The Cranston East junior All-Stars topped Johnston in consecutive games last week to win the District I title and punch its ticket to this week’s state championship tournament.

East won the first game 5-1 then rolled to a 9-3 decision the following day to grab the championship.

The team received steady contributions throughout its lineup at the dish each game, along with lock down pitching outings.

“What put us over the top was pitching. We’ve got a pretty good rotation. Eddy McClung in the first game strikes out nine batters, goes five innings, gives up one hit. Braden Paesano comes one out within a complete game, gets three hits, eight K’s. It’s been pitching and we have some really solid hitters on this team. We hit the ball well from beginning to end,” said CELL manager Mark Paesano.

Mark Paesano also feels that his team has an elite defensive unit which put on a show in each game.

“Defensively they were lights out. You go around our outfield of Harrison Fisher, Johan Nawrocki, Anthony Pimental. You got a great infield with Camden Fermin, Shane Linehan and Marcelo Acosta with Brayden Enright. Then behind the plate Yadier Blanco. We’re a well rounded team,” said Mark Paesano.

The team will play this Friday night in Exeter-West Greenwich in the first round of the double elimination state tournament. Mark Paesano is confident that his club not only has the swagger necessary to make a run at a title, but to also compete for a spot in the World Series in Detroit.

“They’re a family. These kids have been playing ball together since they were 6 years old. It’s been some of the greatest team chemistry I have seen,” said Mark Paesano. “They’ve got tons (of confidence). All they need to do is maintain their confidence level and the sky is the limit. I truly believe there is enough there to hop the hurdle and get to regionals and then to the World Series.”