Thursday's weather might have been a washout in some places, but across Rhode Island, high school athletes proved that a little rain can't stop the game. From thrilling defensive battles to clutch pitching performances, here's a look at the action that went down on April 30, 2026.
If the old saying holds true that defense wins championships, then the East Greenwich boys lacrosse team sent a clear message on Thursday. In a highly anticipated rematch of last spring's Division II title game, the Avengers turned the tables on Portsmouth with a second-half shutdown that was nothing short of dominant. Trailing 5-3 at halftime, East Greenwich held the Patriots scoreless over the final two quarters, rallying for a hard-fought 6-5 victory.
The hero of the day was senior goalie Brendan Darcey, who was simply unconscious after the break. After making just three saves in the first half, Darcey came alive when it mattered most, stopping eight shots in the second half to keep Portsmouth off the board entirely. The Avengers' offense did its part too, with Wyatt Gelzhiser and Micah Dawson each finding the net twice to knot the game in the third quarter. Then, with the game on the line in the fourth, Cooper Lake delivered the go-ahead goal—and Darcey made sure it stood up. Austen Dufresne added the other tally for East Greenwich, which remains undefeated and looks every bit the championship contender.
On the other side, Portsmouth's Rafferty Dionne scored two goals in a losing effort, while Joe Sanderson, Colby Nixon, and Aiden O'Connor each chipped in one. Jack Colna made 10 saves for the Patriots, but it wasn't enough to overcome East Greenwich's stifling second-half defense.
Over on the softball diamond, Lincoln continued its perfect season, improving to 11-0 with a commanding 6-2 win over a fellow division powerhouse. Pitching and defense were the story of this one, as the Lions jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first inning on a wild pitch and a passed ball. Chloe Landry then drove in a run with a single to make it 3-0. The Lions padded their lead in the sixth with another run on a passed ball before breaking the game open with a two-run single.
Molly Ganim and Kayleigh Gouchie kept the opposing hitters guessing all game long, and the Lions made the most of every opportunity they were given. It was a statement win for Lincoln, showing they have the depth and composure to go the distance this season.
Whether it's lacrosse, softball, or any sport in between, Thursday proved that Rhode Island's high school athletes are ready for whatever comes their way—rain or shine.