Gateway senior Jordan Cooper receives flowers, a balloon, and praise on senior night Thursday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
HUNTINGTON – As if senior night isn’t special enough.
Gateway senior Jessie Walton stepped on to the softball diamond for the first time all season in her team’s final home game Thursday on “Senior Night” against McCann Tech.
It was a bittersweet moment for Walton, who returned from a torn ACL suffered during basketball season, and her fellow seniors.
“We’ve missed her in the leadership department, and obviously in our lineup,” Gateway coach Matt Bonenfant said of one of his most talented athletes.
Gateway softball senior pitcher Jessie Walton delivers the first pitch of the game. It was Walton’s first game of the season following ACL surgery early during basketball season. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Walton pitched to the first batter before being lifted, and re-entered the game in the fifth, recording a putout at first base.
“Obviously, Jessie has been a rallying point for the girls,” coach Bonenfant said.
It was another tough outing for Gateway, whose best efforts, did not show in the scorebook. The Gators lost in five innings, 17-2.
The final outcome was inconsequential to the five senior softball players – Bry Limoges, Amy Pont, Jordan Cooper, and Sammy Dame were also recognized – as family and friends shared several endearing moments that are likely to last a lifetime.
“The girls did a good job,” Bonenfant said.
Notes: Gateway’s Cheyenne Russell, also a senior, was showered with gifts and praise for serving as team manager.
Gateway’s Trever Bruno delivers a pitch Thursday against Lee in Huntington. (Photo by Chris Putz)
BASEBALL
Gators clip Lee
Gateway 9, Lee 6
Tom Ruffo went 3-for-3, falling just a home run short of the cycle with three RBIs and two runs scored to lead Gateway to a thrilling win on senior night.
Several other Gators enjoyed productive days at the plate Thursday.
Tyler Heeter (2-for-2, walk, run scored), Ethan Gamble (2-3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases), Josh Baillargeon (2-4, 3 runs, 2 SBs), James Degray (hit, run), Adrian Dziergowski (hit, run, RBI), and Cole Main (double, RBI) also contributed offensively for Gateway.
Westfield 20, East Longmeadow 2
Bombers blast Spartans
Westfield exploded for 13 first-inning runs en route to a blowout victory at home.
Chris Sullivan (3-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs), John Strzempek (3-4, double, 2 runs, 4 RBIs), Colin Dunn (2-2, 2 runs, RBI), and Craig Lacey (2-2, walk, 2 runs, 2 RBIs) had multiple hits for the Bombers.
BOYS’ TENNIS
Colts edge Saints
Chicopee Comp 3, St. Mary’s 2
James Marasi (6-1, 6-3) and Kieran O’Donnell (6-4, 6-0) won at first and second singles, respectively, for St. Mary’s.
The Saints’ lost a pair of tough doubles’ matches.
St. Mary’s Will Armstrong and Andrew Ilnicki lost to Chicopee Comp’s AJ Mercer and Benny Qiu, 6-4, 6-6, (8-6). Saints’ Ben Rutledge and Patrick Boyle lost to Colts’ Jason Martins and Dennis Alekseyenko, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Westfield High School senior student athletes gather for a team photo on their senior night with their families. In order from left to right: Colin Dunn, Jordan Hinds, Jared Iglesias, Connor Sullivan, Chris Sullivan, Craig Lacey, Kenny McLean, John Murray, John Strezmpeck, Dan Plasse, and Sam Brochette. (Photo by Liam Sheehan)
