EAST PROVIDENCE — For the first time in nearly a decade, East Providence High School is officially fielding a freshmen baseball team this spring, as interest in the program and the number of newcomers who play the sport have risen steadily in recent years.

Freshmen baseball was approved for revival by the School Committee during its meeting on May 12 of last year. At the time, then Athletic Director Bob Duarte explained the program was discontinued about 10 years ago due to lack of participation. He said when the program was ended there were fewer than a dozen players on the roster.

However, there's been a surge in baseball numbers the past two years at EPHS, with upwards of 50 players trying out for the program. Varsity head Bobby Rodericks Jr. told the Committee last spring he was able to schedule some freshmen-only games from the ranks of his junior varsity team, but wanted to bring the level back officially for a few reasons. He said it would keep youngsters interested in the sport. Also, some eighth graders who thought about attending private school may stay in the district if the program was revived. And the team had to be authenticated by the school district so it could formally join the Interscholastic League and compete in the state championship tournament.

Fast forward to this spring, and the freshmen team is back with a vigor. Jay Olson, an EPHS alum and former player, is the head coach. Seventeen freshmen are on the team. The roster of first-year Townies includes: Nathen Anselmo, Humberto Aponte, Devin Baptista, Jayden Barber, Nick Bochichio, Julio Castro, Seth Daly, Zach Fanara, Jared Landry, Javonie Lindell, Brandon Midelfort, Mitchel Noresca, Colby Paiva, Julian Reis, Josh Silveira, Warren Smith and Ryan Wood.

"It's big to have the program back," Coach Olson, EPHS Class of 1997 who went on to play at Rhode Island College, said last week before the Townies' game against LaSalle. E.P. won to improve to 3-2 for the moment.

"We have the most kids combined playing this sport — freshmen, junior varsity and varsity — than any other sport at the high school, even more than football," he continued. "The baseball program is really coming back. I think the fact that they started funding middle school sports again helped. When they cut middle school sports, the interest definitely dropped. A lot of the kids learn the game playing at Martin and Riverside, so when they get here they know how to play. I have a lot of really good players on this team. It's good to see baseball at East Providence High School back on the map."

Coach Olson said Paiva, at shortstop, and Silveira, at second, make up a "great middle infield. They'll be the starters on varsity eventually." He called Daly, a right-hander, "One of the best young pitchers in the state." Daly throws to Wood at catcher, of whom the coach said, "He calls a good game. He's really solid behind the plate." Another of the notables is Fanara in centerfield, who Coach Olson said, "tracks down everything hit his way."

"My job is to get these kids ready for varsity, help make them better ballplayers," Coach Olson added. "It's a great group to be around. It's a lot of fun."