clayton at Schalick
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Timber Creek at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Williamstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
West Deptford at Woodstown

APRIL 29
BASEBALL
Pennsville at Woodstown
Pitman at Penns Grove
Salem at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Overbrook at Salem
Penns Grove at Pitman
Woodstown at Pennsville
Schalick at Wildwood, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Pitman, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Williamstown, Scotland Run CC, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Cumberland, Running Deer GC, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Pennsville at Clayton, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Triton, 3:45 p.m.
Glassboro at Schalick

APRIL 30
BASEBALL
Schalick at Clearview
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Bridgeton
Winslow at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Washington Twp.
TRACK
Salem County Championships, Pennsville, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Camden Co. Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Wildwood, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Ocean City

MAY 1
BASEBALL
Gloucester at Woodstown
Lindenwold at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Salem
SOFTBALL
Camden Tech at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Lindenwold
TENNIS
Deptford at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Glassboro at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at BCIT, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Maple Shade at Woodstown
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Union at Salem CC

MAY 2
BASEBALL
Schalick at Timber Creek
Woodstown at Audubon, 11 a.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Highland, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Union (2), noon

MAY 4
BASEBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech
Salem at Pennsville
Delran at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.
Bridgeton at Schalick, 6 p.m.
SOFTBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Triton
West Deptford at Pennsville
Cinnaminson at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
NJSIAA Playoffs, Cream Ridge CC
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Kingsway, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Woodstown at Overbrook, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Woodstown in Haddonfield Invitational, 5 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Highland, 3:45 p.m.

MAY 5
BASEBALL
Clayton at Pennsville
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem
Salem Tech at Wildwood
Schalick at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Penn Tech at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Clayton
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem at Pitman
Woodstown at Maple Shade
BOYS GOLF
Schalick vs. Gloucester Catholic, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Pennsville, Sakima CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Highland, Town & Country, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Bridgeton at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Highland, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Wildwood, 4:15 p.m.
TRACK
TCC Showcase, Delsea, TBD

MAY 6
SOFTBALL
Millville at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Washington Twp., The Birches, 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS
Burlington Twp. at Pennsville
Woodstown at Millville
TRACK
TCC Showcase, Delsea, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Haddonfield at Woodstown

MAY 7
BASEBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Wildwood
Penns Grove at Schalick
SOFTBALL
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Overbrook
Wildwood at Pennsville
BOYS GOLF
Carl Arena Tournament, Ramblewood GC, TBD
TENNIS
Pennsville at GCIT, 3:45 p.m.
Washington Twp. at Schalick
BOYS LACROSSE
Triton at Woodstown

MAY 8
BASEBALL
Schalick at Collingswood
SOFTBALL
Schalick at Absegami
TRACK
TCC Showcase, Delaea

MAY 9
BASEBALL
Lee Ware Tournament, Woodstown, 10 a.m., noon
SOFTBALL
Woodstown at Williamstown, 10 a.m.

MAY 10
BASEBALL
Schalick at Salem
SOFTBALL
Salem vs. Schalick, Elmer LL, 6 p.m.
TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville

MAY 11
BASEBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Wildwood
Woodstown at Clayton
SOFTBALL
Clayton at Woodstown
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Atlantic City
Wildwood at Penns Grove
GOLF
Woodstown vs. Lower Cape May, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Timber Creek, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Woodstown at West Deptford, 5 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Washington Twp., 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Millville at Woodstown
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Triton

MAY 12
BASEBALL
Bridgeton at Salem Tech
SOFTBALL
Salem Tech at Buena, 3:45 p.m.
Deptford at Woodstown
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. OLMA, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Middle Twp., 4:15 p.m.

MAY 13
BASEBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem at Wildwood
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Deptford
Schalick at Glassboro
Wildwood at Salem
Woodstown at Penns Grove
TENNIS
Delsea at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Pitman, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Timber Creek, 3:45 p.m.

