Wizards Baseball

As they have done for the past decade, the West Warwick Connie Mack team, which received sponsorship from SDS Disposal, Universal Auto Inc., and Ropal Realty this season, features a roster that blends present and future Wizards to former high school players who mentor their younger teammates during the summer. This 2017 roster ranges from players ages 14-19.

This list includes former players Travis Caddick (2017 RIBCA All-Division Selection), Pacer Carpenter, Matt Grenier (2016 Providence Journal All-State Selection) and Matt Hopper (WWCM’s pitcher of the year last summer). In addition, three players from the class of 2018 are playing: Andrew D’Ambrosca, Nick Pecchia and Jarred Rossignol. Underclassmen playing this summer are Chase Joubert, Kyle Kortick, Mason Provoyeur, Alex Pedus and Andrew Sears. Rounding out the summer roster are three incoming freshmen who played for Deering Middle School: Will Cornicelli, Sammy Corrado and Kyle DaSilva.

As the season reaches the halfway point, West Warwick, which captured first place in 2015 and finished runner-up to Slocum Baseball in 2016, finds themselves in a deadlock with several teams for the top position in the Cooney Division. After playing several crossover games with teams from the Dickerman and Holloway Division, the Orange and Black are presently tied with Westerly and Narragansett with a record of 4-4. They are followed by Chariho (3-3), East Greenwich (3-5) and Slocum (2-6). With any timely hitting in two of their crossover games, West Warwick could be 6-2, however, they left 20 runners on base in losses to Coventry and Cranston.

A recap of the first half of the season follows:

Game One: Narragansett 8 West Warwick 1

Led by the solid pitching of Harrison Loud, Phillip Ruhle and the opportunistic offense of the Lions, Narragansett defeated West Warwick, 8-1, in a nine-inning season opener.

After surrounding one run in the first inning, Loud, an incoming junior at South Kingstown High School, scattered two hits over the next five innings. Ruhle, another incoming junior for SKHS, was equally impressive, allowing just three hits over the last three innings of the nine-inning game.

Narragansett received all the runs they would need when they scored four unearned runs on one error, one walk, one hit batsman and one single with two outs in the second inning.

West Warwick received solid middle relief pitching from Andrew D'Ambrosca, who allowed just one earned run on three scattered hits in three innings.

Recording hits for WWCM were Kyle Kortick (2/3), Nick Pecchia (1/4, one run scored), D’Ambrosca (1/4, one stolen base), Matt Grenier (1/3), Travis Caddick (1/3) and Pacer Carpenter (1/3).

Game Two: West Warwick 3 East Greenwich 2

In an old fashion wooden-bat game dictated by the stellar left-handed pitching of Mason Provoyeur and Max Moss, West Warwick edged East Greenwich, 3-2.

Provoyeur, who will be entering his sophomore year at WWHS, struck out eight batters and allowed just two runs on two hits in four innings of work. Moss, a former graduate of EGHS, struck out five batters and allowed just three runs on three hits in six innings of work.

In the top of the second inning, EG took a 1-0 lead when Meran Topalian scored on a bases loaded walk to Max Morton. East Greenwich upped their lead to 2-0 in the top of the third inning when Corey Gavin (walk) scored on a two-out single to centerfield by Russ Carmangno.

West Warwick took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when they scored three runs on three hits (Matt Grenier, Matt Hopper and Pacer Carpenter) and one error.

For West Warwick, Matt Hopper pitched two innings of hitless ball before Matt Grenier picked up the save in the seventh inning by inducing two groundouts and one strikeout.

Game Three: Chariho 6 West Warwick 5

In an opportunistic game, Chariho, whose roster features several players from their Division II Regular Season Champions, held off a late-game rally by West Warwick for a 6-5 win. In the bottom of the first inning, Chariho jumped out to a 3-0 lead on three hits from AJ DeAngelis, Mason Lamont (2017 RIBCA All-Division selection) and two walks.

