Heavy workload

Pennsville baseball in the midst of potentially nine games in eight days, but has won the first three; Schalick uses big inning to beat Overbrook, Woodstown put best Foote forward

BASEBALL
Pennsville 11, Pitman 1
Schalick 12, Overbrook 5
Woodstown 7, Glassboro 1

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Matt Karr has never coached through a stretch of games the likes of which his Pennsville baseball team currently finds itself. Getting through it takes a lot of planning, patience and even more pitching, but so far the Eagles have managed it.

Playing the third of what potentially could be nine games in eight days, the Eagles pummeled Tri-County Classic Division rival Pitman 11-1 Thursday to become the only undefeated team left in division play.

The gauntlet started with wins Tuesday at Wildwood and Wednesday at Millville. Before it ends next Tuesday against Schalick, the Eagles will play Williamstown Friday, two games in the Oakcrest Tournament Saturday, a possible tournament game Sunday and Glassboro Monday. They were scheduled to play Clayton Wednesday, making it 10 games in nine days, but they smartly moved it.

Even MLB teams get a day off every now and then. The Phillies just completed a stretch of 13 consecutive games and start another one Friday that includes 10 on the road and a trip to the West Coast.

The Eagles certainly want to win every one of the nine games, so to go 9-0 would be “impressive” and Karr would give this players off from practice the day of the prom if it happened, but in reality the approach to the entire stretch is quite simple.

“It is super cliché, but the approach is just take it one game, one pitch at a time,” Karr said. “Our plan changes from inning to inning, game to game, based on results, how the game’s flowing, what we think we need to do to get a win in the moment. We like to plan ahead, but at the same time you’ve got to deal with what’s going on in the present and that’s the way we approach it.

“Today was a situation where the opportunity presented itself to get Peyton (O’Brien) off the mound early and have him available for the weekend. Those other guys come in, they throw a quick inning, now they’re available for the weekend. That’s all it is, just playing puzzle pieces, trying to figure out who can fit where and do what.”

The players understand the challenge, especially for a team with as limited numbers as the Eagles, but they’re also confident in their ability to get the job done.

“I think it’ll be challenging but I think our team is good enough to play nine games and win them all,” centerfielder and possible emergency pitcher Chase Burchfield said.

“It’s definitely going to be tough, especially for our arms, especially with a small team like us where we all have to play,” O’Brien said. “So far we’ve done a good job, but it’s going to be tougher the more games we play.”

The Eagles made things quick and easy Thursday, scoring three in the second and breaking it open with eight in the third. Meanwhile, O’Brien was sharp in his three innings and because the Eagles had such a comfortable lead they were able to get the hard-throwing righthander out of the game sooner than later, which is a key to surviving what a team with a limited roster is going through.

O’Brien gave up two hits – back-to-back singles in the first inning – and struck out six. Then he gave way to Cohen Petrutz and Logan Streitz for the final two innings.

“I felt really good,” O’Brien said. “I felt like they couldn’t really hit me. Even their hits were a little weak. But I felt good out there, kept going at it, felt confident.”

The lineup backed him from every spot. The Eagles had 11 hits. Eight of their nine starters got one and all nine scored at least one run.

Freshman Mason O’Brien was 3-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs at the top of the lineup. Sophomore Streitz had two hits and two RBIs in the 9-hole. Burchfield chased home the two runs that put the game into run-rule mode and he threw a runner out at the plate on one bounce from center to keep it that way.

Karr called the whole day an embodiment of the next-man-up mentality the coaching staff has been preaching all year, a message that’s particularly poignant for this current stretch.

“My arm has been feeling good lately,” Burchfield said. “When I saw it down and I saw the kid running I was like ‘I’ve got to throw this ball hard.’ I didn’t try to bounce it, I was trying to throw it in the air, but it happened to bounce. Perfect throw. And it went between the two guys. It was nice. I’m hoping I can do that on the pitcher’s mound.”

The throw it hard part. Not the bouncing it to the plate.

SCHALICK 12, OVERBROOK 5: Enrico Hatz had a tie-breaking single, two-run double and successful steal of home in a 10-run sixth inning that sent Schalick to its second straight win and back to .500 for the first time since April 6.

The Cougars (4-4) sent 15 batters to the plate in their big inning. They had five hits, five walks and two hit batsmen. Three of the walks and hit batsmen drove home runs.

“We were hitting the ball better each inning, but couldn’t get things going,” Cougars coach Sean O’Brien said. “We finally started to come up with some big hits with runners in scoring position and broke it open in the sixth with some timely hits.”

J.T. Fleming, Jake Siedlecki, Hatz and Elijah Cummings all had two hits in the game. Matthew Lamazza, Cummings and Fleming all had two of RBIs.

The Cougars have scored 10 runs or more in all four of their victories.

WOODSTOWN 7, GLASSBORO 1: Brent Williams went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and Aaron Foote pitched a complete-game two-hitter with six strikeouts as the Wolverines (5-4) won for the third time in their last four games and back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Ty Coblentz had two hits and Rocco String had two RBIs. Foote lost his shutout to an unearned run in the seventh inning.