MAY 14
BASEBALL
Clayton at Salem Tech
GCIT at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
Bridgeton at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Glassboro
Delran at Schalick, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Schalick vs. Delsea, White Oaks CC, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Riverside at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Timber Creek

MAY 15
BASEBALL
Mainland at Schalick
Oakcrest at Woodstown
Penns Grove at LEAP
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
SOFTBALL
Bridgeton at Salem
Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech
Clearview at Pennsville
LEAP at Penns Grove
TENNIS
Overbrook at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Pitman
TRACK
NJSIAA Sectionals, Pennsauken, 2 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Triton at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.

MAY 16
BASEBALL
Woodstown at Buena, 10 a.m.
Pennsville at Cedar Creek, 11 a.m.
TRACK
NJSIAA Sectionals, Pennsauken, TBD
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Camden Catholic, 11 a.m.

MAY 18
BASEBALL
Haddon Heights at Schalick
Salem at Camden Academy Charter
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Salem
Haddonfield at Salem Tech, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Salem/Cumberland Championship, Centerton CC, 8 a.m.
Woodstown vs. Deptford, Town & Country, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS GOLF
Salem/Cumberland Championship, Centerton CC, 8 a.m.
TENNIS
Schalick at Haddon Twp.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Highland at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Haddon Heights

MAY 19
BASEBALL
Clayton at Penns Grove
Gloucester at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Schalick
Pitman at Woodstown
Salem at Glassboro
SOFTBALL
Glassboro at Salem
Penns Grove at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Woodstown at Pitman
BOYS LACROSSE
Bishop Eustace at Woodstown

MAY 20
SOFTBALL
Atlantic Tech at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.
Schalick at Cedar Creek
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Clearview at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Timber Creek at Woodstown

MAY 21
BASEBALL
Mainland at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Gloucester County Christian
SOFTBALL
Penns Grove at Winslow
Salem Tech at Camden Co. Tech

MAY 26
BOYS GOLF
TCC Showcase, Pitman GC, 8 a.m.
GIRLS GOLF
TCC Showcase, Pitman GC, 8 a.m.




This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of March 15-22; all games weather permitting; x-scrimmage

MONDAY, MARCH 16
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Northampton at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17
BASEBALL
x-Gateway at Salem Tech
SOFTBALL
x-Paulsboro at Penns Grove
x-Salem Tech at Pennsauken Tech
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Woodstown at Absegami
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Northampton (2), noon

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
BASEBALL
x-Millville at Pennsville
x-Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
SOFTBALL
x-Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech
x-Middle Twp. at Schalick
TENNIS
x-Millville at Pennsville
BOYS LACROSSE
x-Delran at Woodstown

THURSDAY, MARCH 19
BASEBALL
x-Bridgeton at Salem
x-Schalick at Paulsboro
SOFTBALL
x-Gateway at Woodstown
x-Salem at Bridgeton
BOYS GOLF
Woodstown vs. Delsea, Wild Oaks GC
TENNIS
x-West Deptford at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Riverside

FRIDAY, MARCH 20
BASEBALL
x-Atlantic Tech at Salem
Pennsville at West Deptford
SOFTBALL
x-Salem at Lower Cape May
x-Salem Tech at Schalick
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Atlantic Cape at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Bucks at Salem CC, 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape (2), noon

SUNDAY, MARCH 22
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, noon

Salem CC diamond drama

Mighty Oaks softball swept at home by Harford, baseball splits on first day of Myrtle Beach trip

SOFTBALL
Harford CC 12-4, Salem CC 2-3
BASEBALL
PSU-Hazleton 12, Salem CC 8
Salem CC 8, Illinois Valley 7

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – There was a lot to digest in Salem CC’s softball doubleheader Monday. There was some good. There was some bad. There was even some it could’ve been worse.

