JHS Baseball Squad Posts 14-2 Win Over Ponaganset

The varsity baseball team began its vacation week schedule with a decisive 14-2 victory over the Chieftains of Ponaganset High School on April 18. Under the Rhode Island Interscholastic League's mercy rule, the game was called in the bottom of the fifth inning.

With the win, Johnston improved its season-opening record to 5-0 in Division-II North.

On Monday, the Panthers jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after two innings — chasing Chieftain starter Aaron Baker from the game — and kept up the offensive pressure while stifling Ponaganset's few scoring opportunities behind the strong pitching of senior Dylan Pingatore (5 IP, 9 strikeouts, 4 hits, 1 walk).

"He came out throwing gas," head coach Steve DeMeo said of Pingatore. "Dylan set the tone for the game right off the bat."

In the bottom of the third, Pingatore tallied three of his nine strikeouts, including a swing-and-miss third strike to end the inning.

The Panthers' offense moved the score to 7-0 in the top of the fourth on sophomore Mike Pennacchia's 0-1 grounder to left field that brought senior Ryan Geraghty across the plate. Senior Greg Doutre took advantage of a wild pitch to score, and senior Nick Loffredo scored on senior Steve Almagno's grounder to third.

Pennacchia took a defender's knee to the face when he tried to slide back to second base in a run-down after Almagno's hit; he treated the swelling under his left eye with an ice pack.

"He's got a pretty good shiner," DeMeo said after the game, adding Pennacchia "should be ready" for the Panthers' next contest on Wednesday.

Ponaganset struck in the bottom of the fourth for two runs, but Almagno triggered a double play to junior shortstop Gian Bianchi, who covered second and closed the inning with a just-in-time toss to Loffredo at first base.

Pingatore took a walk to start the fifth and advanced to second on a sacrfice bunt by junior Chris Pistacchio. Bianchi hit a single to right-center to bring Pingatore home, and Geraghty and Doutre each walked to load the bases.

Loffredo drilled a grounder back to the mound that bounced off relief pitcher Ethan Walsh's foot, allowing Bianchi and Geragthy to score. Walsh stayed in the game and threw two strikeouts amid the Panthers' continued scoring.

Almagno (2-4, 5 RBI) finished off Johnston's offensive output with an 0-1 grounder to center field that scored Doutre and Loffredo, making the score 14-2. Pingatore took a called third strike and attempted to reach first on a dropped ball, but was tagged out. Other top hitters for Johnston were Loffredo, 2-2 with 4 RBI, and Doutre, who went 2-3 with 2 RBI.

DeMeo said his squad — with 12 returning players — is intent on continuing its good start.

"These guys have their hearts set on winning the division, so they need to win these (vacation week) games," explained DeMeo, who added that — unlike in past years — this week's schedule features games against division opponents. "We've got three games this week (s0) they're out of their rhythm — but everybody was on time for the bus today, so that's a good sign."

The Panthers travel to North Smithfield to play the Northmen on Wednesday, then host Burrillville on Friday. Both games are scheduled for 11 a.m.