EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School golf team will make its long awaited return to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League State Championship Tournament after the host Townies defeated both Bay View and Middletown in the Eastern Division playoff match held Monday, May 20, at Metacomet Country Club.

East Providence claimed its first state tourney berth since 2009 by posting a team score of 181, 10 strokes better than the Islanders and 14 ahead of the in-city neighbor Bengals. The Townies earned the right to host the three-team playoff by virtue of going 9-5 during the regular season, including a sweep of outings against Middletown and a split with Bay View. East Providence’s other losses came to Barrington (14-0) and Portsmouth (13-1), which join the Townies at states after finishing first and second in the Eastern standings.

Freshman Michael Wetmore shot a seven over 43 on the par 36 front side at Metacomet to pace EPHS. Seth DiMaria carded a 45, Tyler Azevedo a 46 and Cam Ellinwood a 47. Middletown’s Mason Gilman was the day’s medallist, shooting a one over 37. Lauren Dohoney was low for Bay View with a 42. Courtney Anderson and Brooke Brennan each shot 48. Morgan MacCloud was the fourth scorer for the Bengals with a 57.

The Townies join the 14 other qualifying teams in the state championship tournament May 28 and 29 at Cranston Country Club.