Panthers Face Do-or-Die Vs. Westerly

One was a pitcher's duel, one was a blow-out — and each resulted in a different outcome for the varsity baseball team, which split its first two games against Westerly in the Division II final four over the weekend.

Johnston is scheduled to play against Westerly in game three this afternoon at 4:30 pm at Pierce Field in East Providence.

The day after he walked the stage as a member of the , senior captain Gian Bianchi threw a complete game three-hitter to keep pace with Westerly's Kaelan Rayner — but the Bulldogs got the better of the Panthers in the 1-0 shutout, the Providence Journal reported.

On Sunday, Johnston roared back with big offense and a stifling pitching performance by James Picchi on the way to a 10-4 win in game two.

The Journal reported that the Panthers racked up 15 hits, with sophomore Joe Bongiovanni leading the team with a 3-for-3 effort from the plate.

Today's winner proceeds to the state finals against the victor of the Prout School-Woonsocket series, with game 2 of that bracket scheduled for 7:30 pm.