PawSox make it Blackstone Valley interesting Alas, Syracuse responds to post a 6-5 victory PORTS page B4 STHE TIMES, Monday, April 8, 2019 — B1

2019 High School Baseball Preview

HARRISON BLAIS CEEJAY LAQUERRE Woonsocket, senior SS/P MSC, sophomore INF/P

File photos by Ernest A. Brown A year ago, Tolman’s Izaiah Rivera-Lopez shared co-MVP honors in Division II. Now a senior, Rivera-Lopez is expected to once again anchor the Tigers pitching staff and lineup. Capsules of each local squad can be found on pages B2 & B3. A series affair NICK CROTEAU RYAN LOCKWOOD Cumberland, senior 2B/P New wrinkle this season: Division Burrillville, senior 1B I & II teams will square off against same club in back-to-back games By BRENDAN McGAIR & JON BAKER | [email protected] & [email protected] t’s a back-to-back and a bel- Come playoff time in Major League “To be honest, I’m looking forward ly-to-belly. Baseball, series are either best-of-five to see how it plays out. Of course No, it’s not the 1950s musi- or best-of-seven. playing every team during the reg- I cal tune featuring The Charmer “Baseball is meant to be a series. ular season is helpful, but in terms with the Johnny McCleverty Calypso It’s not meant to be a matchup … my of a baseball series, it’ll be exciting Boys. Nor are we talking about John against your pitcher,” noted to play teams home and away,” said Sterling’s preferred choice of radio Lincoln High head coach Vin Zibelli. Cumberland High head coach Andy dialogue when two consecutive New “Let’s line up your guys and my guys Tuetken. “We’re going to get to know York Yankees hitters clout baseballs and see who’s the best.” those teams very well which could be that leave the ballpark. The art of familiarity awaits R.I.’s helpful down the line in the playoffs.” This has to do with the different Division I and II participants. The 18- Mount St. Charles head coach Paul scheduling flavor surrounding the R.I. game league schedule has been bro- Jacques added, “When it comes to interscholastic baseball scene. ken down into facing the same team in baseball, the series are more realistic.” From the pros straight down to back-to-back games within their cor- North Smithfield mentor Jon Leddy the college ranks, baseball is a game responding subdivision. It’s a home- stated, “This could lend itself to some that’s defined by series. Sometimes, and-away deal that for the most part rivalries that leads to some exciting TYLER McNULTY the series lasts for two games. Gen- has been well received by the local games.” IVAN ROSA Lincoln, senior 3B/OF erally, a series lasts three contests. hardball faction. See SERIES, page B2 St. Raphael, senior INF/P

Outdoor Track MLB Record-setting day for Novans’ Coles HOME SWEET FENWAY It was a tough season-opening trip, but the Red Sox return home on a winning note at K of C Relays By JACK MAGRUDER the at Dodger Stadium last Associated Press October, the fourth title for the Red Sox Lincoln’s Moison also sets school record in 15 years. PHOENIX — An awful opening trip "We know how good we are. We STAFF REPORTS omore Logan Coles, who ended with a win for the Boston Red know that we have to get better," man- set a new school record Sox. ager said. "We learned a lot PROVIDENCE — If in the hammer homered off Merrill on this road trip, and now it's over." the local results throw, his heave Kelly on the first pitch of the seventh Hector Velázquez, Brandon Work- from the 51st of 214 feet, 4 inning, and the World Series champions man, Marcus Walden (1-0), Matt edition of the inches good beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 on Barnes and Ryan Brasier combined on Knights of Co- enough to claim Sunday. a three-hitter and Boston's first shutout lumbus Relays Boston went 3-8 against Seattle, Photo by Louriann Mardo-Zayat / lmzartworks.com this season. The Red Sox entered with top honors at the Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless ninth are sort of indica- K of C relays, Oakland and Arizona, its worst start a 6.97 ERA, ahead of only the Chicago tion, it’s going to since losing nine of 11 to begin a 2011 inning Sunday as the Red Sox held on for White Sox at 7.87. held Saturday at a 1-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. be a very fruitful Conley Stadium. season that ended with a