SPORTS

East, West baseball split rivalry matchup

By ALEX SPONSELLER
Posted 5/24/23

The Cranston East and West baseball teams would go 1-1 against each other in their annual rivalry series, with the Bolts taking last week’s Game 1 by a 12-4 decision while the Falcons would …

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SPORTS

East, West baseball split rivalry matchup

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The Cranston East and West baseball teams would go 1-1 against each other in their annual rivalry series, with the Bolts taking last week’s Game 1 by a 12-4 decision while the Falcons would rebound to take the second game, 5-0.

The Bolts would take an early two-run lead in the first game when Jayden Tolentino hit a 2-run double. East would break things open in the third inning when it pushed five more runs across the plate which would be enough to secure the win.

Tolentino would go on to finish with four hits and knock in another two runs while Carlos Merejo, who also reached base four times, hit a solo home run in the third inning. Adrian Pimental knocked in three runs including two on a 2-run single, also in the third inning. Damon Asencio and Jayven Alexandre also knocked in runs in the win.

The Falcons scored all four of their runs in the top of the sixth. Colby Kuzman, Ryan Zarrella, Chris Piscione and Aidan Milano all crossed home for West. Ethan Madden and Milano knocked in runs.

East also received a solid pitching performance from John Devine, who has formed one of the state’s best 1-2 punches between him and Central Connecticut-commit Randy Guzman.

Devine carried a no hitter through the first five innings for the Bolts before West managed to break through.

“I was just mixing up pitches, fastball, slider, everything was working good today. It’s a big win and it always feels good to get one like this. Everyone contributed. I love our pitching staff,” said Devine.

The Bolts improved to 9-8 with the win and have been going through ups and downs this spring. East entered the game on a three games losing streak, including back to back losses to defending champion North Kingstown.

East secured the second seed in its playoff pod with the win.

“Being on a three-game losing streak, we needed this, we wanted this one real bad. I’m new to this rivalry, but I knew how much we wanted it, there was talk between the schools, we knew we’d come out here and get the W,” said Tolentino, who is in his first season with the Bolts after transferring from North Providence this offseason. “It’s pretty big. Some days we’re hot, some days we lose it. We did good today and got the win so now we need to get another one.”

The two teams squared off again on Monday and the Falcons would get a gem on the mound from starting pitcher Nick Masse.

The senior hurler would finish the complete game shutout, allowing just one hit while racking up a whopping 11 strikeouts on the hill through six innings of work.

West led just 1-0 heading into the fifth inning, but the bats would get rolling to pick up three insurance runs before tacking on another in the sixth.

Masse, Luciano Leone, Piscione and George Threats knocked in runs for the Falcons on offense.

West improved to 8-10 in league play with the win.

The two teams will be squaring off once again for a Senior Night exhibition this Thursday.

East, West, baseball

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