Head coach: Ron Sposato Jr. (9th season)
Assistant Coaches: Bob Shaffer, Jake Garro, Luke Gentile, Jake Madnick, Dan Crowley, Josh Beland
Last year: Westerly finished 14-13 overall and 11-7 in Division II. The Bulldogs lost in the Final 4 to eventual state champion East Providence.
Returning to varsity:
Seniors: Jack Tenuta (P-OF, captain), Drew Bozek (OF, captain), Nick Tria (1B, captain), Josh Ferando (3B-OF), John Gingerella (OF), Tim Fagan (P).
Juniors: Michael Poole (P-1B, captain), Zack Miner (2B-P), Jaden Parker (SS), Chase Collins (P).
Sophomores: Grayson Simmons (C), Tom Fiore (RF-P).
New to varsity:
Seniors: Joe Gabriel (3B), Andrew Jacobson (OF).
Sophomores: James Hooper (P-2B),
Freshmen: Luke Gwaltney (OF-P), Jack Zerbarini (3B-P).
Outlook: Pitching wins championships and the Bulldogs have one of the best one, two punches in DII, in starting pitchers Jack Tenuta and Michael Poole.
Tenuta (2-1, 2.42 ERA) struck out 62 batters over 34 2/3 innings to first-team Division II honors while Poole (4-3, 1.90 ERA) struck out 72 over 52 innings.
Fiore, who made three appearances on the mound as a freshman, is slotted in as the No.3 starter. Fagan, Hooper, Gwaltney and Miner (2-2, 3 saves) – the Bulldogs’ closer – will be relied upon heavily to finish out games.
Tentura is the the leading returning hitter, batting .338 as a junior with six doubles, two home runs and 18 RBIs. Bozek (.275, 15 runs, 13 RBI, 2 2B, 2 3B) and Tria (.250, 11 RBI) also will help lead the offense.
Coach’s take: “Our team has one goal in mind and that’s winning a DII state championship. For us to get there, we need to compete everyday in practice and continue to get better as the season goes on.
“We believe we have the roster and coaching staff to be the last team standing at the end.”
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