EGLL's Junior-Senior Red Sox: The Comeback Kids

After baseball players turn 13 and are too old for traditional Little League, where do they go if they want to continue to play baseball? Enter the Junior-Senior League for players ages 13 to 16. Given the age range, there is a lot of variability not only between players' ages, but also in height, and strength. Some of the players are seventh graders, while others might be on the EGHS baseball team.

This year, there were four teams in the league, and all season, one team – the Red Sox – were dead last. They went 0-10 during the regular season and frankly, looked quite a bit like the "Bad News Bears." Until the playoffs.

All of a sudden, the Red Sox really came together and started playing like a TEAM. They even beat the Reds, a team that had repeatedly crushed them during the season. To win the championship, however, they would have to beat the Reds twice.

They played on the first hot hot day of the year, and after taking an early lead, they held on to win 7-0! Two pitchers, Josh Fradin and Tim Warner combined to throw a no-hit shut out which was an added bonus. The boys on the Red Sox are: Sam McLimans, Joseph Botehlo, Alec Gannon, Kyle McGuire, Andrew Bikash, James Guadagni, Chris Pearson, Alex Pembroke, Patrick Petteruti, Jason Pieroni, Tim Warner, and Josh Fradin. Their coach, who never gave up on them, is Steve Petteruti.

Congratulations to all of you on an amazing comeback season!

Suzanne Tuchin is a resident of East Greenwich (and proud mom!).