Wizards Baseball

As the summer moves toward the fall, the West Warwick Cal Ripken League, once again, had a solid year of baseball in league and all star play. In league play, the West Warwick PIC Athletics came out of the Loser’s Bracket to win their third consecutive Major Division Championship.

The Athletics, who posted a 17-0-1 record in winning the 2014 League Championship, finished with a final record of 17-3 while capping off an unprecedented “3-Peat” with a 7-4 win in the final game of the playoffs over the Hampton Inn & Suites Yankees. During league play this year, the Athletics, who won 54 overall games in three years, had their consecutive winning streak snapped at 39 games in a loss to the Eastern Division champions, the MED-FX Red Sox (12-2 in league play; 13-4 overall).

After losing All Stars, Robert Bird (2013), Efrain Calzada (2013), Kyle Kortick (2014), John Pina (2014) and Xavier Truss (2014) over the past two years, the Athletics had the unenviable task of defending their two-year reign as West Warwick Cal Ripken Major Division champions.

Led by the inspired play and leadership of their four 12 year olds (Ethan Case, Sam Corrado, Kyle DaSilva and Mason Provoyeur) the green and gold were able to win five consecutive games in a five-day period, finishing off their Athletic careers as three-time champions. The Athletics, who once again relied on solid pitching and defense, had one of the deepest batting orders in the league this past season.

As a pitching staff, the A’s may have had their highest team ERA (2.46) since 2012, but they posted a team WHIP of 1.50 by allowing just 58 hits and issuing 83 walks in 100 innings of work. In addition to that, they struck out 170 batters. Six of their pitchers made at least five appearances during the year. Three 11 year old pitchers combined to pitch over 34 innings. First, Liam Gravier (3-0) led the team with an ERA of 0.38. In 8 games pitched, he struck out 19 batters and allowed just one earned run in 15 2/3 innings. Second, Quinn Kortick, who was one of the league’s top catchers, also made 8 relief appearances. In 10 2/3 innings pitched, the righty struck out 15 batters and allowed just two earned runs for an ERA of 1.12. In addition, Michael Grenier who was playing in his first year of Major Division competition struck out 12 batters in 8 innings of work. As for the triad of 12 year old pitchers, they accounted for 12 of their 17 wins this year. Ethan Case (3-0) finished with an ERA of 0.46. In 7 games pitched, he struck out 16 batters and allowed just one earned run in 13 innings. Mason Provoyeur (3-1), who won two games in the playoffs, finished the season with 55 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings pitched. Lastly, Sam Corrado (6-1) was the A’s workhorse during the season with 50 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings.

Offensively, the A’s, who led the league with a team batting average of .361 (169/468 with 32 doubles, 8 triples, 8 home runs, 135 walks, 203 runs scored and a league-leading OBP of .561), had seven batters with a batting average of over .300. Leading the way were Mason Provoyeur (26/46 for a .565 batting average, 10 doubles, 5 home runs, 25 runs scored and 29 rbi’s), Sam Corrado (29/52 for a batting average of .558, 7 doubles, 1 triple 2 home runs, 30 runs scored and 26 rbi’s), Kyle DaSilva (23/47 for a batting average of .489, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 25 runs scored and 22 rbi’s), Liam Gravier (22/53 for a batting average of .415, 5 doubles, 1 triple, team-leading 20 walks, 30 runs scored and 16 rbi’s), Ethan Case (19/48 for a batting average of .396, 1 double, 1 inside the park home run, 16 runs scored and 14 rbi’s), Quinn Kortick (16/50 for a batting average of .320, 2 doubles, 3 triples, 16 walks, team-leading 10 stolen bases, 28 runs scored and 14 rbi’s), Ethan Chasse (13/42 for a batting average of .310, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 11 runs scored and 15 rbi’s), Mark Cesana (6 singles, 8 runs scored and 7 rbi’s), Michael Grenier (10 singles, 13 walks, 15 runs scored and 10 rbi’s), Brendan Griffiin (9 walks, 10 runs scored and 7 rbi’s) and Jesse Principe (7 walks, 5 runs scored and 4 rbi’s).