third-place fin- Walden, a 30-year-old right-hander outdoor track & Coles was one of ish in the AL East at 90-72. son after losing at least eight its first 11 who made his debut on April 1 last year, field season. Logan Coles four WHS throw- "It's always nice to win that last one," games was Tampa Bay, which finished got six outs for his first major league Leading the ers to place in the Moreland said. "Tough road trip for us, 91-71 in 2011. victory. Boston stopped a three-game charge was tough way to open the season." Boston hosts Toronto on Tuesday, its losing streak in the finale of the longest Woonsocket High soph- See RELAYS, page B7 The last team to reach the postsea- first game at Fenway Park since winning See RED SOX, page B7 B2 THE TIMES Sports Monday, April 8, 2019 2019 High School Baseball Preview Facing the same team in consecutive head coach Theo Murray. “You gather in- that Tolman and Mount St. Charles are games will place extra importance on team formation and a day later, you play them among the schools to watch in Division II. Series developing a dependable No. 2 starter. The again.” North Smithfield is the area’s lone squad Continued from page B1 pitcher who gets the nod in Game 2 will Stated Sorrentine, “Your No. 2 pitcher to switch divisions while Woonsocket Not everyone is gun-ho for this particu- also be equipped with knowledge of how has to be a solid guy.” seeks to make the playoffs once again. lar scheduling change. to attack the other side’s hitters thanks to For those wondering, the eight schools Those who missed out on the postseason “I don’t like back-to-back. It favors big- his Game 1 compatriot. that comprise Division III have been last year – St. Raphael, Burrillville, Davies ger schools. You want to pitch best guy Many coaches also like the idea of deal- grouped as a singular unit. Those teams Tech, Central Falls and Shea – hope to sing against the best team in both games,” said ing with half as many schools as last year will adhere to a 17-game league schedule. a different tune this time around. St. Raphael head coach Tom “Saar” Sor- … if scheduling conflict comes up, you As for what local fans can expect, Lin- In alphabetical order starting with Divi- rentine. “Now you can’t do that, but both can simply flip-flop games. coln and Cumberland should contend in sion I, here are thumbnail sketches of each teams are in the same boat.” “It’s like a mini-series,” said Tolman Division I while those in the know believe Blackstone Valley squad: DIVISION I CUMBERLAND looking to pick up where he left off. He dis- (8-0), defeated La Salle (15-2), lost to Hen- between the rotation and the bullpen this Head coach: Andy Tuetken played ace-like qualities down the stretch dricken (3-2) in double-elimination round. season. … Other of note will be 2018 league record: 11-7, tied for fourth last season. The younger Wright is com- Key returnees: Aaron DeSousa, se- Fish, Anter and Mayer. … One point that place in Division I mitted to play baseball at Army. “He car- nior, OF; Corey Mayer, senior, OF/P; Tyler second-year LHS skipper Zibelli empha- 2018 postseason results: Defeated Pil- ried us at times,” Tuetken said. … Others McNulty, senior, 3B/OF; Marty Gaughan, sized to all his pitchers during the offsea- grim (6-5), lost to Cranston East (1-0), de- in the mix for starting pitching assignments senior, OF; Randall Hien, junior, 3B/P; son was to attack right away. “We need to feated North Kingstown (5-4 in eight in- figure to be Croteau, Kirkpatrick, Berther- Cody Anter, junior, SS; Michael Salvatore, get strike one and strike two within at least nings), defeated Cranston East (6-5), lost to man and Nocera, who last year emerged as junior, OF; Giancarlo Ricci, junior, 2B; the first three pitches. There are no ex- South Kingstown (7-6) in Final Four. a key playoff bullpen contributor. … Ko- Aidan Murtha, junior, 1B; Alex Ferranti, ceptions. We don’t want to dance around. Key returnees: Nick Croteau, senior, pack is expected to be the leadoff hitter. In sophomore, 1B/P; Jack Bennett, sopho- So far the boys have done well.” … Anter 2B/P; Reuben Hancock, senior, C; Mason the No. 2 slot will be Croteau. … Whether more, 2B; Nick Toro, sophomore, C; Ju- will be the leadoff hitter. He had a four-hit Matos, senior, OF; Addison Kopack, senior, we’re