March 29, 2024

SPORTS ROUNDUP

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EPHS Honored by RI Special Olympics
In a ceremony on April 28, 2022, East Providence High School was honored as a National Unified Champion School.  Special Olympics officials presented the high school with the designation as a Unified Champion School.  While several Rhode Island schools have Unified Arts teams, only a few have received this special school wide designation.  Unified arts allow those students with special needs to play a competitive sport, helped by other students in the school.

“This is a reflection of the commitment our school has in making inclusion, in all aspects of our school community, an absolute priority. We celebrated with a Unified Basketball game against Juanita Sanchez High School.  Everybody won. (Townies pulled it out by 2) It was a great day. Townie Pride Never Sleeps,” said an EPHS statement after the game.

The award is contingent on certain criterion benchmarks and is a competitive process.  A requirement for the award includes proof of several steps that allow inclusion at a high level of competition.  Schools must demonstrate a plan to make these programs continuous and not a one-time effort.  “The goal of Special Olympics RI's (SORI) Unified Champion Schools program is to activate youth in an effort to develop school communities where all young people are agents of change, fostering respect, dignity & advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities,” writes SORI.

During the awards program late last month, Mayor Bob DaSilva, Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Crowley and other officials were in attendance and made presentations to the team.  A large contingent of high school students was enthusiastic and loud in their support of their Unified Arts classmates.  High school Principal Bill Black was emcee for the day.  A competitive game was played with the Townies defeating an equally talented and motivated Juanita Sanchez High from Providence, 48-46.  At one point in the game the crowd was treated to true Townie sportsmanship.  After several missed shots by a Sanchez player, an East Providence defender grabbed a rebound and handed it back to the Sanchez player who then scored a basket.  The Townie student body erupted in applause.  Yes, Townie Pride Never Sleeps.

EPHS Girls Lacrosse continues winning ways
The Townies girls Lacrosse team remains undefeated as of this writing.  The team recently defeated Johnston High 15-2.  In that game, Ryleigh Grant scored 6 goals with an assist and Kenna Wigginton scored 4 goals.   Before this year, the fledgling girl’s Townie lacrosse program was getting its collective feet wet and only had two wins.  Haley McCusker was a new head coach and inspired het team to not give up.  As of the end of April, the team has been on a tear, remaining undefeated and easily defeating most opponents.  East Providence has defeated Classical (twice), Scituate, Cranston East, Tiverton, Johnston, Seekonk, Coventry and Lincoln.

Head coach Haley McCusker spent most of last year teaching the basics needed to play lacrosse and that experience has obviously paid dividends this season with the surprise undefeated record so far.  “My players have responded well and I’m happy with our progress,” said coach McCusker.

The roster includes: Tessa Laroche, Olivia Williams, Haley Massa and Alivia Amaral, Emma Nordquist, Gabrielle Phaneuf, Emmaile LeDuc, Ryleigh Grant,  Makayla Rebelo, Kaylee Vieira, Rylee Jackson, Kenna Wigginton, Eva Laroche, Sarah D'Agostino, Katherine Almeida, Abagail Leddy, Ava Soares, Ava Williams, Dylan Flynn and Isabel Tavares.

EPHS Boys Volleyball
The Townies are hanging tough with a 5-2 record through April 28th.  EP defeated the Tolman/Shea Co-op three games to none. The game scores were 25-18, 25-10 and 25-21.  Brett Schwab had 10 kills and 12 digs while Grant Wosencroft had 9 kills and 5 blocks.  In earlier action last month, the Townies had a road win against 4-3 Woonsocket.  EP took the match three games to one with scores of  25-18, 23-25, 25-22 and 25-13.  “Leading the way for us were  Xavier Hazard with 10 kills and 8 digs, Brett Schwab with 5 kills and 12 digs as well as Owen Tellier who 15 digs,” said head coach Dan Cabral.

The Townies also beat Barrington High three games to none with scores of  25-21, 25-17 and 25-15.   Grant Wosencroft  had 10 kills and 2 aces and DJ Lepine was impressive with 5 kills, 12 assists and 6 digs.  The JV team also picked up a 2-0 victory with excellent serving from Trey DeCosta.

In more action in April, the Townies traveled to Central and defeated the Knights three games to none.  “The team struggled to find consistency but was able to pull out the much needed victory.  The team was led by Kyle Dunn with 10 Assists and 10 Digs and Grant Wosencroft with 7 Kills and 4 aces,” reported coach Cabral.

