EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School baseball team has been realigned down to Division II in time for the 2023, a place where the Townies enjoyed some of the most successful seasons in program history about a decade ago.

EPHS spent two years in the mid-20-teens there winning the school's only Interscholastic League sanctioned division title in 2014.

East Providence went a combined 29-3 in those two years in D-II before returning to D-I in 2015. The Townies had three losing years upon heading back to the state's top tier then posted 10-8 and 11-7 marks, respectively, in 2018 and 2019. Every program stalled with the onset of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, and EPHS struggled to regain its footing the last two years. The Townies are coming off a 4-14 campaign last spring in Division I. East Providence went 6-7 for the COVID-shortened 2021 season.

EPHS made the most of its 2023 season opener, winning in extra frames on the road by a 5-3 score over Burrillville in eight innings. Dylan Annicelli went the distance on the mound for the Townies. He allowed seven hits and struck out eight. All three runs were earned. Oliver Andrews had three hits and drove in two. Jack McKnight had two hits and two RBI as did Ziurel Vargas. The locals  scored two in the eighth before Annicelli shut the door on the victory in the home half.

After losing to Chariho in the first-ever game at the new EPHS diamond (see story on facing page), the Townies rebounded with an 11-4 win over Johnston to improve to 2-1 on the young year. Annicelli scattered six hits, allowed three earned and fanned a half-dozen to earn the pitching win. Brian Rutkowski, Vargas and Andrews each drove in pair of runs. Andrews, Jack McKnight and Rutkowski had two hits apiece.

McKnight and Manuel “Chico” Santos are the team's senior co-captains. Unfortunately, however, Santos hurt his hand before the opener and will miss the first half of the season. He was slated to be the Townies' leadoff hitter. Rutkowski takes over as East Providence's starting receiver for the foreseeable future.

Defensively, around the horn is Vargas at first base, Andrews at second, Kyler Lorenz at short and McKnight at third. In the outfield are Tim Robitaille, Steven Estrella, Gavin Palombo and Nolan Lorenz. Palombo is also a second baseman. Colin Roche and Austin Martins are designated hitters.

Annicelli, McKnight and Robitaille make up the Townies' starting pitching rotation. The relievers are Martins, Vargas and Malaquis Fernandez.

The batting order will now include nine of the following 11 players in some form: Vargas, McKnight , Colin Roche or Austin Martins at designated hitter, Andrews, Robitaille, Rutkowski, Estrella, Palombo and Nolan Lorenz.

EPHS head coach Bobby Rodericks Jr. noted the importance of the leadership of  his captains McKnight and Santos. Both will continue their playing careers in the fall: McKnight at Rhode Island College and Santos for Roger Williams University.

Rodericks said Kyler Lorenz, a junior, "has arguably the best hands defensively (on the team) and maybe even in the league." The coach said he is also "hoping for big things" from Martins and freshman Nolan Lorenz as well as sophomores Annicelli, Andrews, Robitaille, Rutkowski and Roche. Other potential contributors to varsity throughout 2023 include juniors Tyler Quadros and Jarred Vieira and sophomore Dillon Vieira.

Baseball makes its return full-time to the new diamond on the re-envisioned East Providence High School campus this spring in some 25 years, give or take a few, from its former home of Pierce Field. The baseball program used the old diamond at the now renovated grounds

Like the adjacent softball complex, the baseball field has an artificial turf surface throughout except for the dirt/clay pitcher's mound. As well, there are permanent dugouts, bullpens, batting cages, storage and concession spaces. There are also roll-away fences to make the outfield dimensions more realistic at the location that can also triple as a regulation soccer/lacrosse pitch.

Of the new digs, Rodericks said, "We are very excited for the new turf state-of-the-art complex that’s for sure."

One final note of interest, Rodericks said the Townies are dedicating the 2023 season in the memory of Justin Rocha, EPHS Class of 1998. Rodericks called Rocha a former teammate, fellow captain and friend, who passed tragically in October of 2022. Rocha was a former standout player during his years playing for Rumford Little League, Martin Middle School and EPHS.