taking defense or offense, Molis is as lian Horan, sophomore, OF/P; Danny Fish, game in last year’s playoffs against Cran- 1B/SS/P; Michael Nocera, senior, OF/P; solid as they come. … Matos is back in the sophomore, OF/P; Vaun Larisa, sophomore, ston West. “He’s not the loudest kid out C.J. Davock, senior, OF; Adam Bertherman, fold after missing his entire junior season SS/P; Nate Kelly, sophomore, OF/P. there, but he’s certainly is one of the most senior, OF/P; Evan Marcet, senior, INF; Joe with an ACL injury. … Davock is another Notable newcomers: Drew Halloran, focused,” Zibeli said. … Salvatore is back Molis, senior, 3B; Brendan Wright, junior, player who’s hoping for good health after freshman, INF; Preston Jafferian, freshman, after taking a year away from baseball. He 1B/P; Shane Calabro, junior, SS/3B; Tyler missing most of last season with injuries. C; Jake Foster, freshman, OF/P; Giuseppe was with the LHS program as a freshman Provost, junior, OF; Ben Fogell, junior, C; … The Clippers think very highly of fresh Lisi, freshman, C … Defensively at catcher, the sophomore Ryan Kirkpatrick, junior, P. faces Walsh and Lariviere. Both have the Outlook: Few teams in the state are an- Toro has been more comfortable whether Notable newcomers: Alec Lavallee, potential to emerge as valuable contributors chored by as productive a No. 3 and No. it’s blocking balls in the dirt or hustling sophomore, P/OF; Jackson Walsh, sopho- on the mound. 4 hitter combination as Lincoln is with down the line to back up throws at first more, P; Lucas Lariviere, sophomore, P. Coach’s take: “There’s nine seniors DeSousa and Gaughan. Both have been base. … Two of the newcomers, Lisi and Outlook: The 2018 Clippers finished just and I think getting to last year’s Final Four swinging productive sticks during the Jafferian, will vie for the backup catcher shy of reaching the championship round, meant a lot to them … getting that taste of preseason. “They’re great kids who love role. falling to the eventual title winners from a deep playoff run. It’s a good group,” Tu- the game,” Zibelli said. … Making sure Coach’s take: “Last year between the South Kingstown. Cumberland returns ev- etken said. “They’re certainly working hard that DeSousa and Gaughan aren’t pitched weather and trying to learn the program, it eryone except two players from last year’s to make another run, but it’s a long season around will fall on a group that features was such a learning curve for everybody. squad. … This will be Hancock’s third year and one we’re looking forward to. Definite- Toro and Murtha. “We’re not the biggest This year, it’s been 100 percent baseball as Cumberland’s starting catcher. He’s a ly exciting.” team in the world, but there’s a noticeable since Day 1,” Zibelli said. “Now we talk two-time all-division selection. “He’s just presence about them. They’re growing up.” about getting to that higher level. We’ve a leader and a hard worker,” Tuetken said. LINCOLN … Mayer was the starter and had so much fun teaching baseball and the … Between Croteau, Kopack, Marcet and Head coach: Vin Zibelli is expected to take over for the graduated kids have been so great, whether it’s get- Calabro, the Clippers should be very solid 2018 league record: 9-9, tied for sixth Dom Cunha as the Lions’ workhorse. … ting extra ground balls or extra swings. up the middle. … The younger brother of place in Division I Hien will figure prominently in the pitch- It’s been an absolute blast. The kids have current Bryant junior baseball star Chris 2018 postseason results: Lost to East ing plans. … After pitching in a relief ca- been incredible.” Wright, CHS junior Brendan Wright is Providence (1-0), defeated Cranston West pacity as a freshman, Horan will swing — Compiled by Brendan McGair DIVISION III CENTRAL FALLS shape because they’re capable of doing SHEA Head coach: Bill Volpe some really good things. At the very least Head coach: Dino Campopiano 2018 league record: 6-11, fifth place in we want to go .500 and hopefully make the 2018 league record: 4-14, sixth place in Division III playoffs. Then again, I always have high Division III 2018 postseason results: Did not qual- hopes for every time I coach – I look at it 2018 postseason results: Did not qual- ify. as the glass half full,” Volpe said. “If