Historic Townie Season Cut Short with loss Saturday

"I am very proud of my coaches and players for the success we had on the field, but what was really special to see is how the community got behind us." - Coach Bobby Rodericks

East Providence High baseball made a good run toward a D1 title after being in D2 for several years. The Townies won two D2 championships before being elevated back to D1 play. But with a barrage of runs scored in the sixth inning, the Bishop Hendricken Hawks shot down the hopes of the upstart East Providence Townies in a 17-2 drubbing at Rhode Island College Saturday afternoon. The number one ranked Hawks bested the number three ranked Townies in two straight games to take the D1 baseball state championship. Hendricken opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles. They scored early when Dylan Poloski singled, scoring one run. The Hawks added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Parker Boyd tripled to center field, and continued to score. A solo home run to left field in the top of the fourth added to the Townies woes. They then scored 10 runs on eight hits in the top of the sixth inning. Parker Boyd singled, scoring one run, Edgar Rodriquez doubled, scoring two runs, Ryan Pierce doubled, scoring two runs, Yadier Blanco singled, scoring two runs, Jude Monti singled, scoring one run, Cullen Crain singled, scoring one run, and Dylan Poloski singled, scoring one run.

Sophomore pitcher JJ Renaud started for East Providence but although striking out seven, he couldn’t hold back the Hawks offense on the day. Kyle Desrosiers came in to pitch and the Hawks continued their hitting attack.

Max Correiro, Aidan Martins, Jayden Healey, Alex Enright, and Max Pawlik each had one hit for East Providence. Gavin Palombo and Max Pawlik each drove in one run accounting for the late scoring for East Providence.

In a statement after the game, head coach Bobby Rodericks although disappointed, said: “On behalf of the EPHS Baseball program we want to thank everyone for their support this season. I am very proud of my coaches and players for the success we had on the field, but what was really special to see is how the community got behind us. What I’m proud of most is how the players genuinely know and feel what Townie Pride is and I’m confident they will carry that with them for the rest of their lives. Once a Townie always a Townie. It was an honor to be a part of arguably the best baseball team in school history.”

East Providence has a young team and will graduate four seniors, Gavin Palombo, Jayden Healey, Kyle Desrosiers and Ben “Lefty” Hallene. “We’ll be back next year,” said Rodericks.