Newport honors Rogers High School Baseball Team for State Championship

The Newport City Council recognized the Rogers High School varsity boys baseball team Wednesday for winning the 2024 Rhode Island Division Three State Baseball Championship, their second title in five years.

Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong read a proclamation declaring June 26, 2024, as “Rogers High School Vikings Varsity Boys Baseball Day” in Newport to honor the team’s achievement.

“Congratulations, gentlemen,” Khamsyvoravong said after reading the proclamation to the players assembled before the council.

The Vikings defeated West Warwick 5-2 on June 10 at McCarthy Field to clinch the state title. It marked the second championship for Rogers in the past five seasons.

Rogers advanced to the finals by beating Shea Tolman 20-0 in the semifinals. They then took down the previously undefeated West Warwick Wizards in a best-of-three championship series.

The 16-player Vikings roster includes Isaiah Montevirgen, Darren Carter, Benjamin Borgueta, Trenton Carter, Hayden Younger, Oscar Garduno, Jack Rosa, Nixon Brownell, Kieran Moore, Cole Milburn, Robert Dufault, Cole Marley, Ezekiel Montevirgen, Conor Donahue, Matthew Lynch and Colby Schreiber.

Head coach Anthony Borgueta led the team, assisted by Mike Castellani and Jacob Williamson. Team captains were Nixon Brownwell, Robert Dufault and Matthew Lynch. Tom Milburn served as team manager.

The proclamation praised the “culture of respect, discipline and dedication” created by the players, coaches, parents and school administrators.

“These students, athletes, parents, Athletic Director Josie Chavez, and Coaches Borghetta, Castellani and Williamson, worked very hard to create a culture of respect, discipline and dedication among players, the school system and the community,” the mayor read from the proclamation.

The team had just come from being honored at Cardines Field, home of the Newport Gulls summer collegiate baseball team, before appearing at the council meeting.

“No duck boats, but as I understand it, you all just came up from the Gulls Stadium, where you got quite the honor as well,” Khamsyvoravong noted.

The recognition came during a contentious council meeting dominated by debate over funding for the new Rogers High School construction project. The baseball team’s appearance provided a brief respite from the heated discussions.

“Fellas, turn around, will you, for a second, please?” Councilor David Carlin requested after the proclamation, allowing the audience to see the players’ faces.

“No pressure for next year, guys. Keep it going,” the Mayor joked.

The council’s recognition highlights the continued importance of high school sports in building community pride and bringing people together, even as difficult debates occur over school funding and facilities.

For one evening at least, Newport was able to set aside its differences and come together to honor the accomplishments of its championship high school baseball team.