The Gershkoff Auto Body Auburn Post #20 American Legion baseball team got its summer season started last week and is looking to have a big year both on and off the diamond.

With a roster that includes high school players from Cranston West, Johnston, Moses Brown and Bishop Hendricken, Gershkoff is relying on a large crop of underclassmen to step up while it rebuilds its team.

The club got off to a 1-5 start and has been led by senior Nick Masse, who hit .333 at the plate. Dylan Martins and George Threats led the team in RBI.

The 17-U team is off to a blazing start with a 4-0 record, most recently getting a 9-4 win over R&R Construction. Jack Fontaine, Jovi Cruz and Gianni Santo all knocked in multiple runs while Logan Martins got the win on the mound, pitching two innings and racking up five strikeouts.

The program’s new 13-U Lightning Elite club is also off to a strong start with a 6-3 record. The 13-U club will be facing teams from Connecticut and is already making noise, most recently cruising past Enfield 29-2.

Anthony Campagnone led the way with five RBI while Dom Andrade and Aidyn Pizzuti added four runs each. Corey Ogden got the win on the mound and picked up a pair of strikeouts.

The program will also be offering its players numerous opportunities to enjoy the game beyond the normal state schedules. The club will be traveling to compete in a national tournament and will also be heading to the College World Series in Omaha.

Gershkoff will also be hosting three youth clinics in the month of August. On Aug. 16 there will be a clinic at the Chafee Complex, then another at the CLCF field on Aug. 18. On Aug. 19, there will be a clinic geared toward 12 year olds that will be transitioning to the big diamond. This clinic will be at Jordan Avenue. Each clinic will be $45 and will include a free t-shirt.

Lastly, Gershkoff also announced that it will be competing in the newly-formed American Legion Fall Ball league, which is set to take off shortly after the summer season.

“My vision as the Gershkoff general manager is to give youth all ages an opportunity to keep players together as one community where they play together and form friendships and bonds throughout the year,” said Gershkoff general manager and head coach Dave Schiappa. “Give families the opportunity to afford a program that believes in helping to make players good citizens first, students second, and players third. We can reach out to schools and coaches and also showcase players as best we can. Biggest motto is we are coaches for life and will always be there to help players throughout their life. Ultimately we want to help all of our community to be the best we can be.”