SPORTS UPDATE

EPHS Football – Q Final on November 8^th @ EP
The Townie football team defeated Tolman 34-0 at Townie Stadium in a Saturday morning November 2nd regular season finale.  The senior day game featured an impressive shutout win, albeit against a team with just two wins this season.  East Providence at 5-3 earned a quarterfinal playoff game at home against Lincoln on Friday, November 8th at 6 PM.  South Kingstown is the team to beat with their 7-1 record.  The Townies are the 4th seed although a three-way tie in 2nd place with 5-3 records.  I was a season of feast or famine for EP. The Townies shut out their opponents in all five wins by a collective 184 points.  In the three losses, EP scored 28 points while allowing 91. 

East Providence Junior quarterback Jacob Duarte continues to impress fans and coaches while leading his Townies to a D2 playoff game.  In a “military appreciation” game last month against always tough Coventry, Duarte and the Townies shutout the Oakers 31-0.  It was the Townies 2nd shutout win in consecutive weeks.  Duarte passed well and ran for two touchdowns.  Jacob Duarte scored two touchdowns as the East Providence football team dominated Coventry 31-0. Darius Davis (fumble recovery) and Lucas Santa Cruz also scored for EP while kicker Justin Jardine added a field goal of 31 yards and kicked 4 point after touchdowns.

The Townies wore military appreciation uniforms and before the Coventry game as Clarence ‘Junior’ Butler, a Vietnam veteran and community volunteer on several fronts, was honored.  Butler is involved with the Friends of Townies Athletics booster group and EP Heritage Arts.     

A Thanksgiving Day clash between the Townies and La Salle will be played at East Providence at 10:30 AM.  The game is a non-league game.

Regular Season Division II Football Rankings & Records:
1^st South Kingstown 7-1, 2nd Westerly 5-3, 3rd West Warwick 5-3, 4^th East Providence 5-3, 5^th Lincoln 5-2, 6th Woonsocket 4-4, 7^th Moses Brown 4-4, 8^th Middletown 4-4, 9^th Shea 2-6, 10^th Tolman 2-6, 11th Coventry 2-6 and 12th Mt. Pleasant 0-8.

EPHS Girls Volleyball – Playoff Bound
Townie girls volleyball is rolling along at 14-4 since moving up to Division 1 play. The Townies have impressed everyone in their return to Division 1 play this season.  The Townies defending 2023 D2 champions defeated South Kingstown in a quarterfinal match held on November 1st at EPHS.  The Townies beat SK three games to one with scores of 18-23, 25-13, 25-22 and 25-18.  The win propelled 3-seed East Providence to a semi-final match against 2-seed Portsmouth at 7 PM at Rhode Island College on November 5th.  The winner will play the winner of the 5 PM match between top seed North Kingstown and 4-seed La Salle, for the State Championship on November 9th at 2 PM.  All finals are played at Rhode Island College.  East Providence known for large fan participation hope to fill RIC for the playoffs.    

The team never quits as shown in a come from behind win against East Greenwich.  Down two sets in that earlier match at East Greenwich, EP fought back to win in 5 sets.  Keira Mullen had 21 kills, 16 assists, 8 digs, 6 blocks and 2 aces to lead the Townies come from behind victory.  Ellie Vest also excelled with 15 kills, 9 digs and 2 aces for EP in that match.  

The JV Girls Volleyball team lost in the Semi Finals of the D1 JV States.  Congrats to Aubrey Bernard for being selected to the All-Tournament team.   

EPHS Boys & Girls Cross Country
The boys cross country varsity team finished in the top ten at the Class A championship. The following team members ran personal bests during the race: Deacon McShane, Ben Sousa, Gus Belanger, and Daniel Lukusa. Congratulations to Will Anthony who qualified for the Rhode Island State Championships at Ponaganset High School.

Congratulations to the girls varsity cross country team for their impressive performance at the Class A Championship, where they placed in the top 10! Scoring for the team were Katie Patalano, Mel Sotomayer, Sadie Gagnon, Abby Beatrice, and Sophie Olive. A special shoutout goes to Sophie and Mel for achieving personal records this season. Also highlighted is Katie Patalano for qualifying for the State Championship to be held at Ponaganset.

