Rhode Island High School Baseball: Vote for 2026 Longplex Week 3 Player of the Week Nominees

POLICY WIRE — Providence, USA — As the April vacation week commences, Rhode Island’s high school baseball landscape is heating up with significant divisional leads and standout performances.

Currently, La Salle holds a sole undefeated record atop Division I, while East Greenwich has ascended to the lead in Division II. In Division III, Woonsocket and Scituate share the pole position, both remaining unblemished. The recent spell of warmer weather has fueled intense competition, producing several surprising results and highlighting exceptional talent across the state. These top-tier teams are propelled by remarkable individual efforts, many of which are now vying for weekly recognition.

Previous Week’s Highlight: Ben Hallene’s Dominance

Last week’s coveted Longplex Athlete of the Week title was decisively claimed by East Providence’s Ben Hallene. Securing over 10,000 votes, which accounted for 50% of the nearly 21,000 total ballots cast, Hallene’s performance was truly outstanding. He achieved a spectacular no-hitter against Smithfield, leading the Townies to a decisive 3-0 victory. This impressive feat, marking his first no-hitter since recovering from an elbow injury sustained last season, saw the left-hander strike out seven batters over 94 pitches, while issuing only two walks.

Hallene’s heroics have contributed to East Providence’s strong 4-1 start to the season. The Longplex Baseball Player of the Week award emphasizes internet engagement and community support for local stars. This dedication to local sports engagement mirrors the enthusiasm seen in other baseball communities nationwide.

How to Participate: Voting and Nominations

The search for the next Longplex Baseball Player of the Week is now underway, featuring a fresh slate of nominees. Voting opens every Monday morning and remains active until Friday, exclusively through the provided online ballot linked within the main story. Please note that phone calls, emails, or in-person preferences will not be counted. Winners will be announced concurrently with the subsequent week’s poll.

While no tangible prize is offered, the distinction provides valuable bragging rights, increased visibility on social media, and membership in an exclusive group by early June. The success of this weekly competition relies heavily on community involvement. We encourage fans, coaches, and athletic administrators to report scores and spread awareness about the poll.

Coaches are asked to submit game results via the Game Changer app, by calling (401) 277-7340, or emailing [email protected]. Submissions are accepted Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with email monitoring extending through the weekend. Timely reporting is always preferred. Exceptional on-field performance and consistent contributions are the primary criteria for nomination.

Coaches play a crucial role by submitting game reports to the Providence Journal, preferably through the GameChanger app’s box score and recap by 8 p.m. on game days. Programs not utilizing GameChanger should email detailed information including scores, star players, and pitching statistics for inclusion in our daily High School Scoreboard.

Week 3 Longplex Baseball Player of the Week Nominees

Will Haggerty, Moses Brown: Haggerty delivered a dominant pitching and hitting display in a 1-0 shutout against Smithfield. He secured the victory with a solo home run in the first inning and permitted only two hits while striking out nine over six innings.
Jairo Martinez, La Salle: Continuing his stellar senior season on the mound, Martinez excelled in a 4-0 win over fellow Division I contender South Kingstown. He limited opponents to just two hits and one walk, tallying an impressive twelve strikeouts.
Dylan Nickerson, North Smithfield: Nickerson was instrumental in North Smithfield’s 2-0 triumph over a previous Division III finalist, Pawtucket Co-op. He pitched six no-hit innings with ten strikeouts and provided all necessary offense with a two-run double in the first.
Eli Ozbek, Classical: Ozbek showcased his versatility in two victories over Providence rivals. He threw a six-inning no-hitter, striking out thirteen in a 10-0 win against Mount Pleasant, and contributed a hit and two runs in a 9-5 triumph over Juanita Sanchez.
JJ Renaud, East Providence: Renaud pitched a masterful three-hit shutout, striking out seven in a 3-0 victory over his former team, Bishop Hendricken. This win notably removed the Hawks from the state’s unbeaten ranks, solidifying the Townies‘ position as a top Division I contender with only one loss.

As the 2026 season progresses towards Rhode Island College, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and enjoy the journey. Your participation and support are invaluable in making this weekly competition a success. We appreciate your engagement in high school sports, similar to how future professional prospects are scouted for upcoming drafts.

Keywords: Rhode Island High School Baseball, Longplex Player of the Week, 2026 Baseball Season, Baseball Nominees, Vote High School Baseball, Division I Baseball Rhode Island, Baseball Player Rankings, Youth Sports Awards, Ben Hallene no-hitter, RI High School Sports