Carneys Point, NJ. – The Salem Community College Mighty Oaks baseball team took on the undefeated NJCAA Division III third ranked team in Brookdale Community College in the three game Region 19 set taking one of three in the series handing Brookdale their first loss of the season.
Game 1
The first game of the series saw a tightly contested game that went into extra innings seeing the Mighty Oaks win 7-6. Ben Foote started the game for SCC and held down the Brookdale offense for 4 innings allowing just 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings. Down 4 nothing going into the bottom of the 5th inning the Mighty Oaks offense got on the board for 5 runs taking the lead. Brookdale answered in the 6th inning tying the game. JD Wilson entered for Salem pitching 3 scoreless innings facing the minimum. Angel Velez drove in the game winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning for the victory. Velez had a solid day at the plate going 2 for 5 with 3 RBI. Also with a strong day on offense was Demetrius DeRamus who went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Sophomore Nick Ciesielka continued a very strong season going 2 for 4 wit a walk and 2 runs scored.
Game 2
In the second game of the double header the Mighty Oaks offense could not get going scoring a single run on three hits total. As whole SCC could not get much going against a dominate performance from the Brookdale pitching staff. Salem lost the game 15-1.
Game 3
The Mighty Oaks traveled to Brookdale for a rollercoaster of a game three. Brookdale got on the board in the first inning scoring 2. Salem answered back with 7 in the 3rd inning and another 3 in the 4th inning. Brookdale was able to capitalize on SCC miscues all day and rallied back beating the Mighty Oaks 14-10. Salem committed 7 errors on the day. At the plate Matt Murphy went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a run scored. DeRamus continued to hit driving in 3 runs while going 1 for 4 on the day. Velez also continued to hit going 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI.
The Mighty Oaks face a quick turn around as they will travel to Lehigh Carbon Community College for a three game Region 19 match up with game one Tuesday March 26. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 at LCCC.
