LAUNCH-NK

Wickford finished its run in the state tourney with a 13-3 loss to Middletown on
Thursday 6 August 2009.  The team just happened to catch a hot-hitting
Middletown team while Wickford's bats had cooled compared to earlier games. 
BUT, as they had done all tourney, the team battled, showed a lot of heart and
never gave up until the last pitch was thrown.   Wickford had their chances by
loading the bases twice but just couldn't capitalize on the opportunities. 

There were some great game highlights including some spectacular foul ball
catches by the catcher Bobby Daly, DJ Kennedy going 3-3, and Matt Boelter
hitting his 4th homer of the tourney.  Wickford had a great run, finishing #3 in
the state and capturing the District 3 championship.  The team truly represented themselves as respectful young men and competitors and made Wickford Little
League proud.

Wickford lost its first game of the tourney in a hard-fought battle to Lincoln
3-1 on Tuesday 4 August 2009.  Dean Streich pitched a spectacular 5 innings
allowing only one run, and that was a leadoff homer to the very first batter of
the game.  Liam Darcy started the 6th inning and was relieved by Bobby Daly who ended up striking out the side but not before Lincoln was able to plate two more
runs.  The Wickford bats were cooled by a savvy breaking ball pitcher.  The top
hitter for Wickford was Chris Guenev who went 3-3 with 1 RBI.  As with the whole tourney, Wickford showed a lot of heart by not giving up until the very last pitch of the game was thrown.  The team plays Middletown on Thursday 6 August at 5:30.

Wickford won its first game of the state tourney play by defeating Elmwood
Providence 15-14 on Sunday 2 August 2009.  It was a slugfest with Wickford
having 21 hits.  Key hitting included Dean Streich (3-5, 4 RBI's), Chris Guenev
(3-5), Bobby Daly (3-4 incl. a solo homer), Matt Boelter (2-4 incl. a 2-run
homer), Bobby Hanley (2-2), Liam Darcy (3-3), Cody Tompkins (2-4), and DJ
Kennedy (2-2, 3 RBI's incl. a 2-run homer).  Cody Tompkins started the game and pitched 1 1/3 innings, Matt Boelter came in and pitched 3 innings, and DJ
Kennedy pitched a stellar 1 2/3 innings to end the game.  DJ also had a clutch
at bat in the top of the 6th.  With the game on the line, Wickford was down one
run and two outs, DJ hit a shot up the middle to score the tying run.  Dean
Streich then hit a single to put Wickford up two runs and the team held them in
the bottom of the 6th for the victory.