Archive - 2013 - Sports Article
April 10th
Wednesdayâs announcement from the Rhode Island Principalsâ Committee on Athletics regarding the awarding of a two-year football officialsâ contract to a group from Massachusetts does not automatically spell the end of Rhode Island-based officials from overseeing games statewide.
What remains to be seen is just how many Rhode Island officials are willing to put hurt feelings aside and âbreak ranks,â those words coming from Bruce Guindon, a Pawtucket native and registered Interscholastic League official.
PAWTUCKET â A tip for those with plans to turn out at McCoy Stadium for the Pawtucket Red Soxâ home opener on Thursday night: Make every effort to get comfortably seated by around 6:15.
An elaborate pre-game ceremony laced with pageantry will directly lead into the 7:05 first pitch between Pawtucket and Rochester. The festivities commence with a tribute to neighboring police and fire units. The jubilant spirit inside the ballparkâs walls will undoubtedly remain at a fever pitch when the 2012 Governorsâ Cup champion PawSox are recognized as part of a special ring ceremony.
LINCOLN â Regarding the defending state championship unit he oversees, Lincoln High head coach Dick Ryan has very few reasons to feel nervous.
Even on a day that saw senior pitching standout Lindsay Mayer demonstrate that she is human after all, the Lions were still able to outclass the opposition in every conceivable sense. Lincoln was supplied by plenty of offensive fireworks and a stout defense that was on full display during the fifth inning of Wednesdayâs game when centerfielder Adriana Toro unleashed a cannon of a throw to nail a Smithfield baserunner at third base.
WOONSOCKET â On Monday afternoon at Slater Park, Tolman High mustered only one hit in a 3-0, extra-inning loss to defending Rhode Island Division I champion Lincoln.
Naturally, that was a point of contention for head coach Craig Giarrusso, who in practice has been working with his girls to produce more at the plate.
It showed, and then some, in a Division I showdown with Woonsocket on Wednesday afternoon. The Tigers bashed 14 hits, 11 of them in the final three frames, to post an easier-than-anticipated 8-0 victory at Cold Spring Parkâs Baldelli Field.
April 9th
PROVIDENCE â Through all the twists and turns on his basketball journey, Ricky Ledo never once lost sight of what he interpreted to be the brass ring.
Mentioning Ledo and the NBA in the same sentence is a parlor game thatâs been en vogue for quite some time. The Providence native always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye when it came to pro hoops â his tunnel vision so clairvoyant that the only matter left to itemize was to wait for Declaration Day.
BURRILLVILLE â Senior captain Zach LaFleur had just confessed to his ânewâ head coach, Peter Berthelette, that he needed his help with the bat after striking out twice in his final two at-bats Tuesday afternoon.
But when asked what Burrillville Highâs stellar 4-3 victory over Mount St. Charles in both teamsâ Division II-North season opener meant to him, LaFleur responded immediately and with feeling.
April 8th
WOONSOCKET â In a 9-0 Injury Fund romp at Smithfield on Saturday, Woonsocket High assembled quite the defensive display, and head coach John Marsella expected the same from his troops in the Division I-North season opener at Barry Field 48 hours later.
Unfortunately for the Villa Novans, they committed a whopping seven miscues on an unseasonably warm Monday afternoon and suffered a 6-5 loss to Cranston East before approximately 75 fans.
MOOSIC, Penn. â Terry Doyle admits that the Pawtucket Red Sox were playing with house money.
With the PawSox having won the first three games against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the main question heading into Sundayâs series finale was whether the RailRiders could save face and avoid falling victim to a season-opening four-game sweep at PNC Field.
April 7th
MOOSIC, Pa. â It appears the Red Sox are electing to take a cautious approach with pitcher Rubby De La Rosa.
The fifth member of Pawtucketâs starting rotation will make his first start of the season at Lehigh Valley on Monday night. Unlike the teamâs other four starters, all of whom have thrown around 85 pitches, De La Rosa will be limited to about 50 pitches. Graham Godfrey, who tossed two innings in Thursdayâs season opener, is expected to serve as backup.
âJust taking it easy on him,â said PawSox pitching coach Rich Sauveur about De La Rosa. âNo rush.â
