Wizards Baseball

The 11/12 Year Old All Stars completed the Rehoboth Summer Slam Tournament by going 1-2.  After losing a tough 2-1 game to Tiverton in the opening round, they defeated Maplewood, 3-1, on Saturday.  Seth St. George pitched the complete game victory for West Warwick.  Providing hits for West Warwick in the victory were Josh McAllister, Cullen Kirchmeyer (3/3), St. George, Max Mullins, and Matt Hopper (2/3).  

It was ten years ago when the West Warwick Babe Ruth League had a team advance to the New England Regionals.  Some of the last names back then were Alves-Kelly-Kennedy-Legault-Politelli-Ray-Reisner, former Wizards who went on to win State Championships for West Warwick High School in 2001 and 2002.  Coming out of the loser’s bracket, West Warwick captured the 14 Year Old State Championship. 

This year, Don Mariani, President of the WWBRL, finds his league in unchartered territory, because he may have two of his All Star teams participating in the Babe Ruth New England Regionals.  The 14 year old All Stars, who participated in the 14 year old State Tournament two weeks ago and played four games in Dan Duquette’s Sports Academy Summer Blast U14 tournament this past weekend were given an automatic spot in the New England Regional, because they will host the 2009 tournament from August 5^th-11^th. 

The 13 year old All Stars, however, seem to be a cinch to qualify for the 13 year old New England Regional the old fashion way by winning on the field the past two weeks.

Although the 13 Year Old State Tournament has had several cancellations due to rain and the wet field conditions at Ray Silva Field, the sun has been shining on the 13 year olds of West Warwick for most of that time.  West Warwick is one win away from becoming the first West Warwick All Star team in ten years to advance to the New England Regional. 

After winning on consecutive Saturdays, West Warwick defeated Warwick PAL, 6-3, on Monday night to advance to the 13 year old State Championship on Thursday at 5:30 (Ray Silva Field).  West Warwick will face teams (Cranston, Warwick PAL, or South Kingstown) which have to battle through the loser’s bracket to earn the right to play West Warwick.  If West Warwick wins on Thursday night, they will play in the New England Regional which will be held in Leominster, Massachusetts from August 6^th-12^th. 

Opening Round Game – July 18^th:  West Warwick 14 Cumberland 4

Led by aggressive base running, timely hitting, and solid pitching, West Warwick breezed by Cumberland, 14-4, in six innings. 

In the top of the first inning, West Warwick jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on three hits and two errors.  Andrew Hebert led off the game with a double to left field, moved to third on a passed ball, and scored on Troy Lavoie’s single to centerfield.  Lavoie, then, stole second base and moved to third after back to back walks were issued to Matt Peterson and Matt Masse.  Lavoie and Peterson scored when R.J. Leso’s ground ball to third was mishandled in the infield.

After giving up one run in the bottom of the first inning, West Warwick scored two more runs in the top of the second inning when Hebert (walk) and Lavoie (walk) scored on a sacrifice fly by Masse and a passed ball.

With the score 5-2 after three innings, West Warwick tacked on another run when Masse walked and scored on two consecutive sacrifice bunts by Chris Stafford and Leso. 

In the top of the sixth inning, West Warwick broke open the game with eight runs on four hits, four walks, and two errors.  Getting key hits in the inning were Peterson (single), Leso (single), Stafford (single) and Dan Chambers (single).  Picking up the victory was Peterson, who struck out four batters and gave up only three runs in four innings of work.  Masse gave up only one run on two hits over the last two innings of play.

Winner’s Bracket Semi-Finals – July 25^th:  West Warwick 16 North Providence 2

After waiting one week because of several rain cancellations, West Warwick took full advantage of the rest and coasted by North Providence, 16-2. 

Benefitting from the 16 run outburst of West Warwick was Matt Peterson, who started and picked up his second win of the tournament.  In three innings pitched, Peterson struck out two and gave up two runs on two hits.  Kyle Beck did not allow a run in the final two innings of play. 

Offensively, West Warwick received contributions from Hebert (2/4, two runs scored), Lavoie (2/3, three runs scored), Peterson (1/3, one run scored), Masse (2/3, three runs scored), Ryan O’Kelly (3/3, one run scored), Stafford (2/3, one double and one run scored), Leso (1/3, one run scored), and Kyle Beck (2/3, one run scored). 

Winner’s Bracket Final – July 27^th:  West Warwick 6 Warwick PAL 3

In the Winner’s Bracket Final of the 13 year old State Tournament, West Warwick edged perennial Babe Ruth power, Warwick PAL, 6-3, and advanced to the championship game which will be held on Thursday night (5:30) at Ray Silva Field. 

After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the fifth inning, West Warwick opportunistically came storming back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on three Warwick errors, a walk (Drew Doran), and a single (Kyle Beck). 