we ify. Key returnees: Calvin Almonte, senior, have any weaknesses, it would be that a Key returnees: Manny Ortiz, senior, co-captain, P/2B/3B; Omar Soto, senior, lot of these guys haven’t played a ton of P/C; Brandon Ribeiro, junior, P/SS/C; Ja- co-captain, SS/P; Geremy Hernandez, se- baseball, some maybe for just a brief time. cob Faria, junior, P/SS; Gio Delgado, se- nior, C; Starlyn Mercado, senior, 1B; Alex They’re athletes, but not necessarily ball- nior, CF; Jo-Ron Lewis, junior, OF; Jaleel Benzant, junior, P/OF; Luis Gonzalez, ju- players. Still, if they learn it from us and Duffin, senior, 3B. nior, 2B/OF; Denzel Diaz, junior, LF/RF. they like it, hopefully they’ll like it and Notable newcomers: Josh Mello, fresh- Notable newcomers: Levar Mathis, work harder.” man, 1B; Ian Montanez, freshman, 2B/P; sophomore, 3B/P; German Torres, junior, Greg Williams, senior, OF; Zach (“Jaws”) OF; Tyrique DaSilva, senior, CF; Jonathan DAVIES TECH Pereira, junior, OF. Acosta, senior, OF; Johnathan Valencia, se- Head coach: Justin Medeiros Outlook: Campopiano has only four nior, OF. 2018 league record: 1-17, eighth place starters coming back from a team that cap- Outlook: Volpe and coveted veteran as- in Division III tured only four wins a year ago, but he ex- sistant Mike Goodson have big plans for 2018 postseason results: Did not qual- pects his club to fare much better this time this group this spring. Because the duo ify. around. The reasons: He returns virtually didn’t have a ready catcher, Volpe asked Key returnees: Timothy Lach, junior, his entire starting rotation with Ortiz, Ri- around the group, and “Geremy said he SS; Nick Rossi, sophomore, CF; Joe Coel- beiro and Faria, and also two of his best hit- could do it. When we tried him there, he ho, sophomore, P/1B; David Marroquin, ters (Ribeiro, who hit over .375 last spring, was right.” … The Warriors’ backbone sophomore, 2B/RF; Dylan Ferreira, senior, and Faria) … He’s also loved the looks comes from experience at key positions, 3B/1B/P; Baboucarr Jarju, sophomore, of two new faces, among them Mello and most notably Almonte, Soto and Benzant RF; Temi Matanmi, junior, OF. Montanez. He indicated Mello has a “good on the hill; Benzant, Gonzalez and Diaz Notable newcomers: Nick Mercer. glove at first and swings the bat well,” in the outfield; and Mercado at first … As sophomore, P/3B; Jase Deanseris, fresh- while Montanez has surprising experience for key additions, Volpe is excited about man, P/2B; David Laquale, freshman, C/ for a ninth-grader … “Ian’s a really good first-year player DaSilva, who will bide his OF; Robby Sparbello, freshman, LF/SS; File photo by Ernest A. Brown ballplayer, a kid who’s baseball smart. He’s time representing the outdoor track team as Evan Parsons, sophomore, SS/3B; Chris Timothy Lach will once again patrol shortstop savvy, with a good fastball, but he’s got to well. “He’s an outstanding sprinter; that’s Kordalewski, freshman, 2B. for Davies Tech. work on his breaking stuff.” his passion, but he’s quick and knows how Outlook: Medeiros received some good Coach’s take: “This is a good group, one to hit. He knows the whole game,” he said news in the offseason when he discovered back there ever since, blocking the plate that over the last couple of years has worked … He indicated Torres “comes every day Mercer, whom he calls “a strong and big- and throwing BBs to second.” extremely hard to improve, and I haven’t ready to play” and is “a really hard worker” ger kid who’s powerful at the plate and Coach’s take: “I believe we have a seen anything different this year. I believe … Another newcomer is Acosta, a starting a solid pitcher,” had transferred in from good, young corps of kids, and it will last their hard work and dedication will pay lineman for the D-III state champion grid the Cape. He also has liked the looks of for years to come. I can see that we have dividends this season. Our goal is to earn squad. He’s a big kid, but one Volpe terms a couple of frosh, including Deanseris (“a kids who really want to play the game – a spot in the playoffs, (as) it’s been a while “pretty agile” … He has, perhaps, his high- good pitcher who’s got a knuckleball and and actually CAN play. Now we just want since we’ve done that,” Campopiano said. est hopes for righty starter