The bad was the Mighty Oaks were swept by Harford CC 12-2 and 4-3 to snap their four-game run-rule winning streak. In the it could’ve been worse department, at least it wasn’t a Region 19 counter like their season-opening sweep by Lackawanna. As for the good, they’ve got two more days of expected good weather to get themselves right before heading out on its spring break trip in Virginia, not that that’s any consolation.

“Being swept is never good whether it’s a region (doubleheader) or not,” Salem coach Angel Rodriguez said. “That’s just something we don’t want to deal with and we have to be able to play and win these kind of games.

“We’re right there, there’s some little things we have to keep working on to get better, but this one is going to hurt because we had every right to stay in this game. We did. We showed a little bit of our stuff, but we just didn’t show it consistently. We had a good opportunity to stick with and beat a really good team (and) we did not do that. We’ve got to do better. We’ve got to be able to pull stuff like this out.”

The Mighty Oaks (4-4) didn’t have much luck in the opener, falling behind 4-1 and then giving up six runs in the third inning. Noelle Beavers had three hits and seven RBIs for Harford (4-2), including a game-breaking three-run triple in the third.

The nightcap went much better for the home side. The Mighty Oaks were putting together a potential game-winning rally in the bottom of the seventh of the nightcap, getting the tying run to second with none out, before a bizarre infield out and a game-ending bang-bang 4-6-3 double play that left both teams wondering if it was the right call.

Salem trailed 4-2 going into their last bats, but had the top of the order due. Jalyn Rambally and Lilly Peverelle opened the inning with back-to-back doubles to make it 4-3. J.J. Aguirre, the Mighty Oaks’ most productive hitter, draw a walk and was replaced by Kasen Ervin on the bases.

Savannah Palverento hit a ball towards second that hit Ervin on the basepaths, killing the play and sending Peverelle back to second base. Chantelle Haskie pinch-hit for Sawyer Simmons, who had been hitless in the doubleheader, and grounded to second that keystone combo Audrey Coker and Katelyn McCullough turned into their third twin killing of the twinbill, with Haskie called out on a close play at first.

Haskie said “I feel like I was there already; kind of shocking a bit.” Rodriguez was convinced she was. Harford coach Dan Ashby said he wouldn’t have argued if they called the runner safe; “it was that close,” he said. Video replay showed the sophomore beat the throw.

“She 100 percent beat it out, but what are you going to do,” Rodriguez said. “We just have to put ourselves in a better position and hopefully not get into something like that to where it’s a close call, but … It’s a call that should’ve been maybe gotten help on, but they said we’re not going to judge on a judgement call, which was tough, especially on a close play like that. I thought it was close. At the end of the day it’s 50-50 and it just didn’t go our way that time.”

The Mighty Oaks took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning, playing small ball to put runners in scoring position before Peverelle delivered a two-run single. The Fighting Owls robbed them of another run in the inning on a diving catch in the outfield, then retook the lead with three in the sixth.

“It showed us what we could’ve done, but we waited too long to do it,” Rodriguez said. “We had to adjust sooner and we just weren’t. We were playing into the pitcher’s pitches. We had a lot of hitter’s counts we were not capitalizing on and that hurt today. We just have to reflect on that and learn from that and get better. We were in a lot of positions to help ourselves out and we just played it to her ball and they made a couple really good plays on defense.”

GAME ONEHARFORD 12SALEM CC 2RHE
Harford (3-2)22602-12121
Salem CC (4-3)01100-262
WP: Ashley Merson. LP: Raegan Wilson. 2B: Audrey Coker (H), Ashley Merson (H), Jalyn Rambally (S), J.J. Aguirre (S), Emme Witter (S). 3B: Noelle Beavers (H).
GAME TWOHARFORD 4SALEM CC 3RHE
Harford (4-2)001003 0-450
Salem CC (4-4)000020 1-3113
WP: Kaylee Pruett. LP: Jordyn Busch. 2B: Jalyn Rambally (S), Lilly Peverelle (S).