A recap of the 2015 Cal Ripken playoff follows:

Opening Round: Hampton Inn & Suites Yankees 4 Bill’s Pizza Rays 3

After falling behind 3-0, the Yankees came from behind to beat the upset-minded Rays, 4-3.

The Rays took a 3-0 lead when Devyn Glenn hit a two-run triple down the right field line with two out to score Billy Costello and Will Cornicelli.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Yankees cut the lead to one when AJ Hernandez (walk) and Guy Clarke (walk) scored on back to back rbi singles by Calvin Battersby and Justin Perez.

The Yankees tied the game in the fifth inning after Perez singled, moved to third on a throwing error and came home on a passed ball.

In the bottom of the sixth, Battersby hit a walk-off double to score Hernandez with the game winning run.

Picking up the victory was nine year old Logan Dean. In four innings of relief pitching, he struck out six and allowed two earned runs.

Offensively, the Yankees received hits from Perez (2/3 one run and 1 rbi), Ryan Shurtleff (1/2), Alex Titelis (1/3, 1 rbi) and Calvin Battersby (2/3, one double and 1 rbi).

The Rays received hits from Billy Costello (1/3, two runs) and Glenn (one triple and 3 rbi’s).

Will Cornicelli pitched well for the Rays. In the first three innings, he struck out seven batters and allowed just one earned run.

Winner’s Bracket Semi-Finals: MedFx Red Sox 5 PMC Lighting Orioles 1

After winning their opening round game against the Gordon Orthodontics Marlins, the PMC Lighting Orioles looked to pull the upset over the Eastern Division Champion Red Sox.

For the first four innings of the game, it looked as if the Orioles could pull it off as Kyle Rossignol and Corey Goldstein held them to one run on two hits.

The Red Sox, however, scored four runs on five hits the bottom of the fifth inning to break open the game. Providing the hits in the inning were Avery Bliss (lead-off double), Calien Howell (single), Nick Pedus (rbi single), Andrew Sears (rbi single), Chase Joubert (two-run single) and Cameron Hughes (triple).

The triad of Andrew Sears, Justin Firth and Chase Joubert combined to strike out nine batters in five innings for the Red Sox.

Offensively, the Red Sox received multiple hit games from Chase Joubert (2/3, 2 rbi’s), Cameron Hughes (2/3, one triple).

The Orioles received hits from Sean White, Tyler Grandchamp and Jason Anzivino.

Winner’s Bracket Semi-Finals: Hampton Inn & Suites Yankees 6 WW PIC Athletics 5

Led by the clutch hitting and solid relief pitching of Justin Perez, the Yankees pulled off their first upset of the playoffs with a 6-5 win over the favored Athletics, the reigning two-time champions.

Perez not only hit a bases-clearing triple with two outs in the top of the fourth inning, but limited the potent attack of the A’s to one run on two hits. In three innings of relief, he struck out six batters.

In the top of the first inning, the Yankees jumped out to a 3-0 lead with three hits (Calvin Battersby, Justin Perez and Logan Dean) and three walks (Guy Clarke, Rachel Gosselin and Alex Coutcher).

Down 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning, the A’s took a 4-3 lead on hits by Quinn Kortick and timely two-out, two-run single by Ethan Case.

In the top fourth inning, however, the Yankees rallied with two outs when they loaded the bases with two walks and error which set the stage for Justin Perez’s triple to the right-center gap.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the A’s staged a two-out rally when Sam Corrado doubled and Mason Provoyeur walked. Corrado, then, scored on Kyle DaSilva’s single to centerfield. Cavlin Battersby, though, made a perfect throw to catcher Alex Coutcher at the plate to get the last out to end the game.

Offensively, the A’s were led by Kyle DaSilva (2/3, one run and 2 rbi’s) and the Yankees were led by Perez (2/3, one triple and 3 rbi’s).

