Warwick PAL

     In a league game against Narragansett, the Wizards, who had built a 6-1 lead after two innings, allowed the Mariners to come from behind and defeat them, 8-6.

     In the top of the first inning, the Wizards jumped out to a 3-0 lead courtesy of one walk, one error, one hit batsman, two hits, and a sacrifice fly.  Dillon Coffua reached on an error to lead off the game and moved to second on Sam Williamson's single to centerfield.  After a pop out, Richard Lizotte walked to load the bases.  Coffua scored after Charley Parent was hit by a pitch.  After Tim Parente drove in Williamson with a single, Lizotte scored on a Chris Morrison sacrifice fly to right field. 

     In the bottom of the second inning, the Wizards scored three more runs for a 6-1 lead.  Coffua led off the inning with a walk, stole second, and moved to third on Sam Williamson's second hit of the game.  After Derek Strizinger retired the next two batters on a pop up and strikeout, Charley Parent was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Tim Parente.  The junior outfielder wasted no time in delivering a timely hit; he took the first pitch and doubled down the left field line, scoring Coffua and Williamson.  Parent scored the sixth run when Chris Morrison's grounder to third was misplayed. 

     The Wizards, however, put it in neutral for the remainder of the game by leaving ten runners stranded over the last five innings (15 for the game). 

     While the Wizards stopped producing timely hits, the Mariners methodically came back before taking the lead, 7-6, with four runs on four hits (one home run & one double) and two errors in the bottom of the fifth inning. 

     Offensively, the Wizards, who had nine hits in the game, received contributions from Jeff Sampaio (1/3), Derek Hebert (two walks and one hit batsman), Chris Morrison (1/3, 1 r.b.i.), Tim Parente (2/4, one double, 3 r.b.i.'s), Charley Parent (two hit batsmen, one walk, one run scored, and 1 r.b.i.), Rich Lizotte (2/4, one double, one run scored), Aaron Richards (1/3, one walk and one hit batsman), Sam Williamson (2/5, two runs scored), and Dillon Coffua (two runs scored). 

     Starting pitcher Richard Lizotte, who allowed only four runs in four innings, struck out three while throwing 49 of 75 pitches for strikes.  Senior reliever, Zane Legault, pitched out of a sixth inning jam by inducing a pop up and fly out, leaving two Mariner runners stranded. 

Week of April 27th:  Marlins

Week of May 4th:  Red Sox

Week of May 11th:  Dodgers

Week of May 18th:  Orioles and A's ... Yankees from April 20th???

Week of May 25th:  Orioles

Week of June 1st:  Dodgers and Yankees

Week of June 8th:  A's

Week of June 15th:  Marlins and Red Sox

Week of June 25th:  TBA - Playoffs

     On Friday, the Wizards took on the talented and senior-laden Skippers of North Kingstown.  The Skippers, who are one of the preseason favorites to win the Division I State Championship this year, overcame a 3-2 deficit in the first inning and cruised to a 19-5 victory.  

     Over the past 14 years (since 1995), the Skippers have not only won 11 or more league games in Division I/Class A play, but have compiled an incredible winning percentage of .702 (177-75).  During that same 14 year span, the Wizards, who have spent time playing in Division I/Class A (8 years) & Division II/Class B (6 years), have found success at the Division II/Class B level (2001 & 2002 State Champions and 2004 State Runner Up), but are only 31-113 over an eight year period (1995-2000 & 2007-present) in Division I/Class A.  Over a six year span in Division II/Class B, the Wizards had a winning percentage of .638 (67-38).

     After allowing two unearned runs in the top half of the first inning, the Wizards took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the first inning.  Dillon Coffua led off with a walk and moved to second when Aaron Richards was hit by a pitch with one out.  After Skipper starter, Jay Ferri, struck out the next batter, junior Charley Parent hit an 0-1 curve ball 385 feet for a three run home run and a 3-2 Wizard lead.

     That lead, however, would be short-lived as the Skippers scored eight runs on four hits (one grand slam by Ryan Morris), two walks, and three hit batsmen in the top of the second inning.

     In the bottom of the second inning, the Wizards scored one run when Jeff Sampaio singled, moved to secon on a wild pitch and scored on Sam Williamson's r.b.i. single to centerfield.

     Offensively, the Wizards were led by Williamson (1/3, 1 r.bi.), Sampaio (1/2, one run scored), Aaron Richards (two runs scored), Rich Lizotte (1/3), Charley Parent (three run home run), Tim Parente (two walks), and Chris Morrison (1/3, 1 r.b.i.).

     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).