Wizards Baseball

It was not a surprise to many when the West Warwick PIC Athletics captured the 2008 WWCRL championship.  In 2009, however, they surprised many teams as they finished 9-8 (second place in the Eastern Division) during the regular season and 10-10 for the year (1-2 in the playoffs). 

Instead of rebuilding the Athletics reloaded and became of the WWCRL’s most competitive teams, losing to the league’s best regular season team, the Titan Sports Orioles, three times by one run and splitting four games with the league champion, the Centreville Bank Red Sox. 

Although the Athletics received some quality play from several of their players, two players who led the team this year were veterans, Evan Barrera and Matt Grenier.  Evan Barrera, a twelve year old who played a key role on last year’s team as the backstop, helped the A’s on the mound in 2009.  In 13 appearances, Barrera (4-5) struck out 68 batters and allowed only 27 earned runs in 41 1/3 innings pitched.  Grenier (3-1), an eleven year old who has played four years in the Major Division, led the team in pitching this year.  In 27 1/3 innings pitched, Grenier struck out 61 batters, walked 15 (two intentionally), allowed 16 hits (WHIP of 1.13), and gave up only 8 earned runs (1.76 ERA). 

In addition to the Barrera and Grenier’s work on the mound, Michael Carley, Jon Vincent, and Andrew In helped the A’s during the season.  Carley, whose work behind the plate was instrumental in the Athletics’ competitive season, struck out 15 and allowed only 7 earned runs in 11 innings pitched.  Eleven year old Andrew In struck out 34 batters, walked 19 and allowed only 10 earned runs in 23 1/3 innings pitched.  Twelve year old Jon Vincent struck out 10 batters in 8 2/3 innings pitched.

Offensively, the Athletics, who ended up as the third leading scoring team in the league, batted .281 as a team this spring.  Contributing to the A’s offense were Evan Barrera (32/60, .533, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 26 runs scored, 21 r.b.i.’s, and OBP of .685), Matt Grenier (22/49, .449, ten doubles, 1 triple, 22 runs scored, 20 r.b.i.’s, 17 walks, 5 hit batsmen, and on OBP of .648), Mike Carley (17/51, .333, 5 extra base hits, 19 runs scored, 11 r.b.i.’s, 9 stolen bases, and an OBP of .561), Andrew In (18/55, .327, 4 extra base hits, 16 runs scored, 14 r.b.i.’s, 10 stolen bases, and an OBP of .592), Kyle Baxter (15/50, .300, 4 doubles, 11 runs scored, 17 r.b.i.’s, and an OBP of .531), Ryan Johnson (6 hits and an OBP of .371), Alex Hernandez (6 hits, 9 runs scored, and 4 r.b.i.’s), Jon Vincent (5 singles, 2 doubles, and 8 r.b.i.’s), Matt Reid (5 hits, 4 runs scored, and 6 r.b.i.’s), David DeCosta (3 runs scored, 5 r.b.i.’s and 10 walks), and Luis Salazar (6 runs scored, 10 walks, and an OBP of .435). 

WWCRL Playoffs:  First Round - Athletics 7 Yankees 0 

 Led by a nine hit attack and the combined no hit pitching of Evan Barrera, Andrew In, and Michael Carley, the West Warwick PIC Athletics were able to defeat the Gordon Orthodontics Yankees, 7-0. 

Twelve year old All Star, Evan Barrera, pitched the first three innings and struck out five batters and walked one.  Fellow 12 year old All Star, Mike Carley, who came into a bases loaded situation in the top of the fourth inning, struck out two and walked two in 2 1/3 innings pitched to preserve the victory for the Athletics. 

 In the bottom of the first inning, the Athletics scored two runs on hits by Evan Barrera (lead off triple), Matt Grenier (single), Jon Vincent (r.b.i. single), and a fielder's choice by Mike Carley.  In the bottom of the second inning, the Athletics broke open the game with five runs on five hits for a 7-0 lead.  Providing the hits for the Athletics were Alex Hernandez (single), Evan Barrera (single), Matt Grenier (two run double), Andrew In (two run triple), and Kyle Baxter (r.b.i. single).   WWCRL

Playoffs:  Winner’s Bracket Semi-Final:  Orioles 4 Athletics 3

 For the third time this year, the Titan Sports Orioles (16-1 regular season record) were able to hold off the surprising Athletics (9-8 regular season record) by one run, 4-3.   Led by the pitching of 11 year old All Star Matt Grenier, the Athletics (last year's playoff champions), kept the Oriole and Athletic faithful at the edge of their seats for six innings. 

 Grenier, who threw 58 of his 78 pitches for strikes, struck out 12 and walked one (intentionally) while allowing two earned runs on four hits.  During the first five innings, Grenier allowed one hit (Ray Zincone's lead of single in the fourth inning) and faced only 18 batters.

 Oriole 12 year old All Star Nick Morel was equally impressive in middle relief.  Morel, who pitched three innings allowed only one hit and struck out one.  While Morel was able to keep the Athletics offense in check, the Orioles were able to stay in striking distance.

In the top of the second inning, the Athletics scored three runs on three walks (Andrew In, Kyle Baxter, and Alex Hernandez), one perfectly executed suicide squeeze (Matt Reid), and a clutch two out, two run double by Evan Barrera. In the bottom of the second inning, the Orioles opportunistically scored a run, despite striking out three times, on two errors and a passed ball to cut the lead to 3-1.

  In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Orioles scored another run when Ray Zincone singled, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on an error. 

After Trevor Lawton held the Athletics scoreless in the top of the sixth inning, the Orioles were able to score two runs and escape with a heart pumping, 4-3, playoff victory. 

