Here's how East Greenwich baseball is keeping its eyes on the Division II championship
EAST GREENWICH — What happens to baseball teams that come up just short?
We generally assume the defending champions are out to repeat the following year. The path for the runners-up feels a little less clear — and, somewhat inevitably, is traveled a little bit outside the spotlight.
East Greenwich doesn’t plan to just fade away. The Avengers are taking dead aim at dethroning East Providence after a tense three-game series last spring, and performances like the one on Wednesday offer some necessary belief.
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Anders Nelson turned in six strong innings on the mound and allowed his offense to handle the rest. East Greenwich put constant pressure on the Chariho defense and raced through a cool afternoon on campus, posting a 10-2 victory in Division II.
“Our eyes are set on the state championship,” East Greenwich catcher Alex DeTomasis said. “There’s no way around it. Once we got that taste, we’re trying to go back.”
Graduation cost the Avengers multiple talented leaders off a team that reached its first title round since 2006. Michael Ucci is currently a freshman at Nichols College and Casey DeLorenzo is wrapping up a prep year before continuing at Saint Anselm in New Hampshire. That pair checked just about every box for East Greenwich in 2023 — dominant pitching, clutch hitting and defensive contributions when required.
Who could fill those big shoes over the next few weeks? DeTomasis ripped an RBI double to help key a three-run bottom of the second, as the Avengers pulled away for good early. Fellow senior Cade Thomas singled, walked twice, drove in a run and scored a run.
“We have a younger team this year, definitely,” Thomas said. “It’s kind of just being with the young guys, making sure their heads are up and making sure everyone knows we don’t have to be the team we were last year.
“We can be our own team. That’s just as good.”
Finding consistency after losing high-level performers is usually the most difficult task. Nelson offered a glimpse of his potential in this one — the sophomore right-hander struck out nine and scattered six hits. Winslow Klika cleaned up with a scoreless top of the seventh, working around a one-out single.
“He pitched great,” Thomas said. “You can’t ask for more. Throwing strikes, pounding the zone — it was awesome to see.”
Nelson was free to force contact after being staked to an early cushion against the Chargers (3-3). The Avengers (3-3) carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the second and added on quickly. DeTomasis pulled a sharp liner inside the bag at third and Thomas sent a bouncer to second that chased in Alex Tullo. DeTomasis moved up on the infield out and scored on a wild pitch to make it a four-run advantage.
“We’ve got guys who want to grind it out,” DeTomasis said. “We’ve got guys who are in it for the long run. We’re trying to play to the end of June again, and for the young guys, we’re trying to instill that in them.”
The Townies, Westerly and Barrington have looked like the class of the league to date. But don’t dismiss East Greenwich on its day — a 1-0 loss to the Eagles and a 2-1 setback against Narragansett certainly could have gone the other way in both cases. Flipping results like those deeper into May and when the calendar turns to June could have them right back at Rhode Island College.
“It’s a different team, but it’s the same mentality,” Thomas said. “You’ve just got to come back every day and work.”
Chariho 000 011 0 — 2 7 3
East Greenwich 130 132 x — 10 8 0
Adam Carpenter, Gavyn Pepler (6) and Gavin Apice. Anders Nelson, Winslow Klika (7) and Alex DeTomasis.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: East Greenwich baseball tops Chariho, 10-2
