March 28, 2024

Two Area Teams Snag State Titles

SPORTS ROUNDUP

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Post 10 ATC-Townies Win State Championship
Going 4-0 in the playoffs after a successful regular season, The Post 10 ATC-Townies won the Rhode Island Elite Junior Baseball League state championship last month.  With traditional American Legion Baseball halting action due to the pandemic, ATC-Townies baseball was organized by Frank DeVall and EPHS coach Bobby Rodericks.  “We lost our last baseball season to the Covid-19 virus and these kids haven’t had much baseball or sports lately,” said Rodericks.

The teams played before socially distanced crowds and followed recommendations as set forth by the health department.   The Rhode Island Elite Junior Baseball League sanctioned the tournament with teams from around the state participating.  The ATC-Townies Post 10 team cruised through the regular season with a 15-2 record.  Staying undefeated in state playoff action, the team took both games of a doubleheader against Upper Deck-Cumberland Post at Pierce Stadium.  The local nine won by scores of 8-0 and 12-7.

“These past 2 months I have been blessed to work alongside a group of tremendous young men. A team of 18 put together of many ball players committed to various teams, leading to an ever-changing lineup,” said coach Frank DeVall after the championship game.  “Over the past weeks this team bought into the “we over me” mentality, came together and played their best baseball at the end.”  Post 10-ATC-Townies went 6-0 in the last 5 days of the season vs 5 different teams to win the State Championship 17U Elite Baseball League.  “Thank you to all parents, friends and family that have supported this team.  Pierce Field had a great atmosphere with a socially distanced crowd.  I was very fortunate to be surrounded by committed coaches in Bobby Rodericks, CJ Woods, Andrew Rodrigues and Kevin Leftridge,” added DeVall.

East Providence High School head coach, Bobby Rodericks was glad to get a little baseball in for some of the Townies.  “Congrats to all of the players and the very successful first-time coaches Andrew Rodrigues and Cristian CJ Woods who directly impacted this team immensely,” said Rodericks.  “Coach DeVall held the fort down day-in and day-out, while I got a preview of the 2021 EPHS Townie Baseball spring season to come.”

Post 10 ATC-Townies Roster:
Oliver Andrews, Dylan Palombo, Jack McKnight, Manny ‘Chico’ Santos, Kyler Lorenz, Eli Barber, Vinny Enright, Mike Sabourin, Billy Roche, Ryan Heatherton, Jake Palumbo, Tim Robitaille, Matt McDuff, CJ Hess, Colin McCarthy, Xavier Botelho, Grayson Sparr, Brandon Landry.  Coaches; Frank DeVall, Bobby Rodericks, CJ Woods, Andrew Rodrigues and Kevin Leftridge.

Jaguars Romp in 10U Championship
In addition to the Post 10 champs, a group of mostly East Providence ball players on the 10U (age ten & under) AAU Jaguars finished a successful championship season.  Also playing under social distancing guidelines (no handshakes, etc.) the New England Jaguars finished 12-0 and breezed through a playoff bracket to win the AAU 10U state championship.  Along with the East Providence based team, tourney participants came from Westerly, South Kingstown, Tiverton, Wakefield, Cumberland, Providence, Johnston, Pawtucket, Bristol and others.  AAU baseball was established in 1991 and competes against teams from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI and VT.  There are 10-14 regular season league games and playoffs.

The locals, the New England Jaguars, were 12-0 in the regular season and the number one tournament seed in the playoffs.  The Jags played in the ‘pool game’ on Saturday August 22nd at Kim Rock Field in Rumford and defeated the Shorline Surfers of Westerly 7-2.  Finn Loverme pitched 5 great innings and JJ Renaud came in to close out the game in the 6th.  Alex Enright had a hot bat with two hits including a home run.  Cam Beaudreau also contributed with two hits.  In the second game of the Saturday doubleheader, the Jags beat the RI Bandits of Pawtucket 3-1.  “Our kids played balanced baseball throughout the tourney,” said Jags coach Vincent Enright.  “Tommy Coutant pitched awesome with a complete game win.  He had 9 strikeouts giving up only 3 hits.  Chris Charbonneau came through with the game winning double knocking in 2 runs,” added Enright. 

The Jags had another doubleheader on Sunday August 23rd.  In the first game, the Jags took the semi-final win by knocking off the Shorline Surfers again, 5-1.  It was another well balanced performance.  Parker Andrew and Finn Loverme had a multiple hit game and Anthony Nolette was the winning pitcher scattering just 6 hits.  Once again JJ Renaud came to the mound to secure the final 4 outs to close out for the Jags. 

That win brought the Jags to the second game of the day – the championship.  The Jags faced the tough Stone Crabs from Cumberland.  After playing a key shortstop and closing out a couple games, Jonathan “JJ” Renaud started and pitched a complete game striking out 9 and allowing just 6 hits for the Jags win.  Cam Beaudreau, Finn Loverme and JJ Renaud each had a multiple hit game.  “I’m very proud of these kids.  We win with balance.  There were great defensive plays all weekend,” said coach Enright.   “Everyone does their part and it takes all players to make it work.  This team had done so all season,” he added.  “Throughout the series, Anthony Nolette, Alex Enright, Jose Figueroa and Chris Charbonneau had such key hits.  And it was very impressive to see Jose Figueroa catch all 4 playoff games in this extreme heat and excel at it,” said Enright.

For a brief period of time these ATC Post 10 Townies and 10U Jaguars could put the Covid 19 pandemic somewhat aside, stay socially distant for the most part and play some baseball.  Summertime and baseball – as it should be.

Jaguars Roster:  Cam Beaudreau, Chris Charbonneau, Zach Sheinberg, Jordan Nary, Tommy Coutant, Jose  Figueroa, Alex Enright, Jonathan “JJ” Renaud, Finn Loverme, Parker Andrews, and Anthony Nolette.  Coaches, Vincent Enright and Michael Sabourin.

RI Interscholastic Sports Dealing with Pandemic
In an open letter to the community, newly appointed Executive Director, Michael P. Lunney discusses the approaching Fall athletic season.  Confusion reigns as to the possibility of a sports schedule.  Lunney writes; “The Principals Committee on Athletics has voted to delay the start date of Fall Sports from August 17th to September 14th – This will allow our schools to reopen for education before athletics are brought into the equation.  Our athletes are students first!

We have remained consistent in our message that the RIIL will not get ahead of schools that need to reopen and the Governor’s guidance for school sports which is why we have been adamant to not release any information publicly to date.  As you know, things are changing rapidly concerning the impact of COVID-19.

Health and safety of our athletes, coaches, school personnel and officials remains our main priority.  I want to personally thank and commend our coaches who have worked tirelessly to keep students engaged and connected over the past 5 months. Their dedication and support of kids is so important during these difficult times,” wrote Lunney in part.

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