Sports Update

EPHS Baseball Rolling High and Lowin May:
The 10-5 Townies baseball team did something that not many RI high schools have done in recent years. In a span of about a week, they defeated perennial powers Hendricken, LaSalle and Cranston East. East Providence High defeated Hendricken 1-0 in a Division I baseball game at Pierce Stadium. The win put the Townies into a three-way tie for first place at that time.. The Townies battery of Senior pitcher Ben Sears and Sophomore catcher Cole Poissant led the way for the impressive win over the Hawks. With the game scoreless going into the bottom of the 6th inning, Sears lined a single to right field. Seth Daly's sacrifice bunt sent Sears to 2nd base and that brought up the young Townie catcher. "I'm very impressed with Cole. He played for us as a freshman and has continued to contribute a lot as a sophomore. His defense is great and he can hit a ball," said EP coach Bobby Rodericks. Sophomore Micah Abrams pinch-ran at second for Sears and scored the game's only run on a Poissant line drive single to center field.

Sears struck out 10 Hendricken batters and only allowed two hits. Sears has been one of the state's most effective pitchers. He was in command the entire game and threw 18 first-pitch strikes. Sears would go the distance and only walked one batter. "Ben's control is excellent. He kept his pitch count down and it was hard for Hendricken to catch up to his fastball," added Rodericks. Sears and Poissant also contributed two hits each to lead the Townie 6 hit game. Zach Fanara and Josh Silveira had the other EP hits.

Randy Reyes and Kyle Marrapese both pitched well for the Hawks in a well-played game that had excited East Providence fans happy to see the first win over Hendricken in a few years. "We've come close before but, yes, it's been a while. They're a good team with a lot of depth but I like my guys also," said the Townie coach.

The Hawks led off the top of the 7th with a single to center field. The next Hendricken batter struck out. The Hawks attempted to steal 2nd to get the tying run in scoring position, but the runner was gunned down on a perfect throw by Poissant. A pop out fly to Josh Silveira at 2nd ended the game as the jubilant Townies celebrated.

"This was a well played game all around," said Rodericks. "It's a tough division with good competition. Henricken, Cranston East, South Kingstown, LaSalle and others are all in this thing. The Townies will work hard also."

Wins Over LaSalle & Cranston East:
Next up the Townies beat rival LaSalle in a 1-0 shutout at Pierce Field. East Providence and the Rams played a couple of scoreless innings until the Townies scored the game's only run in the bottom of the third. Nate Anselmo walked to lead off the third inning and advanced to 2nd base on a sharp line drive single to center by Zach Fanara. Ben Sears would strike out and Seth Daly walked. With the bases loaded for EP, the LaSalle pitcher Jake Benford threw wildly on a pickoff attempt at third and Anselmo scored. The Anselmo run would be all Ben Sears would need to record another victory for the Townies.

The Townie's Sears would go on to shut out the Rams on 4 hits while striking out 4, mostly in key spots of the game. The Rams had a couple of scoring chances but were snuffed out by Sears pitching and timely good Townie defense. In the top of the fifth inning LaSalle put their leadoff batter on by an infield error. Sears struck out the next batter and catcher Cole Poissant fired a perfect throw to second to erase the LaSalle runner who was trying to steal. A couple of other scoring attempts by the Rams were shut down by Sears who went on to gain the complete game victory. Offensively for the Townies, Keegan Seagrave and Julian Reis each had two hits.

EP next defeated Cranston East 4-1 in a Division I game played at Cranston Stadium. The Townies and the Bolt entered the game with 8-2 records tied for first place with Hendricken. The game was never in doubt as the Townies got on the score board in the top of the first inning with 2 runs. With one out, Josh Silveira reached first base on a catcher's interference call. Ben Sears singled on a line drive to left field advancing Silveira to 3rd. EP pitcher Seth Daly grounded out to 2nd which knocked home Silveira for the Townie first run. Sears stole 2nd base and sophomore catcher Cole Poissant lined a single to score Sears putting the Townies up 2-0 early.

Seth Daly would pretty much handcuff the Bolt all day with an assortment of fastballs, changeups and curve balls. Daly gave up just one run on two hits while going the distance for EP. He struck out six batters and walked one.

Cranston East didn't score until the 5th inning after a walk and infield error. East Providence scored in the 6th and the 7th and the Townie pitching and defense held off the Bolt. Poissant and Daly each had three hits for EP. Sears had two hits including a double in the Townie 11 hit attack. The Townies loaded the bases on three different occasions.

Earlier last month the Townies Seth Daly shut out Coventry in a complete game win. Daly allowed just two hits while striking out 9. EP crossed the plate twice in the first inning. Zach Fanara walked and moved to third base on a Ben Sears double to left field. Seth Daly helped himself by lining a double to left which scored Fanara. Next up Townie catcher Cole Poissant hit a grounder to short stop which enabled Ben Sears to score the second Townie run.

The third Townie run was scored in the 6th inning when Ben Sears reached first on an infield error by Coventry. Poissant singled on a sharp line drive to right field scoring Sears who was on the move ready to steal third base.