Baseball splits

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Trevor Hernandez hit his second homer of the season and Chase Hortiz and Tyler Hacker each drove in a pair of runs as the Salem CC baseball team edged Illinois Valley 8-7 to earn a split on the first day of its spring break trip.

The Mighty Oaks lost their first game to Penn State-Hazleton 12-8.

Salem scored three runs in the first inning of their second game and held a 5-1 lead after two. Illinois Valley tied it in the fourth, but the Mighty Oaks scored single runs in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth and never lost the lead. Joe Pallante pitched the first four innings for the win and Tyler Hacker worked the seventh for the save.

The trip got off to a balky start. First-game starter Joe D’Amato walked five of the seven batters he faced in the first inning and Penn State-Hazleton scored five in the first on the way to an 8-0 lead. The Mighty Oaks got within 9-5 after a four-run fourth inning, but could never get the lead.

Hacker homered and doubled and drove in three runs. Roman Hernandez went 4-for-4 with three RBIs.

The trip continues Tuesday with a pair of night games against Lakeland CC and the CC of Rhode Island.

GAME ONEPSU-HAZLETON 12SALEM CC 8RH
Salem CC001401 2-89
PSU-Hazleton531021 x-1214
LP: Joe A’Amato (0-1). 2B: Roman Hernandez (S), Tyler Hacker (S). HR: Tyler Hacker (S).
GAME TWOSALEM CC 8ILLINOIS VALLEY 7RH
Illinois Valley (0-3)012201 1-78
Salem CC (3-3)320111 x-88
WP: Joe Pallante (1-1). S: Tyler Hacker (2). HR: Trevor Hernandez (S)

Different fortunes

Salem CC softball enjoys second straight run-rule sweep, while baseball is swept at Brookdale before trip to Myrtle Beach

SOFTBALL
Salem CC 17-16, Monroe-Bronx 2-0
BASEBALL
Brookdale 17-7, Salem CC 10-3

By Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Jordyn Busch and Savannah Palverento combined on a five-inning no-hitter and got a lot of help from their fielders to preserve it as the Salem CC softball team crushed Monroe-Bronx 16-0 to complete its second run-rule sweep in as many days Saturday.

The Mighty Oaks (4-2) got the day started with a 17-2 win in the opener.

Busch, who took a no-hitter into the fifth inning of Friday’s nightcap against Sussex, worked the first three innings Saturday before giving way to Palverento. Busch walked one, hit two and struck out five. Palverento walked one, struck out two and faced one batter over the minimum for her stint.

The defense made several nice plays behind their pitchers to get the gem alive. J.J. Aguirre made a diving catch on a bunt in the first inning, Emme Witter caught a ball going over the rightfield foul fence in the fourth and Pahola Chavez ended the game with an over-the-shoulder catch in deep right field.

The hitters made it a comfortable day for the pitchers. They scored 11 runs in the first inning. Aguirre hit another homer and drove in five runs in the game. Jalyn Ramball had two hits and two RBIs and Witter drove in two.

Raegan Wilson pitched a complete game for the Mighty Oaks in the opener. She gave up five hits, two unearned runs in the fifth inning, and struck out two.

Her hitters gave her a nice cushion early, scoring nine runs in the first inning. Aguirre had another big game with two hits and four RBIs. Lilly Peverelle and Bella Rappa both had had two hits and three RBIs, and Witter and Megan Koski both drove in a pair of runs.

GAME ONE

Monroe-Bronx00002-251
Salem CC9503x-1792

WP: Raegan Wilson. 2B: J.J. Aguirre (S). 3B: Savannah Palverento (S).

GAME TWO

Monroe-Bronx00000-002
Salem CC(11)410x-1670

WP: Jordyn Busch. HR: Aguirre (S)

Bouncing back

Palverento, Mighty Oaks put Opening Day setback behind them, score run-rule sweep of Sussex; homegrown talent shines

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE —Despite all the softball she has played over the years, and even with a taste of the college game in the low-intensity fall, Savannah Palverento was as anxious as she’s ever been for a game during Salem CC’s opening-day doubleheader earlier in the week. And it showed.

