It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Haddon Heights, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that came here was amazing to my parents. Alexandra was priceless to us. Thank you.”
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“I have known Kathy Godwin for over 30 years and she has been actively involved with my family for all of those years. She has always been a part of our family, and I would trust her with any situation that should arise. Kathy is and has been a loyal friend to both me and my father. She watched all my children grow up and has always been active in their lives. If there was ever a family emergency Kathy was always there to assist with any of our needs. We treasure her friendship and know that we can always count on her support in any situation. I can honestly and highly recommend Kathy Godwin's business as a care provider. I know that all clients she receives will get the best care and attention that they deserve. I would not hesitate to use her service for my personal family.”
“Kathy and her caretakers made our difficult situation less difficult. They were warm , accommodating and willing to go the extra mile and that means the world to our family. We had a lot of questions and they had all the answers. I highly recommend this company to anybody who is going through the difficulties of hospice or just needs that extra helping hand with their loved ones. 6 stars!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Haddon Heights, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Haddon Heights, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Haddon Heights, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
If there's one thing you don't expect to find at Target, it's farm animals.Believe it or not, there's a 25-acre urban forest behind one Target in South Jersey that has goats!You'll find Saddler's Woods located in Haddon Township, right around the corner from Paul VI High School.It's the perfect spot for the South Jersey adventurer in you. There a...
If there's one thing you don't expect to find at Target, it's farm animals.
Believe it or not, there's a 25-acre urban forest behind one Target in South Jersey that has goats!
You'll find Saddler's Woods located in Haddon Township, right around the corner from Paul VI High School.
It's the perfect spot for the South Jersey adventurer in you. There are some adorable trails for mini hikes, a stream, and goats to befriend.
You can park right across the street from Haddonview Apartments and enter at the Hope Trailhead like @yoursouthjerseymomfriend from Instagram did.
It's important to keep in mind that you may not see the goats every single time you venture behind the Target. If you do happen to see them, don't touch them. They have an important job to do. These are NOT petting zoo goats.
The goats are hanging out back there so they can snack on all the invasive plants.
Everybody loves the goats. They've earned a soft spot in locals' hearts. Their owners are desperate that you adhere to the no-touch rule.
After spending some time with the goats, you can take the East-West trail to the stream. Be careful, though. Runoff from rainstorms can get pretty intense. Usually, the stream is perfectly safe for some fun in the water.
Your IG mom bestie, @yoursouthjerseymomfriend, confirms that Saddler's conservation association has confirmed the water is safe for kids and adults.
If you do spend a day behind the target in Saddler's Woods, make sure to tag them on Instagram: @saddlers_woods. If you're using your GPS, it's 250 MacArthur Blvd, Haddon Township, NJ 08108
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Saddler's Woods Conservation Association (@saddlers_woods)
Gloucester High School junior Vayda Pino came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday with a .167 batting average and three extra-base hits - all doubles - this season.She had never hit a varsity home run in her career.But Gloucester coach Megan Mason insisted Pino was due to show off her power stroke - and the junior did so in the biggest spot of the season and her career.Pino launched a titanic two-out, two-run homer to dead center field for the first long ball of her career to send Gloucester to a com...
Gloucester High School junior Vayda Pino came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday with a .167 batting average and three extra-base hits - all doubles - this season.
She had never hit a varsity home run in her career.
But Gloucester coach Megan Mason insisted Pino was due to show off her power stroke - and the junior did so in the biggest spot of the season and her career.
Pino launched a titanic two-out, two-run homer to dead center field for the first long ball of her career to send Gloucester to a come-from-behind 4-2 win over Haddon Heights.
“We’ve known it since the preseason,” said Mason. “She didn’t get many at-bats last year but she came in the pre-season crushing the ball. The season started and she went into a pretty big slump, but she hits five out at practice every day.
“We keep asking her ‘When are we going to see that in a game?’ and she probably got so tired of hearing it, she said she’ll do it. Her face said ‘I’m getting this hit, and we’re going home.’”
Pino felt she was close to a big breakout hit as she had been making solid contact on foul balls throughout the game, including a long one. She finally straightened one out.
“I haven’t hit the ball in so many games,” said Pino, who was hitless in her last three games and on Thursday until connecting in the eighth. “But my foul balls (in the game) were really hard-hit, and then I knew there was an opportunity. I knew it was right there and I had to hit the ball. I haven’t hit the ball as good in high school as I usually do in travel ball, but finally I hit the ball. Huge (win).”
Pino’s moment would never have happened if not for Ava Rodgers, who came to the plate with the Lions trailing 2-1 and down to their last out in the seventh.
Rodgers closed her eyes and connected for a two-out RBI double that scored Bailey Schoenfeldt, who singled with one out and stole second base.
“I told myself I wasn’t going to not hit the ball,” said Rodgers. “I just closed my eyes and swung. I felt it hit the bat, then I prayed, then I opened (my eyes) and started running.”
Rodgers admitted she usually hits the ball with her eyes open. Asked why she closed her eyes this time, she laughed and said “I don’t know.”
