Wizards Baseball

     Led by the solid relief pitching of junior Sam Williamson, the Wizards held off the Chargers of Chariho, 5-3, to improve to 2-1 in league play.  Williamson's effort, which earned him the game ball, was extremely solid.  In five innings of relief, the junior struck out two batters and allowed only one run on three hits. 

     After starting pitcher, Dillion Coffua, worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning (two walks and an wind-blown infield hit), via a strike out and a catch by catcher Nick Carney in foul territory, the Wizards scored three runs in the top half of the second inning. 

     Jim Thornton led off the second inning with a walk, moved to second on Nate Lacroix's single to centerfield, and advanced to third when Cam Genest walked.  Chris Franklin, then, walked forcing in Thornton with the Wizards first run.  Domenic Bisceglio followed with a two run single, scoring Lacroix and Genest for a 3-0 lead. 

     After Chariho scored two runs on five walks in the bottom of the second inning, the Wizards scored two runs in the top of the third inning on hits by Garrett DeBlois (r.b.i. double scoring Max Motroni who had walked) and Jim Thornton (r.b.i. single).  

     Offensively, the Wizards received contributions from  Dom Biceglio (two singles and two r.b.i.'s), Max Motroni (single and one run scored), Garrett DeBlois (one single, one double, and one r.b.i.), Jim Thornton (r.b.i. single), Nate Lacroix (single), and Chris Franklin (one r.b.i.).

     Defensively, the Wizards received solid play from centerfielder Max Motroni (four put outs and one assist).  The assist cut down a potential "fourth" run in the bottom of the sixth inning.  On a single with the bases loaded, Motroni charged the ball quickly, hit his cut-off man,(Nate Lacroix) perfectly, who then proceeded to throw a perfect strike to catcher Nick Carney.  Infielders Jim Thornton, Cam Genest, Nate Grandchamp, and Nate Lacroix handled 10 chances without committing an error.

     Despite receiving some quality pitching from Tony Correia and Drew Doran, Deering lost 9-0 to perennial Middle School power, Western Hills. 

     Western Hills, who was held scoreless the first two innings, scored nine runs on nine hits and six errors to break open the game in the middle innings.

     Offensively, Deering received contributions from Greg D'Ambrosca (one walk), Chris Stafford (one double), Evan Barrera (one walk), Ryan O'Kelly (one double), Troy Lavoie (two singles). 

Opening Day will be on April 25th.  Due to the field not being ready, no games will be played until the 25th.  A revised schedule (4-17-09) can be located in the HANDOUTS section.

     Led by the pitching of juniors Tim Parente and Amine Malki, the Wizards won their third Division I game of the year (overall 3-4, league 2-3). 

     Tim Parente, who worked the first four innings, allowed only one run on four hits while striking out three batters and walking none.  Amine Malki, who picked up the save with three innings of one hit relief, struck out seven batters and walked one.

      In the bottom of the first inning, West Warwick took a 2-0 lead on three hits (Rich Lizotte - r.b.i. single, Derek Hebert, and Dillon Coffua - r.b.i. single) and one error.

     In the top of the second inning, Toll Gate scored one run on hits by Dylan Cummiskey (double), Nick Miranda (single), and Mike Giard (single). 

     In the bottom of the second inning, West Warwick upped their lead to 3-1 when Max Motroni singled, stole second base, and scored on Jeff Sampaio's single to left field. 

     Offensively, the Wizards were led by Chris Morrison's two singles. 

     In a non league game against Portsmouth, the Wizards dropped a 13-9 decision. 

     Trailing 4-0 going into the bottom of the third inning, the Wizards scored four runs on five walks and a double by Max Motroni.    

     That tie, however, would be short lived as the Patriots scored seven runs on three Wizard errors, three  walks, and three hits to open up an 11-4 lead in the fourth inning. 

     Despite a ten-hit attack, the Wizards were never able to overcome the Patriots. 

     Offensively, the Wizards received help from Scott Tallo (1/3), Dom Bisceglio (1/4), Max Motroni (2/4, one double, 2 runs scored and 3 r.b.i.'s), Garrett DeBlois  (2/5, 1 r.b.i.), Kurtis Melvin (1/4), Brent Reed (1/1, 1 r.b.i.), Chris Franklin (1/2, 2 r.b.i.'s), and Nate Grandchamp (1/2).

     Defensively, the Wizards received two "web gems" from Max Motroni and Garrett Deblois.  Motroni tracked down a base hit in right-center and threw out a runner attempting to stretch it into a double.  DeBlois tagged a runner out by diving into the runner trying to score on a wild pitch and also made a fine catch on a wind blown pop up in the fifth inning. 

     Pitching well for the Wizards was Nathan Grandchamp.  In three innings of relief, Grandchamp allowed just one unearned run on three hits while throwing 18 of 28 pitches for strikes.