Sports Brief: 'Novans Take Game 1 Of D-II Semis

The varsity baseball team found themselves in a back-and-forth battle with their toughest regular-season opponent, dropping game 1 in the Division II semifinals to Woonsocket, 8-6, on June 1.

After the Panthers built a 4-1 lead in the top of the second inning, Woonsocket battled back and took a 5-4 lead in the visitors' half. The Villa Novans took advantage of a Johnston error and hit several fouls off Johnston starter Dylan Pingatore that drove up his pitch count.

Johnston answered with two more in the top of the third, and the 'Novans tacked on four of their own in the fourth before the two teams traded 1-2-3 innings and stopped offensive threats down the stretch.

Each team stranded runners in the late innings, and Woonsocket made a pitching change in the seventh inning that held the Panthers scoreless in their last at-bat.

The two teams are scheduled to play the second game of the best-of-three series on June 2 at 4 p.m. at Pierce Field in East Providence.

Watch JohnstonPatch for a full report, including photos and video, tomorrow at 11 a.m.