March 28, 2024

City Little Leagues Active in Tourney Play

Sports Update

Posted

Riverside/EP and Rumford Win Tourney Titles
Little leagues in East Providence have concluded an exciting run in post season all-star play.  Most notable was the final four appearance in the RI State Championship Majors tournament by the Riverside/EP Central major leaguers.  The major league division represents the heart of Little League baseball which has its World Series tourney televised every year.  Riverside/EP (combined team) won the District Two championship, which is the state’s largest of four.  Their exciting run toward a statewide title came to an end as the locals lost to North Providence and Warwick Continentals.  Here is a review of the Riverside/EP all-star post season play:

Exciting District Championship Win
The District Two championship game pitted Riverside/EP over border rival Barrington all-stars, in an ordeal which took over four days to complete due to weather and game suspensions because of darkness.  "I don't cry easily ... but I just want to say ...,” said Riverside/EP manager Vin Enright as he tried to address his team players & coaches the team’s improbable win over Barrington to win the title.  Enright put his head in his hands several times as he knelt down trying to speak.  It took a few attempts, but the manager finally got the words out.  "You guys are amazing.  Last night was the longest night of my life.  You guys ...," and once again Enright was choked up.  Known for working his teams hard and practicing long hours, the manager was more emotional than usual on this night.

It took play over four nights to get the game in.  Riverside and Barrington started district championship play on Saturday, July 17th but couldn't get the game in as area thunderstorms forced the game to Sunday.  Riverside LL officials worked to get the Ron Silva Complex at Forbes Street in playing shape and Riverside/EP eventually lost that game in a close 2-0 contest.  It was their first loss in tourney play.  Barrington outlasted Riverside/Ep Central for the win. The game was crisply played and was scoreless until Barrington scored in the top of the sixth inning. Barrington scored both runs on pass ball strikeouts as runners on third base took advantage and scored as the ball was thrown to first.  Riverside/Ep Central got a line drive single from Alex Enright in the bottom half of the sixth but only managed the one more hit to suffer their first loss of the tournament.

That set up an all or nothing championship game on Monday, July 19th.  Barrington jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.  After Barrington extended their lead to 3-0, a tenacious Riverside/EP team rallied back to tie the game at 3 in the bottom of the fifth inning.  In the top of the sixth inning Barrington mounted a rally but it was stopped when Jose Figueroa made a running catch of a deep and very high fly ball to left field to end the inning.  Riverside/EP Central failed to score in their half of the sixth and the game went to extra innings as darkness began to creep in.

After a scoreless 7th for both squads, the game then moved on to the top of the eighth inning in a controversial umpire’s decision which surprised much of the overflow crowd, anticipating the game would be called for darkness.  Umpires, coaches and District Administrator Bob Walker held numerous conversations as the evening got darker. There are no lights at Forbes Field.  By extra inning rule, a Barrington runner was automatically placed on second base to start the inning. Barrington broke through with two runs to make the score 5-3 and as the inning ended, there was more discussion about continuing the game as it neared 8:30 pm.   In the bottom of the 8th, Riverside/EP clawed back with a 4th run and with the tying run on second base, players told umpires they could no longer see the ball and after yet another discussion with District officials and umpires, the game was suspended.

Martins Grand Slam Walk Off Wins Game!
The unfinished game was scheduled for Barrington's field the next night but after the Town of Barrington closed their fields due to weather conditions, the game was sent back to Forbes Street.  The game resumed Tuesday from the exact point where it ended. It was bottom of the 8th, two outs and the same 2-2 count on 10-year-old Alex Enright. The bases were loaded and Barrington was leading 5-4.  All Barrington needed was one strike and the game would end.   "Alex was a nervous wreck coming into this game," said father-coach Vin Enright.  "I really felt bad for the pressure he was under and for all of the boys."  The young Enright strode to home plate and everyone knew the game could end on one pitch with a loss for the home team.  The crowd was larger than the night before, even though everyone knew the game could end in a blink of an eye.  Cars were parked on Wampanoag Trail and parents matched their kids nervousness.  The game did end on a blink, as Enright walked to force in the tying run from third.  Riverside power hitter Aidan Martins came to the plate.  Unlike baseball lore, ala Mighty Casey, Martins came to the plate smiling and relaxed.   Martins quickly slammed a walk-off grand slam homer to deep left field as the home crowd erupted into pandemonium.  Players mobbed each other as Martins flew around the bases celebrating the 9-5 come from behind win.  "I only wanted to put the ball in play," said Aidan Martins. “My coaches stressed to just put the ball in play.  That was my goal.”  In play, Martins did as his home run ball was one of the longest seen at the Forbes Field in recent memory.   The walk off home run ball was retrieved by a fan and Martin's parents immediately secured it for posterity.

