Sports
Little League State Tournament: Steve Salisbury of Cranston West Pitches No Hitter
Central Coventry loses, 3-0 in first game of tourney.
Steve Salisbury of Cranston West needed just 71 pitches and faced only 19 batters- one short of perfection- in a no-hit masterpiece against Central Coventry, resulting in a 3-0 victory to begin the Rhode Island State Little League All-Stars Major Division Tournament held at Warwick West Side on late Saturday afternoon.
“It was a phenomenal performance,” said Cranston West manager Gary Bucci of a performance he or no other CWLL official could ever recall being duplicated in their league. "He (Salisbury) is so skilled that he could call his own game.”
The righty struck out seven batters and was denied a perfect game when he hit Regine with a pitch in the fourth inning. Richard Vaughn hit the only ball hit to the outfield by a Central Coventry batter, with CWLL rightfielder Hayden Parkes making an outstretched backhand grab to deny Vaughn of a hit in the third.
Find out what's happening in Coventryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Cranston West mustered only two hits themselves- one each in the first two innings- but made them both count.
In the first, Central Coventry starter Kyle McCann walked leadoff batter Steve Piscopiello. Salisbury then drove in the first run on a long, hard drive to the fence in left center.
Find out what's happening in Coventryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After Brett Dolan walked with two outs in the second, Hayden Parkes drilled a pitch deep to center for a double. Vaughn, the CCLL centerfielder, dove and nearly made a spectacular catch on the fast-sinking liner as Dolan streaked across the plate. A relay throw went astray and Parkes strode in for the final run of the contest.
Roberto Regine also sparkled on the mound for Central Coventry. In 3.1 innings of hitless relief, he made just 37 pitches against 12 CWLL batters, recording five strikeouts and whiffing the side in the fifth.
CWLL Shortstop Dillon Bordeleau continued to shine, making two assists and two putouts.
“Salisbury was the difference tonight,” said CCLL manager Anthony Feole. “He won the game and he got that hit. I’m disappointed we got no hitting. But we only gave up two hits, too. I am very, very comfortable in saying we will win the next three games.”
“Regine had a great game and I told him to challenge their batters. And if Vaughn can somehow hold on to that ball, who knows. He still made a great play,” added Feole.
