This is the second of our four-part series, highlighting spring 2016 in sports, locally. Look for Part 3 on Saturday.
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 early in the 2016 spring season. DIscenza retired in late 2016. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – Mother Nature delivered a cruel April Fool’s joke to high school ball players in Western Massachusetts. After mid-spring temperatures in March had everyone jumping for joy, a late blast of winter weather set back the start of opening day for area baseball and softball teams by nearly a week at several area schools.
Westfield High School baseball coach Rich Discenza, left, poses with former local legend, head coach Tom Sgroi, following Discenza’s 200th career victory. (Photo by Chris Putz)
One of the funniest quotes came from Gateway athletic director Matt Bonenfant, who said, “I’ve had to cancel more games for snow this week (for spring sports) than I did all basketball season.”
The delayed start was a blessing in disguise though as fans were treated to an exciting season locally, proving it was well worth the wait.
On April 14, longtime Westfield High School baseball coach Rich Discenza recorded his 200th career victory with a 10-3 win over preseason darling Central. After the game, Discenza was showered with praise and congratulatory hugs and handshakes from former ball players, alumni, and notable local legends like former coach Tom Sgroi.
Runners cross the finish line during the 2016 Run Westfield Flat Fast 5K Road Race. (Staff Photo)
Twenty-six year-old runner Amos Sang, of Chicopee made a name for himself last spring, topping all challengers by posting a 14-minute, 24-second run to capture first place in the Run Westfield Flat Fast 5K Road Race. Apryl Sabadosa, 32, of Westfield placed first for the women in 17:19.
It may have been spring, but no matter what season – whether through cold, hot, rain, or snow – Sanders continued to outshine the competition. The Westfield High senior track star won a gold medal in the 100 meter hurdles event at the Western Massachusetts Division 1 District F & G Championships with a time of 15.55.
Other locals also shined at the championships like Westfield’s Ryan Prenosil, who won the boys’ 800 meter race, and Southwick’s Brandon Castor, who finished first in the 200 meter dash.
Sanders’ success extended into the Central-West Division 1 girls’ track and field championships as she hauled in a silver medal with a 15.26 run in the 100 meter hurdles.
Westfield High School repeats as Western Massachusetts Division 1 boys’ volleyball champs. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
The Westfield High School boys’ volleyball team went back-to-back, outlasting Central in a Division 1 West Sectional finals thriller, 28-26, 25-23, 19-25, 25-21 for their second straight championship crown. The Bombers will seek a three-peat in 2017.
The Whip City’s public school’s sports program treated local fans to a fun tournament run.
The fifth-seeded Westfield Bombers upset top-seeded Minnechaug 4-0 in the Western Massachusetts Division 1 softball semifinals – they lost in the finals to No. 3 Agawam – and the Bombers’ baseball team came within inches of grasping the WMass D1 trophy, losing to West Springfield 4-3 in the championship at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Look for both to make some noise in the coming year.
2016 WMASS BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL CHAMPION
WESTFIELD BOMBERS
