Sports Update

Townies JV Baseball Beat Rival LaSalle 7-4 for State Championship
The East Providence High School Junior Varsity baseball team captured the Division 1 State Championship today, June 14th, with a solid 7-4 win over school rival LaSalle Academy. Ben Sears worked 6 strong innings for the Townies allowing just 2 earned runs, and striking out 5 Ram batters. "The team played well and it was a team goal from the beginning to make the season mean something and win the state title, and that's what we did," said Head JV Coach, Chris Kennedy.

The Townies "mashed" 17 hits against Ram pitching today led by Deyshawn Tengbeh, 4 for 5 with 2 RBI while Colby Paiva, Nick Lemire, Clayton Cook, and Nick Mackevich all had 2 hits each in the win.

"It was a great team effort with great defense highlighted by that amazing diving catch by Deyshawn Tengbeh," said a pleased Coach Kennedy after the game. While the game was still close in the sixth inning, the EP crowd erupted on an amazing diving catch by Tengbeh on a hard line drive up the middle. "I am so proud of our resilience and the effort the team put forth tonight and throughout the entire season. This team showed its talent, heart and team pride all season long," added Kennedy.

Smiling on the sidelines was varsity Head Coach Bobby Rodericks, who, with Chris Kennedy, is no doubt thinking of next season's varsity campaign. "Chris and the kids did an amazing job," said Rodericks. "Love it."

EPHS Softball Wins Sportsmanship Recognition
The Townies softball team had a great season and eventually lost in state playoff action but the team won a very special sportsmanship recognition from the Providence Journal and the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.

The grandfather of a LaSalle softball player wrote a letter to the Providence Journal sports department in which he praised the actions of an EPHS team and coach. "Beyond anything I have ever seen in my 72 years, many as a coach, never have I seen the amazing sportsmanship like what the East Providence girls softball coach and the East Providence right fielder did at the La Salle-East Providence game,” said the letter writer.

It seems like during a Townie-Rams softball game, a LaSalle player hit a deep drive to right field which appeared to hit a temporary fence as Townie right fielder Sadie Patterson crashed into and knocked down the fence. The ball was ruled a ground-rule double by the umpires.

When Townie coach Rob Traverse went out to check on his player, he was told that the ball actually was a homerun over the fence. Traverse returned and told the umpires and LaSalle was awarded the homerun. In the end, EP lost the game by one run.

Hitting a homer is a big then, agreed the Townie players. "We did the right thing." East Providence Softball was at the Providence Journal’s inaugural All-State awards dinner and they were awarded the “It Takes a Team” special award. "Townie Pride," said Coach Traverse.

Veteran Sports Official, School Administrator Chuck Vermette Honored
Last month the East Providence School Committee rewarded long time sports official and educator Charles Chuck Vermette by naming the gymnasium at Riverside Middle School in his honor. The new sign was unveiled before many of Vermettes former colleagues, students and family members.

Chuck Vermette was a teacher and then administrator for over 28 years at Riverside Junior High School and also was an administrator at East Providence High School. He is a member of the East Providence High School Hall of Fame and was a winning football and baseball coach at Riverside.

Vermette has coached, officiated and organized youth sports at the little league, CYO and Interscholastic League level to name a few of his athletic endeavors. "It was truly a night of Townie Pride as hundreds gathered to honor the legendary Chuck Vermette. The Riverside Middle School Gym will forever be called the Charles "Chuck" Vermentte Gymnasium in his honor and it is well deserved," said State Representative and EP Athletic Director Gregg Amore.

East Providence Gets New Athletic Director
Veteran EPHS Social Studies teacher Gregg Amore was appointed Athletic Director to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Bob Duarte. Duarte and the department administration came to a mutual parting of the ways after different operating styles in several areas of athletic administration. At one time it was announced that Duarte would return to the classroom in September but no firm announcement has been made. Amore has coached baseball at LaSalle, East Providence and also coached hockey. Amore is also the State Representative from District 65 in East Providence.

Friends of Townie Athletics Baseball Camp
The popular 2016 Friends of Townie Athletics Baseball Camp will be held from Monday, August 8th to Friday, August 12th at the Pierce Field Baseball Complex. Players T-Ball through high school are welcome. Camp runs from 9 am to 12:30 pm. The mission of the camp is to teach skills, proper techniques, and the correct approach to the game, all in a fun-filled atmosphere. Tee shirts will be provided to participants who register by August 1st, 2016. Registration on a first come first serve basis. Proceeds benefit EPHS baseball and Middle School sports. Register early! See ReporterToday.com for details or email bobrodericks@gmail.com.