Timely blast

Harris’ first homer lifts Pennsville to fourth straight road win this week; includes results from Thursday’s Salem County sports calendar

THURSDAY SOFTBALL
Overbrook 8, Schalick 2
Pennsville 14, Pitman 7
Woodstown 26, Glassboro 2

By Riverview Sports News

PITMAN – Kylie Harris couldn’t have picked more opportune time to hit her first high school home run.

With her team mounting a late charge, the sophomore catcher launched a three-run homer in the sixth inning to give Pennsville the lead for good in an eventual 14-7 win at Pitman.

The Eagles were down 7-6 entering the sixth after Pitman’s Emory Sharpnack hit a grand slam in the fifth. Sierra Stultz and Avery Watson opened the inning with singles, then after an out, Harris hammered her long ball over the scoreboard in left field.

It was her 51st career hit and came in her 117th career at-bat. She was 0-for-3 in the game coming into the at bat with a strikeout and two fly outs.

“Kylie’s home run was definitely clutch,” Pennsville coach Beth Jackson said. “I’m sure she was frustrated from her first couple of Abs. The girls always want to contribute and she did in a big way.”

The Eagles scored two more runs in the inning on wild pitches. Bella Farina put the game out of reach with a three-run homer in the seventh. It was her career-high fourth of the season.

Farina and Stultz each had three hits in the game. Harris and Watson each had two.

With the victory, the Eagles (7-4) swept their run of four road games in as many days, outscoring their opponents 56-7.

WOODSTOWN 26, GLASSBORO 2: The Wolverines filled the box score with their highest scoring game in eight years.

Ten players had hits, 13 had RBIs. Alyssa Baber’s grand slam and RBI double highlighted a 14-run first inning. Tulana Mingin went 3-for-3 and Ellie Wygand went 4-for-4. Kayla Brown and Hannah Hitchner drove in three runs apiece. Talia Guardiscione scored five runs.

The 26 runs were the most the Wolverines have scored in a game since a 27-5 win over Salem on May 4, 2016.

OVERBROOK 8, SCHALICK 2: Overbrook (5-2) opened a 7-0 lead after three innings. Schalick (3-3) scored twice in the fourth.

BASEBALL
Pennsville 11, Pitman 1
Schalick 12, Overbrook 5
Woodstown 7, Glassboro 1

BOYS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 5, WILDWOOD 0
Gabe Schneider (P) def. Giorgio Palesano, 6-0, 6-0
Maddox Efelis (P) def. Brian Damian, 6-0, 6-0
Maddox Efelis (P) def. Christopher Olivera, 6-0, 6-0
Noah Bohn-Noah Flitcraft (P) def. Cristopher Hernandez-Yahir Reyes, 6-0, 6-0
Luke Chamberlain-Carter Willis (P) def. Gabriel Hernandez-Simon Palacias, 6-0, 6-1
Records: Pennsville 7-1, Wildwood 1-4.

SCHALICK 5, PENNS GROVE 0
George Gould (S) def. Alex Ramirez Martinez, 6-0, 6-0
Jesus Espinoza (S) def. Poyraz Erdonmez, 6-0, 6-1
Conor O’Toole (S) def. Angel Perez Herrera, 6-0, 6-0
Rocky Monticolo-David Santana (S) def. Ricardo Vichi-Anthony Pacheco, 6-0, 6-1
Kaden Barnes-Cayden Brzozowski (S) def. Pablo Sanchez Correa-Stuart Mondragon, 6-1, 6-4
Records: Schalick 4-2, Penns Grove 1-3.

GOLF
Overbrook vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC

TRACK
Pitman at Salem

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGHLAND 2, SALEM TECH 0 (25-22, 25-21): Deshean Maldonado served for 11 points with three aces in Salem Tech’s tightest match of the year. Gabe Rich kept the Chargers (0-5) in it with 19 assists, six digs and three aces.

GIRLS LACROSSE
WOODSTOWN 14, EGG HARBOR TWP. 2: The Wolverines (3-3) got back to .500 and handed EHT (6-1) its first loss of the season.

Cover photo: Pennsville’s Kylie Harris steps into the box in the sixth inning Thursday before hitting her go-ahead three-run homer.

Good game, let’s eat

Pennsville softball routs Salem, then heads off for some team bonding and baked ziti; includes all the reported Salem County high school sports results

WEDNESDAY SOFTBALL
Pennsville 17, Salem 0
Williamstown at Woodstown, ppd.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM – The Pennsville softball team has always been a group that’s kept its eye on the prize. It’s one of the things that has made it so successful over the years.

The Eagles had a very specific prize in mind Wednesday as they were taking out Salem 17-0.

“Baked ziti” was heard from their dugout along about the third inning of the Tri-County Classic Division game and at regular intervals thereafter.

Actually, it wasn’t so much a prize as a destination. After the Eagles got back to school and cleaned up, they were headed to teammate Cara Hoyt’s house for some team bonding and big helpings of the tasty pasta treat.