"I've coached a lot of games in my life, but this is the best," said manager Enright.  "Our players never gave up; I've said this right along.  To come back against so many odds was unbelievable.  Every player on this team contributed to this championship.  One, pitch, one inning, one game at a time," he repeated.  "Now let's go on to the RI State Championship, something an East Providence major division team hasn't done in many years."

Riverside/EP – Darlington of Pawtucket
The game between Riverside/EP Central and Darlington American of Pawtucket, also faced weather delays and took two days to complete, due to weather.  The game ended in exciting fashion on July 7th, when the East Providence team came from behind to win 2-1 in extra innings.  After a Tuesday storm suspended the night game after 3 innings, play continued Wednesday as neither team scored a run. Wednesday’s start was delayed 15 minutes as league officials ironed out a national LL policy limiting baseballs thrown by pitchers and catchers. On Tuesday, Riverside/EP Central’s starting pitcher Jonathan Renaud, threw 43 pitches in shutting out Darlington for three innings. Officials agreed that he couldn’t pitch in successive days as he was a couple pitches over the limit for back-to-back games. Because Renaud is also a top catcher, there was uncertainty if he could even catch. A local official deemed Renaud could not catch but a phone call to district officials in Bristol, Connecticut ruled that he could indeed catch. Later in the game Renaud would prove his worth as on a wild pitch, he grabbed the ball and threw out the Darlington player trying to steal second base. The out cut down a runner in potential scoring position in the 4th inning with still no score.

Darlington next loaded the bases in the 4th inning and coach Vin Enright made a pitching change bringing in Owen Richards. Richards pitched well under pressure and induced a ground ball to shortstop Aiden Martins who made a great grab and unassisted out at 2nd base to end the threat. Darlington stopped Riverside/EP Central in the bottom of the 5th. The Riverside/EP Central team left the bases loaded and the game remained tied going into the 6th inning (LL majors play 6 inning games).

The game was well played and continued scoreless until Darlington broke the ice and scored a run in the top of the 6th and last inning. In the meantime, the sky darkened, and lightning was seen in the distance. The field lights were on. With two outs and a 3-2 count on the Darlington hitter, a long double brought in the game’s first run. Alex Enright was brought in to pitch. However, with two outs and a potential game winning runner on 2nd base, Darlington moved the runner to third on a wild pitch but failed to score as Enright struck out the next batter stranding the baserunners.

Riverside/EP Central was behind and down to its final three outs. They were not to be denied. A large crowd urged on their team as after one out, Jonathan Renaud lashed a double to deep center field. Slugger Aiden Martins was walked intentionally for the 2nd night in a row and represented the potential winning run on 1st base. The speedy Renaud stole 3rd base with Martins taking 2nd. Darlington made a pitching change. Parker Andrews put down a perfect bunt to load the bases, but another bunt attempt ended in an out at the plate. However, baserunner Martins stunned Darlington as he executed a perfect surprise delayed steal of home (something he has done often during the season) and the game was now tied at one.

Enright stayed on the mound in the top of the 7th and he quickly recorded two strikeouts. A walk and then a ground ball infield out stopped Darlington. With the weather looking ominous Riverside/EP Central knew they had to do something quick. With one out, Jacob Sousa walked and Owen Richards ripped a line drive single to left as Sousa moved to 2nd base. Another Darlington pitching change and the game ended on a heads up play by Riverside/EP Central. Enright ran to first safely on a dropped third strike by the catcher and Sousa wisely took off for home scoring the winning run. The crowd roared its approval and the winning team mobbed each other and Sousa on the field.

“Our team played a well-balanced game and never gives up,” said winning coach Vincent Enright after the game. “A real strength for us is determination and drive. One pitch, one play, one game at a time,” said Enright. The win, Riverside’s third in all-star play, set up the anticipated match against Rumford LL. Rumford had defeated Warren and Barrington so far while Riverside/EP Central had impressive (mercy) wins over Tiverton/Little Compton and Newport and now the thriller against Darlington Americans of Pawtucket.

