2017 -- S 0963

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE PONAGANSET HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASEBALL TEAM ON

WINNING THE 2017 RHODE ISLAND DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP AND REPEATING

AS CHAMPIONS

     Introduced By: Senators P Fogarty, Nesselbush, Kettle, and Quezada

     Date Introduced: June 20, 2017

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The Ponaganset Boys' Baseball Team, a season after winning its first

baseball title in 54 years, has repeated as champions, winning the 2017 Rhode Island High School

Division II Baseball Championship; and

     WHEREAS, The Ponaganset Boys' Baseball Team compiled an outstanding 14-5 regular

season record to finish second in League play. In the early rounds of the State Playoffs,

Ponaganset, after receiving a first round bye, beat Tolman 4-3 in a hard-fought game, and swept

Chariho, winning two straight games to advance to the State Championship Finals; and

     WHEREAS, In the Championship Finals held at McCoy Stadium, Ponaganset faced their

arch-rivals, Scituate High School, in a best of three series to determine the State Champion. The

Chieftains captured the first game by the score of 8-4 as they jumped out to a 7-0 lead thanks to

the outstanding play provided by junior outfielder and Tournament MVP Billy Butler, who

bashed two hits and drove in three runs. Ponaganset wrapped up the series and the State title

when they won the second game 7-3, thanks in part to the outstanding pitching provided by

Senior John Biafore, who held Scituate to only three hits and no walks, and the clutch hitting

provided by Robert Butler, who laced a double down the line to drive in three runs and put away

what had been a close game; and

     WHEREAS, Winning a State Championship, much less repeating as State Champions, in

a team sport is an incredibly difficult achievement, one that requires that every member of the

team give his all and put team goals ahead of personal aspirations. The Ponaganset Boys'

Baseball Team was once again blessed to have an abundance of these kinds of players as they

were led all season by the significant contributions provided by Chris DiPetrillo, Ty Parrillo,

Mark Gardella, Devon Atkinson, Billy Butler, Cameron St. Amand, Robert Butler, Seighin

Chippendale, Curtis Briggs, John Biafore, Zachary Steinkamp, Michael Viveros, Ken Desrosiers,

Cal Parrillo, Logan Bodziony, Drew Briggs, Luke Cirka, Lane Daimiani Anthony Fiore, Christian

Garneau, Jack Gilmore, Cole Hayhurst, Hayden Loxley, Zachary Macleod, Cameron Masiello,

Zachary Plante, David Raposa, Cory Rittall, and Joshua Soares. The Chieftains also benefitted all

season from the outstanding leadership and superb coaching provided by Head Coach Anthony

Parrillo, and Assistant Coaches Brian Gendreau and Pete Keefe; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby congratulates the Ponaganset Boys' Baseball Team on winning the Division II Rhode

Island State Baseball Championship and repeating as State Champions; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Anthony Parrillo, Head Baseball Coach,

Ponaganset High School.

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