East Providence baseball defeats Cranston West 7-2.

Big Win Thursday. Sophomore Pitcher Richards Closes Game to Rest Pitching Staff

The Townies scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the second inning and went on to beat Cranston West 7-2 to advance in the state playoffs. Cranston West jumped on top in the first inning after a leadoff double, a ground out and an error brought in a run. A fly out to Center and a strikeout ended the inning.

The Townies struck back with two runs in their half of the first inning but missed a chance to break the game open early. A leadoff infield single by Gavin Palombo was followed by an RBI double by sophomore Aidan Martins plating Palombo. A Brian Rutkowski double then scored Martin. The Townies took the 2-1 lead but did leave the bases loaded.

EP pitcher Dylan Annicelli held off the Falcons and the Townie bats were active again in the second inning with five runs, extending the home team’s lead to 7-1. Kyle Desrosiers led off the inning by reaching base on an error. With one out Aidan Martins singled and reached second base on a throw while Desrosiers made it to third base. A Correiro ground ball scored Desrosiers as Martins made it to third base. Rutkowski singled sharply which scored Correiro and Martins. Next Oliver Andrews doubled scoring Rutkowski as the Townie hit parade continued. Colin Roche then doubled in Andrews and when the second inning dust settled, EP led 7-1. Rutkowski had three RBI on the game with a 2 for 3 day and also scored a run. Martins went 2 for 4 with an RBI and also scored a run. Colin Roche had a 2 for 3 day at the plate with an RBI. Roche, Martins, Andrews and Rutkowski all doubled in the game. Correiro had a triple. Ep had nine hits on the day.

EP mound ace Dylan Annicelli was his usual consistent self and threw just 71 pitches, giving up one hit and striking out six while walking one in four innings of work. With the difficulty of playoff game back-to-back scheduling, head coach Bobby Rodericks gambled by resting Annicelli after his four innings. “I knew I was taking a chance with removing Dylan and I could face criticism if it didn’t work,” said a relieved Rodericks after the game. The move did work and would allow Annicelli to come back on the mound sooner in the playoffs with adequate rest. Rodericks put his faith in sophomore pitcher Owen Richards. The sophomore rewarded his coach with three innings pitching, striking out three while walking none. "He was very accurate and showed a nice changeup and fastball when needed. Richards gave his teammates and fellow hurlers some much needed rest for games going forward,” said Rodericks with a nervous smile.

The Townies will play on Friday at Cumberland High School in a 4:15 pm game. EP needs the consecutive game win in order to move to the POD 2 championship series with top seed South Kingstown on June 1st. A loss and their season is over. The winner of that POD 2 will move on to the State Championship series.

The league has two PODS setup. POD 1 has North Kingstown, Hendricken and La Salle left in their playoff matchups. NK will take on the winner of the Hendricken-La Salle game on Friday 5/30. PODS 1 and 2 will meet in a state championship series at Rhode Island College starting on June 5th in a 4:30 pm game. The series is set for June 5th through June 9th at RIC, weather permitting.

The underdog Townies, back in Division 1, hope to play in that series at Rhode Island College.  Stay tuned.