Who is this week's Providence Journal Baseball Player of the Week? You make the call
Bishop Hendricken and West Warwick continue to occupy a unique space in the state’s baseball races.
The Hawks and Wizards are unbeaten atop Division I and Division III, respectively. They’ve both been tested to this point, but no opponent has been able to break through as of yet.
Both were pushed to the limit over the last week. Bishop Hendricken overcame an early deficit to rally past North Kingstown. West Warwick was stretched to an extra inning against Pawtucket Co-op before prevailing.
Westerly sits atop Division II and could stay there until the end of the season. But there’s likely to be a twist or turn for the Bulldogs as well over the next three weeks. That’s what the nature of these seasons has taught us over time.
Our last two Players of the Week have come from Division II contenders – Tyler DiCecco from East Providence and Ryan Barrett from Prout. Who will triumph this week? That’s up to you.
More: Here's how South Kingstown baseball edged Cumberland to keep pace atop Division I
More: Portsmouth and Cranston East both make case for the playoffs; who made the better case?
Voting ends Thursday night/Friday morning at midnight. A quick reminder – we don’t accept votes through phone calls or email to our sports department. Vote in the poll at the bottom of this story (online) and have your contribution counted there.
These nominees were selected from games featured online or in print by The Journal. We either covered them, took calls on them or received emails summarizing them. And we’d always like to know about more of them.
You can reach us by phone Monday through Friday from 6-10 p.m. at (401) 277-7340 or via email at pjsports@providencejournal.com. A reminder – we can’t accept anything from parents or other outside sources. Information must come from coaches or school administrators.
Thanks in advance. And now, on with some of the standouts from last week.
Christian Butera, Bishop Hendricken
Butera cracked a grand slam as the Hawks avoided a first defeat in Division I. They rallied from a five-run deficit to edge North Kingstown, 7-6, in a showdown of annual contenders. Bishop Hendricken overcame a 5-0 hole and walked off with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Jackson Chamberlain, Smithfield
The Sentinels kept their Division I playoff push alive partly thanks to Chamberlain. He fired six innings in a 9-4 victory over Mt. Hope and used his bat to take care of defending champion Cumberland. Chamberlain closed 3-for-5 with five RBI in an 11-6 win over the Clippers.
Logan Dean, West Warwick
Dean continued his hot hitting as the Wizards swept through another week. He drove in a pair of runs against North Smithfield, posted two hits and two RBI against Toll Gate in nonleague action and saved his best for a win over Pawtucket Co-op. Dean ripped a two-run double in the eighth inning as West Warwick pulled away for an 8-3 victory.
Sean Giannelli, East Greenwich
Giannelli can’t be touched on the mound at the moment. He won a third straight start in quick fashion against Ponaganset, needing just 63 pitches and 65 minutes to post a 4-0 victory. Giannelli allowed two hits, struck out seven and didn’t issue a walk in a gem.
Evan Levasseur, Middletown
Levasseur dominated on both sides of the ball in a 5-0 victory over Woonsocket in Division II. He came up just one out shy of a complete game, striking out 13 over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Levasseur helped himself at the plate with three hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
Jayden Tolentino, Cranston East
Tolentino carried a big stick in a 3-1 week for the Thunderbolt. He drilled a pair of home runs in a victory over defending champion Cumberland and drove another in a defeat against Portsmouth. Cranston East remains firmly in the Division I playoff chase.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal Baseball Player of the Week poll
