Southwick No. 1 golfer Matthew Garrity tees off on the first hole Wednesday at Edgewood Country Club. (CHRIS PUTZ/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
SOUTHWICK – Southwick senior golfer Matthew Garrity believes his team has saved the best for last.
On Wednesday, Garrity shot a round of 37 at Edgewood Country Club to pace his team against East Longmeadow. Although he triple-bogeyed the ninth hole, the Southwick golfer birdied the fourth and seventh holes and was on pace to finish 2-under on the course’s par-36.
“I was playing really well,” said Garrity, noting his solid putts. “It was just one of those holes. You always have those bad holes. It’s one I should have easily finished.”
Southwick’s Matt Coviello finished the afternoon with the team’s next best score (41). Jesse Johnson and Joey Malkoon shot a 43 and 44, respectively, for the Rams. The team’s No. 2 golfer Andrew Morris also had a 44.
East Longmeadow won the match 159-165.
“Andrew has pushed me to become a better golfer,” Garrity said. “We outshine one another.”
Speaking about shining, Garrity’s golf game has been next level ever since he stepped on the course as a freshman. Garrity knocked five strokes off his average between eighth and ninth grades. Then, in his sophomore season, he won the Western Mass individual title. He will get another chance to deliver another medal-worthy performance on Tuesday at the WMASS Division 3 golf championships at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield.
SOUTHWICK GOLF TEAM
“I want to win Western Mass,” Garrity said. “If I play the way I know I can, I will outshoot anyone there.”
And as for the team title? “I want to win it both ways,” Garrity said. “I’m really proud of our team. …I know our guys can do it.”
Garrity had a few words of encouragement for his teammates – – stay positive and remember every stroke counts.
“I have seen teams fall from just one (bad) hole,” he said. “That could be the difference between first and second.”
Saints qualify for postseason
St. Mary’s 16.5, Pathfinder 7.5
St. Mary’s improved to 8-6 with a win over Pathfinder Wednesday at Tekoa Country Club, punching their ticket to the Division 3 golf championships.
St. Mary’s No. 2 golfer, Collin Freeman paved the way for a victory, shooting a match-low 51. The Saints top golfer, Cam Cusack, and Nos. 5-6 golfers, Gavin Conners and Ryan Majors each tied with a round of 54.
BOYS SOCCER
St. Mary’s 5, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School
Jonathan Baillargeon recorded a hat trick and Trevor Corriveau scored twice as St. Mary’s shut out PVCICS. Corriveau, Brendan Dominik, and Mike Callahan were strong in the middle. Shane Collins kept the defense in check with consistent play against PVCICS’s runs.
Thomas Baillargeon was outstanding in net with 11 saves.
GYMNASTICS
Red Raiders topple Bombers, Falcons
Hampshire (130.55), Westfield (127.95), Minnechaug (127.50)
Hampshire handed Westfield its first loss of the season. Red Raiders’ Tyler Hetu and Hailey Raffa finished first and second in the all-around with scores of 34.55 and 33.95, respectively. Bombers’ Kaela Johnson was third (33.45).
Johnson tied Minnechaug’s Halie Calver for first on beam (8.9). Johnson also placed third on the floor exercise (8.5) and tied teammate Bella Goodreau on the bars (7.8).
Westfield’s Lizzie Galczynski placed third on the beam (8.6).
