Westfield athletic director Eileen Flaherty presents Westfield High School boys’ varsity baseball head coach Rich Discenza with a game ball after collecting his 200th career victory Thursday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – In eight seasons as head coach of the Westfield High School head baseball team, Rich Discenza has won three Western Massachusetts championships. During his coaching tenure, a career that dates back to 1975 and spans 19 seasons (eight as head coach at Cathedral), Discenza has compiled a breathtaking amount of victories.
On Thursday, in front of a packed home crowd of fans – some of which included former players, alumni, and notable local legends like former coach Tom Sgroi – Discenza recorded win No. 200.
Discenza and the Westfield Bombers upended preseason favorite Central, the defending WMass champs, 10-3, at Bullens Field.
It was an inauspicious start for Westfield (2-0) and starter Dalen Mochak, who allowed two consecutive hits to Central to begin the game. The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
The Central lead was short-lived, however, as Westfield battled back in the home half of the inning with consecutive base hits from lead-off batter Austin St. Pierre, No. 2 hitter, Jacob Colapietro, No. 3 batter Sean Murphy, clean-up hitter Anthony Clark, and Tony Riga. After a Sean Moorhouse walk and Matt Hastings single, the Bombers led 4-2.
Westfield High School baseball coach Rich Discenza, left, poses with former legendary head coach Tom Sgroi following Thursday’s game against Central. It was Discenza’s 200th career victory. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Westfield increased its lead to four runs with two more in the second. Central scored one in the third – its last – before the Bombers tacked on one in the fourth and three more in the fifth for a 10-3 lead.
St. Pierre highlighted the fourth by smacking a triple, and scoring on a Colapietro sac-fly.
Westfield pitcher Ari Schwartz came on in relief in the latter innings and shut down Central.
Afterwards, Discenza was recognized for his accomplishment. Westfield High athletic director Eileen Flaherty presented the Bombers’ coach with a game ball to a rousing applause, and he received several congratulatory handshakes.
“This has nothing to do with me,” said a reserved coach Discenza, following the milestone victory. “We’ve had great kids here. Look at the number of kids playing baseball at college. That’s what we’re trying to get done.”
Red Raiders win extra-inning affair
Hampshire 2, St. Mary 1
After six innings of scoreless baseball, Hampshire punched the winning run across in the eighth inning at Westfield Middle School North.
St. Mary managed just three hits – one apiece from John Daley, Shaun Gezotis, and Billy Lamirande – as Hampshire pitchers Garret Kowal and Matt York combined to shut down the Saints.
St. Mary pitcher Kyle Koloski scattered four hits and one walk across four innings, striking out two batters and allowing just one run before giving way to relievers Billy Lamirande (0 hits allowed, 4 walks, 3 Ks) and Nate Bonini (1 hit allowed, 1 run, 0 walks, 3 Ks).
SOFTBALL
Lachtara, Rams post shutout
Southwick 13, Mahar 0
Katelyn Sylvia went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs, Steph Devine went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI, and Sydney Rogers scored four runs in a big offensive day at the plate for Southwick.
Rams’ pitcher Emily Lachtara pitched a one-hitter, striking out six batters in a mercy-shortened contest. Gillian Ensign had one strikeout in one inning of relief.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
Butler nets hat trick
Lee 14 St. Mary 6
Aisling Butler recorded a hat trick for St. Mary. Fellow Saints’ Olivia Mazza and Maddie Rix each collected one goal and one assist, and Jenna Turini chipped in a goal.
St. Mary goalie Ana Kozinski finished with 10 saves.
GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD
Consolini wins four events
Southwick 94, Palmer 42
Ashley Consolini won four events to lead Southwick. Consolini took first in the 110 meter hurdles (16.80), 400 hurdles (1:12.00), long jump (15-6), and high jump (4-10).
GIRLS’ TENNIS
Bombers sweep doubles
Amherst 3, Westfield 2
Westfield swept Amherst in doubles play. In first doubles, Gabby Rivera and Natalie Mitchell dispatched Hurricanes’ Anna Lacey and Julia Hopley in quick fashion, 6-0, 60. Camille Mckenzie and Emma Macleod downed Amaraya Deza and Nikayla Krouch in second doubles, 6-4, 6-3.
Panthers post shutout
Palmer 5, St. Mary 0
St. Mary’s Jessica Demers waged a tough battle against Palmer’s Rachel Bauer, before falling 6-4, 6-1. The Saints’ first doubles pair, Ashley Forest and Brianna Rivera, also lost a hard-fought match against the Panthers, 6-4, 6-4.
BOYS’ TENNIS
Boyle sole Saints’ winner
Chicopee Comp 4, St. Mary 1
Patrick Boyle won at third singles for St. Mary, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
JV RESULTS
The Southwick JV softball team bounced back from a 26-14 road loss to Palmer by defeating Granby convincingly Wednesday, 21-8.