She was a lot more comfortable with her surroundings the second time out Friday. And it showed.

The freshman from Pennsville collected her first two college hits, including her first college home run, and closed the game in the circle as the Mighty Oaks powered past Sussex 11-2 on the way to a run-rule doubleheader sweep. The Mighty Oaks won the second game 19-5 behind two big innings at the start and four no-hit innings from freshman pitcher Jordyn Busch.

It was a whole lot better for the Mighty Oaks (2-2) in general and Palverento in particular than getting swept by Lackawanna on Opening Day.

Palverento went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts from the leadoff spot in the two games and gave up seven runs in two innings in the circle in the opener. On Friday, hitting out of the 5-hole, she started a six-run second inning with a leadoff single and led off the four-run fourth with a homer. She pitched the fifth inning, giving up an unearned run and striking out the side.

“I was definitely nervous (Opening Day),” she said. “It wasn’t so much nerves — I feel like I got that part out — it was kind of getting in my head because I expected myself to do better than what I did.

“i definitely was a lot more comfortable today. I kind of just gave myself a mental reset and thanks to my coaches for giving us all a pep talk. We have so many more games to look forward to and we can’t just keep our head down on the past, we just have to move on.”

Palverento hit one home run in her four-year high school career (167 at-bats), her junior year against Salem. She called the one she hit Friday, in just her seventh college at-bat, “special” and not just because it was her first in college. Palverento lost her mother, Tina, in 2020 and Friday would have been her birthday.

“I told myself I was going to play hard for her today and I definitely did; I’m really proud of myself,” she said. “I definitely had a moment of clarity, like, oh my God, I just hit a home run and I was like, you know what, it was for her. Everything was for her.”

The Mighty Oaks got a big collective game from their Salem County players. The four local position players in the opener — Palverento, Lilly Peverelle (Pennsville), Ava Ortiz (Salem) and Sawyer Simmons (Pennsville) — were a combined 5-for-8 with five runs and four RBIs. Raegan Wilson (Salem) pitched the first four innings, allowing two hits and an unearned run.

Palverento didn’t play in the nightcap, but the Mighty Oaks’ contingent from Salem County showed out again. Bella Rappa (Pennsville) hit two doubles and together with Peverelle and Ortiz the homegrown players went 4-for-8 with four runs and three RBIs.

“Our goal when we first came in here was to not only try and recruit and let county student-athletes know that we’re here, but also anyone can do it,” Mighty Oaks coach Angel Rodriguez said. “For them, they grew up playing on this field, it’s very exciting to see their hard work pay off  and they’re getting better. I know it takes a while to kind of reflect on it, but they’re starting to notice too how advances they’re starting to get at this game.

“I think it’s very cool. I think it opens up a lot of hopeful eyes for the county to say, hey, Salem Community College is here. It’s a good place to be and it’s a great place to be right now. Hopefully that opens up some other people seeing how good they’re doing to want to get  behind them and want to do the same thing.”

The Mighty Oaks wasted little time taking control of the nightcap. They sent 13 batters to the plate in each of the first two innings, erupting for 17 runs. Their first eight hitters of the game all reached base and scored. J.J. Aguirre hit a three-run homer in the second inning, her third in the last two games.

Busch took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. She faced only three batters over the minimum to that point, struck out seven and had only five balls put in play. She lost the gem on a bunt single that loaded the bases after a pair of walks, then gave up a hard single off first baseman Rappa’s leg and a bases-clearing triple by Rachel Teague that ended her day. Emme Witter put out the fire with a strikeout, sacrifice fly and game-ending roller back to the circle.

