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Sports

Junior LL Tourney: Johnston Wins State Title

Johnston's explosive offense made the difference in the game against East Greenwich.

Johnston's 13- to 14-year-old All Star team took the early lead against East Greenwich on July 29 and didn't look back, going on to win the state Junior Little League Championship, 14-4, at .

The host squad — which won the state championship for the second consecutive year — earned a trip to New Jersey to play in the regional tournament, beginning August 6.

For East Greenwich, the finals game was their rematch against the Johnston squad who defeated them, 6-3, on Day 1 of the state tournament. The visitors weren't able to keep the title game that close, though, as Johnston exploded for six runs in the second inning.

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In the bottom of the first, Johnston pushed across three runs. Gian Martellini's bloop single brought home James Picchi, who had doubled to begin the inning. Marc Conte doubled to the left field fence, driving in the final two runs of the rally.

Johnston's offense added more to the scoreboard in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs off walks with the bases loaded.

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Martellini and Joe Bongiovanni each had RBI singles in the inning. Mike Caparco, Korey Fijal, and Armandi Henderson reached on walks, with Henderson reaching first after he was hit by a pitch. After Caparco's walk, the lead had increased to 8-0. Picchi hustled to first for an infield single, driving in the ninth run of the game, his third hit in as many at bats.

"Picchi had a nice game and he is a perfect lead-off batter because he’s getting on base and stealing bases,"  Johnston Manager Ed Bedrosian added. "Everybody is swinging the bat well."

East Greenwich proved they would not go down without a fight in the top of the third, as Peter Goretoy's RBI double to right center produced their first run. Max Moss walked with the bases loaded to bring in the second run and Goretoy scored on a wild pitch.

"They didn’t give up, and I am really proud of them for that," EG Manager Bill Dean said. "My hats off to Johnston, they were the more talented team."

East Greenwich's fourth run came on a Johnston misstep, when Leo Giarusso grounded it to Bongiovanni, Johnston's starting pitcher.

Bongiobanni threw the ball to home plate for the force out, then an attempt at a double play to first missed the mark, and an East Greenwich runner crossed the plate. Johnston led 9-4 after 2 1/3 innings of play.

Bongiovanni worked through the adversity, allowing four runs and recording eight strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings, which included striking out the side in the second and fourth innings. His RBI single in the bottom of the fourth extended the lead to 11-4. Bongiovanni finished 3 for 4 with 2 RBI's and a walk.

Picchi, who went 4-for-4 with 3 RBIs, hit a double down the left field line in the bottom of the fifth that drove in two runs, upping the lead to 13-4. He also helped his team's defensive caused by making a jumping catch at shortstop to end the top of the sixth.

Jake Coro, pinch running for Martellini, scored in the bottom of the sixth on a Fijal grounder to end the contest under the league's 10-run rule. Martellini had been hit in the head and was taken to the hospital for observation.

Johnston is scheduled to face the Maryland state champion on August 6 at 7 p.m. in New Jersey.

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