Panthers Set Sights On D-II Crown

The varsity baseball team is scheduled to play fourth-seeded Woonsocket on June 1 at 7 p.m. at Pierce Field in East Providence, the first game of a best-of-three series in the Division II semifinals.

Following a dramatic come-from-behind win against Juanita Sanchez on May 28, the Panthers (17-2) enter the semifinal round with the number-one seed — but without senior captain Ryan Geraghty, who separated his shoulder on a slide into second base against Sanchez and is expected to miss the rest of the postseason.

Woonsocket (15-3) has been one of Johnston's toughest opponents, with both regular season contests decided by just one run apiece — Johnston took its season opener, 2-1, at home, and lost 5-4 in a game ended by a runner interference call at Woonsocket. That game, played on May 6, was the Panthers' first loss of the season and one of just two defeats, with the other a 9-6 loss to Central on May 23.

The winner of the Johnston-Woonsocket series earns the right to face either The Prout School or Central High School in the D-II finals, scheduled for June 6 through 8 at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.

Watch JohnstonPatch for coverage of these upcoming games.