5 SERIES PREVIEW FEMALE STAFFERS CONTINUE TO BREAK BARRIERS IN SPORTS 8
BY THE NUMBER
The RiverDogs continue their homestand this week, playing host to the Delmarva Shorebirds. This will be the first meeting between the two clubs since 2019. These two teams will face off for the next 12 games, as the Shorebirds will play host to the RiverDogs next week. Delmarva, an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, come into this series with a 15-24 record. They sit in last place of the Carolina League North Division and 6.5 games out of first place. Last week, they took care of the Fredericksburg Nationals, winning five of six in the series. The Shorebirds are managed by Felipe Alou Jr., who became the 17th head coach in team history this winter. Alou Jr. comes from a family of baseball players. Three of his brothers as well as his father spent time playing in the Major Leagues. Another brother, Luis Rojas, is the former manager of the New York Mets and is the current Third Base Coach of the Yankees. Delmarva comes into this series with a team batting average of .206, which is the second lowest in the Carolina League. They have a team ERA of 4.82, which is the third lowest in the Carolina League. Offensively, they are led by Darell Hernaiz, who has already matched his home run total from last year at six. He also leads the team with 25 RBI. On the mound, they are led by Ryan Long, who in eight appearances (four starts), has a 3.33 ERA.
The RiverDogs started their 12-game homestand winning five of six against the Augusta GreenJackets. They saw their 20-game win streak against the GreenJackets snap on Sunday with a 5-4 loss, as their ninth inning rally was not enough to secure the win. As of May 24, they sit two games out of first place in the Carolina League South Division, with Myrtle Beach hanging on to the lead after sweeping Columbia last week. The bats were hot last week for the RiverDogs, as they averaged just over 6.5 runs per game in the series. Offensively, they are led by 2021 first round pick, Carson Williams, who leads the league with a .608 slugging percentage and is tied for the league lead with a 1.047 OPS. Pitching has been outstanding for the RiverDogs this season. They own a 3.10 team ERA, which is second best in the Carolina League. Austin Vernon has been the ace of the staff, owning a 5-0 record with a 1.20 ERA in eight games this season. He has yet to allow a run in the month of May. The RiverDogs look to win another series at home. They are the only team in the Carolina League not to have lost a series this year.
Tuesday, May 24, 7:05 p.m.: Dog Day presented by Twisted Tea: We hope to see you and your dog at the game on this night! The RiverDogs invite you to bring your pup to The Joe for each Tuesday home game this season. This week we will highlight Boykin Spaniels! In addition, enjoy $2 hot dogs and beer as Twisted Tea adds a new twist to Tuesdays this season with goofy on-field games and fan-oriented fun throughout the game. Tuesday games are presented by 96.9 The Wolf.
Wednesday, May 25, 7:05 p.m.: Tennis Night/Wicked Wednesday presented by Wicked Weed: We plan to serve up some fun for this midweek contest alongside the Lowcountry Youth Tennis Association. Our tennis games between innings are sure to cause a racket, including a ceremonial first serve in place of the customary first pitch. Make sure to keep an eye out every Wednesday for a new wicked ticket deal. This week, Upper Reserved seats are just $5 with the code: WD0525.
Thursday, May 26, 7:05 p.m.: Boiled Peanuts presented by Luray Peanuts/Thirsty Thursday presented by Budweiser: The RiverDogs will take the field for first time this season as their alternate identity, the Boiled Peanuts! The team will tip their sweetgrass caps to South Carolina’s official state snack by wearing dark green uniforms with a peanut pattern on the sleeves. The cap features a peanut-patterned brim and the logo depicts a peanut relaxing in a boiling pot of water. Also, there is a reason that Thursday nights at The Joe provide one of the best atmospheres in Minor League Baseball. As always, $1 beers are available throughout the ballpark all night long. A lucky fan will leave with High Tide Festival VIP tickets valued at $400. Enjoy live music in the Ashley View Pub courtesy of DJ DollaMenu or feel free to play a game of cornhole on the concourse. Bottoms up! Thursdays are presented by 95sx.
Friday, May 27, 7:05 p.m.: Friday Fireworks presented by REV Federal Credit Union/Boeing Red Shirt Friday: The RiverDogs will shine a spotlight on active duty and retired military members and their families, while the team wears their new red alternate jerseys on the field. The red jerseys will be auctioned to fans at the end of the season. Following every Friday night contest make sure to stick around for the best fireworks show in the Lowcountry! Enjoy this week’s fireworks to a soundtrack of All-American music. Fridays are presented by 103.5 WEZL and Live 5 News
Saturday, May 28, 6:05 p.m.: 17th Annual Run Charlie Run RiverDogs 5K presented by Fleet Feet of Charleston/Love All Dogs Adoption Event/Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by Breeze Airways/ Tennis Ball Toss/Post-Game Light Show: Following a one-year hiatus, the RiverDogs will once again host the most unique race in the Holy City, featuring a 5K course that begins at the ballpark, continues through nearby Hampton Park and culminates with a home plate finish at The Joe. Registration to the event includes a race bib, a RiverDogs t-shirt, post-race beer, and a ticket to the game. The RiverDogs are also teaming with Dorchester Paws, Berkeley Animal Shelter and Pet Helpers for a dog adoption event at the game. There will be older dogs from each animal shelter available for on-site adoption and anyone who adopts a dog will receive a free grandstand ticket for every Dog Day game for the remainder of the 2022 season. Thanks to ServiceMaster and Carolina Ford Dealers a large group of first responders will be in attendance for the game. You never know what kind of fun is in store when you walk into the ballpark on a Saturday Live at The Joe! After the game, stick around for a tennis ball toss and light show featuring our LED ballpark lights! Saturdays are presented by 92.5 Kickin’ Country, 101.7 Chuck FM and FOX 24.
