Townies ready to make another run at Division I baseball playoff bid

EPHS returns several regulars from tourney team of a year ago

By Mike Rego
Posted 4/1/19

Coming off its third consecutive berth into the Division I state championship playoffs, the East Providence High School baseball team began its 2019 campaign this week expecting to once again be in a …

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Townies ready to make another run at Division I baseball playoff bid

EPHS returns several regulars from tourney team of a year ago

Posted

Coming off its third consecutive berth into the Division I state championship playoffs, the East Providence High School baseball team began its 2019 campaign this week expecting to once again be in a position to garner a bid into the title tourney later this spring.

The Townies went 10-8 a year ago, earning the eighth seed in the postseason and defeating Lincoln before falling to Bishop Hendricken and rival LaSalle to fall out of the double-elimination competition.

The main reason why East Providence and head coach Bobby Rodericks enter the 2019 campaign with an optimistic outlook is because the Townies return seven of their eight starters afield and most of their pitching rotation.

Gone, however, is a key component to East Providence’s recent run of success, All-Stater and 2018 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year Ben Sears. The shortstop, pitcher and middle order hitter is currently in the midst of his freshman season at nearby Wheaton College.

Back to take over the top spot in the East Providence rotation is senior Seth Daley, whom Rodericks noted was one of the top pitchers in the state last year along with Sears and this preseason so far “looks very good.” Rodericks added of Daly, “He is poised, motivated and keeps an upbeat tempo.” Daly will also bat from the three hole in the order.

Rodericks calls starting second baseman Josh Silveira and center fielder Zack Fanara “two other impact senior players.” Each has been playing varsity for two years and, in the coach’s words, are “more than ready to get going.”

Corner infielder/outfielder Julian Reis and Nate Anselmo, in left field, are two more seniors whom Rodericks says are going to be “key factors” in lineup as well.

Leading what the coach describes as a “very strong” junior class are returning starting catcher and clean-up hitter Cole Poissant and shortstop Sam Budnick. The Townies are bolstered by the transfer of Robbie Costa, a former Riverside Middle School player, from St. Raphael. Rodericks expects Costa to contribute on the mound, at first base and in the batting order. Classmate Micah Abrams brings speed to the lineup and in the outfield while Andrew Baptista is in the pitching mix. R.J. Pina will see time at third base and on the mound.

The sophomores in the mix for playing time are pitchers Rob Lincoln and Brandon Landry as well as catcher Andrew Mungeon. Elijah Barber, Chris Hess, Ethan Martins, John Anderson, Dylan Palombo and Jake Palumbo, the coach added, “are a few of the freshman looking to advance quickly to the varsity ranks after this year.”

In total, 11 sophomores and 11 freshman are currently in the program, something Rodericks said will allow the Townies to “continue to reload each season for the next few years.”

Of his team’s prospects, in general, as the season begins, Rodericks said, “The big question mark is will the hitting be consistent and clutch when needed during those close games, which most are in Division I.”

A new wrinkle implemented this spring to the regular season baseball schedule is teams playing each other in consecutive games. The Townies were set to begin their D-I slate Tuesday, April 2, at Chariho then host the Chargers at Pierce Field in their home opener Thursday afternoon, April 4. Next week, EPHS plays Hendricken in Warwick, April 9, and at Pierce, April 11. First pitch for both games is 4 p.m.

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