Grays Triumph Over M.A.C., Embark on Grand Road Adventure This Weekend

 

VILLAGE OF THE BRANCH, N.Y. - Hark! Having emerged victorious in their spirited encounters against the Mountain Athletic Club on the twenty-first of the month prior, the Providence Grays now stand emboldened, their undefeated streak intact. With heads held high, our valiant Grays brace themselves for a grand road trip, where they shall traverse the realms of vintage base ball glory in the realms of New York and New Jersey. In an exhilarating showcase of skill and camaraderie, they shall face the Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn and the Elizabeth Resolutes of New Jersey, determined to extend their unyielding dominance. Join us, dear readers, as we delve into the exhilarating chronicles of our beloved Providence Grays on this historic quest.

Let the echoes of victory resound through the land as we recount the triumphs of our gallant Providence Grays! On that fateful day, May 21, our heroes journeyed to Fleischmanns, NY, where they faced the Mountain Athletic Club in a riveting doubleheader. The first match, played under the banner of 1886, witnessed a splendid display of skill and determination.

From the onset, the fleet-footed leftfielder, Dave Leopardi, launched a resounding stroke that soared beyond the boundaries, granting our Grays an auspicious start with a home run. M.A.C. responded with two tallies in their initial frame, adding another in the second to claim an early 3-1 advantage. However, our Providence warriors unleashed their offensive might in the third, amassing an astounding 10 runs. The entire team contributed to this prodigious display, with Captain Brian Travers, pitcher Jay "Bidet" Gildea, catcher Aidan Pirruccello-McClellan, and third baseman Charlie Dryer exhibiting their prowess at the plate. Notably, center fielder "Crazy" Johnny Carlevale delivered two singles in the same fateful inning.

As the contest progressed, M.A.C. tightened their defenses, holding our Grays scoreless from the fourth through the eighth innings. Yet, the New Yorkers managed to narrow the deficit by plating two runs in the fifth, three in the sixth, and one in the seventh, bringing the score to a tantalizing 11-9 in favor of Providence. The weight of a comeback hung heavily upon the Rhode Islanders' shoulders, but they persevered and secured two insurance runs in the top of the ninth. With unwavering resolve, they held M.A.C. to a single score in the final frame, sealing a glorious victory for the Grays with a final tally of 13-10.

The second match, steeped in the revered rules of 1864, witnessed our Providence champions seize an early advantage. With resounding base hits from Carlevale and Gildea, as well as doubles from the bats of Travers and Aidan, our heroes surged ahead, establishing a 5-1 lead after the first inning. After a scoreless second frame, Providence ignited for three runs in the third, with Travers and Aidan once again showcasing their batting prowess. The fourth inning brought a fierce fight from M.A.C., as they uncovered some of pitcher Jon "Bones" Henson's strategy and unleashed a torrent of five runs, making the score a nail-biting 10-7 in favor of the Grays.

Undeterred by the New Yorkers' resurgence, our indomitable Grays added insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings, while holding M.A.C. to a mere two tallies in the seventh. The final score, a resolute 13-9, solidified Providence's unyielding dominance, elevating their undefeated record to an impressive 6-0 on the season.

Now, esteemed readers, let us direct our gaze to the forthcoming road trip that beckons our valiant Grays. An overnight odyssey awaits, commencing on Saturday, June 3, as we face the Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn. The clash shall transpire at the venerable Smithtown Historical Society in the Village of the Branch, New York at eleven in the morn. This encounter, taking the form of an 1884/1864 doubleheader, promises a captivating fusion of bygone rules and spirited competition.

But that is not all, dear friends. On this momentous journey, we shall also set foot upon Rahway River Park in New Jersey on Sunday, June 4, where we shall face the Elizabeth Resolutes in a twin bill that embodies the rules of 1870 and 1884, respectively. The day shall commence at the stroke of eleven o'clock, as our Grays and the Resolutes engage in a match true to the 1870 rules. As the afternoon progresses, the rules of 1884 shall come to the fore, showcasing the art of overhand pitching in all its glory.

Let it be known, esteemed enthusiasts, that Saturday's affair in Smithtown shall be graced by the commemoration of "Old Dutch Day," a tribute to the legacy of Al “Old Dutch” Dieckmann. May his spirit, as a vanguard of historically accurate 19th-century play, infuse our proceedings with unbridled zeal and reverence.

As our Providence Grays venture forth, let us rally behind them, for they carry the hopes and aspirations of an entire city. Stay attuned to our celebrated Facebook and Instagram profiles, dear comrades, and be part of this grand odyssey as we chart our course through time, where triumph and honor await us all!