“We usually have team bonding, so we always get at Cara’s house and her parents make us ziti, so it’s kind of like a tradition,” outfielder Mary Montagna said. “We have one at Cara’s and we have one at Reagan’s (Wariwanchik) and at Reagan’s we play volleyball and stuff.

“I love ziti. I’m going to get two platefuls.”

The dinner was a players-only affair, but Eagles coach Beth Jackson was OK with that.

“That’s their thing,” she said. “It’s nice that they get together and do that. I used to have them at my house way back like 2013 or ’14, we would have a cookout and whatnot, so it’s something they do every year.

“I remember doing it when I played soccer. We always had a spaghetti dinner before the first night game. We’d play Woodstown under the lights and we’d all get together for a spaghetti dinner. I know a lot of the teams do it.”

Savannah Palverento pitched a one-hitter and allowed just four base runners in the five-inning game. The only hit she allowed was Sade Jones’ opposite-field single with one out in the third inning. She struck out five, including the final out of the game. It was the first time she has not worried about her right (pitching) hand since developing a blister on the middle finger two weeks ago.

“I thought considering the fact my hand’s been messed up this entire week I felt a lot better pitching today compared to other games,” Palverento said.

The Eagles (6-4), playing their third road game in as many days and seventh in nine days, pounded out 15 hits with eight of their nine starters collecting at least one. Kylie Harris and Avery Watson both went 3-for-4, with Harris, a sophomore, collecting her 50th career hit. Bella Rappa and Montagna each had two hits and three RBIs. Lilly Birney (two hits), Sierra Stultz and Hoyt drove in two runs apiece.

Rappa ran her career totals to 77 hits and 54 RBIs. Bella Farina’s RBI moved her within two of 50 for her career.

The Eagles led 5-0 after two innings, then broke it open with eight in the third. They sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning. Hoyt and Montagna both had two-run singles.

“They continue to hit the ball,” Jackson said. “They’ve hit the ball all week. We continue with the hitting and making the adjustments to the different pitchers that we see and taking it one day at a time, one at-bat a time. Today’s done, now we focus on Pitman tomorrow.”

The Pitman game completes a run of four road games in as many days. The Eagles have won the first three all by shutout, including Jackson’s 200th career coaching win Tuesday at Wildwood. They haven’t allowed a run since the sixth inning of their loss at West Deptford Saturday and have allowed only two runs in their last 19 innings.

Wednesday roundup

BASEBALL
PENNSVILLE 7, MILLVILLE 3: Mason O’Brien and Jacob Grant each drove in a pair of runs and the Eagles took the lead with a four-run fourth inning. Luke Wood pitched the first six innings, allowing three hits and striking out eight. O’Brien came on to start the seventh but struggled and Connor Starn came from behind to plate to get the last three outs all by strikeout.

GOLF
WOODSTOWN 156, PENNSVILLE 191: Woodstown’s Jacob Schermerhorn (37) edged Pennsville’s Jake Isaac by a stroke for medalist honors at Sakima GC.

Kingsway girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
Schalick vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC

TRACK
Overbrook 101.5, Pennsville 32.5
Penns Grove at Schalick
Woodstown at Glassboro

BOYS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 5, DELRAN 0
Gabe Schneider (P) def. Aidan Moskowitz, 6-0, 6-0
Maddox Efelis (P) def. Evan Therur, 6-0, 6-1
Brody Wiggins (P) def. Jacob Charney, 6-0, 6-0
Noah Flitcraft-Noah Bohn (P) def. Colin Thiel-Justin Hatcher, 6-0, 6-0
Luke Chamberlain-Sawyer Humphrey (P) def. Billy Boyce-Matt Rocha, 6-0, 6-1
Records: Pennsville 6-1, Delran 2-2.

Vineland at Woodstown

GIRLS LACROSSE
KINGSWAY 21, WOODSTOWN 5: Ally Phalines scored eight goals and Phoebe O’Rourke (five assists) and Madi Rothwein had four each for the Dragons (5-3). Delaney Walker scored three goals for Woodstown (2-3) and assisted on the goals by Blair Baldi and Emma Morgan.

Tuesday roundup

Here’s a look at what happened in Salem County sports on Tuesday

BASEBALL
SALEM 7, CLAYTON 3: The Rams picked up their second win of the season behind Colin Finney going the distance, allowing six hits, no earned runs and striking out six. Terrell Robinson went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Chase Davis had two hits. The Rams jumped out to a 6-0 lead through innings.

“It was a great win today, a real team win with everyone getting on base and manufacturing runs,” Rams coach Eric Fizur said. “This is one of the best group of young men I’ve ever coached. They are completely selfless and care about each other.”

To that point, catcher Andrew May continues to take one for the team. He has been hit by a pitch seven games in a row.

PENNSVILLE 18, WILDWOOD 5: Peyton O’Brien and Chase Burchfield both had three hits and three RBIs and the first five batters in the Eagles’ lineup went a combined 12-for-19 with eight RBIs. The Eagles scored five runs in the top of the first and never looked back.

