Archive - Jul 2011 - Sports Article
July 27th
WEST WARWICK — To say that Ryan O’Dell and his Cumberland Post 14 teammates are looking forward to the American Legion Senior Division playoffs would be a gross understatement.
Just a few months earlier, many of the same players on manager Jim Dawber’s crew figured prominently on the Lincoln High baseball squad that exited quickly from the Division I playoffs. It was the type of ending that was viewed in some corners as a complete shock, especially since Lincoln had captured the I-North division title and rattled off seven consecutive wins to begin the season.
WARWICK — After capturing the state title for 11-year-olds last year with basically the same core of players, Cumberland American All-Star coach Dave Belisle kind of had a feeling his team had what it took to excel in the Major Division this summer.
Just a little more than a month after the season began, his young and talented players certainly proved it.
July 26th
WEST WARWICK --- They will try this again today.
Tuesday’s start to the American Legion Senior Division “Elite Eight” double-elimination tournament only reached a few innings before inclement weather rained on most of the state and suspended both opening-round doubleheaders at McCarthy Field in West Warwick and Pierce Field in East Providence.
It’s a special time for the players of the Cumberland American Little League All-Star team. The squad, which is mostly comprised of 12-year-old youths, stormed through the District IV Major Division Tournament and after two dominating victories at the state level stands just a win away from representing Rhode Island at the Eastern Regionals in Bristol, Conn., next week.
July 25th
It’s a 13.1-mile race. No matter how you look at it, it possesses some kind of challenge for anyone that attempts the distance.
But this one will be a little more fun. Actually, it could be a lot more fun.
On Sunday morning, Aug. 7, an expected 8,000 runners and walkers will invade the capital city for the inaugural Rock n’ Roll Providence Half Marathon. The race is the latest of the popular Rock n’ Roll Marathon series that has already made its way to 25 U.S. cities and an additional two more internationally.
Two-time regular-season champion Cumberland Post 14 and red-hot Collette Vacations Post 79 will be among the “Elite Eight” teams that will play for the state championship this week when the R.I. American Legion Senior Division tournament moves into the double-elimination format.
In seasons past, the double-elimination portion of the postseason wouldn’t get under way until four ballclubs were left standing after winning a best-of-three quarterfinal and semifinal-round series.
July 24th
Contributing writer
WARWICK – Another day, another offensive explosion by Cumberland American.
Manager Dave Belisle’s club moved within one win of claiming the Major Division state championship Sunday, throttling Cranston Western 15-0 in a four-inning mercy-rule affair at Warwick West Side Little League’s Abe Klitzner Field.
July 23rd
Contributing writer
WARWICK – A three-run deficit in the first inning? Just a minor inconvenience for Cumberland American’s potent offense.
The District IV champions smacked three home runs Saturday in their Major Division state tournament opener, using an eight-run fifth to blow open a tie game en route to a 13-3 victory over Portsmouth at Warwick West Side Little League’s Abe Klitzner Field.
July 22nd
CUMBERLAND — Cumberland American Little League All-Star coach Dave Belisle has been this route before.
When his team, the recent District IV champions, takes to the field Saturday night for its opening-round game in the state tournament, it will be the second time that Belisle has made the trip.
Four years ago when his son Brian was on the squad, he was the coach when CALL also competed at the states after copping the district title with an exciting win over a very-talent Smithfield team in the finals.
July 21st
GLOCESTER -- Glocester Little League captured the District IV championship with an 11-7 victory over Burrillville in a game that was suspended due to darkness after Glocester rallied to tie the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning.
When the game resumed last Tuesday, Glocester pulled away to its victory. Jimmy Greene got the hit that put Glocester ahead for good. Matt Taillon added a two-run single that drove in Greene and Drew Angell.
Relief pitcher Derek Faria pitched out of a jam in the seventh inning. Danny Keefe and Mike Wilkenson also pitched well in relief for the champions.
