Cranston West vs. Cranston East … Cam Ricci vs. Kaitlynn Drowne … Jeff Smith vs. PJ Bessette … city bragging rights …

Although those are the ingredients for what promises to be an exciting Rhode Island Interscholastic League fast-pitch softball matchup that will get underway at 7 p.m. at Brayton Avenue Park, what will transpire prior to the intra-city rivalry will feature a dash of history at two levels.

“We’re going to honor first responders in a pregame ceremony,” Jeff Smith, West’s head coach, offered. “These are men who are police personnel or fire fighters who in some cases have a daughter on one of our teams.”

There will also be a special presentation, one of historic proportions, when Cranston West’s sophomores present several checks to officials representing the McShawn’s Pub Back Porch Veterans Association.

Jeff Smith’s brother, Peter, along with Paul Reed and former U.S. Marine Donald Giblin, will accept the checks for the McShawn’s vets group, which last year raised $8,000 for the R.I. Fire Chiefs Association Honor Flight Hub. The Hub is a non-profit that sends World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to view their memorial and other monuments dedicated to those who have protected the nation’s freedom in various conflicts.

The Falcons drew attention to the Honor Flight Hub non-profit two weeks ago when they fielded 2,340 softballs hit by coaches and some parents during a unique Field-A-Thon at Brayton Park.

That event, which was the idea of Falcon sophomores Marissa Cushman, Kelly Lambrese, Aris Degaitis, Caitlin O’Brien, Danielle Carmody and Mackenzie Beyer, also generated interest and revenue for the Honor Flight Program that’s run by former Providence Fire Chief George Farrell and has sent 325 WWII vets to Washington since 2012.

“All our girls bought into the Field-A-Thon idea,” Jeff Smith explained. “They’ll present the checks during Saturday night’s (pregame) ceremony.”

So, the stage is set for another cross-city sports meeting between Cranston West and Cranston East.

“Everyone is excited and looking forward to the game,” Bessette, whose ’Bolts remains undefeated, offered. “This is more than a game; it will be an honor for the first responders and an opportunity for everyone to again honor World War II veterans who went to battle for our country.”

The Falcons who’ll participate in Saturday night’s event are: Julia Hazian, Sophia DiMeglio, Captain Giuliana Hathaway, Haley Travieso, Victoria Williams, Casey Regine, Rachel Blustien, Taylor Guillmette, Marissa Cushman, Kelly Lambrese, Keara Pedroso, Aris Degaitis, Caitlin O’Brien, Camryn Ricci, Captain Jenna Palmer, Rylie Bessette, Madison Assanti, Alexis Coutu, Isabel Baffoni, Danielle Carmody, Olivia Marfeo, Livia Feola, Mackenzie Beyer and Alyssa Ragosta.

Cranston East will be represented by: Serena Babola, Isabelle Ferry, Genna Companatico, Khadijah Antoine, Kaitlynn Drowne, Amber Carnevale, Angelina Coelho, Captain Noelle Bisignano, Captain McKenzie Richards, Amber Pinheiro, Victoria Bowry, Captain Kia Antoine, Captain Latarra Harris, Taylor Sukys, Captain Brittany Rice and Brianna Schneider.