The East Providence High School baseball team opened up Division II play last week with a 1-0 victory over visiting Johnston Monday night, April 8, as the Townies remained unbeaten in three league outings at the time.

Tim Robitaille upped his early season tally to 2-0. The junior scattered three hits over his six innings of work, struck out three and walked one. The Panthers had just five base runners all evening. The visitors put two on with two out in the second courtesy of a single and walk, but Robitaille recorded a strikeout to end the threat. In the third, he gave up a two-out triple, but again avoided any further damage by enticing a grounder to Colin Roche at first for the final out.

In relief, Tyler Dicecco impressively struck out the side to pick up the save, though he did allow a two-out single to give Johnston a brief glimmer of hope.

Offensively, the Townies plated the game's only run in the bottom of the fourth. Robitaille whiffed to begin the inning. Dicecco then singled to center. Oliver Andrews struck out before Aidan Martins reached on an error and Gavin Palombo drew a walk to load bases. Roche next hit a single to left to drive in Dicecco.

The Townies next were winners in extra innings by a 4-3 score on the road in North Providence. Dylan Annicelli was the winning pitcher. Dicecco earned another save with a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

EP took an immediate lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Nolan Lorenz led off with a single as did brother Kyler. Robitaille loaded the bases with an infield hit. Dicecco then drove in Nolan Lorenz with a sacrifice fly to left before the rally ended.

The Cougars, however, got that back and two more after scoring three runs with two down in the bottom of the frame to take a 3-1 lead. North Providence used used four base hits and a Townie error to plate the tallies off Annicelli, but the junior righty would allow no more through six more innings on the mound.

The Townies got one back in each of the third and fourth frames to tie the score. With one out in the third, Robitaille was hit by a pitch. After the second out, he stole second. Martins walked then the Cougars booted Oliver Andrew's grounder, allowing Robitaille to score EP's second run. In the third, Brian Rutkowski was hit by a pitch and moved to second on an error, then to third on a Max Correiro ground out. He scored on Nolan Lorenz's single to left.

The score remained 3-3 through regulation. In the top of the eighth, Nolan Lorenz reached and went to second after another error by the Cougars with one out. He remained there for a second out, then scored on Robitaille's single to left. In the home half, Dicecco struck out the side to close out the victory. Annicelli earned the win, throwing seven innings, striking out five, walking none and giving up eight hits.

Girls' lacrosse
The EPHS girls' lacrosse squad fell to host Narragansett 7-6 in a Division II contest to begin last week. The Townies fell below .500 to 1-2 in the league at the time. Kenna Wigginton netted a hat-trick to lead the locals. Kloey Iacovone, Alyssa Karalekas and Dylan Flynn scored one goal each. Ava Williams had a total of 14 saves in goal.

East Providence leveled its league mark after defeating visiting next-door neighbor Providence Country 15-5 to close last week. Williams was credited with 10 saves in the Townies' net. Kenna Wigginton potted six goals to lead the EPHS offense, including the senior's 100th tally of her career. Karalekas added a hat-trick. Katherine Almeida and Iacovone each had a pair. Dylan Flynn and Nadiyah Calouro-Vargas netted one apiece. For the Knights, Ellie Cordischi scored twice while Kathryn Ford, Emeline Turnbull and Eloise Wetherby added one each.

Softball
The EPHS softball team was shut out by visiting Pilgrim 12-0 Tuesday night, April 9, in its first Division I contest of last week in its 2024 home opener. The Townies slipped to 0-3 to start their league season at the time.

EP next hosted LaSalle in an early season Division I outing Thursday afternoon, April 11, the visiting Rams keeping the Townies winless with a 15-0 victory.

LaSalle never trailed after scoring a run in the top of the first inning, then used a little "small ball" — bunting and base stealing — to take control of the contest by scoring four more times in the second. The Rams later broke the contest open by scoring nine times in the fourth  en route to the Mercy Rule win.

LaSalle finished with 14 hits while its freshman hurler Kayleigh Gouchie no hit the Townies. She struck out nine and walked a pair. The Rams improved to 3-0 in the league. Casey Delude suffered the loss in the circle for the locals, allowing 12 earned and 10 hits over 3-2/3 innings. EP fell to 0-4. 

Boys' volleyball
The EPHS boys' volleyball club dropped its initial Division II match of the young 2024 season, falling to host Barrington in three games. The Eagles were winners by the scores of 25-16, 25-17, 25-14. The Townies dipped to 2-1 at the time.

East Providence followed up with a 3-1 home win over Central as the Townies defeated the Knights by the scores of 25-21, 28-26, 26-28, 25-14. Jordan Rodriguez paced the locals with nine kills and 14 digs. Franklin Carela Lopez chipped in five kills and a block.

The win one, lose one pattern to start of their league season continued as last week ended after the Townies fell to visiting Cranston West 3-1. The Falcons were winners by the scores of 25-21, 25-19, 17-25, 25-12. Jordan Rodriguez led EPHS with 14 kills, 12 digs and two service aces. Brandon Mimande added seven kills and 11 digs.