WOOD RIVER JCT. — Chariho junior Adriana Jeannenot aspires to a career in the medical profession, opting to make a verbal commitment to Holy Cross this spring rather than aspire to a “big-time” scholarship offer to a major conference fast-pitch softball program.

That’s good news to future hitters in the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference.

Widely considered Rhode Island’s best pitcher – Jeannenot was All-State First team as a freshman and sophomore – she has struck out 500 in 300 career innings. This season as a junior, Jeannenot opened with a 7-0 record and hadn’t allowed an earned run and just one unearned run in 42 innings. She allowed just six hits, six walks and struck out 84 in the first seven games.

Jeannenot’s high school statistics surpass the numbers compiled by former Chariho pitcher Vanessa Oakley, who spent her first two years in Wood River Jct. before transferring to Prout. Oakley went on to play at Penn State where she was 10-12 in her career.

“My goal is to become a [physician assistant] or a doctor,” Jeannenot said. “I’m not sure if I could handle the academic workload required to go to medical school while taking on the responsibility and pressure of playing softball at an SEC, ACC or Big 10 program. I’m happy with my decision to commit to Holy Cross for many reasons.”

With her college choice decided, Jeannenot is relieved to concentrate on a junior season that looks nothing but promising. The Chargers returned key pieces from last year’s RIIL Division I runner-up squad. Jeannenot no-hit East Providence, 3-0, in what was Chariho’s toughest matchup before Monday’s showdown at La Salle Academy, the 2025 state champion.

Chariho second-year coach Kevin Dorgan says the Chargers hold the highest aspirations possible.

“La Salle is a litmus test for us,” Dorgan said. “We beat them once in four tries last season. Our nucleus has come up together, going undefeated to win the middle school state title in 2023. We made the finals last season. The natural progression is to win it this year.”

Chariho posted a 17-7 record last year, losing in the final to LaSalle’s three-peat quest. Jeannenot was phenomenal with a 16-3 record, 201 strikeouts in 123 innings and a .485 batting average with 32 hits and 20 RBI.

“I have an embarrassment of riches with this team,” Dorgan said. “We have the state’s best pitcher, a very good defense and great hitting lineup. When the job opened up before the 2025 season, it wasn’t a tough decision to put my name in.”

The Chargers feature strength and stability up the middle, starting with Jeannenot at the circle. But a dominant ace pitcher is only as good as her catcher who can handle the fast and moving pitches.

“Ella Alves is as solid defensively as a catcher as you’ll find in the state,” Dorgan said. “She’s a great leader and we feel secure with her catching Adriana.”

Dorgan patrols center field and the shortstop-second base combo of Alana Valuk (second) and Ella Tretton are trustworthy. Popowich is on pace to earn all-star honors at third base. Riley Myer and Amanda Moyer platoon at first base. Dorgan is flanked in the outfield by Kaelyn Comerford in right field and Makayla Smith in left. Kesten Hanks is a designated player and regular in the lineup.

“Adrianna records a lot of outs by strikeouts but our defense is ready when the ball is put in play,” Dorgan said. “Adriana isn’t forced to get a lot of extra outs because of errors.”

Pitching and defense wins in softball, but the Chargers are equally as effective offensively with a .350 team batting average and nine run average per game.

Popowich has led the hit parade after seven games with a .550 batting average (11 for 20) with four doubles, three homers and 14 RBI. Comerford and Dorgan show nearly identical states (.409, 9 for 22) with 12 and 11 runs scored, respectively, and one homer apiece. Hanks (.400) and Tretton (.348 with five doubles) are also productive at the plate as is Jeannenot (.391 with three homers).

Jeannenot said she wants to continue hitting in college – another reason, behind the overwhelming attraction to the Worcester college’s academics, why she gravitated to Holy Cross.

“The coaches indicated continuing as a hitter and pitcher would be a possibility,” Jeannenot said. “I enjoy staying part of the game when we’re up at bat. It helps me stay intense.”

Jeannenot and Co. feel like they are on a mission that started early.

“I had these girls as youth players,” Dorgan said. “We kind of separated to go our own way on travel teams but we came back together when I got the middle school job. The present juniors (Jeannenot, Dorgan, Popowich, Comeford, Hanks, Myer) went to two middle school finals, winning with an undefeated team as eighth graders. Now they’ve been part of two high school deep runs, making the finals last year.

“They are a driven group. I don’t have to get them to work hard in practice. They are committed. I’m very fortunate as a coach to have a group like this.”

Jeannenot believes Chariho’s chemistry is right to go one step further.

“We all get along so well,” Jeannenot said. “We look forward to every practice, every game.”