MHS Baseball Comes Out Swinging in Season Opener Win Over Coventry

The Middletown High School boys baseball team started off their 2011 season with a win over the Coventry High "Oakers" on Thursday afternoon. Armand Rugel took the mound for Middletown and faced a Coventry lineup that can hit for power.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when Middletown senior Joseph Sanfillippo smacked a single into the outfield driving home a run. Mark Powell followed that with an RBI single of his own and Armand Rugel picked up an RBI to help his own cause that brought home #21 Joe Sanfillippo.  

At the end of 3 the Islanders had a 3-0 lead over Coventry.

The Oakers started off the fourth inning with a double that tailed into deep left field. A short time later, Coventry had runners on second and third. Armand struck out the next Coventry batter, but the next hitter hit an infield dribbler, beating out the throw to first and scoring the first Coventry run of the game.  Rugel responded by blowing away the next batter to pick up the strikeout and end the threat in the fourth.  The Islanders didn't add any more runs in the bottom of the fourth and after 4 it was 3-1.

Armand ran into a jam in the fifth. Coventry hit the ball well and ran the bases aggressively, including an uncontested steal that put runners on second and third once more. This time there were no outs so far in the inning. Coventry scored their second run of the day on a fielder's choice and added one more run in the fith to tie the game up at 3.

Going into the bottom of the 5th the Islanders responded with their bats.  #21, Joe Sanfillippo ripped a double to start off.  #11, Mark Powell followed that up with a single that put Sanfillippo on 3rd. Armand Rugel once again helped his own cause by smacking a ball down the left field line that brought home Sanfillippo and gave the lead back to Middletown. #7 Cam Eggeman stepped next and picked up and RBI single.  Cory Lazo added an RBI single of his own to bring home Rugel and give the Islanders a 6-3 lead heading into the 6th.

Middletown pitcher Matt Sullivan entered the game in the top of the 6th. He started out well but ran into some trouble, eventually surrendering a run, but settled and got the hold for his team. The Islanders didn't add any more runs the bottom half of the 6th and the game was a little tighter going into the 7th with Middletown holding onto a 6-4 lead.

#11 for the Islanders, Mark Powell entered the game in a save situation. Coventry threatened, but Powell closed the door on Coventry and picked up the save.

The final score was 6-4 in favor of the hometown Islanders.

Armand Rugel threw 104 pitches and struck out ten batters, picking up the victory. Matt Sullivan got the hold and Mark Powell the save.

The Islanders start off the 2011 season with a victory.

They play next on Saturday, when they travel to Chariho High School. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Check back throughout the season to see if the Division I Islanders can bring home another state title to Middletown.