OREGON BOUND

Warwick North 11/12’s capture East Region title, earn trip to World Series

Matt Metcalf and Jacob Marrocco
Posted 8/5/15

After winning the state title a couple of weeks back, Warwick North manager Kevin DeTroia said that his team had achieved their goal and anything from that point on would be extra.

Well, Warwick …

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OREGON BOUND

Warwick North 11/12’s capture East Region title, earn trip to World Series

Posted

After winning the state title a couple of weeks back, Warwick North manager Kevin DeTroia said that his team had achieved their goal and anything from that point on would be extra.

Well, Warwick North has achieved a whole lot extra, and it’ll have the opportunity to achieve more this month.

Warwick North edged Delaware, 3-2, on Thursday morning to capture the East Region title, clinching a spot in the World Series in Portland, Ore.

The win marked a rarity in the state of Rhode Island, as Warwick North will be the first team to represent the state at the World Series since 1979. Furthermore, it is the first softball team from Warwick to make it to the 11/12-year-old World Series.

“They fought the battle,” DeTroia said to a crowd on Thursday. “The teams we faced, they weren’t easy to play, but they showed they had heart and they kept moving forward. This team here, I could coach them as far as I can go. Great kids, you’ve got a great team here representing Warwick North.”

Warwick North had beaten Delaware, 8-3, in the winners’ bracket final last Tuesday, however, this game would be much closer.

The two teams were tied, 2-2, after two innings of play, but an RBI single by Sophia DeTroia in the third that plated Kelsey Burr proved to be the difference.

Sierra Ricci came on in relief of Emily Carter in the third inning and tossed four scoreless frames in the circle to pick up the win. Ricci struck out three and surrendered three hits in her outing.

Delaware struck first with a run in the top half of the first, but Warwick North would respond, as Burr picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice to tie the game.

Delaware would again take the lead in the second, but Warwick North would answer right back. This time, Alyssa Richard laced an RBI single to tie the score.

The road team would never lead again, with Sophia DeTroia driving in what proved to be the game-winning run in the third.

Ricci would hold Delaware in the late innings, and just like that, history was made.

Upon returning home from Bristol, Conn., later in the day, the champs were greeted properly.

The team marched from CVS with a police escort down to Warwick West Side, where a party was thrown for the team.

While there, the collective group was able to take a step back and enjoy what they’d just achieved.

“I don’t think it’s going to set in for me until I get off that plane in Portland, and they say ‘Welcome.’” Kevin DeTroia said. “These girls deserve it. The coaching staff deserves it. You guys deserve it and we’re going to try to bring it all the way home.”

Warwick North will open up the World Series on Friday, Aug. 14, against Europe-Africa at 7 p.m.

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