WESTFIELD – Westfield took care of business Thursday, clinching the Pioneer League championship with a thrilling 3-2 win on the road at West Springfield.
Tristin Viale went to work, securing one point for Westfield at first singles with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Alec Kidman.
Westfield’s doubles’ pairs, Jimmy Knapik and Matt Roberts won an exciting match over West Springfield’s Jacob Johnson and Benjamin Heath at first doubles, 6-3, 6-2. Jalen Bodendorf and Jake Perpetua secured the victory with a nailbiting finish, rallying past Terriers’ Shane Wilkinson and Earl Rice, Jr., 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.
WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ TENNIS
2016 Pioneer League Champs
“The boys really put it together for a season finale,” said Westfield coach John Morizio, whose team entered Thursday’s contest needing a win to secure the league title outright. A loss would have resulted in a co-championship between the Bombers and West Side Terriers.
“We played extremely well at every position to just inch them out,” coach Morizio explained.
Lyle Libanan and Shayne Holloway waged extremely successful matches for Westfield, but fell just short. West Springfield’s Beau Davis edged Libanan 2-6, 6-4, 6-3; Ryan Hunter toppled Holloway, 7-6, (7-5), 6-4.
Westfield, which now runs its record to 13-1 overall (7-0 league), closes out the regular season at home against St. Mary. West Springfield fell to 12-3, 5-2.
Saints cut down Cards
St. Mary 4, Renaissance 1
St. Mary’s Nos. 2 and 3 boys’ tennis players, Brandin Stewart and Patrick Boyle shut out their respective opponents, 6-0, 6-0, and the Saints’ won both doubles’ matches by default to earn their third win of the season.
“We look forward to continued improvement in the remaining five matches, starting with (Friday’s) match at Mount Everett,” St. Mary coach George Hart said.
Rain, rain go away
St. Mary 1, Pioneer Valley Christian School 0 (Rain Delay/Susp.)
Rain halted play in all but one match Thursday with No. 1 singles player, Jessica Crosby defeating Renee LeClair in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0.
Southwick pitcher Joe Stratton follows through with a pitch Thursday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
BASEBALL
Rams rally past Panthers
Southwick 6, Palmer 5
Southwick scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to catapult past Palmer at Whalley Field.
Eddie Martinez (walk, two runs scored, RBI), Dan McClellan (walk, run, sac fly, RBI), Jake Goodreau (1-for-2, double, two walks), Andrew Mitchell (walk, RBI), and Tyler Orban (1-for-2), and Travis Pirello (1-for-2, RBI) contributed offensively for Southwick.
Rams’ pitcher Joe Stratton struck out four batters, walked one, and allowed three unearned runs in seven complete innings to earn the “W”.
St. Mary High School senior baseball players, from left to right, Bobby Gonet (16), Kyle Koloski (22), Billy Lamirande (3), and Matt Hanoush (19) join arms in celebrating “Senior Day” Thursday at Westfield Middle School North. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
Saints fall late
Sabis 5, St. Mary 2
Sabis rallied for five unanswered runs in the top of the seventh inning to upset St. Mary and spoil “Senior Day” at Westfield Middle School North.
Sylvain Audet led Sabis at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, run, stolen base, and RBI. Shayne Audet tossed a two-hitter to go along with 14 strikeouts.
Matt Hannoush (run), and John Daley (run, RBI) had the only hits for St. Mary. Hannoush tossed six full innings of one-run ball, striking out five before things unraveled in the seventh.
SOFTBALL
FT pitcher tosses no-no
Franklin Tech 16, Westfield Tech 2
Franklin Tech pitcher Rachel Shearer (4 Ks, 3 BBs) tossed a no-hitter, hit a home run, and was backed by another home run and eight doubles on the day.
J Alvalle and T. Allen scored the only runs for Westfield Tech.
Bombers escape Amherst with “W”
Westfield 2, Amherst 0
Westfield scored two runs in the sixth inning for the game’s only runs.
Elizabeth Irwin (double), Hayley Moniz (walk), Nicole Clemente (walk), Brittany Kowalski, and Casey Almeida had the only hits of the day for Westfield. Bombers’ Grace Barnes walked twice and scored a run, and Lindsey Kiltonic also scored.
Moniz was strong on the mound for Westfield, scattering three hits, striking out seven, and walking one.
BOYS’ LACROSSE
Bombers roll
Westfield 13, Mount Greylock 9
Mason Balch recorded six goals and one assist to lead Westfield. Bombers’ Matt Bonsal notched a hat trick, and Max Maggipinto tallied five points (1 goal, 4 assists).
