Schools

Panthers Take Step Toward Second Division II State Title

The Johnston High School varsity baseball squad emerged from an early pitchers' duel with a 5-1 victory over Mt. Hope on Wednesday night and advanced in the Division II playoffs.

Senior captain Gian Bianchi worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam, and fellow senior captain Chris Pistacchio drilled a three-run homer to lead to a 5-1 first-round playoff win over Mt. Hope at on May 30.

Johnston junior Mike Pennacchia also chipped in an RBI and two stolen bases in a 3-for-4 performance at the plate.

With the win, the Panthers advance to the second round of the Region 1 playoffs, hosting Central High School, 1-0 winners over Mt. Pleasant, on Friday afternoon at 4 pm.

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After an early pitchers' duel and down 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, the Panthers rallied for two runs, finished by junior Steven Perfetto's RBI hit to bring home sophomore Joe Bongiovanni.

The Huskies battled back, posting runners at all three bases with one out in the top of the sixth — but Bianchi notched a strikeout and forced a pop-out to right field to end the inning before the Bristol team could do any damage.

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"That was the turning point — hat's off to Gian, he pitched a great game," head coach Steve DeMeo said after the contest.

"I love to be in those pressure situations," Bianchi explained. "Especially if we're down a run, I just love the feeling of getting them out — it makes me do better."

Johnston sophomore James Picchi took a four-pitch walk in the home half of the sixth and stole a base with sophomore Ryan McKeon at bat. After McKeon walked, Mt. Hope called for a pitching change before Pistacchio stepped to the plate against senior Cory Stanzione.

"Stash" wasted no time against the Mt. Hope hurler, sending Stanzione's first pitch clear of the left-center field fence and bringing home two runners.

"I was getting under the ball, so I figured if I put my hands down more, I could get on top of it a bit and put it in the outfield, help Gian out a little bit," Pistacchio said of the bomb.

DeMeo said he'd granted Pistacchio one strike before instructing the senior to attempt a bunt.

"It was first and second with no outs — in the end, we didn't have to bunt on that one," DeMeo explained. "Evrybody can relax after that — the pressure on the defense is off."

With the offense's job apparently done, Bianchi closed out the contest in the top of the seventh, holding the Huskies to a single.

The senior starter said he felt the burden lift after Pistacchio's blast opened up the game.

"There's nothing better — a one-run lead is great going into the seventh inning [and] the three-run shot made me confident, very confident," Bianchi said after the game.

Bianchi and fellow senior Pistacchio agreed that a second straight title in Division II would be the perfect capstone to their career at Johnston High School.

"These young guys, they want a ring, and I want another one," Bianchi said. "It'd be great to have one for each hand, and if we make it back to McCoy (Stadium for the finals), I know we can finish it off."

Added Pistacchio: "It would mean a lot to us, because that's all me and Gian talked about all year — especially ending your high school career on a win, that's all I want."

 

In other regional action, The Prout School — which Johnston defeated in 2011 for the state championship — defeated Burrillville, and Exeter-West Greenwich beat West Warwick 5-3 in Region 4; Westerly scored a 7-3 win over Ponaganset, while Tolman defeated Hope, 7-1, in Region 3; and Narragansett (3-2 over Juanita Sanchez) and Woonsocket (13-2 over North Smithfield) advanced in Region 2.

The Final Four contests are set for June 6 through 9 at Pierce Field in East Providence, with the championship series scheduled for June 13 through 15 at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.


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