The comeback combined with Audubon’s 7-0 win over haddon Township Thursday gave the Lions the Colonial Conference Liberty Division title - which they didn’t win last year even when they were Group 2 state champions.
The victory could have also nudged the Lions past Haddon Heights and into the top spot in the South Jersey Group 2 power point rankings with the cutoff for postseason play looming on Saturday.
“We didn’t talk anything about any of that,” said Mason. “We don’t like to hear all the implications, don’t want to make it bigger than it is. Just show up and play your best and keep improving every single game, and to win a game like this is big this time of year.”
Haddon Heights had some rare shaky moments in the field and also had a runner picked off third. The Garnets committed two fourth-inning errors and three overall with the Lions scoring an unearned run - while an inability to finish what would have been an inning-ending double play allowed Pino to come to the plate in the eighth.
Meanwhile, Gloucester was kicking itself for its failure to capitalize on early changes. The first four batters reached base but the Lions failed to score in the first.
In the fourth, Gloucester loaded the bases with one out but didn’t push across the go-ahead run.
“We just have to gain the confidence we had last year,” said Rodgers. “This year we don’t have the confidence we usually do. (Today) boosts it.”
Haddon Heights’ Kayla Kellog delivered a two-out RBI hit in the second and the Garnets scored a run in the fifth on a fielder’s choice to take a 2-1 lead. It seemed like it was going to be enough for Sarah Cooley, who pitched around some of the defensive mistakes, allowing just four hits through the first six innings in a pitcher’s dual with Gloucester’s Emma Dick.
The teams are mirror images - gritty, clutch, well-coached and fundamentally sound.
It’s possible - maybe even likely - these teams will meet again in the sectional final for the second straight year and as evenly matched as they are, it could come down to another unassuming star.
Bill Evans can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him at @bybillevans.
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Sami Szabo went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI as Haddon Heights defeated Maple Shade, 15-1, in Maple Shade.Complete Box Score »Haddon Heights head coach Michelle Hastings earned her 200th career victory.The Garnets (12-2) jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the first inning and never looked back, adding six runs in the fourth and five more in the fifth to secure the victory over the Wildcats (10-5).Ha...
Sami Szabo went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI as Haddon Heights defeated Maple Shade, 15-1, in Maple Shade.
Haddon Heights head coach Michelle Hastings earned her 200th career victory.
The Garnets (12-2) jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the first inning and never looked back, adding six runs in the fourth and five more in the fifth to secure the victory over the Wildcats (10-5).
Haddon Heights collected 17 hits in the contest, with seven players recording multiple hits. Szabo led the offensive onslaught with her three hits, including a double and a home run.
Emma Covello added two doubles and an RBI, while Brielle Connor contributed a single and a triple with two RBIs.
Molly Dunworth earned the win in the circle for Haddon Heights, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out five and walking one in five innings of work.
Maple Shade’s offense was limited to just three hits, with Haylee Gaidecski and Bella Adams each hitting doubles. Adams drove in the Wildcats’ lone run with her double.
Haddon Heights showed its speed on the basepaths as well, with four stolen bases in the game. Connor, Hannah Butler, Jordyn D’Amelio, and Kayla Kellogg each recorded a steal for the Garnets.
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Surrendering three runs on three hits and an error, Trent Begley was roughed up a bit in the first inning.After getting the final two outs, the senior right-hander went to the dugout and simply regrouped.From that point on, it pretty much proved be smooth sailing on Wednesday.Begley would allow just one more run on two hits, retiring 10 of the last 11 batters he faced, as Haddon Heights defeated visiting Sterling, 10-4, in the first round of the 51st annual Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic.“Trent was awesome. He...
Surrendering three runs on three hits and an error, Trent Begley was roughed up a bit in the first inning.
After getting the final two outs, the senior right-hander went to the dugout and simply regrouped.
From that point on, it pretty much proved be smooth sailing on Wednesday.
Begley would allow just one more run on two hits, retiring 10 of the last 11 batters he faced, as Haddon Heights defeated visiting Sterling, 10-4, in the first round of the 51st annual Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic.
“Trent was awesome. He’s such a leader for us,” Haddon Heights coach Eric Newell said. “He has the composure to be able to do that. They squared him up early, but he’s able to settle in and not get rattled. He just kept competing, kept making pitches.
“They hit balls at people. We made plays. That’s what you want, right? You can’t compete when you walk people. You can’t defend a walk. But when you’re throwing strikes, you’re mixing pitches up, you’re able to stay in the zone like he did.”
Wednesday’s contest evened the score between the two Colonial Conference teams. Sterling spoiled the Garnets’ season opener, recording a 5-1 victory on April 1.
“This was huge,” Begley said. “The first game of the season, we lost to these guys. It’s just great to have the Diamond Classic tournament be the rematch and get the ‘W’ so we can move on to the next round.”
Haddon Heights (11-2) will play the winner of Delsea-Absegami in Saturday’s second round. The game will be part of a doubleheader at Timber Creek.