Nick Morel reached second base when his fly ball was misjudged and landed over an Athletic outfielder.  With Morel on second and the count reaching 1-2, Ray Zincone hit a "Baltimore chop" up the middle tying the game at 3-3.  After Trevor Lawton reached on a fielder's choice and stole second, Cullen Kirchmeyer was intentionally walked to set up the force out.  Unfortunately for the Athletics, the clock struck midnight early, as Hunter Dean lined a single to center, ending any hopes of a "Cinderella" date for the Athletics against the Red Sox in the Winner's Bracket final of the West Warwick Cal Ripken Playoffs.  

15 Year Old All Stars

Scott Correia 

Eric Cruz

Tyler Desrosiers

Chris Franklin

Cam Genest

Nathan Lacroix

Alex Machado

Mark Maglioli

John Morrison

Richard Russell

Cam Sechio

David Skurka

Scott Tallo

Dan Waterman

13 Year Old All Stars

Kyle Beck

Ryan Brever

Andrew Doran

Andrew Hebert

Troy Lavoie

R J Leso

Matt Masse

Jonathan Menard

Ryan O'Kelly

Matt Peterson

Chris Stafford

Aaron Travers

4 Ways to Cure a Tired Arm

By Jon Doyle
DoyleFitness.com

Every year young athletes deal with tired, sore arms. Even worse, when not treated properly, what started as a simple ailment can quickly turn into a season-ending injury, or worse, major reconstructive surgery. Whether it's baseball or softball -- or any other sport involving constant use of the arm -- the tips below can provide relief from an arm already in pain.

Tired Arm Remedy No.1: R.I.C.E.

The first thing you should do when you have a sore arm is make an appointment with doctor. In the interim employ the R.I.C.E method -- which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Rest: Don't throw for a few days until arm pain has subsided and you have visited a doctor.
Ice: Alternate with 20 minutes of ice time, 20 minutes with ice off and back to 20 minutes of ice time.
Compression: Wrap the arm with an ACE bandage to minimize inflammation.
Elevation: Keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart with a pillow.

 Tired Arm Remedy No.2: Strengthen the Shoulder Girdle

Most people focus on strengthening the rotator cuff. This is important, but be sure not to overlook the muscles surrounding the scapula or shoulder blade. The following two movements can both help an injured shoulder and prevent an injury from occurring. Note: Be sure to check with your doctor or physical therapist first before attempting these movements.  

Internal External Rotation: With bands looped under feet and upper arm parallel to ground, rotate hands down so they are level with the elbow. Pull back up with constant tension. Perform three sets of 12-15 reps, 2-3 times per week. Light dumbbells can also be used in place of bands.

Cuban Press: As above, hold bands at sides. Pinch shoulders back, then pull weight up with constant tension and upper arm parallel to ground. Perform three sets of 12-15 reps, three times per week. Again, light dumbbells can also be used. Tired

Arm Remedy No.3: MassageWhether massage increases blood flow to the muscles, a general deep tissue sports massage can work out muscle adhesions and tension in the arm. For athletes that perform the same activity at a high volume, such as a pitcher, schedule time with a massage practitioner at least once per week during the season. This can reduce the risk of repetitive injuries, such as tendonitis, and prime your body for peak performance. Note: For acute injuries, such as a hamstring pull, immediate massage is not recommended initially. Try inflammation- reducing strategies such as R.I.C.E before you turn to massage.

Tired Arm Remedy No.4: Sleep and Proper NutritionThough common sense, these two areas are often overlooked -- and can make or break how your body feels and recovers. The key is to keep it simple. (The last thing you need to do is stress yourself out.) Get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep per night, preferably more. Eat fresh, whole foods that help with your recovery and performance These methods seem simple, yet many fail to follow any or all of them. They can make a tremendous difference in your ability to recover from injury and everyday wear and tear -- no matter what sport you're playing.

Athletics 7 Yankees 0

Led by a nine hit attack and the combined no hit pitching of Evan Barrera, Andrew In, and Michael Carley, the West Warwick PIC Athletics were able to defeat the Gordon Orthodontics Yankees, 7-0. 

12 year old All Star, Evan Barrera, pitched the first three innings and struck out five batters and walked one.  Fellow 12 year old All Star, Mike Carley, who came into a bases loaded situation in the top of the fourth inning, struck out two and walked two in 2 1/3 innings pitched to perserve the victory for the Athletics. 

In the bottom of the first inning, the Athletics scored two runs on hits by Evan Barrera (lead off triple), Matt Grenier (single), Jon Vincent (r.b.i. single), and a fielder's choice by Mike Carley. 

In the bottom of the second inning, the Athletics broke open the game with five runs on five hits for a 7-0 lead.  Providing the hits for the Athletics were Alex Hernandez (single), Evan Barrera (single), Matt Grenier (two run double), Andrew In (two run triple), and Kyle Baxter (r.b.i. single). 

Marlins 10 Dodgers 6

Led by the pitching of Jake Roy and Ben Roy, the Richard's Oil Marlins came from behind to defeat the Coventry Glass Dodgers, 10-6.  Jake Roy struck out five and allowed only one hit in three innings, while his twin brother, Ben, came into the game in the fifth inning to prevent a Dodger late game rally.

Offensively, the Marlins received contributions from Ben Roy (2/4, triple, one run scored, and 3 r.b.i.'s), Joe Maynard (two runs scored), and Brian Moretti (two runs scored).

Offensively, the Dodgers were led by Rich McNeil (2/4, two runs scored) and Seth St. George (2/3, one triple).