Providence Begins 2023 with a Pair of Victories

 

WARWICK NECK, R.I. — Providence opened its 2023 campaign with a doubleheader sweep of the Cornish Game Hens of Providence on a windy day at the Grays' home grounds of Rocky Point last Saturday, April 22.

The day began with an 1884-rules overhand contest in which the hosts delivered a convincing, 19-7 victory in five innings. Game two saw the Grays keep their momentum in a six-inning, 17-6 triumph played by the rules of 1864.

Providence opened the scoring in game one with a four-run first inning, highlighted by three consecutive singles off the bats of Aidan Pirruccello-McClellan, Mike "Banquet" Swanson and Jamie Maynard. The Grays then broke the game open with 13 tallies in the second in response to four runs in the top of the frame from the Game Hens.

Aidan P-Mc, Banquet, Maynard, captain Brian Travers and Mike Duggan all recorded hits in the second-inning scoring spree while Banquet, the Grays' starting pitcher, limited the Hens to six runs in five quality innings in the box to earn the pitching win.

 

The Hens struck first in the second leg, carrying a 2-0 advantage into the bottom of the third. Providence then pushed five across in its half of the third, as Jon "Bones" Henson led off with a single while seven of the Grays' first eight batters produced hits.

Providence tacked on six runs in the fourth and five more in the fifth to pull away as the Hens scored four of their six runs in their last at-bats. Johnny Carlevale led the way with a team-high three hits and Bones picked up his first pitching win of the young season.

The Grays swept their opening doubleheader for the second straight season and are scheduled to continue the campaign, weather permitting, tomorrow, April 30, with a pair of contests against the Boston Union in Warwick Neck beginning at 12:30 p.m. Follow the team's Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on the status of tomorrow's games.