After Matt Masse pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fifth inning, West Warwick took a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth inning when Drew Doran reached on a hit batsmen, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored on Warwick’s sixth error of the game on a Kyle Beck’s grounder to third.

  Warwick loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but West Warwick ace, Matt Peterson, then, got Warwick’s number three hitter, Mann, to ground out.

In the top of the seventh inning, West Warwick scored two insurance runs and built a 6-3 lead. Troy Lavoie doubled to left field and scored on an errant throw to third base.  Matt Masse, then, reached on a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice, and scored on Chris Stafford’s r.b.i. ground out to short.

Matt Masse, who picked up the victory, gave up three runs on six scattered hits in five innings of work.  Matt Peterson, who has won two games for West Warwick, picked up the save with two scoreless innings of relief.

After going 3-1 in the Rehoboth Summer Slam Tournament, the West Warwick Cal Ripken 9 year old All Stars went 1-2 in the State Tournament.

Opening Round:  West Warwick 11 Apponaug 7

In the opening game of the State Tournament, West Warwick defeated host, Apponaug, 11-7. 

Earning the victory for West Warwick was Michael DeFusco.  In three innings of shut out and no hit work, DeFusco struck out six of the nine batters he faced.  Jared Shibley, who pitched two innings of middle relief, allowed only one run on two hits. 

West Warwick jumped out to a 1-0 lead courtesy of Chris Gaipo's opposite field home run to left field in the top of the second inning.

In the top of the third inning, West Warwickscored three more runs on two walks (DeFusco and Nick D'Ambra), one hit batsmen (Andrew D'Ambrosca), and a r.b.i. single by Brogan Guilmette.

In the top of the fifth inning, West Warwick built a 9-0 lead when they scored five runs on hits by Andrew D'Ambrosca, Chris Gaipo (two run double), Jared Shibley (r.b.i. double), and a r.b.i. groundout by Jared Rossignal.

In the top of the sixth inning, West Warwick scored two more runs on hits by DeFusco, Gaipo, one walk, and one error. 

Offensively, West Warwick was led by D'Ambrosca (1/2, two runs scored), DeFusco (1/3, two runs scored), D'Ambra (1/2, three runs scored), Guilmette (1/2, one run scored), Gaipo (3/4, two runs scored, and 3 r.b.i.'s), and Shibley (2/4, one run scored, 1 r.b.i.).

Winner's Bracket Final:  Darlington 6 West Warwick 3

In a well played game between both teams, Darlington edged West Warwick, 6-3.

After falling behind 4-0 in the top of the third inning, West Warwick came back with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. 

Andrew D'Ambrosca led with a single, moved to second on Mike DeFusco's single, and advanced to third on a walk to Nick D'Ambra.  Brogan Guilmette and Chris Gaipo followed with back to back bases loaded walks to score two runs.  Jared Shibley, then, reached on a fielder's choice to score D'Ambra. 

In the top of the sixth inning, Darlington's Adrian Torres belted a two run home run for a 6-3 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, West Warwick rallied for one run on a walk to D'Ambra and a r.b.i. single by Chris Gaipo.

Loser's Bracket Final:  CLCF 11 West Warwick 1   

After playing solid ball for six consecutive games, West Warwick could not overcome several walks and a few fielding miscues in an 11-1 four inning loss to CLCF in the loser's bracket final.

Offensively, West Warwick received contributions from Andrew D'Ambrosca (one double), Brogan Guilmette (run scored), and Jared Shibley (single and one r.b.i.).

In the 12 year old Cal Ripken State Championship, West Warwick continued to display a flair for the dramatic with a come from behind, 6-3 victory, over Darlington of Pawtucket.

The win secures a spot in this weekend's New England Regional which will be held in Marlboro, Massachusetts.  West Warwick will play the Connecticut State Champion on Saturday at 1:00. 

In the top of the first inninng, Darlington jumped out to a 3-0 lead on two singles (Richie Marshall and Kyle Banna), one error, and a home run by Cullen Costa. 

After Anthony Indeglia pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the top half of the third inning, West Warwick scored twice (Indeglia and Kurtis Quinn) on a two run single by Ben Roy. 

After Ben Roy's single, the momentum of the game shifted toward West Warwick.  In fact, Indeglia, who had given up three runs on four hits and two walks in the first three innings, retired six of seven batters (four via strike outs) in the fourth and fifth innings (struck out the side) for West Warwick. 

Down 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, West Warwick struck for four runs with two outs on two singles, a double, and a home run to pull away from Darlington. 

After Ben Roy reached on walk and Nick Motroni reached on a single, Richard McNeil lined a two run double to left center and Greg D'Ambrosca followed with a two run blast to right center.

In the top of the sixth inning, Motroni closed the game by retiring the side on a ground out, strikeout and line out. 

