Cougars
| 04/28/25 @ Ponaganset | 12 |
| 04/23/25 @ Burrillville | 0 |
| 04/21/25 vs Toll Gate | 7 |
| 04/17/25 vs Middletown | 10 |
| 04/15/25 vs Ponaganset | 8 |
| + 4 more games |
North Providence hasn't had much luck against Central recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Cougars will be playing at home against the Knights at 4:00 p.m. North Providence is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.1 runs per game this season.
North Providence is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Rhode Island's top teams: Ponaganset, who was ranked 22nd at the time (North Providence was ranked 11th). The Cougars were the clear victors by a 12-4 margin over the Chieftains on Monday. The high-scoring effort was just what the Cougars needed considering they were shut out in their previous game.
Mike Ryan made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits. Ryan was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. That stolen base marked the first that he has snagged this season.
In other batting news, North Providence got a big performance out of JT Raftery, who went 1-for-4 with four runs and one stolen base. That hit was Raftery's first of the season. Another player making a difference was Gabe Ramirez, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
North Providence kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Central didn't have quite enough to beat Ponaganset on Friday and fell 9-8.
Like North Providence, Central also got a great game from a two-way player: AJ Vega. On the mound, he struck out nine batters over 5.1 innings while giving up four earned runs off only two hits. Vega has been consistent: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Braulio Franco made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 3-for-5 with three RBI, two runs, and one double. Alejandro Almonte was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
Central's loss dropped their record down to 6-4. As for North Providence, their win bumped their record up to 8-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. North Providence has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
North Providence might still be hurting after the 14-7 defeat they got from Central in their previous matchup back in April of 2018. Can the Cougars avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
