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2024 New England High School Team Previews

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2024 Spring Team Preview: East Providence (RI)

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The ability to win close games proved beneficial in East Providence claiming a Division 2 state championship a year ago.

“Out of the 28 total games, we had 13 one-run and 5 two-run games which really helped and prepared us for a grueling three-game finals series versus East Greenwich,” noted East Providence head coach Robert Rodericks.

After falling in the opener of the finals, the Townies came back to capture a pair of 1-0 games behind the shutout pitching of Tim Robitaille and Dylan Annicelli to bring home the state title.

Those two are back to lead the cause this season for East Providence, which started last season 3-3 before finishing with a 20-8 record.

While captains Jack McKnight and Manny Santos have moved on to play in college, McKnight at Rhode Island College and Santos at Roger Williams, the Townies have the potential this season to match what the 2023 team accomplished.

“The strengths for this team this year are definitely defense and pitching,” related Rodericks. “We have our top two pitchers (Robitaille and Annicelli) back as well as adding Tyler Dicecco to the rotation. Besides McKnight and Santos, our entire defensive lineup is back.”

Dicecco, a transfer from Bishop Hendricken and the 207th-ranked junior in New England, brings versatility to the team.

“He can play all infield positions and is also a very good pitcher,” Rodericks explained. “He will work in as a reliever while mainly playing first base. Tyler has a good bat as well and will most likely hit somewhere in the top of the order.”

The East Providence mentor is hopeful that the bats will heat up this season.

“My biggest concern for this team is producing a lot of runs,” Rodericks said. “With 13 one-run games last year, we had to bunt and manufacture our way to many victories. We will continue to play small ball but we do hope to improve on our offensive production to keep less pressure off our pitchers and defense.”

The play up the middle is definitely a strength this year with Kyler Lorenz at shortstop, Oliver Andrews at second base, Steven Estrellas in center field and Brian Rutkowski behind the plate. Lorenz, the 281st-ranked 2024 in New England, was a Division 2 Gold Glover last season and has made a commitment to Dean College. Andrews, a junior who will bat in the top five of the order after coming up with key hits in the semifinals and finals a year ago, hits for average and power and can play every infield position. 

As a junior, Estrella led the team in hits out of the lead-off position and “is very good at tracking down a ball and solidifies the middle of the outfield very well” according to Rodericks. Rutkowski, who started the year as the backup catcher but became a starter after a preseason injury to Santos and never left the lineup as a sophomore, brings experience behind the plate.

Sophomore Gavin Palombo will solidify the infield at third base after playing several games at second and third last season.

“His hitting is coming around,” Rodericks said. “He’s adjusting to varsity pitching well.”

Sophomore Nolan Lorenz is expected to bat near the top of the lineup and again play right field.

“His hitting really came on late into the season,” Rodericks pointed out about Lorenz. “He was the offensive hero with the go-ahead RBI during game three of the finals.”

Seniors Tyler Quadros and Maliquis Fernandez will also look to help out in the lineup any way possible according to the East Providence mentor.  

Depth in the program is strong as well, with sophomores Ben Hallene (LHP), Jayden Healey (IF/P) and Kyle Desrosiers (3B/P) up-and-coming players. Additionally, freshmen Aidan Martins and Max Carreiro can help in the outfield, with Martins also providing backup depth at catcher.

“What I absolutely love about this team, especially the core members, is how they have bought into the program as individuals and teammates and have trained together all off-season to keep the positive momentum going,” Rodericks concluded. “They enjoy working with the middle school and Little League players at various camps and clinics throughout the year and love to give back to the community, which we know as ‘Townie Pride.’”

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