Struggles continue for Northmen

PROVIDENCE – This certainly wasn't the way North Smithfield High skipper Jon Leddy wanted his penultimate game of the Division III regular season to go.

He watched Hope righty Luciano Arauz fire a solid three-hitter with a walk and hit-by-pitch while fanning seven to push the Blue Wave to a 2-0 upset victory over the Northmen on Monday afternoon.

Jon Pelletier did drill a two-out triple in the top of the seventh inning, “but that was too little, too late,” Leddy said.

Fortunately for the Northmen (143 league), it will host Shea at 4 p.m., Wednesday in their season finale to prepare for the upcoming divisional tourney.

CUMBERLAND – Cumberland High exploded for seven runs in the third and fourth frames to cruise to a 9-1 come-from-behind Division I triumph over Central at Tucker Field on Wednesday.

Junior C.J. Davock closed at 3-for- 4 with four RBI, while classmate Nick Croteau went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

Senior southpaw Zach Fogell improved his season mark to 3-3 after yielding only four hits and four walks in a five-inning stint. He also whiffed eight as the Clippers improved to 10-7.

They will celebrate their Senior Day back at Tucker Field at 4 p.m., Wednesday when they entertain North Providence.

WAKEFIELD – Cam Stringfellow smoked a two-run triple during a threerun first inning, catapulting Burrillville High to a 5-3 Division II triumph over Prout School on Monday.

The Broncos plated three in that frame, then tacked on two more in the third (courtesy of a Stringfellow sacrifice fly) to improve to 7-9 in league action.

Keith Doucette finished 2-for-3 with an RBI for the visitors, who withstood a three-run surge by the Crusaders (9-8 overall, 8-7 league)). Nick Caruolo and Kyle Hart had two of those RBI. Senior Jay Cabral earned the win.

WESTERLY – Trailing 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning, St. Raphael Academy erupted for nine runs and cruised to a 9-5 Division II win over Westerly on Monday afternoon.

Juniors Jake LeFort and James Coleman each had two-run singles in that superb frame. Sophomore Braxton Fontaine finished his day at 4-for-4 with an RBI and run, while junior Ivan Rosa went 1-for-3 with an RBI and two runs.

Sophomore Adam Gomes earned the victory for the Saints, though Rosa relieved him in the sixth with the bags juiced and one out. The righty got out of the jam to help SRA improve to 7-9 in league play.

It will travel to Chariho for a 4 p.m. tilt on Wednesday, then celebrate its Senior Day when it hosts Narragansett at the same time Friday.