Gateway baseball lead-off hitter Anthony Piquette (2) crosses the plate for the first run of the game Monday against PVCA in Huntington. (Photo by Chris Putz)
HUNTINGTON – While record rainfall days have dampened many a spirit this spring season, the Gateway Regional High School baseball team found a way to brighten the mood in Huntington.
Gateway pitcher Ryan Orr silenced the opposing bats and the Gators took advantage of some timely hitting to slip past Pioneer Valley Christian Academy 2-1 Monday.
Orr scattered five hits, struck out eight batters, walked two, hit one by pitch, and allowed just one run in seven complete innings. The lone PVCA run came in the top of the seventh with Gateway already leading 2-0.
Gateway led from the outset when Anthony Piquette manufactured the game’s first run, reaching on an error, stealing second and third base, and scoring on a ground out from Joel Sakaske.
Sakaske also scored a run in the fourth inning on a Wyatt Heeter base hit.
Brett Bonenfant had a double for Gateway. Gators’ Matt Puza had a hit.
Rams walk away with victory
Southwick 6, Palmer 1
Southwick walked away with a convincing victory, thanks to some patience at the plate and a strong outing from Rams pitcher Bart Shea.
“They walked five (of our hitters in the first inning) and spotted us what we needed,” said Southwick coach Bill Dupre, whose first nine batters reached base on consecutive at-bats to begin the game. “That will put you in a good spot to get ahead.”
Southwick needed just four hits to do damage. Burnett (2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI), Shea (1-for-2, walk, run), and Sam Mizonoglu (1-for-3, 2 RBIs) accounted for the base knocks. Josh Lis and Nick Michaels also drove in one run apiece.
Shea was solid on the mound, recording 13 strikeouts and allowing just four hits, one walk, and one run through six innings. Burnett struck out two batters in an inning of scoreless relief.
Southwick improved to 5-2 overall, 4-1 Bi-County League.
Terriers nip Bombers in 9th
West Springfield 1, Westfield 0 (9 inn.)
West Springfield scored in extra frames to escape the Whip City with a “W”. Terriers pitcher Andrew Corley (4 Ks) tossed a two-hitter over all nine innings.
Westfield pitcher Mike Hall was up to the task, delivering eight scoreless innings, while striking out seven batters. He walked three. Bombers’ reliever Jimmy Hagan allowed one hit, one run (unearned), and struck out three.
SOFTBALL
Baker lifts Bombers
Westfield 4, Chicopee 3
Hannah Baker (2-for-3) delivered the game-winning RBI single in the sixth inning; and Emma LaPoint and Carly James each had a single, double, and run scored to lift Westfield in a thriller at home.
Erin Gour earned the win on the mound for Westfield. She struck out eight.
Gators chase ‘Cats
Gateway 22, Sci-Tech 4
Nicole Hannigan went 3-for-3, and Allison Manos, Ava Auclair (double), and Grace Van Buren had two hits apiece for Gateway. Gators’ Kaitlyn Quinn also doubled.
Gateway pitcher Nicole Hannigan recorded seven Ks.
BOYS LACROSSE
Clausen, Antonellis boost Bombers
Westfield 11, Northampton 2
Nick Clausen and Dave Antonellis netted hat tricks in Westfield’s convincing victory at Roots.
Westfield’s Cam Theriault scored two goals, Will Cameron had one goal and one assist, and Christian Nalepinski and Tyler Shrewsbury each collected a goal. Bombers’ Ryan Metcalf, Will Cameron and Matt Bacon had assists.
Westfield goalie Nick Mee made eight saves.
Colts down Saints
Chicopee Comprehensive 14, St. Mary’s 3
Devin Bunyan and Dylan Seymour scored three goals apiece to down St. Mary’s at Boardman Field.
Aaron Blanchard led St. Mary’s with two goals and two assists. Saints’ Byron Dudas had one goal, and Evan Ploof had one assist.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Golden Eagles sweep Rams
Central def. Southwick 25-8, 25-17, 29-27
Tyler Gellert (2 blocks), Mason Imbriglio (7 digs), Andy Brown (2 kills, 1 ace), Collin Strain (2 kills), and Nick Brown (6 assists) led Southwick.
BOYS TENNIS
Young, Howes battle
Central 5, St. Mary’s 0
St. Mary’s Tom Young and Ben Howes nearly pulled off a dramatic victory against Central’s Jeremy Martinez and Taeshawn Kelly at second doubles, rallying from a first-set loss on tiebreaker to win a second set by tiebreaker, before falling in yet another tiebreaker in the final set.
“This small school versus large school match was a demonstration of how players show very good effort and sportsmanship, no matter what the score,” St. Mary’s boys tennis head coach George Hart said. The score … may not show it, but their efforts definitely demonstrated improved skills.”
GIRLS TENNIS
Saints shut out Panthers
St. Mary’s 5, Palmer 0
St. Mary’s Jessica Crosby toppled Palmer’s Will White, 6-4, 6-4 at first singles; Amelia Murray defeated Emma Martin, 6-2, 6-1 at second singles; and, Erin Olearcek beat Amelia Bachand, 6-0, 7-6, (10-6).
Saints’ Maura O’Neill and Ally Rougemont downed Sasha Bernard and Maria Bealieu 6-1, 7-5 at first doubles; and, Caroline Leahy and Catherine Seklecki held off Olivia DeSantis and Renee chaples 6-3, 7-5.
LATE RESULTS – Sat., April 27
GIRLS LACROSSE
Chicopee Comp 13, St. Mary’s 4
Skylar Duda found the back of the net three times, and Sam Moran had one goal for St. Mary’s. Saints’ April Warner made 11 saves, and Paighton Ramos played well on defense.