West Warwick, however, cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the third inning with two runs on three hits (Chase Joubert, Nick Pecchia and Matt Grenier) and a rbi groundout by Jarred Rossignol.

Down 6-3 in the top of the seventh inning, West Warwick rallied to score two runs before leaving two runners on to end the game. Kyle Kortick singled to lead off the inning. After Matt Grenier reached on a fielder’s choice, he stole second and scored on Travis Caddick’s single to centerfield. Caddick, then, stole second base, moved to third on a fielder’s choice and scored when Pacer Carpenter’s grounder to shortstop was misplayed. With runners at first and second, reliever Sean Sposato (2017 RIBCA All-Division selection) was able to force a fly out to right field to secure the victory.

Derek Shea, this year’s Division II-South Regional MVP, picked up the victory by striking out three batters and allowing just two earned runs on six hits in four innings of work.

Lefties Alex Pedus and Andrew Sears pitched scoreless ball the final three innings of the game for West Warwick.

Offensively, West Warwick was led by Nick Pecchia (1/4, one run scored and one stolen base), Kyle Kortick (1/2), Matt Grenier (2/3, one run scored and two stolen bases), Travis Caddick (1/3, one run scored, one stolen base and one rbi), Pacer Carpenter (1/3, one run scored, two stolen bases and one rbi), Andrew Sears (1/2) and Chase Joubert (1/2, one run scored).

Game Four: Coventry 8 West Warwick 7

Despite receiving four free passes, one hit batsmen and recording nine hits, West Warwick left ten runners on base in an 8-7 loss to Coventry.

Coventry, which entered the game with only six runs scored in five games, scored eight runs on eight hits and seven walks for their first victory of the year.

Trailing 6-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning, West Warwick clawed its way back with three runs on two hits (Jarred Rossignol and Andrew Sears), two walks and a rbi fielder’s choice by Nick Pecchia.

Holding a one-run lead in the top of the sixth inning, Coventry took an 8-5 lead when they scored two runs on three hits and two walks.

Offensively, WWCM received contributions from Kyle DaSilva (one rbi), Andrew Sears (rbi single), Alex Pedus (one single), Jarred Rossignol (one single and one run scored), Kyle Kortick (2/3, one run scored and one walk), Pacer Carpenter (one double and one run scored), Travis Caddick (one single and two runs scored) and Matt Grenier (one single).

Game Five: West Warwick 3 Flood Ford Auto 2

Led by the hitting of Matt Grenier (2/3, one double, one triple and two runs scored) and the solid pitching of the triad of Andrew D'Ambrosca, Alex Pedus and Mason Provoyeur, West Warwick edged Flood Ford Auto, 3-2.

In the top of the first inning, Matt Grenier took the first pitch of the game and lined it down the right field line for a lead-off triple. One out later, Travis Caddick drove him in with a rbi single to right-center. Flood Ford tied it in the bottom of the first inning when Guindon reached on an infield hit, stole two bases and scored on a single by Manny Urbaez.

In the top of the third inning, WWCM built a 3-1 lead on hits from Grenier (lead-off double), Caddick, Andrew D'Ambrosca (rbi single) and Mason Provoyeur (rbi single).

After Flood Ford cut the lead to 3-2 after five innings, Mason Provoyeur picked up a six-out save by striking out two batters, inducing to groundball outs and two pop-ups.

D'Ambrosca picked up the win striking out three batters and allowing one run in three innings of work. Alex Pedus, who threw 21 of 30 pitches for strikes, allowed one run on three hits in two innings of middle relief.

Game Six: Cranston Dirtdogs 5 West Warwick 3

Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cranston Dirtdogs took advantage of two errors, one walk, and one hit batsmen to opportunistically come from behind for a 5-3 victory over West Warwick.

After Cranston scored an unearned run in the first inning, West Warwick tied it in the top of the third inning when Matt Grenier led off with a single, stole second base, moved to third on a fielder's choice and scored on a sacrifice fly by Travis Caddick.

