March 29, 2024

Sports Update

Posted

East Providence’s Ben Sears taken in Major League Baseball Draft
Former EPHS Townie star pitcher Ben Sears, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in baseball’s major league draft in August. Sears was the Rhode Island High School player of the year in 2018.  While at EPHS he was also first team All-State, first team All-Division, USA player of the year, PROJO player of the year, All-Star selection and more.  “Ben was a player of the year in many aspects.  He was one of the best baseball players and student-athletes I’ve coached,” said EPHS head baseball coach Bob Rodericks.  “In addition to all of his time as a player, Ben took time to coach younger players in our summer baseball camp at Pierce Stadium for several years.”

Sears was an All-American at CCRI where he earned all-academic honors and moved on to excel for the University of Houston.  Sears finished this season in Houston with a 6-3 record with 12 saves and striking out 50 batters in 67 innings.  Sears recently recalled the moment when he received the call from the KC Royals with his selection.  “It was an awesome moment, I worked my whole life for this, it was a dream come true.  I’m so happy for the position I’m in.  I felt all the love from my family, friends and the whole community,” said Sears.  The 6’5” Sears was at home with family waiting for the call he hoped for.  “I had been talking to Kansas City all year and I felt that they were really interested.  I met with their front office people and things sounded positive.  But I was also hearing that the Astros were interested so I really didn’t know for sure what, if anything would develop.”

Sears was ready for whom ever would select him but when the Royals made him their pick in the 14th round, he was happy.  “I was very glad to go there and can’t wait to give it my all.  It was a little stressful as I waited the process, but my overall emotion was that of excitement.  My patience paid off.”

Sears paid particular homage to his mom.  “I feel really good for her.  We’ve had a long road together and she has been behind me all the way.  She has been amazing.  It wouldn’t have been possible without her.”  Sears went on to thank the many other friends and supporters from East Providence and throughout the region.  “So many people to thank, I’m very grateful.”

Indeed, the community gave Ben Sears an impromptu but very large sendoff on the night before he was set to fly to Royals training camp in Arizona late last month.  In a days’ notice Ben’s family and friends organized a gathering at the Columbus Club in East Providence to celebrate and congratulate the future MLB player from East Providence. The room was packed with well-wishers.  A DJ provided entertainment and the crowd loved it as Ben and mom did some old-school swing dancing. Ben’s CCRI head coach presented him with citations and of course his Townie coach Bobby Rodericks and several of Sear’s EPHS teammates were there.  “I’m a happy person tonight,” Sears would say over and over.  “I appreciate East Providence more than you’ll know.”  Safe to say that Mr. Sears may convert some local baseball fans to the Royals of Kansas City.

Local Little Leaguer in Home Run Derby at MLB All-Star Game in LA
Twelve-year-old Jamison Sydney of the Rumford Little League and Martin Middle School recently returned from the experience of a lifetime.  One that every little leaguer dreams of.  Jamison was one of several participants at the Homerun Derby held at Pierce Memorial Field.  Jamison won the local competition and then went on to the regionals in Delaware after having a two-round total of 26 home runs.  Once he won the regionals in Delaware, he was on to Los Angeles, California for the national competition.  The competition would take place a couple of days before the MLB All-Star game.  While at the All-Star game, Jamison would join other little leaguers as they shagged balls hit by the MLB stars in batting practice.  The Rumford Little Leaguer said “I just wanted to play and have some fun.  I really didn’t think I would end up at the MLB All-Star game!”  Jamison’s Dad, Jacob and his younger brother Eli went with him from regionals through the finals in LA.  “We had to see him through this,” said Jacob.  Jamison fell just short of the final championship, finishing 4th in the competition, but he and his family had a great experience.  “I can’t believe we met David Ortiz and other big leaguers,” Jamison said.  “It was great.”  

Rumford 10u Littlers win Silva Tournament – 3rd Consecutive Year
The Rumford 9-10 All Stars completed a 5-0 run through the District 2 Ron Silva Tournament for their 3rd consecutive title, defeating a well-coached and competitive Barrington squad, 5-1.  Rumford was led by strong pitching throughout the tournament and Clutch base running and hitting got them off to great starts and early leads.  Rumford defeated Bristol 6-3 at Kim Rock Field on Monday July 12th. to propel them to the championship of Silva tournament against Barrington. This is the third consecutive year that Rumford 10u All Stars advanced to the Ron Silva Championship.  “It was just an incredible effort by all involved and we are so proud of these young athletes,” said Rumford coach Ed Wencis. “These young “Townies” have a bright future!”

Team Roster: Logan Silverio, Jared Machado, Eli Sydney, Noah Pedroso Jones, Luke Neilson, Carter Schott, Ryan Ambrose, Tripp Audette, Joseph Houlihan, Bryce Sterling, Coleman Bowers and, Matthew Baptista.  The Coaches: Eddie Wencis, Mike Fisher and Rick Audette.

East Providence Stars loses to Bristol/Warren
The combined East Providence/Riverside major division all-stars lost out to Bristol/Warren last month in Bristol, 5-3. The second loss for the team eliminated them from the tournament. The game started on a promising note when EP centerfielder Chris Charbonneau slammed a three-run homerun to deep center field in the first inning. The dinger brought home Alex Enright and JJ Renaud who were on base. Unfortunately, that would be all the scoring East Providence could manage against Bristol/Warren pitching. Ep came close in the fourth inning when a Renaud bid for a homerun hit the outfield fence for a double, but a rally wasn’t in the cards.