SCHALICK 10, PENNS GROVE 0: Ricky Watt had three hits and two RBIs, Luke Pokrovsky had two hits and two RBIs, and three Schalick pitchers combined on a three-hitter. Starter Cole Hartley retired all nine batters he faced. Enrico Hatz went 3-for-3 and Matt Lamazza went 2-for-2.

WOODSTOWN 13, OVERBROOK 5: Brent Williams, Rocco String and Jack Holliday all collected three hits to lead the Wolverines. Williams had three doubles and three RBIs. Andrew Pedrick, Jack Knorr, Blake Bialecki and Thomas Tucci had two hits apiece.

SOFTBALL
PENNSVILLE 12, WILDWOOD 0: Savannah Palverento went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and combined with Sierra Stultz in the circle for a one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts. The Eagles got hits from everywhere in the lineup. Kylie Harris had three doubles, Lilly Birney went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, Bella Rappa went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, Bella Farina went 3-for-4 and Mary Montagna went 2-for-4.

WOODSTOWN 16, OVERBROOK 6: Tulana Mingin had three hits, Hannah Hitchner drove in three runs and Kayla Brown and Grace White combined in the circle for the win. Cara Delia and Lila Bowling had two hits apiece.

CLAYTON 13, SALEM 3: The Rams jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and outhit their hosts 12-10, but couldn’t get the others runners home. Meanwhile, the Clippers took advantage of 12 walks. Kyla Henderson and Phoenix Holland both had three hits for Salem.

SCHALICK 22, PENNS GROVE 0: Cloe Elliott drove in seven runs and Taylor Soarks had four RBIs. The Cougars scored 11 runs in the first inning.

GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Delsea, Centerton CC
Woodstown vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
Salem Tech girls vs. Clayton, Sakima CC

BOYS TENNIS
CUMBERLAND 4, WOODSTOWN 1
Samuel Falk (C) def. Tim Schwienbacher, 6-2, 6-0
Luke Fischer (C) def. Drew Stengel, 6-2, 6-2
Eric Lipovsky def. Chase Sheppard, 2-6, 6-3, 10-7
Josiah Jiminez-Joey Nolan (C) def. Joseph Kurpis-Ben Stengel, 6-4, 7-5
Justin Nolan-Mason Staffieri (C) def. Luke Shaw-Mason Shimp, 4-6, 6-3, 10-2
Records: Cumberland 4-2, Woodstown 4-1.

SCHALICK 5, GLASSBORO 0
George Gould (S) def. Rowan Somdahl-Sands, 6-0, 6-0
Jesus Espinoza (S) def. Jesus Lopez, 6-0, 6-0
Conor O’Toole (S) def. Kileche Umbaofu, 6-0, 6-0
Rocky Monticolo-David Santana (S) won by forfeit
Cayden Brzozowski-Kaden Barnes (S) won by forfeit
Records: Schalick 3-2, Glassboro 0-5.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
WILLIAMSTOWN 2, SALEM TECH 0 (25-12, 25-12): Justin Reuther had six kills, Connor Vautour had five and Gavin Batterman 20 assists for Williamstown (5-2).

Busy week ahead

Woodstown, Pennsville both have a full calendar this week; Wolverines go 5 in 5 days, Eagles 4 in 4 but all on the road

EDITORS NOTE: This story has been edited from an earlier version.

MONDAY SOFTBALL
Buena 14, Schalick 1
Ocean City 8, Woodstown 5
Pennsville 14, Paulsboro 0

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – A demanding week, made more challenging over the weekend, got off to a tough start for the Woodstown softball team. But when faced with such a daunting task, the approach the Wolverines are taking is “one inning, one game at a time.”

Ocean City rallied twice – once before a 71-minute weather delay and once after – to knock off the Wolverines 8-5 Monday.

It was the start of an unprecedented stretch of five games in five days for the Wolverines (3-3), a stretch that is expected to test their depth and stretch their pitching staff.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had five games scheduled in one week,” starting pitcher Grace White said. “But I think we’re doing really good working as a team together and I think we’ll easily get the job done. I think it’ll all work out.”

The task is daunting enough with a full squad, but the Wolverines are down a pair of pitchers following the absence of Liv Boultinghouse and Johanna Way. Coach Dave Wildermuth declined to comment on any aspect of their situation and it is not known how long the players will be unavailable.

It has caused to Wolverines to do some creative shifting. White remains at the top of their pitching rotation, but the development pressed Kayla Brown into an extended role in the circle. It’s likely the Wolverines will alternate the two until the situation is resolved to keep from overworking either of them.

“Thirty-five innings is very tough for any pitcher,” White said, “but like I said I’ll do whatever it takes for my team.”

White started Monday and pitched into the fifth inning, when she was lifted after surrendering back-to-back doubles to Taylor Vaugh and Anna McCabe that tied the game. Brown came in from second base at that point and pitched the final three innings. She gave up an inherited run, two of her own, four hits and two intentional walks.

“I’ve pitched in like two or three Woodstown games ever,” Brown said. “I used to pitch for travel, but I’m only a second baseman here at Woodstown. I think getting called in is an opportunity in a way, but at the same time I just hope I do right by my coaches and teammates because I don’t want to let them down.”

