Russo Law wins Town Championship

Russo Law, coached by Gary Rianna, John Amaral and Joseph Lopez, won the 2024 Johnston Jr/Sr League Town Championship.
In the best-of-3 championship series, Russo Law swept its opponent Johnston PD, winning Game 1 by a score of 11-1 and Game 2 with a final score of 7-1.
Game 1 starter Ethan Bracey was dominant, going the first five innings before handing the ball to Jake Rankin to wrap things up for the team’s first win of the series.
Offense was constant and led by multi-hit games by Jayvin Adamo and Anthony Vendetti.
Game 2 was a different story. The teams were tied 1-1 going into the sixth inning, with both Owen Polofsky for Johnston PD and Anthony Vendetti of Russo Law pitching gems and keeping opposing hitters off the bases. Russo Law decided to play some small ball and was able to generate three runs in the top of the sixth, primarily on bunts, and smart base running.
Adamo and Ronnie Vento started the inning with perfectly executed bunts, followed up by a clutch single by Jesse Geyer and then a safety squeeze executed by Geyer and Matt Clifford.
Russo Law also added three more runs in the top of the seventh inning as well to extend its lead.
Vendetti finished his night and Jr/Sr career throwing six complete innings and as similar to Game 1, the ball was then given to Rankin to close out the last inning and the championship.
Finishing their Jr/Sr careers for Russo Law were Nick Testa, Adamo, Ronnie Vento, Vendetti and Jesse Geyer.
“I’m very happy for these players, especially the senior group…it’s a great way to close things out,” said Rianna. “I’ve watched these players for the past four years and it’s been a privilege to be on the field with all of them…to say I’ll miss them is an understatement. It was a pleasure coaching with John (Amaral) and Joe (Lopez)…this doesn’t happen without them.”
Joe Lopez was a four-year player of Rianna and has been an assistant for the past two seasons.
This is the fourth title for Lopez - two as a player and two as a coach. For Rianna and Lopez, this is three in a row and eighth overall for Rianna. When asked about a fourth in a row, he sighed and said “we’ll see, I’m tired.”
The championship Russo Law roster included: Alex Amaral, Anthony Vendetti, Ethan Bracey, Jake Rankin, NickTesta, Jayvin Adamo, Ronnie Vento, Jesse Geyer, Ryder Calabro, Gio Tonnucci, Matt Clifford, Noel Cuascut, Raeanna Rentas and Brodie Staplins.