Seekonk baseball finishes on top in the state

WORCESTER - For the first time in the 57-year history of the Seekonk High School baseball program, the Warriors have been crowned the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 4 state champions after a decisive 5-0 victory over Abington High School on Sunday, June 18th at Polar Park in Worcester, Mass.

The Warriors got on the board in the first inning after a bases-loaded single by senior co-captain Kevin Crowe scored sophomore Connor Flynn. Crowe credited the Warriors’ aggressive offensive approach to helping lead them to victory. “In every baseball game, it’s crucial to start with the offense early,” Crowe told Seekonk High School’s Warrior-TV after the game. “Hits win games. We had twelve hits so we did it.”

The one run was enough for sophomore sensation Tyler Kropis. The left handed pitcher tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout to earn the victory. “It was absolutely amazing,” said Kropis of the atmosphere. “I was ready to go ever since I got up this morning.” Head coach Joe DeMelo said that there was never a second thought going with the South Coast Conference’s most valuable player in this game. “We have total confidence in Tyler,” said DeMelo following the sophomore’s twelve strikeout performance. “We planned the pitching rotation so that he would be on the mound for the championship game, and it worked out.”

The Warriors added insurance in the fourth inning, exploding for four runs after co-captain Jaden Arruda and junior Declan Lush each knocked in two runs with timely hits. For three-sport star Arruda, going out as a champion is a dream come true. “It’s the best feeling in the world,” Arruda said. “This is the best way you can end your high school sports career… it’s amazing!”

Seekonk finished the regular season with a 16-4 record earning a 3-seed in the state tournament and an opening round bye. The Warriors avenged last year’s state championship loss to Manchester Essex by dominating the Hornets with an 8-0 victory in the second round. The Warriors then proved their mettle with back-to-back walkoff wins against Tyngsborough and Millbury before ousting Boston English 2-0 in eight innings in the state semi finals.

Fans gathered at Seekonk High School to see a police escort lead the Warriors home on Sunday evening after the game. Though the Warriors will lose five seniors from this year’s team, they still have a young, confident group that is looking forward to making a state title run a springtime tradition. “Hopefully we make this a regular trip in the middle of June,” said DeMelo.

New superintendent of schools Rebecca Kidwell has invited the team to be recognized at the school committee meeting at Seekonk High School on July 10th. Officials at the high school are planning to honor the state champions in front of fans during a football game in the fall. That date is yet to be determined.