Rumford Also Makes Strong Bid for Majors Title
In the meantime, Rumford had also remained undefeated as they defeated Warren 2-0 and also bested Newport. Both East Providence teams remained in the winner’s bracket.  Rumford beat back teams from throughout the District tournament and forced a semi-final head to head match with Riverside/EP.  After losing a close game to their rivals from Riverside, they remained in the tourney.  

Rumford – Riverside Rivalry
Before Riverside/EP could get to the District championship game, they had to get by an always tough Rumford all-star majors team.   Riverside pitcher Jonathan JJ Renaud spun a masterful two-hit shutout over cross-town rival Rumford, in little league major division all-star semi-final at Kim Rock Field in Rumford, RI. Riverside/Central gained a berth in the District Two championship Saturday at Forbes Field in Riverside. Renaud struck out 10 and didn’t issue a walk in the complete game victory. Both teams came into the game undefeated with Riverside beating Little Compton/Tiverton, Newport and Darlington American. Rumford beat back Barrington and Warren.

Riverside/Central went out in order in the top of the first and after a single by Rumford in the bottom of the first inning, Renaud struck out two and a ground ball out ended Rumford’s threat as they stranded a runner on third base.

The top of the second had Renaud with a lead off walk but he was left there as Riverside/Central couldn’t do much with Rumford’s starting pitcher Will Haggerty who pitched extremely well.

Riverside/Central got things going in the fourth with a lead off smash to the outfield by Alex Enright for a single. Aiden Martins then hit a double to deep center field with Enright scampering to third base. JJ Renaud walked to load the bases. With no outs, Parker Andrews popped up a bunt for an out but Chris Charbonneau hit a fielder’s choice scoring Enright with the games first run. With Martins and Renaud on third and second respectively, Josh Shanty was batting and on a passed ball, Martins stole home for the second run. The inning ended with the score now 2-0 in favor of the visitors.

The game remained tight as both teams played well and both pitchers were keeping the game close. Rumford had two runners on base in the fourth and during a double steal of second and third, both runners were sent back for leaving base to soon. Renaud continued to dominate on the mound with a mix of stinging fastballs and slow curveballs keeping Rumford off balance all night. To end the fourth, a Rumford runner from first delayed a steal attempt to second and then took off for the steal but getting the ball from his catcher, Renaud wheeled and threw a strike to shortstop Aiden Martins who tagged the runner out.

The game continued 2-0 through the sixth and final inning. Martins laced a single to deep left but Riverside couldn’t add to their total as Rumford was down to their final three outs. Rumford led off the sixth with a drive to center field off a Renaud slow curve but Parker Andrews charged in and made the catch. An infield hit to deep third put a runner on first base in a close play but an infield pop was grabbed by first baseman Parker Andrews and Renaud recorded his 10th strikeout to end the game sending Riverside/Central to the District Two championship.

Manager Vin Enright had a lot to be positive about after the team’s win. “Great, great effort tonight. We win because we’re united and play as a team. Keep holding each other up. Pitching, timely hitting, defense, baserunning - everyone contributed tonight. We may be the first East Providence team in a long time to play for a major division District championship. Now have fun, go home and keep playing hard,” added the coach.

After the game Rumford Manager Dave Murphy was also upbeat. “You played well tonight, nothing to be ashamed of,” Murphy told his team. “Stay positive, we’re still in this. Think of it as we play more baseball games. We can do this,” said Murphy. Rumford had to win a couple more games for a chance to face Riverside/Central again.  The rematch and an all-East Providence district final didn’t happen as Rumford played well but eventually lost in its title bid.

RI State Majors Finals
Riverside/EP took on North Providence on Saturday, July 24th.  The game was played at Gavin Memorial Field, in Cumberland, RI at 11:00 am.  The four teams vying for the State Championship were: Riverside/EP, North Providence, Warwick Continental Americans and Smithfield.  Unfortunately, the dream of playing in the World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania was dashed after the team lost twice in the states.  “Hold your heads high,” Manager Enright told his dejected players after the second loss.  “You are one of the final four in all of Rhode Island and that’s not too bad.  We are a young team against mostly older players and we had a nice run to win the district championship and try for the states,” said Enright.  “There is always next year.”

The Riverside/E.P. Central Major All-Star roster includes: Jose Figueroa, Jake Sousa, Tristan Lawton, Tristan Tysvaer, Josh Shanty, Jaydon Alford, Owen Richards, Alex Enright, Aiden Martins, Jonathan "JJ" Renaud, Parker Andrews, Chris Charbonneau and Wyatt Andrews.  Manager is Vin Enright and coaches are Chris Martins, Mike Sabourin and Jody Richards.