Brown pitched in five games previously for the Wolverines and had never gone more than three innings. She threw a total of six innings in four appearances last season without allowing a run and pitched three shutout innings in her only appearance as a freshman. She spent all weekend throwing to prepare herself for the expanded role.

As the second baseman she wields a big bat. Her two-run double highlighted the Wolverines’ three-run first inning.

The Red Raiders (6-2) erased that early deficit with four in the third inning that was interrupted by the weather delay. Jessica Mooney delivered a game-tying two-run double right before the stoppage, then starting pitcher Brooke Douglas put her team in front with an RBI double on the first pitch after play resumed.

The Wolverines tied it 4-4 on Hannah Hitchner’s RBI single in the home third and Ellie Wygand’s sacrifice fly gave them a 5-4 lead in the fourth. Ocean City retook the lead in the fifth and added an insurance run in the sixth. The Red Raiders’ pitchers didn’t give up a hit after Aubrie Rennie’s leadoff single in the fourth.

“They got some timely hits,” Wildermuth said. “We played a good game in the field and we hit the ball. I guess the best way to describe it is they outhit us a little bit. Outpitched us just a hair and outhit us.”

The Wolverines aren’t the only county softball team with a tough week ahead. Pennsville opened a stretch of four games in four days – all on the road – with a 14-0 shutout of Paulsboro.

By the time this week ends the Eagles will have played eight road games in 11 days. They haven’t played a home game since their season opener April 5 and won’t play at home again until April 22. Before last Thursday the last time they practiced on their field was March 25.

“I’m glad we’re not baseball and we have to worry about pitch counts,” Eagles coach Beth Jackson said. “That would make it even more challenging, so it’s nice we don’t have to worry about that.”

This week’s stretch couldn’t have started better. Lilly Birney hit a two-run homer, came within a centerfielder’s rolling catch at the fence of an earlier homer and drove in four runs, Kylie Harris had two doubles among her three hits and two RBIs and the Eagles broke it open with an eight-run second inning. Sierra Stultz relieved starter Savannah Palverento in the circle in the first inning and allowed only four baserunners over five innings.

“Today was a good start with good defense and we scored runs,” Jackson said. “Today was a good showcase of how good they can do with minimizing mistakes and whatnot.”

As for the rest of the week, the Eagles will take the same approach as Woodstown – one game at a time.

“Now that today is done with Paulsboro, our focus is tomorrow to go to Wildwood,” Jackson said. “Just take it day at a time, one thing at a time. Today is done, good job, enjoy the win, now we turn our focus to Wildwood tomorrow. Beyond that, I’m not worrying about it. One day at a time.”

**Woodstown starter Grace White sends in a pitch during the early innings of Monday’s softball game with Ocean City.**

Cover photo: Kayla Brown will see more time in the circle as Woodstown finds itself down a couple pitchers.

Monday roundup

Here are the results of Monday’s high school sports action for teams from Salem County

BASEBALL
Collingswood 18, Penns Grove 1
Haddon Heights 17, Woodstown 7

HADDON HEIGHTS 17, WOODSTOWN 7: The Wolverines (3-4) scored four runs in the top of the first, but Haddon Heights continually chipped away. The Garnets (4-1) got three back in the bottom of the first, took the lead in the second inning and then walked it off with an eight-run fifth.

Lucas Fulmer, Andrew Pedrick and Brent Williams – the first three hitters in Woodstown’s lineup – all went 2-for-3. Pedrick had two doubles and Williams had two RBIs.

COLLINGSWOOD 18, PENNS GROVE 1: Elijah Crespo scored for the Red Devils (0-4) in the first inning, but Collingswood answered with four in the bottom of the inning and broke it open with 10 in the second.

Crespo had one of the Red Devils’ four singles in the game. The others belonged to Dylan Hyatt, Ethan Brooks and Bristol Scott. Max Hess, Jairo Mendoza and John Antrilli all went 2-for-2 with four, three and two RBIs, respectively, for the Panthers (4-1).

BOYS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 5, KINGSWAY 0
Gabe Schneider (P) def. Filip Mirkovic, 6-1, 6-3
Maddox Efelis (P) def. Dominic Palladino, 6-3, 6-4
Brody Wiggins (P) def. Nick Decinque, 6-2, 6-0
Noah Flitcraft-Noah Bohn (P) def. Jack Tanzola-Charlie West, 6-2, 6-4
Sawyer Humphrey-Luke Chamberlain (P) def. Aiden Shoemaker-Nolan Steurer, 4-6, 6-4, 10-0
Records: Pennsville 5-1, Kingsway 1-4.

SCHALICK 5, DEPTFORD 0
George Gould (S) def. Xavier Dean, 6-1, 6-2
Jesus Espinoza (S) def. Ethan Bui, 6-3, 6-3
Conor O’Toole (S) def. Bradyn Gee, 6-2, 6-3
Rocky Monticolo-David Santana (S) def. Joseph Crowley-Bryce Williams, 6-2, 6-0
Kaden Barnes-Cayden Brzozowski (S) def. Olaoluwa Gureje-Anmolpreet Singh, 6-3, 6-3.
Records: Schalick 2-2, Deptford 1-2

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
TIMBER CREEK 2, SALEM TECH 0 (25-14, 25-8): Maddox Pace had two kills, three digs and a block for Salem Tech (0-3). Gabe Rich was credited with four assists.

