Gateway’s Nicole Hannigan (15) deals from the pitching circle Friday against Westfield Technical Academy at Whitney Field. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – The Gateway Regional High School softball team welcomed the second game of the regular season with open arms, and several hits, pilling up a 29-3 victory over Westfield Technical Academy Friday at Whitney Field.
Every player for Gateway had a hit, including the substitutes.
Ava Auclair led Gateway, going 6-for-6. Gators’ Grace VanBuren collected five hits, Donna Viel and Nicole Hannigan each had four hits, and Kaitlyn Quinn tripled.
Gateway freshman pitcher Hannigan recorded her first varsity win. She allowed just one earned run.
“Obviously, she has big shoes to fill from last year,” Gateway softball head coach Matt Bonenfant said of his new ace, who played some on varsity over the last two years. “I thought she really kept command of the strike zone and made them put the ball in play. She made our girls do our job in the field. That’s what we want.”
Gateway stormed out to a 9-0 lead in the first inning. Westfield Tech bounced back with three runs. Tigers’ Leilani Marsh went on to finish with two hits, including what Bonenfant felt was “one of the best hit balls of the day,” a double.
“I thought our girls bounced back after that rough first inning,” coach Bonenfant said.
After opening the season with three straight home games, including an upcoming road contest Tuesday at Commerce, Gateway will return home next Friday against Franklin Tech at 4 p.m.
Westfield Tech returns to action Tuesday against Smith Vocational at Whitney Field at 4 p.m.
BASEBALL
Lis, Rams post shutout
Southwick 4, Granby 0
Southwick raced out of the gates, scoring three runs in the first inning en route to a shutout. Rams’ pitcher Josh Lis scattered three hits, struck out eight batters and walked two in a complete game.
Jacob Garriety (1-for-4, run), Dan Burnett (1-2, triple, walk, run scored, RBI), Bart Shea (1-3, double, run), and Sam Mizanoglu (1-2, walk, RBI) led the offense.
Adam stellar in defeat
Smith Voke 2, Westfield Technical Academy 1
Westfield Technical Academy pitcher Trent Adam suffered a tough-luck loss. Adam provided a solid effort on the mound, allowing just three hits and three walks, while striking out nine hitters.
Westfield Tech freshmen Josh Sturmer and Dakota Durkee had two hits apiece. Riley Sullivan and Mateo Sanchez each had a hit for the Tigers. Sullivan scored the team’s lone run on a balk.
Smith Voke pitcher Will Mollison struck out three batters in five innings of work.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Bombers net thrilling victory
Southwick def. Commerce 25-15, 21-25, 25-16, 17-25, 16-14
The Southwick boys volleyball team pulled off a thrilling comeback, winning in a dramatic contest that went the distance.
Nick Brown (43 assists), Andy Brown (19 kills, 13 digs), Mason Imbriglio (28 digs), Zack Cahill (7 kills), Grayson Poole (4 aces), and John Cammisa (11 digs) led Southwick.
LATE RESULTS – Thurs., April 11
GIRLS TENNIS
Sabis 4, St. Mary’s 1
Jessica Crosby snared the lone St. Mary’s victory, defeating Emma Smith in straight sets at first singles, 6-3, 6-1.