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning, West Warwick scored two unearned runs on four hits (Nick Pecchia, Mason Provoyeur, Andrew Sears and Matt Grenier) and two errors to forge ahead 3-2.

For West Warwick, Alex Pedus started and pitched three quality innings, allowing no earned runs on two singles while striking out three.

Offensively, West Warwick which out hit Cranston, 10-5, left ten runners stranded. Recording hits were Matt Grenier (2/3, one run scored and two stolen bases), Kyle Kortick (1/3, one rbi), Travis Caddick (1/3, one rbi), Pacer Carpenter (1/4), Nick Pecchia (1/2, one run scored), Mason Provoyeur (2/3), Andrew Sears (1/2, one run scored) and Chase Joubert (1/2).

Game Seven: West Warwick 5 Tiverton 2

Led by the solid pitching of Matt Hopper, Alex Pedus and Mason Provoyeur, West Warwick held off Tiverton for a 5-2 win in a nine-inning game.

Hopper, who pitched six innings, had his no-hit bid end in the top of the seventh inning when Garrett Nolan (2/4, two runs scored) belted a triple to the fence. After Nolan scored on a single by Zach Green (2/4, two rbi’s),

Alex Pedus, continued his ever-improving pitching, by striking out two batters in two innings of work. Out of 40 pitches thrown, he threw 29 strikes. Mason Provoyeur entered the game with no out and the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning.

After giving up a run on a fielder's choice, the burly left-hander struck out the final two batters to pick up his second save of the year.

Offensively, West Warwick was led by Travis Caddick (3/4, one triple, one run scored and one rbi), Matt Hopper (2/3, two rbi's), Kyle DaSilva (1/3, one run scored), Pacer Carpenter (1/3, one rbi) and Nick Pecchia (1/4).

Game Eight: West Warwick 2 East Providence 0

Led by superb defensive played their infielders and solid pitching, West Warwick traveled to Providence Country Day and defeated East Providence (6-5), 2-0.

Defensively, the West Warwick infield did not commit an error and recorded eleven putouts to back up a strong effort from Matt Grenier.

Grenier, who has been strictly used as a reliever this summer, went the distance, striking out ten and allowing just two singles.

East Providence’s Will Musto went the distance for the Knights, allowing just one earned run on seven hits.

In the top of the third inning, West Warwick took a 1-0 lead with aggressive base-running. Matt Grenier led off the inning with a single to right field. After stealing second base, he moved to third on Nick Pecchia’s single to centerfield and stole second base. With two outs, Pecchia drew a pick-off attempt at second, allowing Grenier to steal home for the game’s first run.

WWCM picked up an insurance run in the sixth inning when Andrew D’Ambrosca reached on a fielder’s choice, moved to second on a walk to Will Cornicelli, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on an error.

West Warwick received hits from Sammy Corrado (1/1), Matt Hopper (2/3), Nick Pecchia (2/4, one stolen base) and Matt Grenier (2/4, one run scored and three stolen bases).

Game Nine:  Westerly 9 West Warwick 5

Game Ten:  West Warwick 2 Slocum North 1

Game Eleven:  West Warwick 9 Narragansett 7 

Game Twelve:  West Warwick 3 Westerly 3

With both teams playing their third game in four days, the game ended in a 3-3 tie after seven innings of play.

Down to their last at bat, West Warwick opportunistically came back with three runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game. Providing the clutch hit was Travis Caddick, who belted a two-out, three-run double to left-center. Scoring on the blast were Matt Hopper, Jared Rossignol and Kyle Kortick.

Matt Grenier took the hill in the bottom of the seventh inning and retired the side in order to secure the tie. West Warwick received solid pitching from starter Alex Pedus and reliever Sammy Corrado.

Pedus, who pitched the first four innings, gave up only two earned runs on six hits, while Corrado allowed no runs in two innings of middle relief.