“Whenever you’re in the field with the best teams in South Jersey, it’s really cool. Just the prestige of the tournament is awesome,” Newell said. “Whenever you play with a win-or-go-home mentality, that always brings out different things in you - some better, some worse. You kind of get to see what kind of team you have, so it’s a nice thing to do. You want to keep competing.”
In going the distance, Begley finished with five strikeouts and a walk. He received plenty of offensive support as Haddon Heights rallied for two runs in the bottom of the first and four more in the second.
The home team would add an insurance run in the fifth and push three across the plate in the sixth.
“It’s all about attacking hitters, and (Begley’s) really good at that,” catcher Kevin Clark said. “He knows his game and he battles. He got back on track and pitched a great game for us.
“He was hitting more spots with his fastball (after the first inning). He’s working in and out, keeping hitters off balance. That was the big thing for him.”
It proved to be Begley’s longest outing of the season.
“The first inning was rough, but I just kept the same approach the whole entire game - throw strikes, let my fielders do the work,” Begley said. “I knew they’d come up big for me; I knew that they would make the play.
“I just trusted my stuff. I was getting strikes early in the count, getting ahead so I could get to my curveball.”
Clark led the offensive attack, going 2-for-3 with two RBI doubles and three runs scored. Richard Farruggia also went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Nolan Lachall had an RBI double and three runs scored.
Leaders of the Colonial Patriot, Sterling (12-3) was making its first appearance since 2012. Luke Lomax went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and three RBIs.
“It was a great opportunity to play in an intense game and see how your kids react,” Sterling coach Tadd Kozeniewski said. “This is, in essence, a playoff game. I was happy with the way the kids hit the ball. We had a lot of bad luck early on, but credit Haddon Heights. They came out swinging and they piled on the hits. They barreled up everything.”
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Kevin Minnick covers South Jersey baseball. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kminnicksports
Trent Begley was still searching for his first varsity hit when he came to the plate in the seventh inning.Staring at 0-for-12 this spring, the senior finally broke through when Haddon Heights needed him most.Begley smacked a two-run single is his fourth plate appearance of the day, helping the visiting Garnets defeat Pennsville, 9-7, in a non-league matchup Friday.“Started off the season very slow. I was working walks, bunts but hadn’t come alive until now,” said Begley, who pitched but didn’t hi...
Trent Begley was still searching for his first varsity hit when he came to the plate in the seventh inning.
Staring at 0-for-12 this spring, the senior finally broke through when Haddon Heights needed him most.
Begley smacked a two-run single is his fourth plate appearance of the day, helping the visiting Garnets defeat Pennsville, 9-7, in a non-league matchup Friday.
“Started off the season very slow. I was working walks, bunts but hadn’t come alive until now,” said Begley, who pitched but didn’t hit last season. “It’s a great feeling; a great relief to finally get that hit, drive in a run, take the lead. It’s just the best feeling in the world.
“I’ve had the same mindset every time - be on time for the fastball. I just had to simplify things, put my foot down early and put the ball in play. I don’t try to do too much because once you get in your head, it’s over from there.”
“He’s been struggling offensively, he’d be the first to tell you that, but every day he comes in with just a great mindset,” Haddon Heights coach Eric Newell said. “He just battles through, keeps working. It’s so awesome to see him get a big hit there because he deserves it.”
Haddon Heights (6-1) extended its winning streak to six in a row following a season-opening setback against Sterling. Jake Dillon earned the decision with five innings of scoreless, five-hit relief. He struck out four.
The Garnets erased an early three-run deficit with a six-run outburst in the top of the third - all six runs unearned and coming with two outs. Nolan Lachall and Kevin Clark collected back-to-back RBI doubles and Jaxon Motta blasted a three-run home run to highlight the frame.
Pennsville (5-4) would battle back, though, in its half of the frame. The Eagles pushed four more runs across, taking advantage of three hits and three errors to retake the lead.
Lachall would tie things up at 7-7 in the fourth with a solo home run, which ultimately set the stage for Begley’s seventh-inning heroics.
“That’s huge for the team - tie game, seventh inning - that was pretty big,” Motta said of Begley’s hit. “He knows what he’s doing; he’s locked in all the time. He’s always picking his teammates up and I’m just happy for him.”
Lachall was the only Heights batter to collect multiple hits. Richard Farruggia and Ben Alexander scored two runs apiece.
Chase Burchfield went 2-for-3 with a home run for Pennsville, collecting his 100th career hit on a third-inning single. Gavin Spears went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Connor Starn went 2-for4 with an RBI. Jeff Wagner also had two hits.
“These guys battle,” Newell said. “We’ve had a lot of tight games like this one and there’s always good talk within the dugout. Today was a little bit of a struggle, but we don’t have finger-pointing, we don’t have guys blaming other people.
“They understand it’s a long game. They understand the things we need to do. It’s a fun group to coach and they’re also very selfless. Whatever they need to do - need to walk, need to bunt - they’ll do whatever to get the job done.”
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Kevin Minnick covers South Jersey baseball. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kminnicksports
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