Optimism Persists for Coventry Baseball

It might seem Coventry would be a little discouraged by its Saturday non-league loss, 10-1, to Moses Brown, current Division One North co-leader (2-0) in Providence.

But Luke Tucker had two hits, John Croft legged out a triple, Troy Fredette belted a double and Colin Gallagher added a single against a strong squad. (The squad also was reduced because the JV’s were competing under assistant coach Ken Giard.)

So in the loss to the Quakers that does not count in the standings, there were encouraging signs of life for a relatively young squad (four seniors), welcome news after an opening week of two losses in Division One South after faltering late to league foes South Kingstown and Middletown.

Last year, Coventry was grouped with Bishop Hendricken and with Cranston West, who have dominated the baseball scene the past 14 years with the Hawks (10 state championships) and Cranston West (2) in either capturing state titles or being in contention every year. Yet Coventry, despite a 6-12 record, was competitive in almost every game.

But a reconfiguration this season puts them in a more geographically convenient, less imposing and yet still strong Division One South with East Greenwich, Middletown and North Kingstown currently at 2-0, Portsmouth and South Kingstown, 1-1; and with Chariho and Tiverton, also with 0-2 records to start the season.

Now in a busy week that will feature games at North Kingstown on Monday and successive home games versus Tiverton on Wednesday and East Greenwich on Friday, the Oakers can make up lots of ground. “We’re going to be there, we just need that one win under our belt,” assures head coach Leo Bush.

“We’re a pretty good team, we are quick and we’re sharp in the field,” Bush says, noting they had committed just one error in those first games. “We left some runners on against South Kingstown and Middletown. We are getting runners in scoring position, but once we find a way to score those guys we will be tough to beat and be right in the thick of things.”

Among the quick players on his squad are two juniors who put that quickness and competitiveness on full display the past winter season for two very successful Oakers squads. Leadoff batter Alex Zanella also played on the Oakers Division Two state championship hockey squad while center fielder Brandon Sullivan came through with some memorable games off the bench for the 13-5 basketball squad. 

“Alex Zanella is doing a real good job of getting on base setting them up for Brandon Sullivan and Colin Gallagher has had a few real good turns at the bat,” Bush says.

Pitching is not a concern. “So far John Croft and Cote Nichols had read good starts and Cote Nichols came in the other day to pitch well." The veteran Oakers mentor can also rely on the expert guidance and knowledge of assistant coach Ken Giard, former Warwick Vets star and All-Stater in the early 1990’s. “Ken has been great working with the pitching staff,” Bush says

So far, he says the hottest hitters have been cleanup batter and catcher Troy Fredette and shortstop Cote Nichols.

But the key to offensive consistency must come from one part of the lineup. “Once the bottom part of the order connects with the bat, we will be in real good shape,” Bush notes.

Bush says the juniors are in most of the key infield positions, including catcher, middle infielders and the outfield. “But our four seniors have done a good job so far, but they are going to have to play even bigger roles coming down the stretch if we are going to be successful.”