Game Thirteen:  West Warwick 4 East Greenwich 2

On a sunny Saturday morning, West Warwick came from behind for the second time this year against East Greenwich for a 4-2 win.

         While starter Andrew Sears limited East Greenwich to one run over the first four innings, his teammates rallied for three runs in the top of the fifth for a 3-1 lead. With one out, Alex Pedus reached first with an infield hit and stole second base. Matt Grenier followed with a walk. After a passed ball moved the runners to second and third, Nick Pecchia lined a single to centerfield to tie the game up. Then, Grenier scored on a fielding error of a Pacer Carpenter grounder to shortstop. Pecchia scored the third run of the inning on a wild pitch.

After East Greenwich cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, West Warwick recorded an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning when Pacer Carpenter (single) scored on Mason Provoyeur’s double to centerfield.

Provoyeur picked up his fifth save of the year with 2 1/3 innings of solid relief. The burly left-hander struck out three and allowed just one hit. Sears, who earned his first Connie Mack victory, struck out three and scattered four hits over 4 2/3 innings.  

Game Fourteen:  West Warwick 6 Slocum North 1

The fifteen West Warwick Connie Mack players that range from the ages of 13-19 continued their late season surge with a 6-1 road victory over Slocum Baseball of North Kingstown.

West Warwick, who is 6-1-1 over their last eight games, has an 8-5-1 record with two games remaining in the regular season.

In the top of the first inning, the surging orange and black took a 5-0 lead. After a ten pitch at bat, Matt Grenier reached first base on a walk. After stealing second base, he advanced to third on a wild pitch. With one out Travis Caddick was hit by a pitch and stole second. Nick Pecchia, West Warwick’s “Unsung Hero” this summer, followed by a line drive two-run double down the right field line. Mason Provoyeur reached on a fielder’s choice and Matt Hopper walked to load the bases. After Pecchia scored on a wild pitch, Andrew Sears singled to right field to score Provoyeur. Two batters later Kyle DaSilva walked to force in the final run of the inning.

That would be all the run support that righty Matt Grenier would need to his secure his third win in three starts. In seven innings of work, Grenier struck out nine batters while scattering four hits. Out of 92 pitches, he threw 67 for strikes.

Defensively, shortstop Kyle Kortick was flawless in the field, assisting on four plays and recording two putouts.  

Game Fifteen:  Chariho 3 West Warwick 0 

The West Warwick Cal Ripken league has had a long history of success during All-Star play in the summer. After going eight years (2007) without winning the 9-year-old State Championship, West Warwick staked claim to their second consecutive title by sweeping through the State Tournament.

With the win, they represented Rhode Island in the New England Regional held in Keene, New Hampshire.

A recap of their All-Star season follows:

State Tournament – Opening Round: West Warwick 15 Washington Park 1

After a slow start, the 9-year-old All Stars of West Warwick scored a bevy of runs late in the game to defeat Washington Park, 15-1, in the opening round of the Rhode Island State Tournament.

In the top of the first inning, West Warwick took a 1-0 lead when Josh Pedus singled with one out, stole second base and scored on a single by Karl Swanson. In the third inning, WW extended their lead to 4-0 when they scored three runs on four hits, one error and a fielder’s choice. After Mason Costello reached on an error, James Proulx, Josh Pedus Karl Swanson (two-run single) and Tyler Garafalo (rbi single) had four consecutive hits.

While Dominic Carollo dominated the Washington Park line up with 10 strikeouts in four innings of work, West Warwick built a commanding 8-0 lead.

The flood gates opened up for West Warwick in the top of the sixth inning when they scored seven more runs on six walks, one hit batsmen and hits by James Proulx (rbi double) and Josh Pedus (rbi single).

Offensively, the 9’s received contributions from James Proulx (2/4, one double, two runs scored and one rbi), Josh Pedus (2/3, three runs scored and one rbi), Karl Swanson (2/3, two runs scored and three rbi’s) Tyler Garafolo (1/1, three walks, two runs scored and one rbi), Max Costello (1/3, one scored and one rbi), Joseph “Joey” Riviera (1/3), Owen Stearns (two walks and two runs scored), Mark Grover (one walk and one run scored) and Mason Wallad (one walk and one run scored).

