In a battle of contenders, it's EP's stellar pitching against Barrington's bats; who won?
EAST PROVIDENCE — Why change the script at this point?
Pitching and defense carried East Providence to a Division II baseball title last season. The Townies don’t show any signs of deviating early in 2024, including on a perfect spring afternoon against a likely contender for their crown.
Tyler DiCecco was excellent and Dylan Annicelli cleaned up the final two outs in the top of the seventh inning. East Providence finished with a 2-0 victory over Barrington, its third shutout in just five games against league opponents.
“Obviously we’d like to get more runs,” East Providence coach Bob Rodericks said. “It’s just more comfortable and we can do more things that way, but we’re going to go with our pitching.”
Annicelli and Tim Robitaille each fired a shutout in last year's finals series against East Greenwich. The Townies counted a pair of 1-0 wins and a 4-3 thriller against North Providence in eight innings entering this one. DiCecco had come out of the bullpen previously, but this was a strong first start for the Bishop Hendricken transfer.
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“I’m happy with my decision,” DiCecco said. “Coming here and being one of the top guys, I love the pressure. I love going out and performing for the guys.”
Oliver Andrews reached on an infield single and scored on an error in the bottom of the second. Aidan Martins lined an RBI single to center in the bottom of the fourth. That was all the support DiCecco needed on this Monday, as he allowed a pair of singles and just one man to reach third base through 6⅓ innings.
“We’re pretty deep,” Martins said. “Everyone contributes at the plate. Everyone all together is a pretty good team.”
The Eagles followed a 1-0 victory against the Avengers in their opener with a combined 35 runs in their next three wins. East Providence was able to cool their bats thanks to some key outs at critical times. DiCecco induced a bouncer to short with the bases loaded in the third and Annicelli coaxed a routine fly to right with the tying run in scoring position in the seventh.
“When we’re out there, everyone has to do his job,” DiCecco said. “Doesn’t matter which one of us is out there. We know it’s going to get done.”
The Townies (5-0) scored the only run they needed in the second. Andrews beat out a grounder to deep short, took second on an errant pickoff throw and came home when Brian Rutkowski’s grounder to second was thrown away. Barrington (4-1) missed out on answering back immediately when Kyler Lorenz fired across for a routine 6-3 putout, erasing an error on his previous chance.
“I don’t let the moment get to me,” DiCecco said. “I’ve just got to take it pitch by pitch. I know if I execute my pitches good things will happen — especially with my defense.”
Gavin Palombo’s leadoff single started a threat that led to some insurance in the fourth. Rutkowski’s sacrifice and a clean liner to center by Martins chased in Palombo to double the lead. It was a clutch RBI for the freshman, who has jumped from ninth to first in the lineup over the course of two weeks.
“I love his aggression,” Rodericks said. “I just love his attitude. He’s a gamer — just a full-game dirt dog.”
Barrington 000 000 0 — 0 2 2
East Providence 010 100 x — 2 6 1
Jack Lawson and Luke Tanous; Tyler DiCecco, Dylan Annicelli (7) and Brian Rutkowski.
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: East Providence blanks Barrington in battle of D-II baseball contenders