and third base- is a vacuum at second base”) and Laquale. to coach them up, develop them to where “Our strength is definitely our pitching. man Mathis, who he says has outstanding As for the latter, he stated, “Right from the they all can be. We’re already better than We’ve got three guys with experience on baseball skills and great hands. get-go, he told me he played in the Lincoln we were last year, so I’m definitely excited the mound, and all throw the ball very well. Coach’s take: “I’d say pitching and Little League, which is obviously a fantas- to see how we improve,” Medeiros said. Still, if we have a weakness, right now it’s speed on the basepaths should be out tic program, and said, ‘Coach, where ever “Right now, we’re making good contact at our hitting. It’s still early, but I think we’ll strengths, but everything else we’re going you need me to play, I’ll do it!’ I loved the plate, and we’re strong up the middle get better as time goes on. I also believe this to have to work at, so it’s good I have the the kid’s initiative. I told him I needed a (defensively). If we’re weak anywhere, it’s will be one of our better defensive teams right man for the job – Coach Goodson. catcher, and he never had played the po- probably just inexperience, but we should with the addition of the two freshmen.” He and I are going to whip these guys into sition before, but he’s been outstanding be able to solve that problem with time.” — Compiled by Jon Baker

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE MONDAY 6 p.m. Scituate at Lincoln at Cumberland; Scituate, Smithfield, Woonsock- Lacrosse BOYS 7 p.m. Narragansett at North Smithfield et at Ponaganset; Shea, St. Raphael, Tolman at 4:15 p.m. Cumberland at Lincoln School Baseball Volleyball Portsmouth 5 p.m. East Providence at North Smithfield 4 p.m. Portsmouth at Lincoln 6 p.m. Mount Pleasant at Lincoln GIRLS Outdoor Track Lacrosse 6:30 p.m. Tolman at North Smithfield; Woon- Softball 4 p.m. North Providence, Johnston, Burrillville 3:30 p.m. East Providence at Burrillville socket at West Warwick 4 p.m. Tolman at Woonsocket; Central at Shea; at Cumberland; Scituate, Smithfield, Woonsock- 4 p.m. Mount St. Charles at St. Raphael/PCD Outdoor Track North Providence at Mount St. Charles et at Ponaganset; Shea, St. Raphael, Tolman at Co-op 4 p.m. North Providence, Johnston, Burrillville 4:30 p.m. St. Raphael at Scituate Portsmouth

BLACKSTONE VALLEY MEMORIES 1965 Tilo Margarita, coach for the Pawtucket West base- 1975 Ernie Brousseau, Pawtucket West baseball coach, April 8 ball team, has a strong pitching corps and battery is effusive over shortstop Steve Galuska who bat- starting with knuckleball expert John (Red) Macomber along ted .483, stole 17 bases and clouted a couple of home runs in 1955 Pawtucket West baseball coach Bill Rutledge is with No. 2 hurler Joe Cantone and dependable John Jeannotte his spectacular sophomore season. The remaining infield has counting on Eddie McCormick to be the ace of his donning the mask behind the plate. With two-year shortstop Steve Panners are first, Bob Stewart at second and Al Klap- pitching corps with Bill Bartoli, Edgar Matthew and Lar- Fred Stewart presently scholastically ineligible, the infield has man at third base, while Keith Jackson, Pete McNaught and ry Groff available for mound duty, while sophomore Robert husky Bob Stewart at first, sophomore Marty Lightbown at Keith Noel will start in the outfield. Ron Goode is the ace of McGraw appears to have the edge over Brian Hanndrigan to second, sophomore Fred Duffy at short and big, husky Carlo the pitching staff with Glenn Ginish, Jim Bigos, Dave He- receive the slants of McCormick. Tommy Egan, a lefthander, Parillo at third. The Rangers’ flychasers, from left to right, are mond, Pat Farrell, Panners and Jackson all vying to see action is slated for first base, Bill McKechnie gets the nod at sec- Joe Bagaglia, Armando Rao and Cantone. on the mound. Pete Slowinski will handle the catching chores. ond and veteran Bob Jakeman has sewed up short, while Tony April 9 Lembo and Bob Rainville are battling for the hot corner slot. — By BILL MULHOLLAND Alex Roberts and Nick Caspoli will start in the outfield, with Dick Newberry, Frank McRoberts, Forest St. Pierre, Jack Jol- ly and Bill Blais also seeing action.