EAST PROVIDENCE — Facing a must win situation on the final day of the 2016 regular season to earn a spot in the upcoming Division I state championship playoffs on their own, the East Providence …
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EAST PROVIDENCE — Facing a must win situation on the final day of the 2016 regular season to earn a spot in the upcoming Division I state championship playoffs on their own, the East Providence High School baseball team came up well short in a 10-2 loss to visiting Central Wednesday, May 25, at Pierce Field.
The stage was set for the Townies (6-12 in D-I) on a warm and sunny afternoon as they honored their graduating seniors. And things started well enough for the locals, who broke to a fast 2-0 lead.
However, it was all downhill from there as Central (7-9 in D-I) scored 10 unanswered runs to leave E.P.'s playoff hopes hanging by a string.
“Very disappointing,” EPHS head coach Bobby Rodericks Jr. said. “We felt very good in the beginning with the two runs.”
With East Providence being the away team at their own field due to Central wanting to play at Pierce, the Townies were up to bat first. E.P. quickly took charge of the game off a Nate Silveira double that drove in two runs. On the mound start for the Townies was Andrew Rodriques who held Central scoreless for the first three innings and looked good.
But in the bottom of third inning with the score still at 2-0, Central had the bases loaded with one out. With the infield in, the Townies looked to be in a perfect position to turn a double play. Silveira successfully turned to Adam Duarte who got the first out and he then turned to Austin Hartley who let the ball get by him. The error allowed Central to tie the game at two a piece after three.
“We would have been out of the inning with a double play. It totally changed the game and took the wind right out of our sails,” Coach Rodericks said. “I don’t think he (Rodriques) had his best stuff today and I think that is what he would say. When his curveball is on he is one of the best curveball pitchers I have seen, but when he starts putting baserunners on that is when he gets into some trouble.”
Meanwhile, Central continued to hold E.P’s offense off the board despite a couple of chances for the Townies.
“We couldn't really get anything together offensively after the first inning,” Coach Rodericks said. “Their pitcher had a tremendous game. He settled in after he gave up those two runs and we pretty much couldn't hit him.”
Central then continued to drive in the runs as they had a six run fifth inning due in part to an arrant throw from the Townies and a two-run single. Despite a 1-2-3 sixth inning from reliever Ben Sears, the Townies couldn't get anything going on the offensive end and would go onto lose 10-2.
Now, E.P. needs Central to beat Portsmouth Thursday night, May 26, which would mean the Townies are in the playoffs. However, if Portsmouth wins, the Townies are eliminated from postseason contention, meaning that some of the seniors may have played their last game in a Townie uniform.
“As a coach you always miss your players,” Coach Rodericks said. “The senior crew in general was not experienced at Division I baseball so we should be able to move on cleanly. Leaving it up to somebody else is never a good thing, but we have to show Central our support and hope for the best at this point.”