20 Rhode Island baseball leagues began pool play on Monday, September 21st in the 2020 Rhode Island All Star State Tournament, 12U Division. Competitive games were played throughout RI’s top youth baseball fields to determine the seeding for the weekend’s single elimination rounds. Friday’s games narrowed the field of RI baseball leagues down to 8. Then, the tournament moved to Dow Field, Chariho Little League’s home park, for a highly anticipated quarterfinal Saturday of baseball. And wow, the baseball talent and weather did not disappoint.
Chris Charette is the tournament director, game announcer, scorer, organizer, and update KING of the 2020 RI All Star State Tournament. I got to spend some time with Chris yesterday in the press box at Dow Field, as he was scoring games and announcing players. Chris had a pitch counter and score board operator with him in the press box, keeping everything official with batting orders, substitutions, pitch counts, and more. Three or four doing the work of many, many more. Here is a great shot of the field, taken by Chris pre-game(s) yesterday.
I was able to watch some of the incredible game action yesterday. The fans cheered loudly, the concession stand was open (and cleaning the counters, sanitizing every time I looked over), and the weather was absolutely perfect for baseball. I got to catch up with some of the best baseball parents and coaches who just love the game of baseball. Great to meet up with Sherry, Eric, Rob, Jamie, Arnie, George, the Kim family, Matt, Alan, Jeff, and so many others who have given 100% to their respective communities as baseball volunteers and proud parents over the many years I have known them. In this new normal, there were less handshakes and hugs of course. But, it was still great to connect with friends and fellow North Kingstown Wickford parents, some of whom I have known for close to 10 years.
As for the play on the field, I will turn the mike (or typewriter) over to tournament director Chris Charette, who has perfectly recapped the play from yesterday. Take it away, Chris:
Game 1 – Coventry Vs. North Kingstown: In a pitchers duel between Coventry and North Kingstown, Mason Marchessault and Rock Arnold battled through 5 innings each with 8 K’s , 3 Walks and giving up 3 hits. Coventry had control of the lead from the start with a lead of single from Colton Simas that lead to him scoring in the 1st. Leah Lapham singled in the 2nd and scoring off an RBI single from Simas. In the 4th North Kingstown cut the lead back with a double by rock Arnold and an RBI sacrifice by Jacob Hamilton. The 5th inning brought more production by NK with Jake Gaccione walking and being batted in by Brandon Venditto to tie the game at 2. In the bottom of the 6th Rock Arnold lead off with a walk and with 1 out stole 2nd on a wild pitch which forced a throwing error. Some solid base running allowed Arnold to score and Win the game 3-2 over Coventry to move on to the semi finals.
Game 2 – Chariho Vs. Warwick North: In another very close battle Warwick North outed Chariho by one run to Move on to the Semi Finals. Chariho came out strong from the start with Noah Holland reaching on an error and being batted in by a Grayson Simmons single . Chariho would score again in the 3rd by a Gavyn Pepler RBI single to score Everett Knerr. Warwick North battles back in the 3rd to regain a lead of 3-2. Started by a single by Mike Mainelli followed by Mike Bryson reaching on an error with an RBI. A walk for Jack Cirelli and another error scores Bryson and single for another RBI by Logan Greenslade. Chariho answered with a walk by Leo Emery and an RBI single by Jack Zebarini. Zebarini also scored in the 4th. Jack Cirelli then Homered in the 5th to tie it up. The game continued until the bottom of the 7th when Michael Bryson singled and advanced on a steal and a wild pitch. Jack Cirelli then was able to send a Sac fly to center to allow the winning run to cross the plate for the win 5-4.
Game 3 – Warwick Continental Vs. Cumberland: The lone run of this game was a blast to Center by Ethan Luisi. Luisi homered in the bottom of the 1st inning to give Warwick the lead and they were able to hold on through 6 innings. Mason Broomfield was dominant on the hill through 2 innings dealing 20 pitches with 5K’s and giving up 1 hit. Anthony Burt then dealt 4 scoreless innings with 4K’s, 2 walks and giving up only 2 hits. Cumberland’s Micah Cousineau threw a complete game with 7K’s, 0 walks and 5 hits. This game featured great pitching and errorless baseball on both sides. Continental defeated Cumberland 1-0.
Game 4 – Lincoln Vs. Cranston West: In this battle the 10 seed Lincoln came out swinging for the fences and battled back and forth to the final out. In a big 3rd inning Lincoln started the inning with a pair of back to back bombs to straight away center by Jake Lonardo and Lucas Marshall. Brennan Robert then singled and was able to score on a sacrifice by Nick Ganim. Cranston West replied with 2 runs on a Gianni Santo Double followed by a Mike D’Ambra RBI single and an RBI double by Brendan Dinezza. In the Top of the 6th Lincoln strikes again with 3 more runs on a Lucas Marshall RBI Double and Carsen Mellen 2 RBI single. Cranston West went down swinging with 2 more runs in the bottom of the 6th before Lincoln put it away. Lincoln bested Cranston West 6-4.
Sunday is Championship Tournament Day at the RI All Star State 12U Tournament. Games today feature:
North Kingstown/Wickford vs Warwick North at 10:00am – Dow Field, Chariho
Warwick Continental American vs Lincoln – 12:30pm – Dow Field, Chariho
The Championship game will be played at 3pm – Dow Field, Chariho
Good luck to all the players, coaches, and families participating. What an incredible way to end the Summer Baseball season for these Rhode Island 12U baseball families, leagues, and communities.
The Rhiter 
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