Offensively, West Warwick received contributions from Kurtis Quinn (run scored), Anthony Indeglia (run scored), Evan Barrera (two singles), Greg D'Ambrosca (two run home run), Rich McNeil (two run double), Nick Motroni (single and run scored), and Ben Roy (two run single and one run scored). 

Tournament Tidbits: 

West Warwick received solid pitching during the week.  In 22 innings pitched, West Warwick allowed only 7 earned runs on 17 hits (1.91 ERA) and struck out 28 batters.     Nick Motroni (1-0) struck out five in three innings of shut out relief.  Jake Roy (2-0) allowed only one earned run (0.75 ERA) and struck out 8 batters in 8 innings of work.  Anthony Indeglia (1-0) struck out 11 batters in 10 innings of work.

Offensively, West Warwick received contributions from Michael Carley (single, home run, and two runs scored), Nick Motroni (7/12, .583, one double, two home runs, six runs scored, and 5 r.b.i.'s), Rich McNeil (6/11, .545, four doubles, one home run, three runs scored, and 9 r.b.i.'s), Jake Roy (6/14, .429, one double and three runs scored), Evan Barrera (3/9, .333, one run scored), Greg D'Ambrosca, 3/10, .300, two home runs, three runs scored, and 4 r.b.i.'s), Ben Roy (three singles and four run scored), Nick Morel (one double and one run scored), Anthony Indeglia (four runs scored), and Kurtis Quinn (four runs scored).

The West Warwick Cal Ripken Nine Year Old All Stars made their 2009 debut in Rehoboth in the Rehoboth Summer Slam Tournament.  After winning three games in pool play, West Warwick lost to Bridgewater, 11-6, in the Semi-Finals.

West Warwick 13 Maplewood 3

Led by the solid pitching of Mike Defusco and Brogan Guilmette, West Warwick took advantage of 13 walks and defeated Maplewood, 13-3. 

Defusco, who picked up the victory, allowed only two hits and struck out five in four innings of work.  Guilmette, allowed one hit in a scoreless fifth inning.

Offensively, West Warwick received support from Defusco (two walks, one hit batsmen, and two runs scored), Nick D'Ambra (2/3, one triple, two runs scored, and 2 r.b.i.'s), Brogan Guilmette (1/3, one double, one run scored, and 2 r.b.i.'s), Andrew D'Ambrosca (1/3, two runs scored), Chris Gaipo (1/2, one double, and two run scored), Robert Riviera (one run scored), Noah Lapinski (1/2, one run scored), Mike Moretti (two walks), Matt Henault (double and one run scored), Dylan Oliveira (two walks and one run scored), Nick Pecchia (one single).

West Warwick 15 North Attleboro 5

In their second game of pool play, West Warwick defeated, North Attleboro, 15-5. 

Once again, West Warwick received solid pitching from their starter, Brogan Guilmette.  In three innings of work, Guilmette allowed two runs and struck out six batters.  In one inning of relief, Mike Moretti struck out two batters and induced a fly out to end the game.

Offensively, West Warwick continued to be rewarded for the patience at the plate, by receiving nine free passes.  Leading the way for West Warwick were Matt Henault (two walks), Mike Moretti (two walks and one run scored), Noah Lapinski (one run scored), Jared Rossingol (one double and two runs scored), Robert Riveira (one double and one run scored), Chris Gaipo (one run scored), Brogan Guilmette (two singles and 2 r.b.i.'s), Nick D'Ambra (one single, two walks, and 2 r.b.i.'s), Mike Defusco (one double and three runs scored), Tyler Scotti (single), and Andrew D'Ambrosca (three singles, one double, and four runs scored). 

West Warwick 12 East Bridgewater 2

Led by the pitching and hitting of Mike Defusco, West Warwick finished undefeated in pool play with a 12-2 victory over East Bridgewater.

Defusco (2/2, two triples and three runs scored) no hit East Bridgewater by striking out five batters in four innings of work.

Besides the hitting of Defusco, West Warwick, which had 12 free passes, received hits from Nick D'Ambra (2/2, one double, and three runs scored), and Chris Gaipo (2/2, one double, one run scored 2 r.b.i.'s).   

Bridgewater 11 West Warwick 7

Despite receiving six runs on six hits and five walks, West Warwick could not overcome a four run sixth inning by Bridgewater in an 11-7 loss in the Rehoboth Summer Slam Semi-Finals.   

After falling behind 7-0, West Warwick scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning on hits by Mike Defusco (single), Nick D'Ambra (single), and Brogan Guilmette (two run single). 

In the bottom of the fourth inning, West Warwick cut the Bridgewater lead to 7-6 when Jared Rosignol (walk), Mike Moretti (walk), and Nick Pecchia (hit batsmen) scored on a timely double by Andrew D'Ambrosca.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, West Warwick tied it at 7-7 when Nick D'Ambra singled, moved to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on an error, and scored on passed ball.