Sunday, May 29, 5:05 p.m.: Kids Karaoke Night/ MUSC Health Family Sunday: Make sure your singing voices are in tune for this one. Between innings, we will allow children to take the microphone and show off their pipes with Kids Karaoke. Parking is free! Before, during and after each Sunday home game, we will make it all about the kids. From the video board, to between innings contests, and even the opportunity to run the bases, Sundays are sure to be a memorable day for the whole family. Sundays are presented by Mix 95.9, Star 99.7 and ABC News 4.
The RiverDogs come into this six-game homestand with a 26-13 record. They have found success on the field once again after winning the Low-A East Championship just a year ago.
Part of the success of the team can be attributed to two women that are part of the coaching staff this year: Mia Salvemini and Mackenzie Corrigan.
Salvemini is the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the RiverDogs. In this role, her duties include guiding the players in running, lifting, mobility, and recovery among other responsibilities.
Growing up in Connecticut, Salvemini was an only child. She lived two blocks from the beach. It was a great place to grow up, but it was far away to get everywhere. She enjoyed sports, but realized she was not on the pathway to stardom on the field.
“I pretty much tried everything,” said Salvemini. “I sucked at most things, but I started doing CrossFit when I was 14.”
Salvemini knew that she wanted to do something with exercise as a career choice. When she was a sophomore in college at the University of Tampa, she did an internship at Cressey Sports Performance, where she was introduced to the baseball world.
After the internship, she worked with the University of Tampa’s baseball team in their strength and conditioning department along with other opportunities that led to her finding an opportunity within the Rays organization.
Salvemini was hired by the Rays in 2020, but was let go due to COVID-19. She was hired back in 2021, and is in her second season with the organization. She spent most of last season with the FCL Rays, before coming to Charleston for the final six weeks of the season, which included the RiverDog’s championship run.
Corrigan is a Performance Science Intern with the RiverDogs. Her job involves working with technology to screen the players and manage their workload to make sure that they are staying where they need to be physically. She is in her first year with the team, starting in Spring Training of this year.
Growing up in the Cape near Plymouth, Massachusetts, Corrigan describes her hometown as very sports heavy. Her school was an athletic powerhouse. “It was weird not to go into sports,” she said.
Though she grew up in a town that was passionate about sports, baseball was not at the top of the list for her family. She said that hockey was big in her family, and she played soccer.
Corrigan got her start in athletic training during college. After college, she started working at a high school in Plymouth as its sole Athletic Trainer as well as in the Cape Cod Summer Baseball League for a few seasons, which is how she made the jump to Charleston.
“I was looking to do something different,” said Corrigan. “At that point, there were about five people that I worked with in the Cape that were hired by the Rays.”
Coming to the Rays was a big jump for Corrigan, considering it would force her to quit her job at 26 and move 1,000 miles away from home. Luckily for her and the RiverDogs, she had a support system at home that led her to Charleston.
“Both of my parents are very supportive,” said Corrigan. “They have always supported my brother and I and told us to do whatever makes us happy.”
As an only child growing up, Salvemini’s biggest support system was her mom. “She has been very supportive of everything I have done. Growing up in a single-parent household, it has always just been her and I. It is nice that I have that support from
her and she has been able to play both parenting roles for me growing up, so we have a very close relationship.”
Though they both have excellent support systems and enjoy working in the Rays organization, there are still challenges that each of them face as women working in sports. In a male-dominant sport and industry, there are quite a few problems that these two faces. One of the main problems is finding privacy at each ballpark in the league.
“A lot of places where we go, women have minimal space to work without seeing people changing,” said Salvemini. “It’s 2022. Women are in sports.”
Part of Major League Baseball’s mission in taking over Minor League operations in 2021 was to improve conditions for players and staff at each ballpark. Included in those plans, are requirements for additional locker room space for women specifically. All 120 MiLB teams must make problems in that area as part of their Player Development License.
Through the challenges, both Salvemini and Corrigan want to continue to work within the Rays organization. Much like the players, both hope to one day, work their way up to the big leagues.
“Last year, when I was here for the last 6 weeks, it was a very exciting time, said Salvemini. “I was like, ‘Wow! This is a very cohesive team,’ so to be a part of a team that is so successful and has each other’s backs is really cool. Going forward, I want to stay a Ray as long as I can.”
“When you have a solid team, it makes it more enjoyable,” said Corrigan. “Talking to other friends from past jobs and talking to them about the organizations that they work for, I want to stay in the Rays organization. It’s definitely the place to work in professional baseball.”