GOLF
WOODSTOWN 160, STERLING 186: Kyle Brainard shot even-par 36 and teammate Joey Olbrich posted a 39 to lead the Wolverines at Town & Country Golf Links. The Wolverines also counted a 40 from Jacob Schermerhorn and a 45 from Max Webb.
(Results not posted)
OLMA vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
Pennsville vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC
Wildwood boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC

GIRLS LACROSSE
Eastern at Woodstown

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of April 15-20; all events 4 p.m. unless noted

Monday

BASEBALL
Penns Grove at Collingswood
Woodstown at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Buena at Schalick
Ocean City at Woodstown
Pennsville at Paulsboro
GOLF
OLMA vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Sterling, Town & Country GL, 3:30 p.m.
Pennsville vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC, 3:45 p.m.
Wildwood boys vs. Schalick, Centerton CC
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Kingsway, 3:45 p.m.
Deptford at Schalick
GIRLS LACROSSE
Eastern at Woodstown
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Triton at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Bergen CC

Tuesday

BASEBALL
Clayton at Salem
Penns Grove at Schalick
Pennsville at Wildwood
Woodstown at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Wildwood
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Penns Grove
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.
GOLF
Schalick girls vs. Delsea, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech girls vs. Clayton, Sakima CC, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown at Cumberland, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove
Schalick at Glassboro
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Williamstown
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday

BASEBALL
Pennsville at Millville
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Ocean CC (2), 1 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Pennsville at Salem
Williamstown at Woodstown
GOLF
Kingsway girls vs. Schalick, Centerton CC, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick vs. Overbrook, Kresson GC
Woodstown vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Overbrook at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
Delran at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Vineland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Kingsway at Woodstown

Thursday

BASEBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
LEAP at Penns Grove
Pitman at Pennsville
Schalick at Overbrook
SOFTBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Pitman
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville at Wildwood, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick
GOLF
Overbrook vs. Pennsville, Sakima GC, 3:45 p.m.
TRACK
Pitman at Salem
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Highland at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Egg Harbor Twp., 5:30 p.m.

Friday

BASEBALL
Gloucester City at Schalick
Wildwood at Woodstown
Williamstown at Pennsville
SOFTBALL
GCIT at Salem
Schalick at Gloucester City
Woodstown at Wildwood
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Camden CC, 3 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC (2), noon
BOYS TENNIS
Woodstown at Overbrook, 3:45 p.m.
Cumberland at Schalick
Pennsville at Millville
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Egg Harbor Twp.

Saturday

BASEBALL
Schalick at Eastern, 10 a.m.
Pitman at Woodstown, 11 a.m.

Hedelt Tournament, Oakcrest
Pennsville vs. Buena, noon
Pennsville vs. Oakcrest, 3 p.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Camden CC at Salem CC (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna (2), noon
BOYS LACROSSE
Woodstown at Lower Cape May, 10 a.m.
TRACK
Penns Grove, Pennsville, Salem, Schalick at Woodbury Relays, 9 a.m.

Becoming a tough out

Pennsville gives one of state’s best teams a battle for seven innings before falling 8-5; Woodstown falls to Paul VI

THURSDAY BASEBALL
Gloucester Catholic 8, Pennsville 5
Paul VI 8, Woodstown 4

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – It had been a pretty good week for the Pennsville baseball team as it was. To beat one of the top teams in the state Thursday would have made it a downright historic one.

it didn’t happen as the Eagles came up short against Gloucester Catholic 8-5, but if nothing else the week served as a good measuring stick for a team with high aspirations in the Tri-County Classic Division and South Jersey Group I.

Earlier in the week the Eagles (3-2) knocked off two of South Jersey’s premier teams – county rival Woodstown and Delsea – giving a program with 22 total players a ton of confidence going into a game a team loaded with Division I prospects.

After giving the Rams all they could handle for seven innings – without their top three pitchers available or their only senior (injured) – they are convinced if they keep buying into what coach Matt Karr is selling and continue to play for each other and the next man in the lineup they can beat anyone.

“It’s a huge measuring stick,” Karr said. “I told those guys out there in left field the New Jersey media tells us that’s the best team the state has to offer right now … and if (that’s the case) any day we put our cleats on and come play baseball we’re going to compete with anybody no matter who we’re playing.

“We’ve got 22 guys in our whole program and we’re playing teams who have 25 guys in the dugouts and kids who just pitch. We just have to have that mindset next guy up and when it’s my turn to do something for the team I’ve got to find a way to do it. We preach selfless baseball. If you’re not going to be the guy who gets the big RBI, that’s fine, be excited for the guy who does. If we get 22 guys all buying into that idea, it’s limitless how far we can go.”