In the 7th Coventry did advance a runner to third base by combining a single, passed ball and a fielder's choice but Daly held tough and sealed the victory by fielding a ground ball back to the mound for the final out.

"Our pitchers Ben Sears and Seth Daly are absolutely dominating on the mound," said EP coach Bobby Rodericks. "Sears (senior) and Daly (junior) are also doing it with the bats providing offense as well as juniors Zach Fanara, Josh Silveira, Julian Reis, and Nate Anselmo, " said Rodericks. "Our sophomore catcher, Cole Poissant, has been solid behind the dish and sophomores Keegan Seagrave, Sam Budnick, Micah Abrams and Andrew Baptista are all working their way in lineup preparing for the future of the program as well as producing presently for the Townies," the animated coach added. "Senior pitchers Andrew Lethbridge and Nate Pimental are also giving innings of relief to assist our two starting pitchers with their pitch count. This plays into effect especially during the 3 game weeks."

The Townies hiccupped as they fell to Cumberland High. The Clippers are also contending for a playoff spot and the Townies were thin in pitching after the wins over Hendricken, LaSalle and Cranston East. Although outhitting the Clippers 11-8, Cumberland went on to beat the Townies 7-4. EP scored in the first inning on a Ben Sears RBI double. Nate Pimental was on the pitcher's mound for EP. He allowed four hits and three runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out six and walking one. Cole Poissant threw two and a third innings in relief out of the bullpen. Sears, Josh Silveira and Zach Fanara each racked up multiple hits for EP with Silveira and Sears each getting 3 hits.

EP then stumbled against East Greenwich in a 6-5 upset loss. With the Townies leading going into the 7th inning, the Avengers tied the game and then won it in extra innings on a bases-loaded walk. Townie ace Ben Sears struck out 11 for EP.

In another disappointing loss, EP was defeated by Central High in a 2-1 game at Pierce. A 7th inning single, infield hit and sacrifice bunt led to the game-winning run on a Central sacrifice fly. At press time it appears that EP is about to lose a 1-0 game to Cranston West at Cranston.

EPHS Softball:
The 9-4 EPHS girls softball team had impressive wins last month against Cumberland, Woonsocket, Lincoln and North Providence. The Townies lost to LaSalle and Moses Brown. EP defeated a tough Woonsocket team 6-4 in a home contest. East Providence was led by Sadie Patterson's three hits including a home run. The Townies scored one run in the first inning, two runs in the second, two in the fourth and another in the fifth to account for their 6 runs. "We had a well-balanced offense, getting on base when we neede it most and some timely hitting kept us in a good position," said East Providence coach Rob Traverse. "Softball scores can change fast and I like the way our players work hard and come ready to play every game," added Traverse.

Taylor Babcock and Tanya Cooper shared the pitching duties for East Providence recording 4 and 3 strikeouts respectively. There were no walks by Townie pitchers. As usual Alyssa Guarino was solid behind the plate for EP. Lauren Pelquin did hit a home run for Woonsocket in the 7th inning but East Providence held on for the impressive win.

East Providence continued its winning ways with an 8-3 win over Lincoln High in action at East Providence High School. The Townies scored three runs in the second inning, three more in the third and 2 runs in the fifth inning for their 8 runs. Lincoln scored twice in the fifth and added one more in the sixth inning. East Providence finished the night with 9 hits while Townie pitchers Taylor Babcock and Tanya Cooper held Lincoln to 3 runs on 7 hits. Alyssa Guarino was the Townie catcher.

Paige Messier roped a 2 run double for EP and Taylor Babcock added an RBI triple. Sadie Patterson contributed an RBI double late in the game for added insurance. Babcock had 12 strikeouts and no walks for the Townies. Molly Thibaudeau and Elizabeth Hien pitched for Lincoln. Only one Townie struck out.

In a 6-4 win over always tough Woonsocket, the Townies Sadie Patterson had three hits, including a home run and drove home three runs. Taylor Babcock and Tanya Cooper pitched for East Providence with Alyssa Guarino behind the plate.

EP beat Cumberland in exciting fashion when Emma DaSilva tripled in the fifth inning of a tied game. DaSilva raced home on a wild pitch, beating the throw barely and her run would stand to win the game for the Townies.

Bay View Softball:
The 6-8 Bay View Bengals had victories over Toll Gate, Tolman and Cranston East in May with losses to LaSalle, Coventry and Woonsocket. In a Blow-Out win the Bengals beat back Cranston East 9-1. They opened up scoring in the first inning two runs on a stolen base. Maddie Castigliego was the winning pitcher for Bay View. She only gave up two hits and one run over four innings, striking out three and walking one. Lindsey Rugg threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen.

Bay View amassed 14 hits with Heenan, Vaillancourt, Castigliego, Emily Conley, Kendall Duprey, and Katrina Kazen each having multiple hits. The Bengals stole five bases during the game.

The Bengals dominated Toll Gate 15-5. Rebecca Vaillancourt had four RBI's and three hits, including a home run, for Bay View to lead the offensive attack.

