LaRose hurls no-hitter, homers in tourney opener
JOHNSTON – Cumberland American AllStars’ head coach Tony Tarara never gets tired of seeing one – or more – of his boys drop the proverbial hammer and seal a victory.
During the R.I. Little League District IV Major Division (11-12) Tournament championship game in Burrillville on July 15, it happened to be Scotty Penney, who drilled a two-run blast in the back half of the sixth inning to pull out an amazing 9-7 “walk-off” triumph over Lincoln.
As the District IV champ, CALL drew D-III titlist South Kingstown as its first foe in the state Major tournament on Saturday night, and Jack LaRose served as his newest star.
Not only did the gifted righthander with a “forever” smile serve up a complete-game nohitter (with two walks and four whiffs), but also bashed the clinching home run in a 2-0 decision before well over 100 fans at Johnston Memorial Park’s Kennedy Field.
The rip came in the back half of the fourth, after clean-up batter Joey Cote smacked a oneout hit to left and LaRose walloped starter Pheonix Sward’s 3-1 delivery far over the rightcenter-field fence.
“They did it; I just came along for the ride,” stated Tarara after his squad improved to 6-0 on the All-Star campaign – and snared a winners’ bracket clash opposite Cranston Western tonight at 6 back at the Kennedy diamond.
“Everything was working for him,” he added of LaRose’s “no-no,” his second of the spring/summer. “The boy is so poised, so built for this game of baseball. He never gets down on himself; he mixes up his pitches, hits his spots and is rock solid. He’s only 11 years old, but he’s my ace. Believe it or not, he’ll be with us next year.”
Offensively, the lone CALL highlights came from LaRose, who finished 2-for-2 with the dinger, the two winning RBI and a run; and Cote, who went 2-for-2 with a run. That’s because Sward, a righty, scattered only four hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out eight in his fiveframe outing.
Naturally, CALL didn’t have to bat in the bottom of the last, due to the fact it also won the coin toss and chose “home team” status.
“I had a good feeling the last time I batted,” LaRose said shyly. “My first hit (in the second) was a flat fastball, and I didn’t hit it hard, but I knew I was seeing it well, so I figured I could so something good.
“I knew immediately that it was out,” he added. “I was so excited, so happy! As for the nohitter, I had one before when I was playing with the Dodgers (of the Cumberland American house league), but none since.”
The kid lifted his pitching mark to a stellar 90 this season (4-0 in All-Star action).
This contest was a pitchers’ duel throughout, and it was obvious from the virtual start that offense would be at a premium.
In the top of the first, both Gavin Rodman and Rian O’Rourke whacked deep fly balls to center, but Cote (four critical putouts) tracked both down, and Sward struck out the side in the bottom half.
LaRose walked leadoff hitter Matt Brock in the second, but sandwiched two comebackers to the hill around a strikeout to skirt any issue.
The hosts threatened in the second when Cote clubbed an opening hit to left and LaRose notched a softly-lined single to almost the same spot, yet Sward whiffed both Penney and Dante Figueira before getting Andy Ray to bound out to short.
LaRose fanned the side in the third, and Cote raced after and hauled in a sinking liner to deep center off O’Rourke’s bat with one down in the fourth.
LaRose’s batterymate, J.J. Sanzi, became Sward’s latest “K” victim to begin the fourth, but Cote’s hit and his pitcher’s crush gave CALL the lead for good.
That’s when the defense came up huge for their unbeaten hurler.
In the top of the fifth, pinch-batter Will Rotelli reached on an error; on the play, LaRose sprinted in front of shortstop Penney to retrieve a slow roller and fired to first, but it sailed low and past first baseman Dante Figueira. Rotelli couldn’t move up on the miscue, and fellow pinch-hitter Matt Iemma drilled a hard grounder to short. Penney came up with the big stop and tossed to second baseman Andre Mastin, who made a terrific pivot and fired to Figueira, who needed a lengthy stretch for the splendid twin killing.
In the sixth, Andy Krekorian drew a leadoff pass, and No. 9 hitter Danny Banks flew out deep to center. Connor Kelly took his stance in the box and roped another tough grounder at Penney, who initiated the final double play.
“After that second inning, I just told the boys, ‘It only takes on hit. Hitting is contagious, and with our pitching and defense, all we need is a run and we’ll be fine,’” Tarara noted. “I also have to hand it to my defense. To turn two double plays in a state tournament game, well, you don’t see it very often. My middle infield, with Scotty and Andre, I’ll put them up against anybody.
“It’s a team game, my friend,” he continued. “You saw wat Scotty did in the D-IV championship game with the two-run homer, and I know one of my other kids will be spot on when it comes time.”
Offered LaRose: “I’m not a strikeout pitcher, so I have to rely on my defense. Joey had those big catches in center, and Scotty and Andre did the job. I owe it to them.” **