Mason O’Brien brought that next-man-up mentality to this windy, overcast day. Karr handed him the ball for the second time this season when the Eagles were down 7-1 and the freshman left-hander responded with four innings of solid relief to give his team a chance.

He gave up three hits, a run and struck out three. With O’Brien holding the Rams in check, the Eagles climbed back into it with four runs in the fifth inning.

“We put Mason in the leadoff spot and out on the mound today because of his approach to the game every day,” Karr said. “He is a guy who is not afraid of anything. He’ll step in the box against anyone. He has what we call that ‘dawg mentality.’ He’s just going to get in there and battle.”

O’Brien showed that from the very beginning when he laced the first pitch from Rams starter Henry Pancoast the opposite way past shortstop Noah Danza, a Virginia commitment who homered in the top of the inning, for the first of his two hits. He slater cored on Chase Burchfield’s single that sliced away from left-fielder Sal Marziani.

Burchfield finished with three hits and two RBIs. Luke Wood had two hits and Mason’s brother Peyton had two RBIs.

“My mindset out there was just trust my teammates, give my all,” Mason O’Brien said. “I didn’t really worry about who they were. I went out and tried to play my best ball and I think I did. We talk about it all the time, trust in each other; that’s how we become a good ball team. We just became a better team (this week).”

The Eagles easily could have folded in the second inning after the Rams squashed a threat by turning Wood’s scorching liner with bases loaded into an inning ending double play.

“If that gets through, it’s a whole new ballgame,” Karr said.

Instead of buckling, they stayed in the moment and eventually got back in the game with a four-run fourth inning that made it 7-5. Peyton O’Brien highlighted the rally with a two-run double and he scored on Burchfield’s second RBI single that chased Pancoast.

“Pennsville always gives us trouble, especially when we play down here,” Rams coach Dennis Barth said. “I told the kids we’re coming down there, they’re going to give it to you, they ain’t going to back down from you, they always play good. We’ve got to lead.”

Future opponents can expect the same treatment.

“Right now,” Mason O’Brien said. “If someone comes to play us … it’s gonna be really hard to beat us.”

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 8, PENNSVILLE 5

Gloucester Cath. (5-0)	403 001 0 –	8 10 3
Pennsville (3-2)	100 040 0 –	5 9 2

WP: Henry Pancoast. LP: Cohen Petrutz. HR: Noah Danza (GC).

PAUL VI 8, WOODSTOWN 4: Jack Petrillo went 4-for-4, Ryan Fayette had three hits and starter Anthony Ungaro pitched four shutout innings before the Wolverines got the on the board. Brent Williams and Andrew Pedrick both had a double and each drove in a pair of runs for the Woodstown.

PAUL VI 8, WOODSTOWN 4

Paul VI (4-1)	203 201 0 –	8 14 2
Woodstown (2-3)	000 013 0 –	4 5 1

WP: Anthony Ungaro. LP: Aaron Foote.

Cover photo: Gloucester Catholic shortstop Noah Danza (L) is greeted by his teammates after hitting a three-run homer in the first inning against Pennsville.

Thursday roundup

WOODSTOWN 13, CUMBERLAND 3: The Wolverines pulled away from a close game with an eight-run fourth inning and got back in the win column. Alyssa Baber had two hits and two RBIs, Kayla Brown had two hits, Johanna Way had three RBIs and Ellie Wygand had two RBIs.

GOLF
WOODSTOWN 169, PENNSVILLE 169: Jeffrey Covely shot a medalist-winning 40 and Jacob Schermerhorn shot 41 to lead Woodstown in the match at Town & Country Golf Links. Jake Isaac was Pennsville’s low man (41).

BOYS LACROSSE
MAINLAND 16, WOODSTOWN 3: Harrison LaMonica, Joe Eyde and Ty Pierce scored three goals apiece for Mainland. Laitton Roberts and Lucas Sperry scored goals for Woodstown.

Wednesday roundup

Here are the results from Wednesday’s high school sports action around Salem County from reports available to Riverview Sports News

BASEBALL
Schalick 14, Glassboro 2: The Cougars scored seven runs in the first inning, Luke Pokrovsky allowed one hit and struck out seven over four innings and Jake Siedlecki homered. Enrico Hatz had three hits and J.T. Fleming had two hits and three RBIs.

Overbrook 12, Penns Grove 0: Three Overbrook pitchers held the Red Devils to one hit, a single by Dylan Hyatt.

SOFTBALL
Schalick 14, Glassboro 4: Taylor Sparks went 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Alexis Shimp had two hits and two RBIs, and Addy Shimp gave up four hits and no earned runs in five innings in the circle.

Gloucester Catholic 9, Pennsville 6: The Eagles matched the Lions run-for-run over the first two innings, but didn’t have an answer for their hosts’ four-run sixth. Bella Farina had three hits, including a first-inning solo homer, and drove in three runs for Pennsville. Lilly Birney and Reagan Wariwanchik each had two hits.

Wildwood 16, Salem 11: The Rams scored 10 over the final three innings, but came up short. Juliana Love went 4-for-5 for Salem. Trysta-Marie Wilson and Morgan Johnson both went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.

