Cranston Bulldogs

     The Warwick Vets Hurricanes held off a late Wizards rally and held on to a 5-3 victory in the Injury Fund game.

     After leaving six runners left on base over the first five innings and falling behind 5-0  in the top half of the sixth inning, the Wizards scored three runs on two hits, one walk, and one hit batsman to cut the Hurricane lead to 5-3.

     After Garret DeBlois reached on a fielder's choice with two out, Chris Morrison (hit by a pitch), and Max Motroni (infield hit) followed loading the bases for Jeff Sampaio.  On a 0-2 count, Sampaio blasted a hit into the right center game for a three run triple. 

     In the bottom of the seventh, the Wizards' first three batters reached to load the bases (Sam Williamson - walk, Rich Lizotte - single, and Charley Parent - walk) with no out.  Hurricane reliever, Josh Clift, however regained his composure and got the next three hitters on a strikeout, fly out, and groundout to end the game.  Clift received a huge play from left fielder Brendon Leahy.  Sophomore Garret DeBlois took a 1-1 pitch and pulled what seemed to be, at first, a game winning hit which looked headed toward the scoreboard in left field.  The hit, however, got caught up in the wind.  Leahy, then, made an outstanding catch, preventing the Wizards from a come from behind victory.

      The Wizards received a fine effort on the hill from their pitchers.  Freshman Ryan Lawton, who worked the first three innings, allowed three earned runs on three hits while striking out four.  Senior Zane Legault pitched two innings of scoreless and hitless innings in middle relief.  Tim Parente, who was aided by a double play (Williamson-Lizotte-Giarusso), pitched a scoreless seventh.

     Offensively, the Wizards, who outhit the Hurricanes 8 to 5, could not get a timely hit (10 runners left on base).  Leading the Wizards were Jeff Sampaio (2 for 3, one triple, 3 r.b.i.'s), Dillon Coffua (2 for3, one stolen base), Sam Williamson (2 walks), Rich Lizotte (1 for 4), Charley Parent (1 for 3), Chris Morrison (1 for 3, one run scored), and Max Motroni (infield hit and one run scored). 

Wizard Notes:  The Wizards gained valuable playing experience.  The Wizards played 20 players, 19 of which saw time in the field and 13 of which had at least one at bat.  On Wednesday, the Wizards (1-0 in league play) travel to Narragansett to take on the Mariners in their first divisional game of the year (I-South).