Bay View scored 1 in the first inning, 7 in the second, 3 in the third and 4 in the fifth inning for their 15 run total. Toll Gate scored 2 in the third and 3 in the fourth. Maddie Castigliego earned the win on the mound for the Bengals. Bay View had 13 hits in the game.

Bay View Announces All-State Winners:
Three Bay View student-athletes earned Providence Journal All-State honors this winter. They are sophomore Gianna Spremullo, 1st Team All-State for Swim 200m IM and 100m backstroke, junior Aliya Barrows, 2nd Team All-State for Indoor Track and Field (600m), and senior Noelya Delacruz, 2nd Team All-State for Indoor Track and Field (shot put).
RI Swimming Coaches Association:
All-State Selections:
1st Team All-State - Gianna Spremullo 200m IM and 100m backstroke
2nd Team All-State - Juliana Goncalves 100m breaststroke

All-Division Selections:
1st Team All-Division - Gianna Spremullo 200m IM and 100m backstroke
2nd Team All-Division - Juliana Goncalves 100m breaststroke

Indoor Track and Field:
All-Division:
1st Team All-Division - Aliya Barrows 600m and 300m
1st Team All-Division - Noelya Delacruz shot put
2nd Team All-Division - Aliya Barrows 4x200m relay, 4x400 relay
2nd Team All-Division - Caitlyn Murphy 4x400m relay
2nd Team All-Division - Hanna O'Connor 4x200m relay, 4x400m relay
2nd Team All-Division - Isabella Kopech 4x200m relay
2nd Team All-Division - Olivia Granatiero 4x200m relay, 4x400m relay
3rd Team All-Division - Hanna O'Connor 300m
3rd Team All-Division - Noelya Delacruz weight throw
3rd Team All-Division - Olivia Granatiero 55m hurdles

Basketball:
All-Division:
2nd Team All-Division - Madison D'Ambra
2nd Team All-Division - Antonia Corsinetti
3rd Team All-Division - Melaina Emidy
Honorable Mention All-Division - Cassandra Pare

Hockey:
All-Division:
2nd Team All-Division - Emma Audet
3rd Team All-Division - Diana Poland

EPHS Boys Tennis:
The 2-11 East Providence boys tennis team defeated Scituate on Wednesday afternoon, May 9th, 4-3. The Townies moved to 2-7 on the season. In singles action Dan Forsythe of East Providence defeated Ethan Dionne of Scituate, 6-1, 6-4. The Townies Cole Coffey defeated Sam Borden Scituate 6-3 and 6-3. Doubles play saw the Townies Jared Zollo and Alex Costa win their match and also winning for EP was the duo of Jackson Ponte and Luis Mesi.

EP defeated Exeter/West Greenwich 6-1. EP swept doubles action and finished strong with singles. In singles action Dan Forsythe, EP, defeated Willem Fehsenfeld, EWG, 6-3,6-0; Kyle Desmaris, EP, defeated Lilian Allory, EWG, 6-0, 6-0 and Cole Coffey, EP, defeated Travis Rumsey, EWG, 6-0, 6-1.

In doubles action, Jared Zollo-Alex Costa, EP, defeated Aidan Bocanegra-Peter Muhitch, EWG , 6-4, 6-2. Jackson Ponte-Luis Mesi, EP, defeated Aybec Sultan-Nick Baccari, EWG ,6-3, 6-2. Alex Proulx-Kristy Sittinger, EP, defeated Chris Lorme-Gavin Fichter, EWG ,6-4, 6-1.

EPHS Boys Lacrosse:
The Townies picked up their first Lacrosse win with a 8-7 score over Johnston High. In that contest Noah Kollett tallied four goals and Nate Amaral added three to account for most of the East Providence offense. East Providence also defeated Classical 5-1 and Johnston, 9-2.

EPHS Boys Volleyball:
East Providence had wins last month over North Kingstown and Barrington High Schools. In a win over NK, the Townies Dan Forsythe had eight kills, 16 digs and 16 assists and John Kauffman added six kills and 10 digs to lead the Townie win. The Townies shut out NK 25-20, 29-27 and 25-21 for the three game sweep.

In the Townie 3-1 win over Barrington, East Providence took game 1, 29-27, game 2, 25-20 and game 4, 25-23. Barrington took game 3, 27-25. East Providence is now 6-7 going into playoff action.

EPHS Boys/Girls Outdoor Track:
The Townies boys team finished in fourth place in the East Division Championship. The Townies Clinton Ogunronbi won the long jump at 21 feet 6.5 inches. Ogunronbi also placed second and third in sprints. Ogunronbi, Jason Santiago, Exondus Barnes and Dion Hazard finished a strong third in the 4x100 relay race. Exondus Barnes won the high jump for EP with a height of 5 feet 8 inches.

The EP girls team finished in fifth place overall for team score. EP's Hasna Badji won the 300 meter hurdles and in so doing set a new meet record of 46.61. Badji and 4x1 relay team mates Alyssa DeOliveira, Ashley DeOliveira and Shaniah Hazard placed an impressive third place. Hasna Badji, Christy Long, Mary Ellen Pinson and Shaniah Hazard ran second in the 4x400 relay just missing first place. Haley Teodoro of EP also won the high jump at 4 feet 11 inches.