State Tournament – Winner’s Bracket Final: West Warwick 15 CLCF 6

Led by an onslaught of 17 hits, West Warwick came from behind to defeat CLCF, 15-6, in the Winner’s Bracket Final. Trailing 6-4 after three innings,

West Warwick exploded for 9 runs over the last three innings against CLCF.

Picking up the victory in relief was Josh Pedus, who retired ten consecutive batters to end the game. In four innings of work, Pedus allowed no hits, struck out ten and walked only one.

Offensively, West Warwick, which scored in five of the six innings, received hits from CJ Bousquet (1/1, one run scored, Mason Wallad (2/4, one run scored and three rbi’s), Joey Riviera (1/4, one run scored), Max Costello (1/3, one rbi), Dominic Carollo (3/3, two doubles, one run scored and two rbi’s), Tyler Garafalo (2/2, one triple, three runs scored and three rbi’s), Karl Swanson (2/4, two runs scored and two rbi’s), Josh Pedus (3/4, two doubles, two runs scored and two rbi’s) and James Proulx (2/4, three runs scored).

State Championship: West Warwick 15 CLCF 3

After breaking up a scoreless game after two innings, West Warwick cruised to a 15-3 victory in four innings.

In top of the third inning, the WW 9’s sent 12 batters to the plate, scoring eight runs on four walks (Owens Stearns – twice, Mason Wallad and CJ Bousquet) and seven hits provided by James Proulx (rbi triple), Josh Pedus (single), Karl Swanson (rbi double), Dominic Carollo (rbi single), Max Costello (rbi single), Mason Wallad and CJ Bousquet (rbi single).

In the fourth inning, they added seven more runs to build a 15-3 lead. After receiving hits from James Proulx, Josh Pedus (rbi single), Tyler Garafalo (rbi double) and Dominic Carollo (rbi double), the 9’s took advantage of five consecutive walks (Julian Threats, Mark Grover, Owen Stearns, Mason Wallad and CJ Bousquet) to score the last three runs of the inning.

Picking up the victory for WW was Dominic Carollo who struck out nine batters in four innings of work.

New England Regional – Pool Play Game One: Londonderry (NH) 10 West Warwick 2

After traveling and participating in team night, the 9-Year-Old All Stars from West Warwick lost their first game of pool play to Londonderry of New Hampshire, 10-2.

Things started out well for West Warwick as they jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when James Proulx walked and two outs later scored on Dominic Carollo’s rbi double.

Unfortunately for the Rhode Island team in orange and black that would be the only highlight for them. Over the next five innings, the New Hampshire champion displayed some solid hitting with four extra base hits (one double and three triples) while scoring in each inning.

West Warwick received hits from two players: Tyler Garafalo (1/3) and Dominic Carollo (3/3, two doubles and two rbi’s).  

New England Regional – Pool Play – Game Two: Gorham (Maine) 4 West Warwick 2

Despite the strong pitching effort of Josh Pedus, West Warwick lost their second game of pool play, 6-2 to Gorham, Maine.

Pedus, who pitched five innings, allowed just three earned runs on three hits while striking out four batters.

In the top of the second inning, WW took a 1-0 lead when Tyler Garafolo reached on a triple and scored a sacrifice bunt by CJ Bousquet.

That lead lasted until the bottom of the third when Gorham scored three runs on two walks, one error and one extra base hit.

Down 3-1, West Warwick scored a run the top of the fifth inning when Max Costello walked and scored on a two-out rbi single by Josh Pedus. Unfortunately for the 9’s, they could not garner one run, leaving the bases loaded.

Offensively, WW received hits from James Proulx (1/2), Josh Pedus (1/3, one rbi) and Tyler Garafalo (2/3, one triple and one runs scored).  