Haddon Heights 14, Woodstown 6: The Garnets overtook the Wolverines with a three-run third and then broke it open with a six-run sixth. Woodstown catcher Lila Bowling hit a game-tying homer in the third homered and Cara Delia had two extra base hits and three RBIs. The Garnets also held Wolverines leadoff hitter Tulana Mingin (0-for-3) hitless for the first time this season.

Overbrook 21, Penns Grove 1

BOYS TENNIS
WOODSTOWN 5, PENNS GROVE 0
Tim Schwienbacher def. Alex Ramirez Martinez, 6-1, 6-0
Drew Stengel def. Angel Perez Herrera, 6-0, 6-0
Eric Lipovsky def. Gerald Vasquez Llorens, 6-1, 6-0
Trevin Plum-Wade Hubschmitt def. Ricardo Vichi-Anthony Pacheco, 6-4, 6-1
Kingst Khemiani-Josef Hummel def. Stuart Mondragon-Pablo Sanchez Correa, 6-1, 6-2
Records: Woodstown 4-0, Penns Grove 1-1.

PENNSVILLE 4, CUMBERLAND 1
Samuel Falk (C) def. Gabe Schneider, 6-2, 6-0
Maddox Efelis (P) def. Luke Fischer, 6-4, 6-3, 11-9
Brody Wiggins (P) def. Chase Sheppard, 6-3, 6-0
Noah Flitcraft-Noah Bohn (P) def. Josiah Jiminez-Joey Nolan, 6-2, 6-3
Luke Chamberlain-Sawyer Humphrey (P) dec. Angel Perez-Justin Nolan, 6-3, 6-0
Records: Pennsville 4-0, Cumberland 1-1.

GIRLS LACROSSE
Woodstown 8, West Deptford 7: Emma Morgan and Delaney Walker scored three goals apiece and Jaime Deal had two as the Wolverines won for the first time this season.

GOLF
Clearview girls 179, Schalick 221: Clearview’s Sarah Kaestner was medalist at Westwood GC (43). Cali Fisler posted Schalick’s low score (52).

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Triton 2, Salem Tech 0 (25-11, 25-7): Jose Ramos had five kills and Joe Phillips 12 assists for Triton.

Tuesday roundup

Here is a roundup of Tuesday’s high school sports action involving Salem County teams; will be updated during the evening

BASEBALL
Hammonton 10, Schalick 0
Pennsville 8, Delsea 6
Woodstown 10, Clayton 4
SOFTBALL
Delsea 3, Pennsville 2
BOYS TENNIS
Pennsville 5, Washington Twp. 0
Woodstown 4, Schalick 1

Baseball

WOODSTOWN 10, CLAYTON 4: The meat of Woodstown’s lineup – Andrew Pedrick, Jack Knorr and Brent Williams – had two hits apiece and combined for seven RBIs as the Wolverines (2-2) got back on the winning track. Pedrick had two singles, two RBIs and three stolen bases. Knorr had a single, double and two RBIs. Williams had two doubles and three RBIs. Three Woodstown pitchers allowed five hits and struck out 11.

HAMMONTON 10, SCHALICK 0: Jaiden Franchetti scattered three hits over five innings and struck out six in shutting out the Cougars (1-3). Luke Pokrovsky (double), Joseph-Tyler Fleming (single) and Ricky Watt (single) had Schalick’s three hits.

Jaxon Miller and Brayden Markart swung the big bats for Hammonton (1-1). Miller had two doubles and five RBIs, while Markart doubled three times and drove in two.

Softball

DELSEA 3, PENNSVILLE 2: Zoey Shangle delivered Delsea’s third straight single to open the eighth inning and drove home the winning run. The Crusaders (2-1) scored the tying run in the seventh on an error in the outfield.

Pennsville (3-2) took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Bella Farina’s RBI double and Bella Rappa’s sacrifice fly. Farina had two doubles in the game and Mary-Louise Montagna had three hits.

Tennis

WOODSTOWN 4, SCHALICK 1
Tim Schwienbacher def. George Gould, 6-4, 6-3
Drew Stengel def. Jesus Espinoza, 6-1, 6-1
Erich Lipovsky def. Conor O’Toole, 6-1, 6-2
Rocky Monticolo-David Santana (S) def. Joseph Kurpis-Ben Stengel, 2-6, 6-4, 10-8
Luke Shaw-Mason Shimp def. Kaden Barnes-Cayden Brzozowski, 6-7, 6-4, 10-8
Records: Woodstown 3-0, Schalick 0-2.

PENNSVILLE 5, WASHINGTON TWP. 0
Gabe Schneider (P) def. Khang Nguyen, 6-0, 6-0
Maddox Efelis (P) def. William Minchin, 6-2, 6-0
Brody Wiggins (P) def. John Ecker, 6-0, 6-0
Noah Bohn-Noah Flitcraft (P) Jack Laubin-Kaden Murphy, 6-0, 6-0
Luke Chamberlain-Sawyer Humphrey (P) wins 6-0, 6-1
Records: Pennsville 3-0, Washington Twp. 0-2.