Quinn Doyle scattered seven hits over seven shutout innings and belted a solo home run from Jay Fritz for the only offense as Turners Falls High School opened the season with a 1-0 victory over defending WMass champion Smith Academy Sunday in a Hampshire League baseball crossover game in Hatfield.

Doyle was matched up in a pitcher’s duel with Smith Academy’s John Ferrara, the Falcons’ 2015 postseason Most Valuable Player after they played in the MIAA Division IV state finals. Ferrara pitched well in the tough-luck loss, striking out 10 and allowing just five hits and one walk.

His only blemish came in the second inning. Jay Fritz, hitting out of the fifth hole in the order, led off the inning and belted an offering from Ferrara deep to center field. Smith Academy center fielder Kevin Banas initially appeared to lose the ball in the sun and because the ball was hit so deep, it got over his head and rolled. Banas then missed the cutoff man on the relay and Fritz made it around the bases for a solo home run.

Ferrara allowed just three more hits the rest of the way but the Falcons were unable to score off Doyle.

Smith Academy did threaten to tie the game or take the lead in the fifth inning when Thomas Hammond and Ben Bruscoe each singled to lead off the inning, and Ferrara walked to load the bases with nobody out. Doyle managed to get Banas to hit a grounder to third base and the Indians cut down Hammond at home. Then Doyle got Jack Hession to hit into an inning-ending double play.

Doyle allowed just one more baserunner the rest of the way and finished with four strikeouts and a walk in the shutout, which he fashioned on 75 pitches.

“We had him on an 80-pitch count but he was throwing strikes and our defense backed him so he kept his pitch count down,” Turners Falls first-year coach Scott Minckler said. “He did a great job.”

Tanner Jones finished with two hits for the Indians. Fritz, Doyle and Jalen Sanders each had one hit.

“It’s great to get that first win under our belts,” Minckler said. “The kids are upbeat and it’s back to work tomorrow.”