Knights rout Cannoniers to increase win streak

The CCRI Knights finished their Florida road trip on Monday with a final game against Cannoniers Academy from Quebec, Canada. The Knights put a thrashing on the Cannoniers, winning by a score of 16-3. Elijah Dressel (Warwick, Rhode Island) picked up the win on the day. The Knights’ victory brings their record to 8-1 on the season and on the road trip. After losing the first game, 3-2, the team turned it around to rattle off eight straight wins.

The Knights’ pitching was on fire on Monday. Dressel started the game and pitched a gem for the Knights, giving up two earned runs, but only giving up one hit on the day. Only allowing five baserunners over five innings of work, Dressel did not give the Cannoniers much to work with. Out of the 15 outs he recorded, nine were strikeouts. Dressel earned the win on the day, earning his second on the road trip. 

Steve Noti (Warwick, Rhode Island) entered the game in relief for Dressel. Noti pitched two strong innings, striking out five batters and allowing one run on two hits. The Knights’ pitching has been great on the season, and allowed the hitting to take control of games.

The Knights’ bats were also on fire, forcing the 10-run rule to come into effect. They had 13 hits and induced two walks. The Knights broke the game open in the fifth inning behind Exavier Santiago’s (North Branford, Connecticut) 3-run home run.  Billy Bostick (Cedar Park, Texas) also doubled in the inning, driving in two runs on the play. The Knights took the lead and never looked back, cruising to the seven-inning victory.

At the plate, the Knights were led by Garnell Bell (Bridgeport, Connecticut). Bell went 3-for-4 on the day with two singles, a double, three RBIs and two runs. Matt Boelter (West Warwick, Rhode Island) had one at bat, but made the most of it. He came up with the bases loaded and smoked a double, plating all three runners on base, and ended up scoring a run later in the inning. Billy Bostick had two hits and two RBIs as well.  

The Knights continued their great start to the season, and finished the road trip with an 8-1 record. Head Coach Ken Hopkins is very excited about the future of this team. The Knights traveled back to Rhode Island after the game on Monday, and are off until Saturday. The Knights have their home opener Saturday in a double header against New Hampshire Tech.

Knights sweep Dakota Tech

The CCRI Knights played their final doubleheader of the Florida trip on Sunday. They took on the Blue Knights of Dakota Tech from Rosemount, Minnesota. The Knights swept the doubleheader to improve their record to 7-1 on the season. In the First game, Dave Simmons (Warwick, Rhode Island) started and earned the win. In the second game, Shane Kittila (Warwick, RI) pitched a complete game to earn the win.

Game 1: CCRI- 13 DT- 2

The Knights were led by Dave Simmons on the mound.  Simmons, who has pitched a few times on the trip, earned the nod from Head Coach Ken Hopkins. Simmons was terrific on the mound for the Knights, pitching six of seven innings, scattering seven hits. He struck out six batters in the process. Simmons only gave up one run on the day, and it was unearned. Billy Bostick (Cedar Park, Texas) came in to finish out the game, pitching the last inning. He gave up three hits and one run, while striking out two batters.

The Knights’ great pitching was matched by their great offensive attack. The Knights had 17 hits on the day. They were locked in a tight game until the sixth inning, when the Knights scored four runs to take a commanding lead at 7-1. In the seventh, they added six more runs to put the game away. Dylan Brooks (Lookeba, Oklahoma) and Robert Paulino (Miramar, Florida) each had three hits on the day. Paulino had one RBI, while both he and Brooks scored two runs each. Austin Davis (Hollywood, Florida) had a good game at the plate, as well. He had two hits while driving in one run and scoring another.  Exavier Santiago (North Branford, Connecticut) reached base on three of his four at bats, with two hits and a walk. He had one RBI while scoring two runs on the day.

Game 2: CCRI- 4 DT- 3

The second game was much closer than the first, but the Knights came out on top again. Shane Kittila got the start on the back end of the doubleheader, pitching a great game while scattering eight hits over seven innings. Kittila gave up three runs on the day, with only two of them earned. He struck out three batters, too. His great pitching gave the Knights’ bats an opportunity late, keeping them close throughout the game.

The Knights went into the bottom of the seventh inning down 3-1. Matt Boelter (West Warwick, Rhode Island) hit a double to left field, allowing Garnell Bell (Bridgeport, Connecticut) to score, and advancing Exavier Santiago to third base. Next, Austin Davis came up and hit a sacrifice fly to the right fielder, tying the game at three. Joe Michael (Johnston, Rhode Island) was now on third after pinch-running for Santiago. The Knights had tied the game. In the next at bat, the Dakota Tech pitcher threw a wild pitch, allowing Michael to race home and score the winning run. The Knights walked off with a 4-3 victory, sweeping the doubleheader.

The Knights had a slow day at the plate, only getting seven hits over seven innings of baseball. They were led by Davis, Boelter and Bell. Each of these players had one hit on the day, and all of them came in very important situations. 

Hopkins is extremely excited about the team. He said “This team has a never-say-die attitude.” He believes this team can do anything it puts its mind to, and he is excited to watch it grow and see how the season progresses.