“Knowing I was three outs away I was excited to get there, but I just was happy the way I did after Tuesday because I personally thought I didn’t give it my best on Tuesday,” Busch said. “Coming in and just having a great day on a day like this was nice. I was so close. I need three more outs, so it just makes you want to work harder.”

Top photo: Freshman Jordyn Busch carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of Salem CC’s second-game run-rule win over Sussex Friday. (Photo by Nolan Dowell)

GAME ONE

Sussex (0-1)00101-233
Salem CC (1-2)0641x-1182
WP: Raegan Wilson (1-0). LP: Sarah Lafferty (0-1). 2B: J.J. Aguirre (SCC). 3B: Lilly Peverelle (SCC). HR: Savannah Palverento (SCC).

GAME TWO

Sussex (0-2)00005-534
Salem CC (2-2)8902x-19160
WP: Jordyn Busch (1-1). LP: Sarah Lafferty (0-2). 2B: Bella Rappa 2 (SCC). 3B: Rachel Teague (S). HR: J.J. Aguirre (SCC).


Soggy start

Salem CC softball swept by Lackawanna in its season-opening doubleheader, bounced back from rainy rout to play a one-run game in the nightcap

SALEM CC SOFTBALL
Lackawanna 21-7, Salem CC 0-6

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — The word of the week through all of Salem CC’s softball practices this week was adversity and the Mighty Oaks had plenty of it in their season opener.

How they learn to overcome it going forward will say a lot about the season they hope to enjoy.

The Mighty Oaks opened their season Tuesday getting swept by Region XIX rival Lackawanna 21-0 and 7-6 at Watson Field. Between playing in the first-game rain that kept their freshman pitcher from gripping the ball in her first college start to having to regroup from a blowout, losing a lead in the nightcap, tying it, falling behind again and trying to rally in the seventh, there was plenty of adversity to go around.

“We were hit with some adversity and that’s kind of been our word of the past week,” coach Angel Rodriguez said. “Just understand we’ve got to be able to battle through some changes and when we’re down it’s never over. You’ve got to look forward to the next best thing that you’re going to do and that’s been our motto.

“You don’t know when adversity is going to hit you in life and how long it’s going to last around, but it’s not something you can wake up and hope it’s gone. I felt they did a really good job of bouncing back after that first game and battling in the second game together. That’s something that didn’t leave them the whole time, which is good, so we can take that away.

“You’ve got to be able to play through it. You’re as good as your next at bat or fielding play. I think they did a good job of that and there’s a lot of stuff there that I think we’re going to take as we keep going forward.”

Not much could’ve been more adverse than the opener. The game started in a cold mist that grew progressively harder as the game went on. At the weather’s worst, in the third inning, Mighty Oaks starting pitcher Jordyn Busch had trouble gripping the ball and her cleats clogged with mud. She walked six and hit a batter in the inning and was charged with 11 of the 12 runs the Falcons scored in it although Reagan Wilson gave up a grand slam to Haleigh Mazol on her first pitch of the season immediately after replacing Busch.

Mazol had a two-run single earlier in the inning and eight RBIs in the game. She drove in what proved to be the winning run in the nightcap on a soft pop in the sixth that landed a couple feet up the third base line and plopped into the soft dirt, coming to rest just inches from rolling foul. It allowed Laniah Tasker to race home from third for a 7-4 lead. 

The umpires suspended play after the Might Oaks batted in the fourth inning down 20-0 — before reaching the five-inning run-rule threshold — and the game was delayed 30 minutes while Salem coaches and administrators worked in six bags of drying agent to fix the infield. There was a thought if the game had been suspended earlier, before the rain got heavier, they might not have brought it back at all. Rodriguez called it “a tough call for everyone.”

“I think they did the right call,” he said. “We took the little intermission and got the field prepped what we needed to do and the weather held out for the most part after that. It’s a tough call. We wanted to play. We were ready to still go, but it did surprise us there. That wasn’t on the radar at first, but that’s the weather. We said it earlier. If we’re going to wait for a perfect day in March on the East Coast we’re never going to play. Some of these things you’ve got to be able to battle through.”

