MAJORS
April 21
Slovak Club 7, Air Compressor Engineering 6
Joey Czarnecki knocked in Quinn Powers with the deciding run with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to lead Slovak Club (1-0) to an Opening Day win. Powers (2-for-3, run scored) led off the inning with a sharp single up the middle, and both Colin Scanlon (1-for-2, run scored) and Andrew Tobias (2-for-2, two runs scored) sacrificed him up a base. After an intentional walk to Devin Baker (2-for-2, RBI, two runs scored), Czarnecki grounded a ball to short that proved too hard to handle, allowing Powers to scoot home with the winner. Baker pitched the first 4.1 innings, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out seven. Tobias then came in to finish the game, picking up the win in the process. Chris Torres chipped in with two doubles that drove in three runs, and Jackson Diltz added a single to help pace Slovak’s 12-hit attack.
Commercial Distributing 11, Westfield Police 0
Commercial Distributing kicked off the 2012 season with a convincing triumph over Westfield Police on Opening Day at Cross Street. Cody Garwacki went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a pair of runs scored to set the tone offensively. Commercial also received a boost from newcomer Matt Pelletier, who went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and two RBI. On the defensive side of the ball, the pitching combination of Nate Bonini, Jack Yvon and Garwacki proved to be nearly untouchable. The trio limited Police to just one hit while striking out 14 and walking only three. After grabbing a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, the boys in blue exploded for three runs in the third. The big blow came from Garwacki, who plated a pair of runs with a double to left-center. Commercial tacked on another run in the fourth on a perfectly executed double steal by Pelletier and Noah Kantor. The lead then swelled to 8-0 with three more runs in the fifth. This time, Joey Burzynski knocked in a pair with a ringing single through the left side, later coming around on a hit to right by Pelletier. Kantor also delivered a single to left-center in the inning. Commercial scored three more times in the sixth to put things out of reach. After getting things started with a blistering triple to the right-center field gap, Yvon came around on Garwacki’s second hit of the day. A two-run double by Ethan Dolan capped off the scoring later in the inning. Liam Webster scored his third run of the day on the play.
Kiwanis 12, Sons of Erin 5
Opening Day of the 2012 season proved to be a winner for Kiwanis. Aidan Dunn celebrated the opening of the season with a dynamic performance on the mound and at the plate. Dunn led the Kiwanis attack, going 3-for-3 with two RBI. Providing additional offensive support were Nick Garde (two hits, RBI), Sean Mitchell (long double, RBI), and Jimmy Hagan (base hit, RBI). Niko Morganelli added a base hit in the fourth. Also reaching base and scoring a run were Ryan Moorhouse, Devin Nadeau, and Ian Wilhoite. On the mound, Dunn went five innings, striking out eight. Hagan came in to close out the game by striking out two of the three batters he faced. Defensive stand-outs included Hagan at shortstop, who made several key defensive plays, and Mitchell with an outstanding grab at third base to throw a runner out at first.
Kiwanis 12, Sons of Erin 5
Sons of Erin scored four runs with two outs in the fifth inning to tie the game, only to watch Kiwanis string together four singles and pull away with a big seven-run sixth. Kiwanis scored in the first, fourth and fifth, building a 5-1 lead. After two quick outs in the bottom of the fifth, Sons started its comeback with a Zach Medeiros triple to the gap in left-center. Tony Torres followed with a single to score Medeiros. Cam Sporbert scored Torres with a triple of his own to the fence in right. He later scored on a heads-up play at third, dashing home when the throw back to the mound got away from the Kiwanis starter. Connor Koziol, who started for Sons, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out nine, added the third triple of the inning for Sons. A hard turn at third and a bobbled ball sent Koziol sliding in home ahead of the late throw, tying the game 5-5. Jon Ramos pitched well in relief of Koziol in the fifth, giving up one run on one hit and striking out three. Nate Towle reached base twice, the second time on a hard double to center. Billy Carroll and Ramos had the other hits for Sons. Torres scored twice.
A DIVISION
April 22
Bannish Lumber 11, Green Meadow Lumber 8
Green Meadow Lumber had a strong fifth-inning rally, sparked by Sean Leckie’s RBI triple to center. Parker Kelley pitched 2.1 innings, striking out six, before being relieved by Dakotah Moynihan, who struck out four in 1.2 innings. Bannish Lumber started strong, scoring five runs in the first inning to take a 5-3 lead. Green Meadow was unable to catch up. David Roundy went 2-for-2, and Roundy and Michael Slate both scored twice. Kelley, Moynihan, and Kyle Nelson each had base hits, and Ben Luksas drove in two runs on an infield fly. Kelley, Moynihan, Leckie and Devin Dupuis each scored a run.