AD Alex Butler sends congratulations to Sean Black and Ethan Mendonca for their performance at the Freshman Boys Cross Country State Championship meet.  “Sean medaled and was the first finisher from the Metropolitan Division. Ethan was the fifth finisher from the Metropolitan Division. Both  ran personal best times for a 4K race.

Aneska Ambroz, Sophie Olive, and Maggie Thomson represented our girls' cross country team at the Girls Freshman State Meet! Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have truly shone through this season as they finished strong for the team,” said Butler.

EPHS Girls Soccer & Tennis
The Townie girls soccer team finished with a 7-5-5 record as they lost their first round playoff game to Toll Gate High.  The Townies have wins over West Warwick twice, PCD, Middletown (twice), North Smithfield and Tollgate. 

Also the girls tennis team lost to Lincoln School in the D2 quarterfinals. The team finished a great first year in moving up to Division 2. “We learned a lot in our move up a division,” said head coach Slade Sharma.  “I think it has prepared us well for next season and beyond.”  EP finished the year at 10-6.

EPHS Baseball Repeats as Fall Ball Champs 
East Providence High School Baseball team players have been readying for their upcoming move to Division 1 play.  Players have been competing in various summer travel leagues, American Legion ball and currently in a Massachusetts Fall ball high school tournament. This group of Townies is coached by Brian Rutkowski and Chris Martins and is sponsored by ATC, a sports training facility operated by Townie head baseball coach, Bobby Rodericks. “We’ve done well as out team finished undefeated at 8-0 to take this tournament for two years in a row,” said Martins after the title win in a 2-0 shutout against Attleboro on November 2^nd.  “Our team has scored 80 runs while only allowing 9 through all 8 games of the season.”

The strengths of the team have been pitching, defense and base running. “During fall we don't see the best pitching, but ours has been at a high level. The focus on batting has shown quality at bats, bunting, plus executing hit and runs. This group is playing well together in a total team effort.  They’ve done a great job so far,” said both coaches Martin and Rutkowski.

Dylan Annicelli started the game for the Townies and struck out 11 batters on the day. The lanky Townie pitcher allowed just two hits and no runs in six innings.  He showed an impressive fast ball which stymied Attleboro hitters for 6 innings.  Kyle Desrosiers pitched the final inning in relief and allowed no hits or walks and had a strikeout.  CJ Smith and Oliver Andrews had two hits each and Max Correira and Brian Rutkowski had the Townie RBI’s.  EP played a strong defense with no errors.

“It was Pleasure coaching these young men in the 2024 Fall Ball season. Everyone gave a great effort and it showed as we remained undefeated to win the title in consecutive years,” said Chris Martins.  “Teamwork was definitely evident with these guys,” added Rutkowski.

Townie head baseball coach Rodericks was happy at the fall ball win. “'I’m glad a good core group of the Townies baseball program got to play together this fall once again.  Legendary Seekonk coach Joe DeMelo invited us last year after we both won respective state titles in 2023.  It was definitely a good change to play all teams from Mass. and great to see the boys win back-to-back fall seasons,” said the Townie coach.  Rodericks was at the title game but sat beyond the outfield fence, watching the game as a spectator.  “I’m very appreciative to Chris Martins and Brian Rutkowski for coaching the boys not only this fall but since they started playing baseball.  A great team effort by all.”

Here are some prior game summaries during the Townies undefeated Fall Tournament:

The Townies defeated Samurai Academy 12-2, Seekonk 9-4, Mansfield 6-0, Sharon, 11-1, Norton 23-2, Attleboro 10-0 and Samurai Academy 7-0.  Some of the Fall highlights:

• In an early game against Samurai, EP turned a 1^st inning 1-0 deficit by scoring six 3^rd inning runs on two hits to take the lead, 6-1. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Brian Rutkowski that drove in two. EP flipped the game on its head in the top of the third, scoring six runs on two hits to take the lead, 6-1. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Brian Rutkowski that drove in two. Dylan Annicelli stepped on the mound first for EP Townies 2024. The righty surrendered zero hits and one run over three and two-thirds innings, striking out eight and walking two. Owen Richardson pitched two innings of no-run ball for EP in relief. The reliever allowed zero hits, striking out two and walking none. Brian Rutkowski provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led EP with three runs batted in. The Townie catcher went 2-for-3 on the day.
• In the 9-4 win over Seekonk, EP scored early when Brian Rutkowski drew a walk, scoring one run, and Max Correira singled, scoring two runs. EP scored five runs on two hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. An error scored one run, JJ Renaud drew a walk and scored one run, and Ben Hallene doubled, scoring three runs.  Dylan Annicelli pitched first for EP giving up two hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out two and walking two. Timmy Robitaile pitched four innings in relief striking out 7. Lefty Hallene, the number eight hitter for EP, led the way with three runs batted in. The first baseman went 1-for-2 on the day. Oliver Andrews went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead EP in hits. EP ran wild on the base paths, collecting six stolen bases for the game. The Townies were sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error.
• In the 7-0 win over Samurai, EP had two pitchers combining to throw the shutout. Kyle Desrosiers and Ben Hallene each pitched well for EP. The Townies scored four runs in the fifth inning. Desrosiers started for EP and allowed one hit and zero runs over four innings, striking out seven and walking one. Hallene pitched five innings in relief, giving up three hits and zero runs while striking out 12 and walking just two. Jamison Sydney and Max Correira each drove in one run for EP and JJ Renaud led the Townies with two key hits. Oliver Andrews and Brian Rutkowski each stole multiple bases for EP as the team had 10 stolen bases for the game.

Roster: Players (in order of jersey numbers): JJ Renaud, Chris Charbonneau, Gavin Palumbo, Owen Richardson, Nolan Lorenz, CJ Smith, Ben Hallene, Brian Rutkowski, Max Correira, Aidan Martins, Kyle Desrosiers, Jamison Sydney, Oliver Andrews, Dylan Annicelli, Timmy Robitaile. Brian Rutkowski, Chris Martins Coaches.

(This article included updates as provided by GameChanger Media, Inc. along with ReporterToday coverage)

East Providence Jr. Townies
The East Providence Jr Townies enjoyed another action-packed football season as they hopefully prepare young athletes for high school play.  As of this writing the Jr. Townie groups are heading into play for the Superbowl in early November.  In earlier action the flag squad set the tone with a dominant display, conceding no ground to their opponent. The 8U team's highly emotional game against the Braves ended in defeat, but they remain in playoff contention. The rest of the Townie teams fared better. The 9U team achieved their first win, a moment of great emotion. The 10U team bounced back from a loss, and the 11U team extended their winning streak to three games, enhancing their playoff prospects. The 12U Townies preserved their perfect record against the Cardinals, their Super Bowl foes for the past two years, with a second-half comeback. The Cardinals always push them to their limits. Expect more excitement as the season comes to a close with Superbowl action.

East Providence’s Paige Messier
The Patriot League announced the hiring of Paige Messier as the League’s Multimedia Journalist. Messier joins the League office staff after work at WPRI-TV in Providence, R.I., and the Atlantic 10 Conference.  Messier will serve as the Patriot League’s primary on-camera host and produce video stories featuring student-athletes, coaches and programs within the League’s membership. She will also be a regular contributor on the League’s social media platforms and a correspondent at select League championship events.

“Paige is a creative storyteller and a rising talent, and we are excited for her to join our staff,” Patriot League Commissioner Jennifer Heppel said. “Her creativity and knowledge of digital media will help continue the League’s strong tradition of presenting the stories and accomplishments of our student-athletes and programs to a national audience.”

“I’m thrilled to join the Patriot League team,” Messier said. “This role is a perfect blend of my passion for sports and my love for storytelling. I can't wait to shine a spotlight on the incredible journeys of our student-athletes and celebrate the League’s rich traditions.”

Before joining the Patriot League staff, Messier worked as a digital video producer, reporter and assignment desk editor at WPRI-TV in Providence, R.I. There, she was the lead digital reporter for all of the video content on WPRI.com and assisted with the station’s social media platforms.

In addition to her work in media, Messier finished as the second runner-up for the 2024 Miss Rhode Island USA, where she represented women working in sports and women’s empowerment. She has also built her own social media brand, “The Sports Paige,” where she has covered New England sports from high school to professional while developing feature stories on athletes.  An East Providence, R.I. native, Messier graduated from EPHS and the University of Rhode Island’s Harrington School of Communication and Media with her Bachelor of Arts degrees in sports media and communications.