Bristol/Warren chipped away with a run in their first inning on a leadoff single by Dewolf followed by a Towers double. The game would remain 3-1 until the fifth inning when Bristol/Warren broke the game open when they led off the frame with a line-hugging double to right field followed by a two-run homerun to tie the game at 3. Tristan Lawton made one of his several great fielding plays when he threw out a runner at first. However, another Bristol/Warren hit scored their 4th run of the game making the score 5-3.

Townie Great Jaime Silva in BC Hall of Fame
Former Townie and Boston College great and NFL star Jaime Silva was inducted into the Boston College Hall of Fame. Silva was one of the best to wear a BC uniform.  He led the BC defense from the safety position in 2007 with 125 tackles and eight interceptions, which is tied for the second most in a single season in Eagle history. For his efforts, he was a Consensus All-American, finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given to the national's top defensive back, and All-ACC First Team. Silva recorded a three-interception game in his final season and finished his career with two interceptions and MVP honors at the Champ Sports Bowl. He was third on the team in tackles in 2006 and finished his career with 312, ranking 10th all-time at BC upon the completion of his career.  

In an outstanding defensive performance against Bowling Green, Silva recorded three interceptions, including his first ever interception returned for a touchdown, a 65-yard return...this was the second time he registered a multiple-interception game.  He also tied the team-high with six solo tackles, led all defenders with seven tackles (five solo) against Massachusetts, was the team's leading tackler with ten total tackles (six solo) in win over Army and nine tackles (four solo, five assists) in a sound defensive performance against Georgia Tech.  He registered the first multiple-interception game of his career in the win over NC State, returning two interceptions for 42 yards and also recorded four tackles (three solo) and one pass breakup (Boston College profile).  The 2007 McGillis Scholarship recipient played two seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts.

In high school, the Townie earned Rhode Island Player of the Year honors from the Providence Gridiron Club in 2002, captured All-State honors in both 2001 and 2002, was selected to the 2002 Rhode Island Golden Dozen Team, was a four-year two-way starter at East Providence; played running back and defensive back, completed his career with more than 4,500 rushing yards, including 2,100 in his senior season.  Silva scored 29 touchdowns in 2002 and 49 touchdowns in his schoolboy career.  He recorded 16 interceptions and more than 300 tackles in his four-year career and led East Providence to the Division I state title in 1999 and 2002.  He earned Super Bowl MVP honors as a senior, was a three-year All-Area and four-time All-Division selection and served as team captain in 2002.  The versatile Silva also played on the school's basketball, baseball and track teams.

EP Recreation Dept. announces 2022 Dolly Searle Golf Winners
This year marks the 67th Dolly Searle Memorial Golf Tournament.   The memorial tournament was held at the Agawam Country Club in East Providence on June 13, 2022. 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 2022 Dolly Searle winners include:

  • 1st Low Gross: Craig McManus (74)
  • Best Ball Team (143): Jack Medeiros, Alex Medeiros, Dave Izzo and Steve Pirri
  • Closest to the Pin Hole #5:  John Lopes (AM); Kevin Candola (PM)
  • Closest to the Pin Hole #16: Cosmo Minicucci (AM); Jack Medeiros (PM)
  • Longest Drive Hole #6: James Alden (AM); Collin Costa (PM)

The East Providence Recreation Department extends its deepest appreciation to Agawam’s head golf professional, Lou Rivers, as well as our generous sponsors: Anderson Motors, Inc.; Barrington Liquors, Beacon Point Wealth Advisors; Cavaco Brothers. Inc.; Del’s Lemonade; Gilmore’s Flower Shop, Inc.; Graphic Ink; Hubscrub.; John Ruggiero’s Auto Body, Inc.; M.E. O’Brien & Sons; PMA Industries, Inc. and Wood’s Heating Service.

KINDERDANCE!
The City of East Providence Recreation Department will hold two more pop-up “Kids Day Out” camps for children ages 4-7.  Come join us for a kid’s day out by Kinderdance! Imagine the excitement and smile on their face when you pick your child up and they show you a new dance, tumbling, rhythm or creative movement skill they learned that day with their friends at “Kids Day Out Kamp.” Kids explore dance, creative movement and tumbling through magical stories, music and art in our community Pop-up Summer Camps!

Under the Sea, August 11th and Paws on the Floor, August 25th.  Day camp is held from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the East Providence Recreation Center, located at 610 Waterman Ave.  Kids Day Out Camp fee is $35 per child/per session. Register online at https://eastprovidence.recdesk.com . Space is limited.

For more information please call the Recreation Department at 401-435-7511

Reminder Townie Baseball Camp:
The 10th annual Townie Baseball Summer camp will take place from August 8th-12th (9am-12:30pm) on all 3 fields at the Pierce Complex. Ages 5-18 are welcome! Lunch is provided Tues-Friday thanks to Diane Sullivan and the Rec Department. 

“The EP Baseball family is alive and well and growing,” writes EPHS  head baseball coach Bobby Rodericks.  “Congratulations to the Rumford little league Ron Silva champions and all the other city little leaguers who placed well in all-star tournaments and regular league play.”  The Townie coach also provides athletic training at the ATC sports facility.  “A shout out also to both Junior & Senior Legion teams who have secured the #1 and #2 seeds for the state tourney this summer.  And hats off to Martin MS 7th grader and Rumford little leaguer Jamison Sydney who won the local Home Run Derby held at Pierce’s Rodericks Field and went on to win the regionals in Delaware and finished a strong 4th overall at the Nationals in Los Angeles!  My love and congratulations to my former Townie player Ben Sears on his MLB 14th round draft to Kansas City!”.

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