Bannish Lumber 11, Green Meadow Lumber 8
Bannish Lumber (1-0) held on to win a rain-shortened season opener Sunday against Green Meadow Lumber. Green Meadow jumped out to a three-run first inning lead. Bannish Lumber fought back to score five runs in the bottom half of the inning. Jake “Snake” Curran led the charge with a lead-off single, and was followed by singles from Josh Faunce and Jagger Paroline. Josh Curran, Adam Masters and Ben Goyette each reached base safely as Bannish Lumber took the lead. Starting pitcher Josh Curran settled down in the top of the second to retire the side in order. Bannish Lumber tacked on two more runs in the bottom half of the second with a lead-off single by Garrett Paradis, followed by a two-run homer by the speedy Jake Curran. Josh Curran also singled in the inning. Josh Curran struck out the side in the top of the third and Bannish Lumber added three runs in the bottom half with singles by Ben Goyette and Jeremiah Darada. Zach Hall and Jacob Chattar also reached base safely that inning. Green Meadow rallied in the top of the fourth to tighten the game to 10-5, but reliever Jake Curran retired the side with three strikeouts. Josh Curran drew a walk and scored on aggressive base running in the bottom half of the fourth. Green Meadow scored three straight runs to close the gap to 11-8 in the top of the fifth before Jake Curran dug in and retired the side on three strikeouts. The Curran brothers combined for 11 strikeouts while walking only three. Solid performances behind the plate were delivered by Jimmy Renaudette, Chattar and Darada.
SENIOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL
April 21
Westfield Driving School 14, Richards Jewelers 4
Richards Jewelers started the season off playing the first game of a doubleheader against Westfield Driving School. Carolyn Dufraine, Kaitlyn Puza, and Reiley Ledoux all contributed with hits. Dufraine scored three times for Richards Jewelers and provided solid defense. Puza had two RBIs, scored once and anchored the defense with her play behind the plate. Ashlie Baker pitched a solid four innings, giving up seven hits, with one walk and one strikeout in her debut as the league’s youngest pitcher. Paige Templeton came on in relief and gave up two hits, striking out three. Despite the loss, there were some outstanding plays made in the field. Playing third, Cara Onyski faked a throw to first and turned around to catch a runner off third base, which saved a run. Puza and Alyssa Clement also were involved in a rundown between home and third, saving another run. The defense was supported by the efforts of Grace Templeton, Christina Onyski, Brittany Kowalski, Liz Gelinas and Erika Wolfe.
Taylor Agency, Easthampton 13, Richards Jewelers 2
In the second game of its doubleheader, Richards Jewelers faced Easthampton High School varsity pitcher Caelin Motter. Motter held Richards Jewelers scoreless until the fifth, when Paige Templeton singled with two outs. Brittany Kowalski belted a triple to score Paige. With Brittany standing at third, Christina Onyski single to drive in the second run for Richards Jewelers. In the third inning, Cara Onyski doubled with two outs, but was stranded on second. Despite some hard hit balls by Alyssa Clement, Grace Templeton, Carolyn Dufraine, Erika Wolfe and Reiley Ledoux, the Easthampton defense proved difficult to overcome. Liz Gelinas provided solid defense at first base, making some difficult plays. Veteran Kaitlyn Puza was instrumental in her leadership and athletic ability with her play behind the plate. Newcomer Ashlie Baker pitched the entire second game for Richards Jewelers. This up-and-coming pitcher will be one to watch in a league dominated by high school varsity and junior varsity pitchers.
Westfield Driving School 14, Richard’s Jewelers 4
In the season opener for both teams, Westfield Driving School (1-0) broke a close game open in the late innings. Ellen Ferst was lights-out on the mound, going the distance, allowing just four hits, walking only two, while striking out 15. Ferst also roped a triple off the right centerfield fence, missing a home run by inches. Catie Laraway, Rachel Swords, and Annalise Eak drove in three runs each. Laraway also scored three runs. Kary Dilts added two hits and scored twice. Carissa Vergnani walked twice and crossed the plate twice. Miranda Boudreau drove in a run. Also reaching base were Mahlia Reyes, Shelena Nieves, Chelsea Conroy and Elyza Colson, who walked twice and score three runs.
Firtion Adams 3, Westfield Driving School 1
Jen Moller pitched a two-hit complete game, while striking out 14 for Firtion Adams. Maddie Brockney had a strong game catching, throwing out two base runners trying to steal second. Vicki Camp was solid at shortstop and added a hit. Marissa Powers had a triple and scored one run, while Elena Papadimitriou and Rachel Charette scored for Firtion Adams.
April 22
Firtion Adams 12, Easthampton 0
Vicki Camp pitched a shutout and struck out five for Firtion Adams in a rain-shorted game. Maddie Sutton went had a double and triple, walked and scored a run. Jen Moller was 2-for-2 with a walk, scoring twice. Jess Peatman doubled and scored, while Vicki Camp and Kelsey Kiitonic each singled and scored. Carlan Gideon, Maddie Barcomb, Amanda Hall and Marissa Powers all scored for Firtion Adams, and Elena Papadimitriou scored twice.
INSTRUCTIONAL
April 23
Heritage Lawns vs. OMG
A solid effort was turned in by the Heritage Lawns instructional team in its season opener at Papermill field. The pitching was strong, with Alex Robitaille striking out four, Clay Bradley striking out four, and Mason Hynes coming in to close out the last two innings, also striking out four. Joey Masciadrelli, who had earlier doubled, provided a key out in the fifth inning by catching a high pop fly to center field. Alex Provost also had a great hit in the fifth for Heritage Lawns.
