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Sports

Panthers' Patience Leads To Pounding Of Broncos

Johnston baseball team remains undefeated with a 16-4 victory over Burrillville on April 22.

On April 22, the Burrillville Broncos (2-5) traveled to to take on the undefeated Panthers (7-0). Despite gaining an early 2-0 lead, the Broncos were overmatched and lost 16-4.

"This is the toughest week of the year and I am pleased we went 3-0," Panthers coach Steve DeMeo said. Over the three-game stretch, Johnston outscored its opponents by a combined 34-7.

Burrillville junior Kevin Deschamps sent one out of the yard to left field for a two-run homer in the top of the first. They would not hold their lead for any length of time.

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In the bottom of the first, Johnston scored eight runs, despite notching only three hits. Captain Gregory Doutre's single to left field gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead. Their patience at the plate proved to be the difference, as they walked six times in the inning.

Senior Steve Almagno drove in two runs with a double to left center, pushing the lead to 6-2. Gian Bianchi ended the rally with a liner to left field, producing another run, their eighth of the inning.

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Johnston's Nick Loffredo added a solo homer in the bottom of the second, extending the lead to 9-2. The Broncos added one run in the top half of the third and fourth innings and trailed 10-4 heading to the bottom half of the fourth.

The Panthers exploded for six runs in the fourth, their second big inning of the game. They produced three runs in a row on walks with the bases loaded.

Johnston only had two hits in the inning with four walks and a sacrifice fly. Senior Eric Silva drove in the last run of the rally with the sac fly. By the time all of the damage was done, Johnston had surged ahead 16-4. 

Despite giving up two walks in the top of the fifth, Panthers reliever senior Zachary Podmaska escaped with no further damage, and the game was called due to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League's 10-run mercy rule.

"We have been hitting like this all year," DeMeo added, "Our pitcher (starter Joe Bongiovanni) settled down very much after the first inning."

The Panthers are next scheduled to play Monday, April 25, at 3:45 p.m. at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket against Tolman High School (4-2).

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