Winner’s Bracket Finals: Hampton Inn & Suites Yankees 9 MedFX Red Sox 5

After jumping out to a 7-3 lead in the first inning, the upstart Yankees continued their postseason magic with a surprising 9-5 victory over the Red Sox.

In the top of the first inning, the Yankees served noticed that they were a force to reckoned with when they scored seven runs on five walks and key hits by Calvin Battersby (lead-off single), Logan Dean (bases-clearing triple), Alex Coutcher (two-run double), Ryan Shurtleff (rbi single) and Justin Perez (rbi single).

In the bottom of the first inning, the Red Sox cut the lead on Cameron Hughes’ 225 foot three-run home run to left field.

Despite getting a nine strikeout performance in relief by Andrew Sears, the Red Sox could not overcome their first inning deficit. Yankee relievers, Guy Clark and Logan Dean, held the Red Sox to only two runs in the last five innings.

In fact, Dean struck out six batters in the last three innings of play. Offensively, the Yankees received multiple hits from Battersby (2/4, one run), Perez (2/3, one run, 1 rbi) and Alex Coutcher (2/3, one run and 2 rbi’s).

The Red Sox received two hits each from Sears and Hughes.

Loser’s Bracket Quarter-Finals: WW PIC Athletics 20 Gordon Orthodontics Marlins 1

After losing their first playoff game in three years, the Athletics, the two-time defending champion, defeated the Marlins, 20-1 in 3 ½ innings.

Offensively, the A’s received contributions from Liam Gravier (2/4, one double, two runs and 2 rbi’s), Quinn Kortick (3/3, one double, three runs and 2 rbi’s), Sam Corrado (1/2, one double, three runs, and 2 rbi’s), Mason Provoyeur (3/3, two doubles, three runs and 5 rbi’s), Kyle DaSilva (three runs scored), Ethan Chasse (one hit, two runs and 2 rbi’s), Mark Cesana (one run and 1 rbi), Ethan Case (2/2, one double, two runs and 1 rbi), Michael Grenier (1/3, one run and 2 rbi’s), Brendan Griffin (two rbi’s) and Jessie Principe (one run scored).

The trio of Liam Gravier, Ethan Case and Michael Grenier held the Marlins to one run on four hits while striking out four batters.

The Marlins received hits from Derek Petrarca, Ty Condon (2/3, one run) and Adam Marsh.

Loser’s Bracket Quarter-Finals: PMC Lighting Orioles 10 Bill’s Place Rays 3

Led by a nine-hit attack and the solid pitching of Corey Goldstein and Kyle Rossignol, the Orioles won their second game of the post season with a 10-3 win over the Rays.

Offensively, the Orioles were led by Cory Goldstein (two hits), Kyle Rossignol (two runs and 2 rbi’s) and Alex Johnson (2 rbi’s). The Rays were led by Antonio Petrarca’s two hits.

Loser’s Bracket Semi-Finals: WW PIC Athletics 12 PMC Lighting Orioles 1

Led by the solid pitching of 12 year old Ethan Case and a 12-hit attack in 3 ½ innings, the Athletics continued surging toward their third consecutive Major Division final.

Case, who threw 38 of 60 pitches for strikes, struck out three batters and allowed just one hit in four innings of work.

Offensively, The A’s received hits from Brendan Griffin, Ethan Case (3/3, one run), Kyle DaSilva (3/3, one double, two runs and 2 rbi’s), Mason Provoyeur (3/3, one home run, two doubles, three runs and 4 rbi’s), Sam Corrado (1/1, one triple, three runs and 2 rbi’s) and Liam Gravier (1/3).

The Orioles only hit of the game was a lead-off double by Kyle Rossignol in the top of the third inning.

Loser’s Bracket Finals: WW PIC Athletics 4 MedFx Red Sox 3

In a game which featured the two favorites to reach the final, the Athletics received an inspired effort from 12 year old Mason Provoyeur to eliminate the Red Sox from the playoffs, 4-3.

