Who should be The Providence Journal Baseball Player of the Week? Vote here
We’ve entered the rivalry portion of the state’s baseball schedule.
Home-and-home series make up the better part of the regular season’s last two weeks. Hosting and visiting the same opponent – often in the span of just a few hours – adds a dash of extra spice. Mix in playoff berths on the line and you have the potential for something special.
This is where elite players tend to rise. The greatest pressure offers the best proving ground for their physical and mental abilities. Last week was no exception.
Bishop Hendricken in Division I and West Warwick in Division III have maintained their unbeaten league starts. Westerly, Barrington and East Providence have separated a bit from the field in Division II. The Hawks visiting defending champion Cumberland on Monday – a rematch of their semifinal series from a year ago – promises to make great theater.
Jayden Tolentino is our reigning Player of the Week, the impact right-handed hitter from Cranston East. He follows Townies two-way threat Tyler DiCecco and Prout pitcher Ryan Barrett among those who have claimed the honor in 2024. Our next batch of nominees is here.
Just a few reminders – voting ends Thursday night/Friday morning at midnight. We won’t accept votes through phone calls or email to our sports department address. Logging into this story and participating in the poll is the only way to make your voice heard.
The following players were all selected from games featured online or in print by The Journal. Our staff either covered these personally or accepted information about them from coaches or school administrators. We can’t take anything from parents or other outside sources – please remind those with the responsibility to report to us.
How to reach us? Simple. We’re available by phone Monday through Friday from 6-10 p.m. at (401) 277-7340 or via email at pjsports@providencejournal.com. Thanks in advance.
And now, on with some of the standouts from last week.
Drew Bozek, Westerly
Bozek was a one-man hurricane at the plate against Ponaganset, allowing the Bulldogs to pull out a thriller. He finished 3-for-5 with three RBI and four runs scored, and Westerly edged its way to a 9-8 victory in Division II.
Ben Davis, North Kingstown
The Skippers needed every bit of this two-way contribution from Davis in a 3-2 victory over Cranston West that took nine innings. Davis walked it off against the Falcons in the bottom of the ninth with the clinching single and fired the first six frames on the mound, allowing just three hits.
John Devine, Cranston East
The Thunderbolts sent their ace to the mound for a Friday showdown with North Kingstown, and Devine delivered. He fired a three-hit shutout and struck out seven in a 5-0 win over the Skippers. Devine set down the first eight men and 15 of the first 18 in this key Division I clash.
Conor Donahue and Ben Borgueta, Rogers
Donahue and Borgueta combined on a no-hitter as the Vikings shut down North Smithfield, 3-0, in Division III. Donahue covered the first five innings before Borgueta handled the last two. Donahue also helped out at the plate, closing 3-for-4.
Yadi Guerrero, Mount Pleasant
The Kilties aren’t ready to surrender their Division III title just yet. Guerrero’s two-run double in the top of the seventh inning plated the tying and winning runs in a 3-2 rally past Exeter-West Greenwich, a victory that helped Mount Pleasant push back over the .500 mark.
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Ryan Thompson, Bishop Hendricken
Thompson had his bat working as the Hawks blanked Portsmouth, 6-0, in Division I. The University of Rhode Island commit homered as part of his three-hit day and drove in four runs. Thompson and his teammates maintain a two-game lead over South Kingstown atop the league standings.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal Baseball Player of the Week poll
