Junior Class Looks Strong, Baseball Rolls Past Rams

The Hawks baseball team knew that they were going to need a full effort to beat rival La Salle Academy this past Tuesday, and that’s what they got. After a narrow victory over Cranston West by a score of 3-2 and on a ‘walk-off’ passed ball at that (a team La Salle mercy ruled), the Hawks had to bounce back offensively and defensively after struggling at the plate and, strangely, performing uncharacteristically poorly on defense by committing seven errors.

On Tuesday afternoon, however – with the bright lights of the entire state watching, helped along by the live Network broadcast - everything seemed to work for the Hawks.

The Providence Journal's slideshow from the game can be seen right HERE.

Our guys delivered exactly what the baseball doctors had ordered: quality pitching, hitting, and fielding. With seniors Mike McCaffery and Anthony Cofone having locked down the top of the Hawks’ rotation, junior pitcher Matt Kennedy had to be on his “A” game against our powerhouse, mirror-reflection rival. Kennedy rose to the occasion by tossing seven innings and allowing only one hit and three walks, while adding six strikeouts against a good La Salle lineup. The defense was also superb for the Hawks, anchored up the middle and by the duo of John Willette and Brandon Conley. Two of their outstanding plays from Tuesday can be seen right here:

Dare we say those two Web Gems could end up on ESPN's "Top Ten"?

Not only did these two contribute in the field but also at the plate. Willette went 2-3 with two runs and walk, while Conley went 1-4 with a triple over the head of La Salle centerfielder Brody Santilli. Willette and Conley were instrumental to the Hawks’ consistent success throughout the game.

Hawks centerfielder Dante Baldelli, batting in the fourth spot in the Hawks’ lineup, went 1-3 with a walk, run, and a RBI, an RBI that came in the top of the first with two outs. Baldelli slashed a ball into the hole between La Salle’s third baseman – Mancini – and the shortstop – Tracy - allowing Willette to trot home.

Other offensive contributors were seniors Jason Comeau and recent Boston College commit Gian Martellini. As the game unfolded, The Hawks gradually began to roll on all cylinders and eventually left Academy Avenue with a 6-1 victory, the presumptive team to beat at this point in the young season.

The Hawks and Rams will meet one more time later this season, this time at Ray Pepin Field on the Bishop Hendricken campus. Next up for the Hawks, however, is this afternoon as our guys do battle with the Saints from St. Ray’s, a game that we’ll once again have live, right here on The Network, starting at approximately 3:55 pm.