Grays Host Bulldogs Rematch at Slater Park This Sunday

Jon Henson

September 8, 2018

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – When the ’86 Ivy League Champs roll into Pawtucket this Sunday, they’ll seek to redress their slim loss to Providence on August 26 in Hartford, where the Grays hung on for a 10-9 win. Providence, meanwhile, will look to build on their 7-1 record in overhand games this season (19-8 overall) as they host the follow-up match (1884 rules) in this friendly interstate rivalry.

In Hartford last month (Aug. 26), the two squads squared off for the first time ever (1886 rules), and the day’s battle proved epic, with both clubs showing their acumen for the overhand game. Providence got on the board straight away with a Mike “Banquet” Swanson base knock and subsequent theft of second base, followed by a clean single off the bat of Mike Duggan to tally one. Providence ace Kai Henson shut down the Ivies’ offense in the early innings and helped his own cause with a lead-off triple in the third inning. Henson then scored the first of three runs in the frame, driven in on a Johnny Carlevale single.

The Bulldogs’ bombers eventually caught up with Henson’s fire from the pitcher’s box and matched the Grays in tallies through the middle innings, taking the lead and then looking to build a decisive momentum. The top of the seventh saw the first three Connecticut batters reach safely on two solid hits and a defensive misstep. A daisy cutter to Captain Brian Travers (first base) on the next at-bat resulted in a put-out at the plate to hold the score, followed by a fielder’s choice that tallied one for the Ivies. Henson struck out the next batter to minimize the damage as the Bulldogs relinquished the frame.

Johnny Carlevale with the hot bat in Hartford (Aug. 26)

The Providence bats came alive again in the bottom of the seventh, when Grays rookie Jamie Maynard stepped into a clean hit to start things off. Carlevale continued to swing well and drove in Maynard on a well-placed single. Providence would plate a total of four runs in the frame, the rest on some defensive miscues and heads-up base running by Grays speedsters Banquet and Duggan. The Grays defended a 10-7 lead going into the top of the final frame, and the Bulldogs proved stalwarts, plating two and threatening to tie before the defense behind Henson (complete game, 8K) cut their efforts short.

The much-anticipated rematch will take place this Sunday, September 9, at the Slater Park Fall Festival in Pawtucket. The festival offers an open-air market featuring food trucks, crafts, family-fun activities, music and dance performances, and more. Admission is free. Come for the game and stay for the celebration.  The game will take place near Slater Park’s Armistice Blvd. entrance (825 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket). First pitch is 11 a.m.