2022 -- H 8365

========

LC006185

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE WESTERLY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM ON WINNING

THE 2022 RHODE ISLAND DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Kennedy, Filippi, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
and Fellela

     Date Introduced: June 22, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Westerly Bulldogs Baseball Team compiled an outstanding 20-2

Divisional record, good for a first place finish and a one seed in the Rhode Island State

Championship Tournament. After receiving a first round bye, Westerly easily dispatched

Tiverton in the quarterfinals by a 12-2 score to advance to the semifinals; and

     WHEREAS, In the best of three semifinals against St. Raphael Academy, the Bulldogs

dropped the first game, before storming back to win the final two games in dominating fashion by

the scores of 10-1 and 10-0 respectively, to advance to the finals; and

     WHEREAS, In the best of three championship finals, Westerly prevailed in an exciting

and hard-fought series, two games to one. After dropping the first game, the Bulldogs kept their

championship hopes alive by winning game two 7-2. In the deciding game, Westerly prevailed 2-

0 to win the championship thanks to a masterful three-hit pitching performance by Michael Poole,

who was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player; and

     WHEREAS, Westerly also prevailed in the deciding game thanks to Greg Gorman’s

clutch home run in the first inning as the Bulldogs jumped out to an important 2-0 lead early in

the game, Nick Fiore’s wizardry at second base as he came through with big defensive plays to

protect the lead including making a diving catch on the outfield grass with players on base, and

making another diving catch on a bunt attempt, and left fielder Drew Bozek throwing out a runner

at home plate; and

     WHEREAS, Winning a State Championship is an incredible feat that is only possible if

every player on the team puts team needs ahead of personal aspirations. The Westerly Bulldogs

Baseball Team had those attributes in abundance as they were led all season by the important

contributions provided by Mike Barton, Timmy Fagan, Josh Ferando, Joseph Gabriele, Johnnie

Gingerella, Andrew Jacobson, Cameron Lajoie, Luigi Marchionne, Samuel Nicholson, Jayden

Parker, Renzo Terenzio, Cole Urso, Noah Burdick, Trey Rekstis, Dean Pons, Jr., DeLuca Kyan,

Travis Costa, Shep Simmons, Evan Clyne, Drew Bozek, Nick Tria, Greg Gorman, Zach Beckler,

Jack Tenuta, Zachary Miner, Michael Poole, and Brayden Champlin. The Bulldogs also

benefitted all season from the outstanding coaching and leadership provided by Head Coach Ron

Sposato, and Assistant Coaches Bob Shaffer and Joe Baldini; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

heartily congratulates the Westerly Baseball Team on winning the Rhode Island Division II

Baseball Championship; 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 Westerly Baseball Head Coach, Ron Sposato.

========

LC006185

========

LC006185 - Page 2 of 2