Johnston 9/10’s win District 1 title

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The Johnston 9/10-year-old All-Stars won District 1 last year and has five returning players on this year’s team.

The team started the tournament with a 6-2 loss to Cranston West at Kennedy Field in Johnston. It went on to play five games in nine days, battling out of the losers’ bracket and winning three games to advance to the District Championship. It then had to beat an undefeated North Providence West team twice to capture the District 1 crown.

Johnston started its set of must-win games with a 16-3 victory over North Providence East, as Derek Salvatore pitched four innings in a shortened mercy-rule win. 

The offense was led by Dante Iafrate, Dante Ricci and Michael Salzillo.

Next was another four-inning win at Cranston East, as Joe Domenico pitched three innings and Cam Salois came in to close out the victory. The entire team contributed offensively en route to the 12-2 win.

The team’s strong defense and pitching shined in the next game as Johnston beat rival Cranston West, 5-2, in Cranston. Salvatore pitched four strong innings once again and Salois shut the door to secure the victory.

The defense was stellar as Ricci made several plays at shortstop. Second baseman Iafrate along with infielders Domenico, Hudson Carvalho and Dylan Martins all played great defense. Ricci also made a run-saving diving catch as he moved to centerfield in the later innings.

Johnston then had to face unbeaten North Providence West in North Providence. Domenico started on the mound and pitched four impressive innings. North Providence took an early 2-0 lead, but Johnston’s defense turned two great double plays to keep North Providence from furthering its lead. Martins also made key plays on bunts in the early innings.

The offense then took over as Johnston took an 8-2 lead into the fourth inning. The game ended on a three-run double by Salzillo, giving Johnston another mercy-rule win, 12-2.

The game-one victory forced a winner-take-all game at Kennedy Field in Johnston. 

The defense helped out early with a 4-6-3 double play from Iafrate to Ricci to Domenico. Salvatore held North Providence scoreless, as he pitched six complete innings and gave up only one hit with the defense coming up large once again.  Outfielders Salois, Salzillo, Andrew Picard, Joey Vento and Jonah Pecchia turned in solid play throughout the tournament.

Catcher Mike Laflamme, who was steady behind the plate all tournament, had the big hit with a bases-loaded double, giving Johnston a 7-0 lead. 

Johnston finished strong with an 8-0 victory and the District 1 Championship for the second year in a row.

The manager of the team is Bob Giudici, with Brian Iafrate, Dan Salvatore and Jamie Ricci serving as coaches.

Johnston will now move on to the state tournament. Its first game will be played on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lee Romano Field in North Providence against the District 3 champion, Warwick North.

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