East Greenwich Advances to D-II Baseball Championship with Redemption Against Middletown

MIDDLETOWN – East Greenwich is set to make its fourth consecutive appearance in the Division II baseball championship series following a decisive victory over Middletown. After experiencing a shutout loss just a day prior, the Avengers bounced back in a double-elimination rematch, showcasing their resilience on a bright Monday afternoon at Gaudet Field.

Starting pitcher Anders Nelson navigated through early challenges while receiving ample support from his teammates. The offense ignited in the sixth inning, highlighted by Brady O’Brien's RBI single during an earlier rally and a two-run hit from Walker Klika, which ultimately led to an 8-5 victory. Nelson displayed his talent by striking out eight batters and allowing only one run to score in crucial moments, as he ended the day having worked into the sixth inning.

O’Brien, who reached base three times, commented on the team’s mindset after their previous defeat. “Obviously a little disappointed yesterday that we couldn’t get the job done. A lot of emotions involved. But we knew we had the talent to come out here and win,” he stated. The turning point of the game came in the third inning when an infield error opened the door for East Greenwich, allowing them to assert their dominance.

Despite a strong showing from Middletown, including a run scored in the fifth inning, East Greenwich maintained control. Nelson's performance was critical, as he repeatedly escaped tight situations, including getting out of a bases-loaded scenario in the fourth inning. O’Brien praised his pitcher, saying, “(Nelson is) our ace – he's our guy. We have 100% confidence in him.”

As the Avengers prepare to face West Warwick in a regional rivalry series later this week, they are determined to build on their momentum. West Warwick, having secured three consecutive wins in their bracket, is eager to challenge East Greenwich, who previously defeated them 5-3 just over a week ago. “We’re going to keep our consistent mentality – pitch by pitch. We’re going to be our team,” Nelson declared, setting the tone for the upcoming clash.