The burly left hander, who pitched all six innings, struck out 15 batters and allowed just two earned runs on two hits.

After Andrew Sears struck out the side to open the game, the Red Sox took an early 2-0 lead when Sears (walk) and Chase Joubert (single) scored on a single by Cameron Hughes and a bases loaded walk to Avery Bliss.

The Red Sox made it 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning when Sears walked, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on an errant throw.

In the top of the third inning, however, the A’s took the lead with four runs on two walks (Quinn Kortick and Michael Grenier) and hits by Liam Gravier (two-run double), Sam Corrado (single), Mason Provoyeur (rbi on a fielder’s choice) and Kyle DaSilva (rbi single).

After being staked to a 4-3 lead, Provoyeur struck out ten batters and kept the Red Sox hitless over the last four innings to secure a spot in the championship for the third year in a row.

The Red Sox, who finished first in the Eastern Division, had a received good pitching and hitting all year long. On the mound, they were led by 12 year old Andrew Sears. In 28 innings pitched, Sears (6-0) allowed just 8 earned runs (ERA of 1.71) while striking out 61 batters and posting a WHIP of 1.18. In addition, Chase Joubert (3-3) struck out 45 batters in 25 innings. Meanwhile, Justin Firth (3-4) posted an ERA of 0.93 by striking out 38 batters and allowing just 4 earned runs in 25 innings.

Offensively, the Red Sox finished the year with a team batting average of .296 (116/392 with 24 doubles, 7 triples, 3 home runs, 99 walks and 124 runs scored). They were led by Chase Joubert (22/41 for a batting average of .537, 3 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 23 runs and 20 rbi’s), Andrew Sears (17/37 for a batting average of .459, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 18 runs and 11 rbi’s), Cam Hughes (16/40 for a batting average of .400, 6 doubles, 6 triples, 2 home runs and 17 rbi’s), Justin Firth (14 hits, 11 runs and 12 rbi’s), Evan Firth (10 hits and 4 rbi’s), Austin Capobianco (10 hits and 20 runs), Nick Pedus (7 hits, 15 walks and 12 runs), Calian Howell (13 walks and 10 runs), Nick Petrangelo (6 hits, 11 walks and 6 runs), Avery Bliss (4 hits, 7 walks and 7 runs) and Cole Faneuf (3 hits, 8 walks and 2 runs).

WW Cal Ripken Championship Game One: WW PIC Athletics 15 Hampton Inn & Suites Yankees 3

Led by a nine hit attack and the solid pitching of 12 year old Sam Corrado, the Athletics forced the “if” game with a 15-3 victory in four innings.

In the top of the first inning, the Athletics were determined to force a deciding game to defend their title by sending 14 players to the plate and taking a 9-0 lead on five hits and seven walks. After Liam Gravier walked to lead off the game, he advanced to second on a Sam Corrado single and then, to third base on a walk issued to Mason Provoyeur. That set the stage for 12 year old Kyle DaSilva who belted a three-run triple to right-center field. Ethan Chasse followed with an rbi triple to the same place to score DaSilva.After back to back walks to Ethan Case and Quinn Kortick, Michael Grenier walked to force in the fifth run of the inning. After one out, Gravier hit a two run-double to centerfield and Mason Provoyeur hit a two-run single to give the A’s a commanding lead.

The Yankees rallied in the bottom of the first inning with two runs on hits by Calvin Battersby (single), Guy Clarke (rbi single) and Logan Dean (rbi double) before starting pitcher Sam Corrado settled in by striking out six batters and allowing no hits after the first inning.

The A’s got two runs back in the top of the second inning when Michael Grenier (single) and Jessie Principe (walk) scored on a Corrado rbi single to left and an errant throw. In the top of the fourth inning, the A’s built a 15-3 lead by scoring four runs on four walks, two errors and hits by Liam Gravier and Kyle DaSilva (two-run single).

