Gateway’s Ava Auclair receives a congratulatory hug from her mother after blasting a grand slam Monday at home. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
HUNTINGTON – The Gateway Regional High School softball team broke through with an historic win in a big, big way.
No. 7 eighth-grade batter Ava Auclair blasted a grand slam in the fifth inning, and the Gateway Gators held off pesky visiting Pope Francis Monday, 10-8.
It was Gateway’s first league victory in three years. Pope Francis, which already knocked off Granby this season, fell to 3-2. The Gators improved to 2-3.
“This proves that we can be a quality team,” Gateway coach Matt Bonenfant said.
Pope Francis jumped out on top early. Cardinals stalwart catcher, Krista Jasak, belted a two-run home run in the top of the first inning.
“That ball could’ve rolled into downtown Huntington,” said coach Bonenfant, who admitted intentionally walking the catcher in subsequent at-bats following the blast.
Instead, the Gateway coach employed a shift to try and curb Jasak’s offensive production in the following innings, moving right fielder Joanna Arkoette to left-center field and having second baseman Gabby Dame play shallow right field.
Jasak only managed to squeeze one more hit past the shift through the remainder of the game, a harmless base knock.
“I don’t know if (the shift) actually got in to her mind, but it worked,” Bonenfant said. “They’re going to be gunning for us next time.”
Gateway’s defense was on full display as center fielder Erika Wolfe recorded the final out of the game with the go-ahead run at the plate and runners at second and third base, and in the third, when left fielder Donna Viel made a running catch to halt a Pope Francis rally.
Tigers fight until end
Smith Voke 21, Westfield Tech 11
Westfield Tech put up a good fight, extending the game with a seven-run, fifth inning. Tigers’ pitcher Keisha DeJesus went the distance, striking out seven.
Taya Allen and Mariah Brown each clubbed doubles for Westfield Tech. Brown also made two spectacular catches in left field.
Smith Voke’s pitching staff compiled 13 Ks.
Phillips fans 14
Turners Falls 7, Southwick 0
Turners Falls pitcher Mackenzie Phillips tossed a two-hitter, striking out 14 batters. Katelyn Sylvia had both Southwick hits.
Westfield’s Casey Almeida slides safely into home plate against visiting Ludlow Monday. (Photo by Kellie Adam)
Bombers pummel Lions
Westfield 14, Ludlow 2
Morgan Zabielski collected three hits, including a double, two runs and two RBIs; Grace Barnes (2 runs, 2 RBIs) and Nicole Clemente (run, RBI) each had two hits for Westfield and, Bombers’ Sam Schieppe (2 runs, RBI), Britt Kowalski (2 RBIs), Lindsay Kiltonic (run, RBI), Kelsey Kiltonic (run, RBI), and Casey Almeida (run, RBI) finished with a hit apiece. Haley Moniz drew four walks.
Clemente scattered seven hits, struck out three batters, and walked two. She allowed just two runs in earning the victory on the mound.
BASEBALL
Tigers unleash team effort
Westfield Technical Academy 6, Smith Voke 3
Alex Sparks pitched four scoreless innings, Nick Clegg provided solid relief, and Cade Bradley, Skyler Bishop, and Nate Boulay combined for seven hits and four RBIs to lead Westfield Tech.
Clegg, Bishop, Bradley, and Brad Alvord provided web gems on defense.
“We have three more games this week,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said, “so discipline and a good work ethic will be key.”
Bonini tosses one-hitter
St. Mary 12, Mount Everett 1
St. Mary pitcher Nate Bonini threw a one-hitter, striking out six batters and walking one in five innings. K Koloski provided two innings of hitless ball. Koloski allowed one unearned run and struck out three.
Bonini went 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk, two runs and an RBI.
Shaun Gezotis (2 runs, 2 RBIs) and Matt Masciadrelli (walk, run, RBI) also had two hits apiece for St. Mary. Saints’ Matt Hannoush drove in two runs.
Jake Goodreau scores for Southwick Monday against visiting Granby. (Photo by Bill Deren)
Rams nipped
Granby 13, Southwick 12
Eddie Martinez (2-for-3, double, 2 walks, 4 runs scored), Jake Goodreau (2-for-2, run, RBI), Andrew Mitchell (hit, run, 3 RBIs), Bart Shea (hit, sacrifice, 4 RBIs), and Joe Stratton (2-for-4) led Southwick at the plate.
Mustangs top Gators
Monson 14, Gateway 3
Jayden Marge led Gateway at the plate, going 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored. Gators’ Tom Ruffo had a hit and run scored, and Shane Mastello had a hit and RBI.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
Bombers stomp Colts
Westfield 18, Chicopee Comp 1
Rachel Gelina led Westfield with five goals and two assists, Sam Kane collected four assists, and Hannah Jarvis finished with two goals and two assists for the Bombers.
“We dominated,” Westfield coach Paul Fenwick said. “I think we learned a lot after the tough week we had last week … It was a whole team effort, a lot of girls scored, and great defense.”
Aisling Butler possesses the ball for St. Mary (3) in a high school girls’ lacrosse game against Pope Francis Monday at Spec Pond Field in Wilbraham. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Butler nets four goals in STM loss
Pope Francis 15, St. Mary 5
Julia Bonavita (4 goals, 1 assist) and Allie Ford (3 goals, 2 assists) netted five points apiece against visiting St. Mary at Spec Pond Field in Wilbraham.
Aisling Butler scored a game-high four goals for St. Mary.
BOYS’ TENNIS
Golden Eagles shut out Saints
Central 5, St. Mary 0
St. Mary’s Zach Mastalerz lost a hard-fought match to James Gagnon at second singles, 6-4, 6-1. Saints’ Patrick Boyle and Garrett Almeida fell to Michah Lebeau and Leando Wray at first doubles, 4-6, 2-6.
JV RESULTS
Southwick 8, Granby 0
Southwick pitcher Josh Lis pitched a gem, throwing 6 2-3 innings of one-hit ball. Lis recorded 10 Ks and walked four.
Lis, Miguel Gonzales, Sam Mizanoglu, and Josh Sylvia all had hits. Gonzales also scored three runs.
LATE RESULTS
Sat., April 23
Billerica 5, Westfield 4
Billerica score one in the first inning, three in the third, and the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning Saturday at Bullens Field.
Sean Murphy (3-for-3) and Matt Hastings (2-3) led Westfield at the dish.
Westfield pitcher Ari Schwartz struck out three batters in four innings. Adam Kearing allowed just two hits, one walk, and struck
