What happens when an unstoppable force meets an un-movable object?

Well, it depends if that un-movable object is Bishop Hendricken, apparently.

The East Providence High School varsity baseball team had been playing as well (or better) than anyone in Division 1 heading into the 2026 playoffs. They beat Lincoln and vaunted La Salle (twice) to earn their spot in the final showdown of top state talent for the first time since 1945.

With a 3-0 victory against Bishop Hendricken in their pocket from the regular season, there was no reason to doubt that the Townies had a real shot at the upset.

But what they got instead was a harsh lesson in life. That even when the momentum seems in your favor, even when the stars align and the vibes are immaculate — sometimes there’s no beating the machine.

“Hendricken is tough,” lamented head coach Bobby Rodericks in correspondence on Monday, subsequent to the Hawks’ 10-0 victory on Thursday, and 17-2 annihilation on Saturday, which cemented the private school’s third-straight (and 25th total) state Division I championship.

“The ‘University of Hendricken’ is how a lot of people have referred to their program,” Rodericks said. “They scout great, have the resources, and have a top notch staff…As a true Townie, I accept the challenge, as we handed them their only loss in Rhode Island this season.”

Rodericks also took pride in serving up three losses to La Salle — another private program that attracts top talent from throughout the region — during the season (two, as stated earlier, to earn their spot in the championship). The regular season win, an 8-7 comeback in mid-May that ended in a walk-off for the Townies, Rodericks called “the most exciting game I have ever been a part of or saw live.”

Rodericks said although the Townies surprised a lot people this season, the team’s success was no accident. He said he had a good core group of seniors leading by example, combined with an intensified practice and training regimen.

“Some will say we were playing with house money, but the truth is we set goals for this team, worked hard in the offseason, and things just kept falling in place,” he said.

Rodericks said this season resulted in multiple broken records, including two no-hitters (one from left-hander Benjamin Hallene, another from former Hendricken Hawk, JJ Renaud), nine shutouts thrown, and 15 regular seasons wins (including a perfect 12-0 record at home).

“I’m very proud of what our team has accomplished,” Rodericks said. “What I was most proud of, though, is how the community got behind us, and you could feel how it brought us all together…It was a long season, but the best of my career.”

Future is bright

While the Townies will graduate four seniors, including the aforementioned Hallene and one of their standout leaders, shortstop Gavin Palombo, they will return 15 varsity players next year. Rodericks mentioned Aidan Martins, Max Correiro, and Renaud as key pieces of next year’s team, as well as rising juniors, Jamison Sydney (catcher), outfielders Chris Charbonneau and Max Pawlick, and utility/DH Alex Enright.

“We will develop more pitching, whether it’s from the younger players and possibly some of my position players who have good arms,” Rodericks said. “We are already training for 2027.”