Warwick North taking advantage of World Series trip

Matt Metcalf
Posted 8/18/15

Warwick North knows that the opportunity to play in the World Series is rare, and it’s taking advantage and running with that opportunity.

Monday’s 5-0 victory over Tigard, Ore., marked the …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Warwick North taking advantage of World Series trip

Posted

Warwick North knows that the opportunity to play in the World Series is rare, and it’s taking advantage and running with that opportunity.

Monday’s 5-0 victory over Tigard, Ore., marked the team’s third consecutive win, clinching it the No. 1 seed out of Pool A. Warwick North will play the second seed out of Pool B tonight at 7 p.m. EST in the world semifinals on ESPN 2.

Warwick North has certainly shown some resiliency up until this point.

After losing its first game of the summer to Uganda, 3-2, in its opening-round game at the World Series, Warwick North bounced back in a big way.

It defeated Puerto Rico in game two before knocking off previously unbeaten Seguin, Texas, in its third game.

It has been a complete team effort, as it has been all summer, for the Warwick girls.

“I’ve just been telling them to go out there and play the game they’ve been playing all along,” Warwick North manager Kevin DeTroia said prior to his team’s win on Monday. “They thrive under pressure.”

But there’s no question that Dyonna Rodas, in particular, has stepped up in a big way when her team has needed a lift.

Between Warwick North’s two wins on Saturday and Sunday, Rodas drove in eight of her squad’s 14 runs, including three of the four in a 4-1 win over Seguin on Sunday.

“Her bat’s been really hot for us in the lineup,” DeTroia said. “She’s right there for us when we need her.”

Emily Carter’s performance on Sunday – six innings pitched while allowing just one run – helped to put Warwick North in a good position to secure the No. 1 spot in Pool A.

After pitching well in the first game and closing out game No. 2, Carter was determined to shut down a high-powered Texas offense.

She did just that.

“Emily said ‘Whatever you do, don’t take me out,’” DeTroia said.

DeTroia didn’t, which was an easy decision.

He had another no-brainer on Monday, as Sierra Ricci followed up Carter’s performance with a complete-game shutout of Tigard, Ore. Ricci struck out five, allowing two hits and as many walks.

Warwick North broke the game open with a five-spot in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by RBI hits from Sydni Bigelli and Bryanna Rastella and an RBI groundout from Maddy D’Amato.

Prior to Monday’s game, DeTroia was aware of the task that his team had in front of it.

“We need to win in order to advance,” DeTroia said. “It would be big to be the No. 1 seed because then we can sit back and see who we play.”

Warwick North’s semifinal opponent was yet to be determined at press time, but DeTroia’s group is as confident as any other team in the tournament following three straight wins.

“There’s some light at the end of the tunnel, all they’ve been talking about is playing on ESPN,” DeTroia said with a laugh. “They know they’ll never get this chance again.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here