Busch went back in the circle after the rain, started the second game. She kept the Falcons off the board in the first two innings and pitched into the fourth before being lifted following Ayahna Fleisher’s two-run homer that put the Falcons in front 4-3.

“It was definitely a way better adjustment (without the rain); I feel like I was actually able to get into a groove and find the strike zone,” she said. “In the first game finding the strike zone was hard. I couldn’t see because my glasses were covered in rain and my towel was soaked so I couldn’t dry my hand off and then my glove, the ball was getting soaked through it so I couldn’t grip it at all.

“It did definitely affect me. Not only I couldn’t grip the ball, but on the mental side because it was my first college game. The rain was just something added to struggle with. I definitely didn’t mind it at first, it was definitely not that bad, but when it started picking up it was very unpleasant.”

The day wasn’t all bad for the Mighty Oaks (0-2). J.J. Aguirre hit two homers in the nightcap. Her three-run blast in the first gave them a 3-0 lead and her two-run shot in the seventh gave them hope. The freshman from Midland, Texas, also had their only hit in the opener against Fleisher, a two-out double in the second.

“The first home run I was just trying to keep it simple and let mechanics take over,” she said. “The second home run I was a little nervous because it was bottom (of the seventh) but I didn’t let it get to me. I just kept it simple: See the ball, hit the ball. I think I was just ready to get another chance with no rain and I was excited and ready to go and just play.”

The Falcons (3-2) broke a 4-4 tie in the nightcap with three runs in the sixth. Aguirre’s second homer made it 7-6. Bella Rappa kept the rally alive with a single and was moved into scoring position by Megan Koski. Sawyer Simmons then lofted a ball into the fog in right field that was caught for the final out.

GAME ONE

Lackawanna03(12)51-21130
Salem CC00000-013
WP: Ayahna Fleisher (1-1). LP: Jordyn Busch (0-1). 2B: Ayahna Fleisher (L), Mia Scalese (L), Mackenzie Adolfson (L), Kyleah Edwards (L); J.J. Aguirre (S). HR: Haleigh Mazol (L)

GAME TWO

Lackawanna0022030-792
Salem CC3000102-6103
WP: Mia Scalese (2-0). LP: Emme Witter (0-1). 2B: Laniah Tasker (L); Jalyn Rambally (S). HR: Ayahna Fleisher (L); J.J. Aguirre 2 (S)

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of March 2-7

MONDAY MARCH 2
BOYS BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Tournament
Woodstown at Salem, 5 p.m.
Glassboro at KIPP, 6 p.m.
New Egypt at Penns Grove, 5:30 p.m.
Audubon at Palmyra, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Tournament
Woodbury at Haddon Twp., 5:30 p.m.
Palmyra at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Audubon, 4 p.m.
Gateway at Wildwood, 5 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 3
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, 3 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Lackawanna at Salem CC, 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
BOYS BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Semifinals
Woodstown-Salem vs. Glassboro-KIPP
New Egypt at Penns Grove vs. Audubon-Palmyra
GIRLS BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Semifinals
Woodbury-Haddon Twp. vs. Palmyra-Glassboro
Woodstown-Audubon vs. Gateway-Wildwood
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NJCAA Division III Selection Show, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester (2), 3 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6
WRESTLING
Region Tournament
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Brookdale, 3:30 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Sussex at Salem CC (2), 1 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7
BOYS BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Championship
GIRLS BASKETBALL
South Jersey Group I Championship
WRESTLING
Region Tournament
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Brookdale at Salem CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Monroe-Bronx at Salem CC (2), noon

SUNDAY, MARCH 8
INDOOR TRACK
Meet of Championship, Ocean Breeze, Staten Island
WRESTLING
Girls Region Tournament