In remaining undefeated, EP shutout previously unbeaten Westerly, three games to none. The game scores were 25-21, 25-17 and 25-23.  The Townies were led by senior Kyle Dunn who played excellent defense.  He finished with 3 Kills, 12 Assists and 10 Digs.  Seniors Grant Wosencroft added 10 Kills and 2 Blocks while Brett Schwab chipped in with 6 Kills 12 Digs and 2 Aces.

EPHS Softball Doing Well
In their opening game this season, the softball team beat the Cumberland Clippers 7-5.  East Providence pulled ahead in the top of the first, scoring 4 runs early.  “Vianna Chamberlin set the tone with the first hit of the game, a double.  Cumberland answered in the bottom of the first, with a homerun from Pitcher Riley Austin. Cumberland added another run in the bottom of the 2nd, led by Lacie Grenier who contributed a one out triple, and scored on a Townie error getting the ball in. At the top of the 3rd, Vianna Chamberlin led off with a solo homerun. Ava Mendence reached on an error, eventually scoring on an RBI single by Desiree Fernandes. In the top of the 4th, the Townies combined to score another run. Jenett Sosa reached on a fielder's choice, Vianna Chamberland cranked a deep single to advance Sosa to third, and Kiera Quadros singled to bring Sosa across the plate, giving the Townies a 7-2 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, Cumberland’s Riley Austin cranked a no-out solo home run, while Emily Lanoue followed with a shallow single to right field.  Following a walk from Jenna Rivers, Lacie Grenier lined a hard hit triple to score Lanoue and bring the Clippers to within 3 runs. Following a scoreless 5th from the Townies, The Clippers added one more run in the bottom of the 5th with a combination of hits from Austin, Lanoue, and Grenier,” was the game report from head coach Katie Kenahan.

Pitcher Keira Quadros for the Townies finished the day with 19 strikeouts and 1 walk.  Cumberland pitcher Reilly Austin pitched the first inning with 3 walk. Cumberland Pitcher Jillian Ryone pitched 6 1/2 innings with 9 strikeouts and no walks.

In other April softball action, the Townies defeated Chariho at home improving their record in league play to 4-5 at that time.  EP scored in the bottom of the 1st with Vianna Chamberlin starting it off with a two-out double, brought in with an RBI single from Gigi Sosa. The Townies offense exploded in the third inning, starting with a no out in the park homeroom from Senior Hailey Kaiser. Ava Mendence singled with one out, setting up Vianna Chamberlin to hit another in the park home run, scoring herself and Mendence. Gigi Sosa continued her hot streak with a one out single, brought in by the third in the park home run of the game hit by Senior Sophia Patterson. Chariho battled back with an in the park homerun hit by #13 Rao in the 4th, and an in the park homerun by #2 O'Leary in the 6th, but the Townie defense held them off for the win. Keira Quadros finished the day on the mound with 1 walk and 15 strikeouts.  

EP also defeated Moses Brown 4-2 on Tuesday, Apr 19.  A pitcher/ catcher duo of Keira Quadros and Ava Mendence controlled the Quakers on offense, with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Daisy Francis was 1 for 2 on the day, with a big double in the 5th and well-timed walk in the 2nd, resulting in the first run of the game. Josley Sosa went 3 for 4, with 3 singles and one RBI.  

The last game before the Reporter going to press for May was a win over Smithfield High.  Ep started the game strong scoring 2 in the first inning, taking advantage of some pitching struggles from Smithfield's McCuroy who loaded the bases.  Keira Quadros was walked in for the first run and Emma Bergeron plated a second run with a timely single, earning her the first RBI of the game. Offense was quiet for both teams through the end of the third. “In the top of the 4th, Daisy Francis began by drawing a walk, and scored on an RBI triple drilled to right by senior Sophia Patterson.  Smithfield fired back in the 4th, adding one on a deep shot and communication error in the outfield,” said Kenahan.  The Townies quickly refocused both defensively to finish the inning and offensively, earning that run back in the 5th.  Senior Jenett "Gigi" Sosa started the inning off with a single, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Desiree Fernandes, and home on an RBI single by Emma Bergeron, her second RBI of the game.          

