Burrillville back to work for state tournament
District 4 champions face Barrington today at 3
BURRILLVILLE — Over the last few years Burrillville’s Peck Field would host the District 4 title games, but once the championship squads were done parading their banners around the West Street field, the Little League baseball season was over in Burrillville.
That isn’t the case this season because the Burrillville 10-year-old all-star team went to Smithfield’s Whipple Field last Saturday and finished up a perfect run through District 4 play with a 10-5 victory over Smithfield in the district title game.
After winning the title, Burrillville coach Frank Castellone gave his 11 all-stars three days off before reconvening Wednesday at Peck to start preparing for the state tournament.
“I gave them some time off because we’ve been going every day into the district championship,” Castellone said prior to Wednesday’s practice. “I wanted them to have some time away and time to appreciate what they accomplished. Now, we start again and prepare for Sunday. We’re just staying consistent with our message: play good defense and stay aggressive on offense.”
Burrillville won’t have to leave District 4 for the state tournament because Lincoln’s Randy Hien Field is the site. Burrillville will begin tournament play today at 3 against District 2 champion Barrington. District 1 champion Cranston West and District 3 champion
Warwick Continental American will play the tournament opener at noon.
Opening ceremonies will take place in between Sunday’s two contests.
“I’m sure [Barrington] is good, they reached the state tournament,” Castellone said. “We haven’t played in Lincoln, just like none of the other teams have. We’re looking forward to it and the kids are super psyched just like everyone else. This is going to be a good experience. I don’t think appreciate yet what they’ve accomplished.”
Barrington allowed just four runs in its three tournament victories, including a 10-1 win over Middletown in the District 2 final a week ago.
Unlike the district tournament where Castellone only needed to rely on two pitchers to win four games, Burrillville is going to need more kids to toe the rubber. Rodney Frenette, who earned the win in the district title game, and Kyle Castellone were Burrillville top two starters. Tim Casterly also saw some time on the mound.
“If you look at the schedule – we play the next day regardless if we win or lose – we’re going to have to manage our pitching,” Castellone said. “We’re a small town, I picked this team out of 15 kids. It says a lot about – maybe not the quantity – but the quality of kids we have in Burrillville. We’re looking forward to it. We’re going to ride the horses we have next week.”
Offensively, eight-year-old catcher Adam DeCesare, Castellone, Frenette, Dylan LaFleur, Casterly and Mason Moore will be asked to lead the way.
If Burrillville remains undefeated with a win over Barrington, they will play tomorrow night at 8. A loss today would move Burrillville into the losers’ bracket at 6 p.m. The losers bracket final is Wednes- day at 6 p.m. And a state champion could be crowned Friday night. The if-necessary game is next Saturday at 6.
“The game plan is to develop these kids and watch them grow and maybe develop some more,” Castellone said. “I’d like to have a few more kids develop over the next couple of years so we have more to choose from.”