Grays Head to Hull After Three Wins in Gettysburg

Tony McClellan on the ball at Gettysburg (Photo: Steph Travers)

WARWICK NECK, R.I. -- The Providence Grays found balance on the battlefields of Gettysburg, bouncing back from three losses in New Jersey with a trio of victories at the Gettysburg National 19^th Century Base Ball Festival last weekend (July 20-21).

Providence have now won three of their four games in Gettysburg for three straight years, defeating the Georgetown Gentlemen of Kentucky (23-3), Diamond State BBC of Delaware (13-6) and the Wytheville Statesmen of Virginia (8-6) at the 2024 edition. The Grays fell to the Bear Clan BBC of Flat Rock, Michigan, 25-5, for their only loss of the weekend.

This was a change of fortune from a difficult weekend in New Jersey (June 29-30), as Providence went 1-3 at the Elizabeth Resolutes 25^th Anniversary Festival. The lone triumph came against the Eclipse BBC of Elkton, Maryland, while the host Resolutes, Bovina Dairymen and Flemington Neshanock all got the best of the Grays. 

The win over Elkton was the last game of the weekend, putting Providence at 4-1 in their last five outings and 12-14 overall. Gettysburg’s National Festival is the peak of the vintage base ball calendar, and the Grays once again look to carry momentum from fine form at Schroeder Farm.

Each club is given commemorative festival coins at the end of each game in Gettysburg, and captain Brian Travers presented the Grays’ coin to his MVP of each match. Father and son Henson received the honors on day one, as Jon “Bones” Henson finely hurled Providence past Diamond State and Kai had five hits and his first career home run against Georgetown. 

Gettysburg Festival coins (Photo: Helen Sheldon)

Aidan Pirruccello-McClellan took home the first award on day two, recognizing his stellar work with the bat throughout the weekend. Dave “Grandpa” Watson was awarded after the win against Wytheville thanks to impressive defensive displays at first base.

Plenty of other Grays flaunted their abilities in Gettysburg, as Johnny Carlevale, Mike Duggan and Jay Gildea had at least three hits each in the opener versus Georgetown and stayed hot throughout. Mike “Banquet” Taylor also homered in the opener and swung well all weekend, while Travers, Jerry McCormack and Tony McClellan guided the Grays between the lines in addition to their offensive contributions.

 

Dave "Lightning Legs" Leopardi (Photo: Steph Travers)

A challenge looms for Providence, as they turn their attention to Base Ball at the Beach against the Connecticut Base Ball Club tomorrow, July 27, in Hull, Massachusetts. The New England rivals will play an 1884/64 doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m. Follow the Grays on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date on the action.

McCormack's elegant pitching style and exquisite moustache (Photo: Steph Travers)

Providence and Diamond State at Gettysburg, July 20, 2024