March 29, 2024

Townie Softball & Baseball in Pre-Season Games

Spring Sports Schedules in the April Print Issue

Posted

Both East Providence High softball and baseball squads are about ready for the upcoming season. Softball was looking good today behind the pitching of Tanya Cooper, who also belted a line drive home-run deep over the left field fence. "We'll be ready and our players are working hard," said veteran coach Rob Traverse.

Long time coach, Rob Traverse gave his thoughts on the upcoming season: "After making the D1 Final Four in 2017, and having a regular season record of 11-5, we fell short of our goals last year losing in the prelims to an underachieving but very good Woonsocket team."

"Although we will miss some key players, Sadie Patterson CF (2nd Team All-State), Shelby Mello 3B (2nd Team All-Division), Alyssa Guarino C, and Raevyn Watson 2B, we feel we have a very strong nucleus returning headlined by first team all-state player, Tanya Cooper," said head coach Rob Traverse."

"Coop along with Emma DaSilva (3rd team all-division) and Taylor Babcock (honorable mention all-division), as well as Amaya Dacier (last year at 1B) are four starters that saw extensive action last year. Also back are seniors Rebecca Landry 1B and Alexis Giguere DP who will be counted on as well. Cooper and Babcock are the two varsity pitchers who have been 4-year starters. (Coop was already all-division playing with Davies in her frosh and soph years before transferring to EP last year). They are as talented and experienced pitchers as any 1-2 in the state and who we very much count on to keep us in the game.

"DaSilva will anchor the infield at SS. Dacier and Cooper will likely share the catching duties. Sophomore Hailey Martins will likely play 3B or 2B depending who is pitching. Junior Paige Messier will anchor the outfield in center, while soph Alexis Munro may earn the starting spot in left field. The other outfield position is wide open however, athletic freshman, Vianna Chamberlain looks to be the front runner right now. As of right now, the varsity and jv teams have not been solidified," said Traverse

Other members of the team looking to make an impact are: Mia Jackson, Madison Whittaker, Sophia Patterson, Abby Schwab, Nayelie Viera, Bree Riel, CJ Lachance, Jules Rivera, Daisy Francis, Desiree Fernandes, Darien Kane, Hailey Kaiser,

"For the first time in a very long time, we have a number of players who will be playing at the next level next year. Cooper and DaSilva may both be playing for Endicott College while Babcock may be playing at Belmont Abbey in NC. Amaya Dacier has recently committed to play at St. Joseph's College in Maine," added the veteran coach.

The teams to beat this year (in no particular order) are LaSalle, Pilgrim, Chariho, Coventry, Cranston West. "I like to think if we can stay healthy and have some luck, we could finish in the top 5 during the regular season."

Townie Baseball Getting Ready:

The EPHS baseball team has been practicing as all teams have and the team is looking forward to repeating last year's successful season. The team graduated the state's best player last season, pitcher of the year and shortstop Ben Sears. "We are returning all starters this season expect for one player but that one player we have to fill a spot for is Gatorade player Ben Sears," said coach Bobby Rodericks. "Seth Daley (Starting pitcher, #3 hitter) was one of the top pitchers in the state last year along w Sears and this preseason so far Seth looks very good. He is poised, motivated and keeps an upbeat tempo. Josh Silveira (2nd base) and Zack Fanara (CF) are two other impact senior players who have been playing varsity for two years already. This year they (Silveira and Fanara) are more then ready to get going," said Rodericks. "Also, Julian Reis (1st/3rd/OF) and Nate Anselmo (LF) are going to be key factors in lineup as well. The Junior class is very strong as well. Leading this group is Cole Poissant (catcher/clean up hitter), Sam Budnick (SS), former RMS player and St Rays transfer Robbie Costa will be a huge relief for the pitching staff, hitting lineup, and 1st base position. Micah Abrams and Andrew Baptista are also looking to help out the varsity lineup in any way possible. We also have about ten sophomores and ten freshman looking good so the hope is our program will continue to reload," said the head coach.

Other local teams will be previewed as information becomes available.

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