The high school baseball and softball seasons finally got under way after nearly a week-long delay, thanks to the late snow and recent deluge of rain. On Monday, several area teams began their spring journey, with many posting solid results. Here is a recap of a busy slate:
SOFTBALL
Lachtara strong in opener
Southwick 15, Central 7
Southwick pitcher Emily Lachtara struck out 11 batters, scattered three hits, and allowed just two earned runs through seven innings at Blunt Park in Springfield. She also provided some offense, going 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs.
Southwick-Tolland Regional High School softball pitcher Emily Lachtara winds up for the start of the 2017 regular season Monday against Central at Blunt Park in Springfield. (Photo by Bill Deren)
Brittany Penland (1-for-2, double, 2 runs scored) and Tori Dellagiustino (single, 3 walks, 4 runs) contributed on offense.
Dellagiustino also threw out two runners from behind the dish.
Terriers chase Bombers
West Springfield 4, Westfield 2
Farrah Adam collected two doubles, and Autumn Metivier went 3-for-4 to lead West Side at home. Westfield’s Brittany Kowalski doubled and scored a run.
First-year Westfield High School softball coach Tim Desmond, far left, instructs the Bombers Monday against visiting West Springfield. (Photo by Lynn Boscher)
“The weather held us back a bit,” Westfield coach Tim Desmond said, “but our girls are chomping at the bit ready to go.”
BASEBALL
Rams shut out Cybercats
Southwick-Tolland 9, Sci-Tech 0
Southwick (1-0) put forth a solid effort on opening day at home.
Tyler Orban went 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Miguel Gonzalez and Bart Shea each went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three stolen bases, and Connor Roy (2 runs scored) also finished 2-for-3. Eddie Martinez had a hit.
Southwick pitcher Sam Parker tossed a one-hitter, striking out five. Martinez and Dan Burnett combined for two scoreless relief innings, and three Ks.
Eak-ing out win No. 1
Westfield Technical Academy 3, Granby 2
Westfield Tech coach Bob Eak won his first game as a high school coach, tipping Granby in a season opener at Bullens Field.
Mike Durkee drove in the eventual game-winning run with a pinch hit run-scoring single in the fourth inning.
Westfield Tech junior pitcher Andy Daniels scattered six hits over six innings. He struck out four batters and walked four. Tigers’ junior Cody Garwacki came on in relief to pick up the save.
Garwacki went 2-for-2 at the plate with a double and RBI. Alex Sparks also knocked in run for Westfield Tech.
Westfield pitcher Dalen Mochak unleashes a pitch against Central in Springfield. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
“It was our first time outside on a field,” coach Eak said. “So far them to only make one error … I’m very impressed.”
The only Westfield Tech. miscue came on a ball that took a bad hop to the outfield. Junior center fielder Brandon Degray tracked down some long fly balls in the outfield, and Garwacki was solid at the third base bag.
“Our seniors looked really well,” Eak said. “It was good to get outside and get our first win.”
Mochak, WHS dominate
Westfield 17, Central 2
Westfield’s Dalen Mochak spun a two-hitter through six innings while striking out 10 batters, and the Bombers launched an offensive assault in Springfield.
Austin St. Pierre (double, run, 2 walks, 3 RBIs), Mason St. Pierre (2-for-4, hit by pitch, 2 runs, RBI), Anthony Clark (4-for-4, double, 2 walks, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), Sean Moorhouse (2-for-4, double, walk, 2 runs, 4 RBIs), Stefan Krol (4-for-5, double, hit by pitch, 2 runs, RBI), Dillon Bazegian (1-for-2, 3 walks, 2 runs, RBI), and Aidan Dunn (2 runs, RBI, 3 walks) led the onslaught.
O’s top Gators
Belchertown 14, Gateway 4
Ryan French went 3-for-4 with a walk, three runs and three RBIs to lead Belchertown at home. Josh Webster and Jake McKittrick each had a pair of hits for Gateway.
Gateway’s Brandon Daniels (2) crosses home plate in the top of the first inning for the first run of the game against Belchertown Monday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
“Total” dominance
Westfield 15, Amherst 3
Westfield improved to 1-1 overall with a league victory on the road.
Hannah Jarvis (5 goals, 2 assists), Olivia Chaoush (4 goals, 1 assist), and McKenzie Liptak (1 goal, 3 assists) fueled Westfield’s offensive drive.
“It was a total team win across the board – offense, defense, goalie play, and the draw,” Westfield coach Paul Fenwick said.
BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
Bombers stay unbeaten
Westfield def. Minnechaug, 25-18, 25-27, 25-18, 25-20
Westfield’s Shane Kiendzior (10 kills, 2 blocks), Noah Kappel (10 kills, 2 aces, 2 blocks), Tyler Stanton (33 digs), and Scott Walsh (34 assists, 12 digs) combined to take down host Minnechaug.
The Bombers improved to 3-0.
