Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.
Junior Ethan Santerre was pitching a gem against third place, 9-4 Cumberland. The mighty Clippers managed just a single run against the lefty, who had struck out five through the first five innings, keeping them off balance with a nasty, down-and-in, slider, fastball and changeup. Santerre unfortunately tired in the sixth and Cumberland took advantage, exploding for 6 runs to take a 7-0 lead. The Clippers scored three more in the seventh off Huskies’ relief pitcher TJ Castriotta, to win 10-0. The loss drops the Huskies’ record to 2-10 in Division I.
The Mt. Hope defense committed 5 errors behind Santerre, who is currently 1-2 on the season. He allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and 5 earned runs against the Clippers.
“Ethan pitched extremely well,” said Huskies’ head coach Ben Emond, who is in his first year as coach of the baseball team. “He had a strong outing from the first pitch and held Cumberland to one run, before an error and a walk forced him from the game in the sixth inning.”
Santerre has also been solid at the plate and in the field this season. He is batting .300 in the leadoff spot and has excellent quickness and range as the Huskies’ shortstop.
“Ethan has been a lockdown defender and has contributed well at the plate,” said Coach Emond.
Offensively, the Huskies mustered just 2 hits and 2 walks against Clippers’ pitcher, Ben Jahnz, who struck out nine in seven innings of work.
Andreozzi, Abbruzzi and Dubois having stellar seasons
Coach Emond, who played for Portsmouth High School in 2012 and has previously coached at Martin Middle School in East Providence from 2017-2023, inherited a young Huskies’ team consisting of 2 seniors, 8 juniors, 8 sophomores and 4 freshmen.
Junior Lucas Andreozzi, sophomore Brian Abbruzzi and freshman Trace Dubois have had break out seasons for Mt. Hope.
Andreozzi is hitting .356 while batting second, has played stellar defense at first base and has pitched well according to Coach Emond.
“Lucas has pitched with confidence and also has represented the team at the Division I all star game,” he said.
Abbruzzi is having a break out year at the plate, hitting a whopping .410 from the clean up spot, against Division I pitching.
Dubois is hitting .310 from the fifth spot, has played well in the outfield and is 1-3 as a starting pitcher. In his lone win, the freshman righty threw a no-hitter against Toll Gate.
“Trace has a lot of potential,” Coach Emond said. “He has had a stellar campaign for us, as a pitcher, fielder, baserunner and hitter.”
Slim chance to make playoffs
The Huskies have a slim chance to make post season as they enter pod play with six games left to play. The would have to get red hot.
“It would take winning the majority of our remaining games,” said Coach Emond.