The Townies scored again in the top of the 6th with Senior Abby Hollingworth starting the inning with a hard hit single down the left field line, advancing to third on a no out double by Sophia Patterson, her second extra base hit of the game.  Freshman Mackenzie Pimentel lined a perfectly placed single into right, scoring both Hollingworth and Patterson and putting the Townies up 6-1. Smithfield rallied in the 6th, scoring one and loading the bases, but a combination of pitching and a couple of well played defensive stops ended the inning. The Townies added one more in the top of the 7th with two outs, started again by a patient Daisy Francis, who walked with two outs to start the Townies last offensive strike. After Francis advanced to second on a passed ball, Senior Abby Hollingworth nailed her second hard hit single of the day, scoring Francis and adding another RBI to her day.  Pitcher Keira Quadros recorded the win with 8 strike outs and 2 walks on the day.

Riverside Middle School Baseball Keeps Winning
The Riverside Middle School baseball team continues on a roll with a 5-0 record heading into May.  The team has scored 67 runs while only giving up 9.  Three of the Viking games have ended early by baseball’s ‘mercy rule.’  Riverside defeated Tiverton 21-0, Martin 15-5 and Exeter West Greenwich 11-0.  RMS also beat back Cole 11-4 and Ferri 9-0.  The team has dominated in all aspects of the game – offense, defensive plays and baserunning.  RMS has a speedy team and has logged several stolen bases.

After the team’s shutout win over Exeter West Greenwich, head coach Matt LaRoche gave a run down of his starters and the season:  “Our team is led by a strong 8th grade class.  Gavin Palombo is great defensively at SS and consistently gets on base. Kyle Desrosiers is solid behind the plate with a strong arm and is our cleanup hitter.  Jayden Healey leads the team in RBI's. Then we mix in Aiden Martins in the leadoff spot who leads the team in stolen bases and runs scored.  Combine that with 6th grader JJ Renaud in the 9 hole as a second leadoff hitter who is leading the team in OBP (on base percentage).  This gives us lots of opportunities to not only score runs, but have big innings.  When we get on base, we like to put pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses. Coach Kris Hallene does a great job coaching 3rd and puts our players in spots to be successful. For our pitching, Healey, Lorenz and Williamson have been some of our most consistent. Richards helps out defensively with one of the best gloves on the team. We have several pitchers who we are confident in which gives us an advantage against many teams. Even though we are 5-0, we still have a lot to work on as a team. Just because we have started out strong does not mean we are done improving. Every practice and game is another opportunity to get better. We are at the halfway point in the season and have some big games coming up against other teams at the top of the division including unbeaten Kickemuit. It should be a fun second half as we believe we have a team that can compete with the best in the state,” concluded LaRoche.   

The rest of the regular season schedule is:
5/3/22 at Ricci MS 3:30 pm
5/5/22 Kickemuit MS home at The Rec 3:45 pm
5/10/22 at Birchwood MS 3:30 pm
5/12/22 OLM home at The Rec 4:30 pm

RMS Roster:
Isaiah Barden 8th, Kyle Desrosiers 8th, Ben Hallene 8th, Jayden Healey 8th, Nolan Lorenz 8th, Gavin Palombo 8th, Ean Williamson 8th, Aidan Martins 7th, Owen Richards 7th, JJ Renaud 6th, Alex Enright 6th, Chris Charbonneau 6th, Jacob Sousa 6th, Parker Andrews 6th.

Head Coach; Matt LaRoche, Assistants Kris Hallene, Chris Martins.

EPHS Student wins Student-Athlete of the Year Award
Townie senior cross country and volleyball captain Grant Wosencroft,  was honored last month  by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Athletic Administrators Association as the Rhode Island Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Grant is the first male Townie athlete to be selected for this prestigious award.  Students were nominated and asked to submit an essay on how school athletics have enhanced their educational experience. 

“Your essay was selected as the best entry from your state,” Wosencroft was told as he accepted his award.  “We salute you and thank you for helping our organization illustrate the many ways that athletics positively influences the lives of student-athletes,” NIAAA officials said.

“Being a captain of a varsity sport for three years helped to shape me as an individual.  There were many challenges along the road which I had to overcome.  So much was learned through this experience,” Wosencroft wrote as part of his essay.  “I am a role-model for my community.  Sports has taught me many traits that are important in the real world.  In life, you get out what you put in,” said Wosencroft in part.

Townie Baseball Fighting Hard
The EPHS baseball team is struggling to gain wins and has lost a key player, Jack McKnight, to injury.  “Our shortstop and leadoff hitter are out but we keep at it,” said head coach Bobby Rodericks.  “We have 4 active freshmen in the varsity lineup and we recently lost close one-run games to LaSalle and undefeated South Kingstown.  Future still looks bright with our new campus fields for next season and promising middle school players in the pipeline.”

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