Johnston’s “cardiac kids” are hoping to perform another extraordinary baseball operation beginning tonight in Thorofare, New Jersey.
Fresh off capturing the Rhode Island Little League State Senior Championship for players ages 14-to-16, the talented Johnston troupe will take on the New Jersey state champion tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the 10-team, double elimination Eastern Regional Tournament.
Teams representing Senior Leagues from New England states except Vermont as well as state champs from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania will compete for a berth in the 57th Little League Baseball Senior World Series that’s scheduled for July 29 to Aug. 5 in Easley, South Carolina.
“We’re hoping this will be a long road trip,” Gary Rianna, who manages the Johnston team, said with a chuckle during Monday night’s practice at War Memorial Park. “If we win the Eastern Regionals, we’d go directly to South Carolina for the World Series.”
Long stretches, though, are commonplace with the Johnston State Champs, who lost Game 1 in the recent District Tournament, then reeled off three impressive victories to capture the title before putting together another string of three triumphs to stake claim to the 2017 state title.
“This has truly been a team effort,” Rianna offered. “These boys are the latest version of the cardiac kids!”
When asked about that tag, Rianna – who is ably assisted by Town Councilman Bob Civetti and Mike Castelli – explained “we’ve had a lot of close calls and our motto has simply been ‘Win every Inning!’”
Rianna, who wanted it known that Civetti and Castelli have been essential to this championship run and said how the three coaches talk every day and sometimes on a hourly basis, added:
“Every game there have been numerous key plays by all our players that resulted in quality baseball.”
For example, Johnston was down to its last out in eighth inning in the state tourney final when Luke Vincent slapped a single for a 3-2 walk-off state championship win vs. South Kingstown.
During that contest, as was the case in its miraculous run of six straight wins, Johnston had timely hitting and game extending at-bats by players like Rudy Landin, Josh Tonnucci, Tyler Roche, Miguel Perez and Vincent.
Meanwhile, Mike Castelli was equally adept defensively as were the team’s two youngest players – 14-year-olds Ryan Allen and Justin Salvatore – who Rianna credited with prolific performances on offense and defense.
The “Cardic Kids” also have another huge weapon, as Rianna pointed out the exceptional speed of Eric O’Connor, who the Johnston skipper emphasized “hits and plays great defense and his speed is always a factor.”
“All our kids have made some great plays; the kind that don’t show up in the stat book, but they shine bright on the scoreboard!” Rianna exclaimed.
Johnston’s impressive state championship run has also been bolstered by stellar starting pitching from starters Matt Loffredo and Bobby Civetti and closing out games via hefty hurling from Alex Rodriguez, who recorded two saves – one each in the districts and states – and was the winning pitcher vs. SK in the state finale.
After that opening loss, Johnston beat back Cranston East, 3-2, in the District Tourney with Loffredo getting the win and Rodriguez the save. Civetti then pitched Johnston to a 5-2 win that avenged the earlier loss vs. Elmwood and it was boosted by Loffredo’s two-out grand slam.
Johnston fell behind, 3-0, vs. Elmwood in the District final, but the pitching of Civetti and Rodriguez and timely hitting guided it to a 7-3 win.
In the state tourney, Johnston ripped Darlington, 8-1, in the opener, then edged SK, 7-6, when Josh Tonucci ripped a two-out base hit for the game-winning run before the state title clinching 3-2 win courtesy of Vincent’s lined shot walk-off single in the eighth.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to be associated with this group of players,” Rianna, who is a project manager with Delta Mechanical Contractors, LLC in Warwick, declared. “This truly has been a huge total team effort. Now, as I told the boys, they are representing our state and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will never forget.”
An experience like Richard J. DelFino III, the District I Johnston Town councilman, shared with the recently-crowned state champs Monday evening while making a special donation towards the team’s traveling expenses.
“I am sure the kids will have a great time in the Eastern Regionals, just as we did (15) years ago,” DelFino, who after his successful Junior and Senior Little League career went on to star on Bishop Hendricken’s state title teams, offered. “When I walked onto the field tonight, I said to myself these coaches know what they’re doing on the diamond.”
DelFino III played on a powerful Johnston team at age 15 in the Eastern Regionals in Vermont, then served as a coach on three teams that went to three successive regional tournaments all in New Jersey.
“It was great to wish this team good luck and make a donation to the program,” the District I Town Councilman added. “It would also be special … super … if they come home with THE World Series trophy!”
If Johnston wins tonight’s game vs. New Jersey, the next game would be tomorrow vs. the Maryland-Pennsylvania winner. If Johnston loses, the team would play Saturday against the loser of Maryland vs. Pennsylvania.
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