(For those wondering about the name Riverside/EP Central; roster numbers are dropping across the area causing leagues to merge. Pawtucket, once featuring 4 and 5 different leagues, are now down to just two. Many other towns are combining. There are only three major division teams in EP Central, Riverside & Rumford - combined. Accordingly, Riverside/EP Central have combined in some respects. A future article will discuss this issue in much more detail in the Reporter.)

Rumford LL Wins Minors Championship with No-Hitter
Rumford LL Minors All Stars defeated a tough Barrington team in a close 3-2 victory at Kim Rock Field in Rumford on July 28th.  The Ron Silva District 2 All Star Championship is named after former district administrator and longtime Riverside LL volunteer, Ron Silva.  Although Barrington managed two runs, they did so while being no-hit by Evan Provencher and Wil Budnick of Rumford.  Provencher spun a masterful no-hitter and was followed by Budnick who got the final five outs in relief.  John Greene, Eli Sydney, and Noah Pedroso Jones contributed with a big hits and Ryan Pita scored the winning run in a surprise steal of home.  “It came down to the last out as it should and a great job by the entire team to close out the game for Rumford,” said team coaches after the game.  Riverside Little League, which has won the prior three minors championships sent along congratulations.  “On behalf of the Riverside LL players and coaches, congratulations to Rumford Little League on winning the championship this season against a tough Barrington Little League squad,” said league officials.  Riverside then issued a friendly challenge: “Keep that trophy warm, we’ll be back for it next season!”  “Challenge accepted,” smiled back the Rumford 2021 champs.

Rumford players are: Evan Provencher, Christian Pantoja, Connor Crowley, Eli Sydney, Jared Machado, John Greene, Logan Silverio, Luke Neilson, Noah Lang, Noah Pedroso Jones, Ray Beattie, Ryan Pita, Will Budnick and Wynn Rabar.  Coaches: John Provencher, Eddie Wencis, Matt Pita, Stephen Narkawich and Kenny Camp.  Details here provided by Lorri Provencher.

Rumford takes Annual 7/8 Andreozzi Tournament Title
Rumford 7/8 All Stars won the District Andreozzi championship.  To get there they had to beat a good Barrington team.  “Evan Provencher was key in pitching a 75 pitch game.  For most of the game nobody scored, then the game got scary,” reports Eddie Wencis. “Rumford, however, pulled it off with a 4-1 win.  In another phenomenal performance, the 7/8 All Stars came away with a 13-2 win against Portsmouth in the tournament.  Rumford also featured a 14-0 blowout win over Tiverton.  “Thanks to all of our coaches, volunteers, sponsors and players for another great season of little league baseball,” said Rumford league president Eddie Wencis.  

City Recreation Dept. announces 2021 Dolly Searle golf winners
This year marks the 66th Dolly Searle Memorial Golf Tournament.  The memorial tournament was held at the Agawam Country Club in East Providence. The tournament provides funding for annual scholarships, which are awarded to East Providence college-bound graduating high school students who plan to major in recreation, education, fine arts and public service.  The 2021 Dolly Searle winners include:

1st Low Gross: Albert Braz (78); Best Ball Team (154): Bob Long, John Heatherton, Craig McManus and Jay MacKevich.

“The East Providence Recreation Department extends its deepest appreciation to Agawam’s head golf professional, Norm Alberigo, as well as our generous sponsors: Cavaco Brothers. Inc.; Community & Teachers FCU; Custom Drywall; Del’s Lemonade; Graphic Ink; Motoring Technical Services, Inc.; M.E. O’Brien & Sons; P&G Bowling, Inc.; Providence Country Day School; Rumford Pet Center; W.R. Watson Funeral Home; Wood’s Heating Service,” said tourney organizers.

New sporting activity may be coming to Pierce Stadium
As the city continues to improve conditions to venerable Pierce Stadium, new activities like the kid’s waterpark have been very successful and popular.  The latest addition may be something called “Pickelball.” According to the USA Pickleball organization, pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island near Seattle, Washington.  “Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities, are credited for creating the game.  Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts. 

A pickleball court is the same size as a double’s badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles and doubles play. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the “kitchen”). Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball, or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts.  Points are scored only by the serving team.  Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2. Tournament games may be to 15 or 21, win by 2.  “It may come if there is interest,” said Mayor Bob DaSilva.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Share!
Truly local news delivered to every home in town