The terrific 2018 season for the East Providence High School golf group continued earlier this week when the Townies both clinched a spot in the upcoming Eastern Division playoffs and just about clinched hosting the three-team event next week at their home layout of Metacomet Country Club.

On the road at Wanumetonomy in Middletown, East Providence totaled a 189 over the par 35 front side to sweep the host Islanders (217) and Tiverton (215). Tyler Azevedo, as he’s done most of the spring, paced the Townies with 42. Isabelle Wetmore shot a 48, Seth DeMaria a 49 and Constantino Capobianco a 50. Middletown’s Mason Gilman was the day’s medallist, carding a 1-over 36.

East Providence improved to 9-3 on the year with the victories, holding down third place in the Eastern Division standings behind stalwarts Barrington (9-0) and Portsmouth (8-1). The Townies were scheduled to close out their regular season slate Wednesday, May 16, against the aforementioned Eagles and host Patriots at Green Valley C.C. in Portsmouth

An upset then and some help could leave East Providence with one of the two automatic qualifying spots into the state championship tournament at the end of the month. The first and second place teams at the end of the regular season, traditionally spots held by powers Barrington and Portsmouth, qualify directly into the state tournament, this year played on May 29 and 30 at Cranston Country Club. Barrington and Portsmouth are again setting the Eastern pace.

The more likely scenario for the locals is to finish the regular season in places third through fifth. Those teams compete in a one-day playoff round for the third berth from the division into states. East Providence, Bay View (5-3) and Tiverton (4-6) held those spots as play continued this week.

E.P. opened the second half of its Eastern slate last week, the locals winning twice and improving to 7-3 in standings. The Townies defeated both Mt. Hope and Rogers by the same 190-300 count and also edged neighboring Bay View, 172-179, to not only solidify its postseason prospects but also enhance their chances of hosting the division playoff match at their home Metacomet Country Club.

At Metacomet against the Huskies and Vikings, Azevedo paced East Providence with a score of 43 over the par 36 front side. Jake Pezza added a 47 to the team score, Cameron Ellinwood a 49 and Capobianco a 51.

Against the Bengals at Crestwood C.C., Azevedo was the day’s medallist, firing a 4-over, 39 to pace the Townies. Wetmore shot a 43, DiMaria a 44 and Capobianco a 46. Lauren Dohoney was low for Bay View with a 42.

The Townies split their earlier outing at home against Bay View with Middletown at Metacomet, posting a score of 210 to the 241 of the Islanders and 189 of the Bengals. Alana McGuinness was the medallist on the day, shooting 41 for Bay View. Freshman Azevedo was low for the Townies with a 47.

Previously, E.P. (206) swept their season-opening match at Montaup over host Tiverton (246) and Mt. Hope (276). At Newport C.C. in their next contest, the Townies carded a 206 to defeat host Rogers (234) and lose to Barrington (168). Ellinwood was low man for the Townies with a 50.

E.P. then lost its home opener to Portsmouth at Metacomet, 196-171. Juniors Capobianco and Ellinwood shared low honors for the Townies, each shooting 47.

To date, senior Pezza, junior Wetmore and sophomore DiMaria have joined Azevedo, Capobianco and Ellinwood as players to post scores towards the Townies’ team totals in matches.

The rest of the roster included sophomore Miranda De La Cruz, freshman Kyle Duggan, senior Colin Feeney, junior Ryan Hellman, freshman Colby Nelson, freshman Stanley Rodwich, sophomore Emma Tellier and senior Blake Trowbridge.