Offensively, the rampaging green and gold were led by Gravier (2/3, one double, 3 runs and 2 rbi’s), Principe (two walks and 1 rbi), Corrado (2/2, two walks, one run and 1 rbi), Kortick (two walks and one run), Provoyeur (1/2, two walks, two runs and 2 rbi’s), Case (two walks and two runs), Chasse (rbi triple) and DaSilva (2/3, one triple, two runs and 5 rbi’s).

WW Cal Ripken Championship Game Two: WW PIC Athletics 7 Hampton Inn & Suites Yankees 4

After losing their first game of the playoffs, a determined group of Athletics won their fifth game in a row to capture their third consecutive WW Cal Ripken Major Division Championship (2013, 2014 & 2015) with a tough 7-4 win over the Yankees.

Lefty Mason Provoyeur provided the Athletics with one of the most memorable pitching performances in their three year run as champions.

In a complete game effort, Provoyeur dominated the Yankees line up with 17 strikeouts and allowed just two hits by Rachel Gosselin (2/3, one triple and 3 rbi’s).

After Provoyeur struck out the side to begin the game, the A’s wasted little time as they scored three runs on hits by Liam Gravier (lead-off double), Sam Corrado (rbi double), Kyle DaSilva (single) and Ethan Case (two-run single). In the bottom of the second inning, they increased their lead to 6-0 when Michael Grenier (single), Jesse Principe (fielder’s choice) and Sam Corrado (fielder’s choice) scored on a walk to Mason Provoyeur and a two-run single by Kyle DaSilva.

The Yankees scored a run in the top of the fourth inning when Justin Perez (walk) scored with two outs on their first hit of the game, an rbi triple to the left field fence by 12 year old Rachel Gosselin.

The A’s got the run back in the bottom half of the inning when Sam Corrado (triple) scored on a Mason Provoyeur opposite field single to right field.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Yankees fought back with three runs on two walks, an error and one hit. Guy Clark led off the inning with a walk, moved to second when Justin Perez reached on the only error of the game, advance to third when Alex Titelis walked to load the bases. Logan Dean then forced in Clark after walking and Gosselin continued her hot hitting with a two-run single to centerfield.

Provoyeur (32 strikeouts in two playoff games), however, regained his composure and struck out the next three batters to complete a remarkable “3-Peat” for the Athletics.

The Yankees (8-6 in league play; 11-8 overall), who are the clear favorites to win in 2016, had strong performances during the year. As a pitching staff, they received solid years from Guy Clark, Alex Coutcher, Justin Perez, Calvin Battersby, Alex Titelis and Logan Dean. The 12 year old duo of Clark and Coutcher combined to strike out 60 batters in 39 1/3 innings. 11 year old Justin Perez (3-2) finished the year with 31 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings pitched with a WHIP of 1.62. In addition to that, fellow 11 year olds Alex Titelis and Calvin Battersby combined to strike out 24 batters in 15 innings of work. Lastly, 9 year old Logan Dean had an impressive first year at the Major Division level with a team-leading WHIP of 1.52. In 25 innings of work, he struck out 44 batters and allowed just 12 runs on 16 hits for an ERA of 2.88.

Offensively, the Yankees were led by Perez (25/49 for a batting average of .510, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 12 runs and 11 rbi’s), Alex Titelis (19/40 for a batting average of .475, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 13 runs and a team-leading 23 rbi’s), Calvin Battersby (17/55 for a batting average of .309, 5 doubles, 14 runs and 7 rbi’s), Guy Clark (11 hits, 14 walks, 20 runs and 9 rbi’s), Ryan Shurtleff (seven hits, 8 runs and 5 rbi’s), Rachel Gosselin (6 hits, 6 runs and 3 rbi’s), Alex Coutcher (3 singles, 5 doubles, 10 runs and 9 rbi’s), Logan Dean (8 hits, 10 walks, 12 runs and 11 rbi’s) and Dante Faria (14 walks and 4 runs).