New England Regional – Pool Play – Game Three: Freetown/Lakeville (Massachusetts) 12 West Warwick 2

In their final game of pool play, West Warwick simply ran into the hot bats of Freetown/Lakeville who had 9 hits including two doubles and one triple. The Eastern Massachusetts’ representative jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and coasted to a 12-2 victory in five innings of play.

Down 9-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, WW scored one run when Josh Pedus (2/2) singled, advanced to second base and scored on Dominic Carollo’s rbi single.

After giving up three run in the top of the fifth inning, WW received back to back double from Julian Threats and CJ Bousquet to make the score 12-2.

New England Regional – Elimination Round – Game Four: Marlboro (Massachusetts) 7 West Warwick 6

After going 0-3 in pool play, one would have thought that West Warwick would have been an easy team to face in the first game of the Elimination Round.

However, the Western Massachusetts’ Champion, Marlboro, found the Orange and Black 9-Year-Old All Stars the toughest draw the tournament.

After falling behind 1-0, West Warwick tied the game at 1-1 when Karl Swanson led off with a single, stole second based and advanced to third base on a single by Joey Riviera. Swanson scored the tying run when Mason Wallad and Owen Stearns worked back to back walks.

While Dominic Carollo, who struck out ten batters in six innings, shut down Marlboro’s offense for the first four innings, the 9’s built a 3-1 lead.

In the top of the third inning, they scored two runs on three walks (James Proulx, Tyler Garafalo and Joey Rivera) and timely hits by Josh Pedus (rbi double) and Karl Swanson (rbi single). With the bases loaded, it seemed that they would break open the game when Mason Wallad scorched a line drive headed to right-centerfield which was caught by Marlboro’s second baseman.

In the fifth inning, WW added another run for a 4-1 lead after Josh Pedus (lead-off triple) scored on a single by Dominic Carollo. Marlboro, who had been stymied by Carollo’s efforts on the mound, opportunistically scored four runs on two errors, one walk and two hits for a 5-4 lead.

West Warwick staged a magical comeback with two-outs in the sixth inning. Owen Stearns started the rally with a walk. After advancing to second base, Stearns scored on a single by James Proulx to tie the game at 5-5. Josh Pedus followed with his third hit of the game to score Proulx for a 6-5 lead.

Down 6-5, Marlboro staged a memorable comeback of their own by scoring two runs to escape with a 7-6 win. Offensively,

West Warwick received hits from James Proulx (1/2, two walks, two runs scored and one rbi), Josh Pedus (3/4, one double, one triple, two runs scored and one rbi), Dominic Carollo (1/4, one rbi), Karl Swanson (2/3, one runs scored and one rbi) and Joey Riviera (1/2).  

In the 11-Year-Old State Championship Series, West Warwick swept Washington Park in two straight games to capture the title.

Game One: West Warwick 8 Washington Park 4

In game one of the series, West Warwick utilized the solid pitching of Nick Pedus to overcome a 4-1 deficit and defeat the Providence-based team, 8-4.

In a complete game effort, Pedus struck out six batters.

Offensively, West Warwick received hits from Billy Costello (two singles), Brendan Griffin (two singles), Nick Pedus (two singles) and Dylan Lombari (two-run home run).

Defensively, Reece Davide had two clutch putouts in centerfield and Dylan Lombari was solid behind the plate, throwing out two runners.

Game Two: West Warwick 15 Washington Park 14

In a game that had as many twists and turns as a roller-coaster ride at Six Flags, West Warwick edged out Washington Park, 15-14, to capture the championship.

Billy Costello, who pitched four innings of solid relief, earned the victory.

Offensively, several All-Stars made contributions to the victory. Leading the way were Devyn Glenn (one triple), Reece Davide (rbi double), Nick Pedus (two doubles and two rbi’s), Kaidyn Mitchell (two singles and two rbi’s), Aaron Parry (one single) and Nick Petrangelo (one single).