Warwick 13’s handle NP/Smithfield to capture state crown

Samuel DaCosta & Matt Metcalf
Posted 7/21/15

Warwick has proven itself to be the best team in R.I. Babe Ruth League Baseball under any condition, rain or shine, after defeating North Providence/Smithfield in the state championship by a score of …

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Warwick 13’s handle NP/Smithfield to capture state crown

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Warwick has proven itself to be the best team in R.I. Babe Ruth League Baseball under any condition, rain or shine, after defeating North Providence/Smithfield in the state championship by a score of 9-4.

The game, initially scheduled for Wednesday, was suspended due to rain during the bottom of the third with Warwick in the lead 6-2. When the game was continued on Thursday, the main concern for Warwick would be whether the team could maintain its lead and stay disciplined despite the lengthy stoppage in play. In the end, Warwick overcame adversity to finish the double-elimination playoffs with an undefeated record, with Andrew Merryfield being named Most Valuable Player for the tournament.

Warwick went into the second day of the two-day contest with a full head of steam, scoring six runs in the first inning.

Merryfield got things started in the top of the first with a leadoff single, and was later brought home on an RBI double by Aaron Rastella.

Jake White followed with a double of his own, plating Brett Babcock and Rastella to make it a 3-0 game.

A pair of costly errors by North Providence/Smithfield and an RBI groundout off the bat of Nick Zabawar allowed Warwick to tack on three more runs before the inning came to an end.

Pitcher Tyler Parks and the Warwick defense were then able to hold off the North Providence/Smithfield offense to maintain that 6-0 lead, before NP/Smithfield finally woke up in the third inning.

With the rain coming down steadily, Parks began to struggle with his command, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in that third inning alone.

He was then relieved by Derek Lallo, but Lallo never got to face a batter, as the umpires and coaches came together and ultimately decided to suspend the game because of sloppy playing conditions.

The next day, NP/Smithfield would pick up where it left off with Nick Conti and Ryan O’Connell starting from first and second with one out in the third. Both runners would score off a blast to deep left by Ben Rastelli for a double, making it a 6-4 ball game.

Despite the pressure put on by NP/Smithfield’s third-inning rally, Lallo showed great maturity in maintaining his composure as he shut down the opposing offense. Lallo rebounded with four straight shutout innings and four strikeouts

After both teams were scoreless in the fourth inning, Warwick scored three insurance runs in the fifth.

After White doubled to left field, Parks hit a hard line drive deep into left field to knock in White, beating the tag with a slide for a triple.

Playing excellent small ball, Lallo would knock in Parks on a would-be sacrifice ground ball. Lallo would be rewarded for the smart play after a fielding error led to the ball going out of play, putting Lallo on second.

Warwick continued playing smart baseball, as Nathan Miller’s sacrifice play advanced Lallo to third, and Zabawar’s sacrifice grounder knocked Lallo home, increasing Warwick’s lead to 9-4. With phenomenal pitching and defense, Warwick held out for two more innings to win the state championship.

Warwick will be moving on to the regional tournament in Vermont, but not before a hard-earned celebration. Like the rest of the team, Coach Steven Lallo was all smiles after the game. When asked about his feelings on his team becoming state champions, Lallo said, “It feels nice and well deserved by the boys. They did a great job and we’re looking forward to the next part of the journey.”

According to Coach Lallo, “The key to success today and for the whole tournament was everybody playing together as a team. This team gelled great at a very early point once we put the tournament team together. Everybody played a part and there were no superstars. Everybody contributed and we did just what we set out to do which was pitch well, field great and the hitting would come second and that’s exactly what happened for us. We didn’t give up many extra outs throughout the tournament and I think that’s why we ended up on top.”

When asked about how his team would prepare for regionals, Coach Lallo said, “We’ve got to take it in and enjoy the moment and then we have to start practicing and fine-tuning our skills. We have to enjoy it. It’s all bonus baseball from here.”

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