Voc-Tech batter Stephanie Allen drives a grounder for a base hit during the bottom of the first inning Friday at Whitney Field. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – It took all day (lasting nearly 3 hours to complete), but the game was sure worth the wait as the Westfield Voc-Tech softball team defeated Franklin Tech 23-17 Friday at Whitney Field.
Franklin Tech jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top half of the first inning – capitalizing on two Voc-Tech errors – but the Tigers pounced for 13 runs in the bottom half of the inning.
“Bouncing back with 13 runs proved to be the difference at the end,” Westfield Voc-Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “The girls took nothing for granted.”
The hit parade was loaded with Tigers from Ashley Lees (who ripped a bases-loaded single for 2 RBIs in her first varsity at-bat) to Brandi VanGelder (4-for-5, two triples, 3 RBIs) to Stephanie Allen (2 hits, 3 RBIs in her first varsity start).
Voc-Tech pitcher Megan Ilnicky went the distance on the mound with a solid effort, throwing strikes and keeping her team in striking distance.
Defensively, Lees, Eliza Colson, and Katie Nesmelova made great catches in the field.
BASEBALL
Agawam 10, Westfield 3
Zach Jendryski scattered seven hits, struck out nine batters, and walked two in six innings; and Tyler Lyne went 3-for-5 with a 2-run homer to lead Agawam Friday at Bullens Field.
Tim Donahue went 2-for-3 to lead Westfield. Bombers’ Kyle Murphy, Rob Sullivan, Nate Barnes, Cam Robitaille, and Liam Flaherty each had a hit.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
West Springfield 13, St. Mary 5
Lauren Chapdelaine netted a team-high two goals for St. Mary, who outscored West Side 4-1 in the second half of action Friday.
Andrea Watson, Aisling Smith, and Bella Butler scored one goal apiece for the Saints (1-1). Butler contributed two assists, and Katelyn Holohan and Taylor Marshall each had one.
Rudy Sprino led West Springfield with four goals.
St. Mary’s goalie Karissa Foley finished with 11 saves.
Monson 14, Westfield 13
Westfield (1-2), plagued by numerous penalties and dropped balls, lost a tough one on the road at Monson. Mary Goodreau (5 goals), McKenzie Millikan (4 goals), and Ashlee Owen (3 goals) led the Bombers’ attack.
BOYS’ LACROSSE
South Hadley 9, Westfield 8
Kevin Papineau, Ryan Wilson (assist), and Matt Lacroix (assist) scored two goals apiece to lead Westfield. Max Miller and Chris Pray scored one goal each, and Sam Scarfo had an assist.
Westfield goalie Jake Cupak finished with 16 saves, including several on shots from in tight. Ethan Nassar and Brian Jensen played well defensively for the Bombers (2-1).
