March 29, 2024
Inaugural Middle School Mayor's Cup Games a Success

Mayor’s Cup MS Games Features Close Battles

Riverside Girls and Martin Boys each take home a “Cup”

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The first annual Mayor’s Cup for middle school baseball and softball exceeded expectations before a large supportive crowd at the new East Providence High School sports complex. As noted in prior Reporter articles, Martin (once Central) and Riverside have played each other for decades. The intra-city rivalry has been strong and yet a key source of sending student-athletes to the high school through the years. “Wildcats and Vikings transforming into varsity Townies someday. This was a good opportunity for middle schoolers to play at the great complex we now have and for little leaguers to watch,” said Townie baseball coach Bobby Rodericks. Also excited was the Townie softball head coach Katie Kenahan. “This was such a great RMS/MMS middle school matchup today for the Mayors Cup! The future is bright for Townie Softball,” said Kenahan. “I want to give a special shout out to our current lady Townies for showing up to support the Vikings and Wildcats,” added coach Kenahan. Indeed, both high school baseball and softball players were on hand to support the middle school teams.

Townie Athletic Director Alex Butler trotted between the adjacent baseball and softball fields throughout, as the middle school games played simultaneously. “A great chance for the community to see what our young people can accomplish. Love this atmosphere,” said Butler. The city’s three little leagues were invited. Players from girls and boys teams were in attendance. At the baseball field, representing Rumford little league were Vin Fisher and Matt Baptista; Central had Leo Hall and Myles Hall and Riverside LL sent Josh Hallene and Jaxson Enos. The little leaguers were invited to throw out the first pitch, with each firing a strike. After introductions of the teams, EPHS student Kennedy Salgueiro sang a moving rendition of the National Anthem. Similar activities went on before the girls softball game.

As the ‘play ball’ call went out, both fields saw exciting action from start to finish. The boys game featured a pitchers’ duel for seven innings. Will Haggerty of Martin and Jonathan Renaud of Riverside were almost unhittable. Renaud of RMS struck out eight Wildcats and gave up just three singles in seven full innings of pitching. Martin’s Haggerty struck out fifteen Vikings while allowing three hits. Neither pitcher gave up a run and both defenses played well. As the game went into extra innings, pitching changes were made and both teams had a chance to win the tightly played game. In the sixth inning RMS had hits from Renaud and Alex Enright but couldn’t score. RMS had another chance in the eighth inning on leadoff walks to Jacob Sousa, Bryce Levesque and Aidan Martins. However, a hard-hit line drive out by Enright to first, ended up in a double play killing a Viking rally. Martin scored their lone run in the bottom of the eighth for the win. Will Haggerty smashed a hit that he stretched into a triple. An intentional walk to Jamison Sydney, a couple of fielder’s choices by Josh Shanty and Max Correiro led to a game winning single by Max Pawlik which plated Haggerty for the Martin extra inning win. Truly a great game which both teams should be proud of.

The girls softball game going on at the same time was just as thrilling with a similar score. The teams battled into the seventh inning with Riverside holding on to a slim 1-0 lead. The Vikings had pushed a run across the plate in the third inning which turned out to be the only run they would need. Martin had runners on second and third in the bottom of the sixth, but Riverside held off the Wildcats rally.

“The inaugural middle school baseball Mayor’s Cup goes to Edward R. Martin Middle School with a 1-0 victory over Riverside Middle School. Great game by both teams. The Mayor’s Cup for softball goes to Riverside after the girls thrilling 1-0 win. A great performance by both schools and a really fun night,” said Mayor Bob DaSilva after the game. “Let’s see who gets the trophy next year.”

In the nightcap under the lights, the Townie varsity baseball team shut out Prout memorial 5-0 with timely hitting, good defense and superb one-hit shut out pitching from Tim Robitaille.

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