Lydia Donahue struck out nine and walked two in seven shutout innings and Mohawk Trail Regional High School made a statement in the Franklin County League with a 5-0 win over Athol High School Thursday afternoon in Buckland.
Donahue scattered three hits in the complete-game effort as Mohawk (3-1) rebounded from its first and only loss of the season on Tuesday.
The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when Mohawk exploded for four runs, three of which came off the bat of Shelby Sinistore, who clubbed a three-run home run. Sinistore finished with two hits and earned praise from coach Katelyn Gaffigan.
“She had an amazing game in the outfield and led us at the plate with that three-run home run,” she said.
Ashley Walker had two hits, including a triple, and one RBI for the Warriors, Caitlin Johnston had two hits, and Ashley Reynolds tripled.
Hope Parker, Julia Carey and Amber Mahoney each had a single in the loss. Hailey Bigwood suffered the defeat, striking out three and walking three in 3⅔ innings.
Turners 6, Frontier 2 — Abby Loynd’s two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning provided some insurance, breaking open a one-run game to lead visiting Turners Falls High School to a 6-2 victory over Frontier Regional School in a Franklin County League softball game at Jack Zabek Field in South Deerfield on Thursday.
With Turners clinging to a 3-2 lead in the sixth, Loynd unloaded on a two-run shot that also plated Olivia Whittier and pushed the advantage to 5-2.
Turners (3-0, 2-0 FCL) tacked on a run in the seventh, which was plenty of offense for junior pitcher Peyton Emery. She struck out 11 and didn’t issue a walk in a complete-game victory, allowing just four hits in total.
“We’re clearly struggling hitting right now,” said Frontier coach Carrie Fyndekevez. “I’m happy with the way we played defensively but we still have to figure out a way to hit.”
Frontier (0-3, 0-2) got off to a strong start against the defending WMass champions. Senior Sarah Meunier drove a two-run home run over the fence in left field in the bottom of the first inning, plating classmate Hanna LaClaire and giving the host Red Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Those were the only runs Emery allowed, however. Aiding her cause was the offensive work of Hailey Bogusz, who had three hits, including a pair of doubles. Maddy Johnson and Loynd added two hits a piece.
Frontier junior Emma Wesoloski took the loss, though she pitched well against a high-powered Turners offense. Wesoloski went all seven innings, striking out five and walking three.
“(Turners) had runners on base a number of times and it didn’t seem to rattle her at all,” lauded Fydenkevez of Wesoloski. “She pitched a solid game. We just need to give her some support offensively.”
Frontier takes to the road for an independent game at Palmer High School on Monday while Turners will play a huge early-season independent game on Saturday when it travels to Hampshire Regional High School at 4 in Westhampton.
Pioneer 19, Hopkins 4 — Jess Scoville belted a pair of home runs and finished with three RBIs to help power Pioneer Valley Regional School to a 19-4 win over Hopkins Academy in a FCL softball game Thursday in Hadley.
Hopkins led 2-1 after the second inning but the Pioneer offense got going from there and scored every inning the rest of the way en route to its second consecutive win after starting the season with back-to-back losses.
Kaylee Gibson had five hits and two RBIs to lead a Pioneer attack that slugged 22 hits on the day. Alexus Vergobbe had four hits, including a triple, and drove in three runs. Olivia Rowe singled, tripled and plate three runs, and Brianna Jobst had three hits, including a triple, and two RBIs.
Lizzie Fuller struck out six and walked five in seven innings for the victory.
Greenfield 14, Mahar 0 (6) — Another standout performance from Olivia Joy, coupled with some offensive fireworks, and the Greenfield High School softball team kept right on rolling Thursday afternoon.
The visiting Green Wave won their third game of the week, blitzing Mahar Regional School for a 14-0 victory in Franklin County League action in Orange.
“They’re a buzzsaw right now,” said Mahar coach Jerry Duguay of Greenfield. “My girls hung in there but that’s a (Greenfield) team playing at the level we want to be playing at some day.”
Greenfield clubbed a pair of home runs in the fourth inning, as Raegan Hickey unloaded a 3-run bomb over the fence and Samantha Smith followed two batters later with a solo shot that gave the visitors an 8-0 lead.
“We’re hitting the ball well right now. All nine spots in the lineup,” Greenfield coach Rian Lovett said. “It’s nice so far. Hopefully we can continue playing well.”
Joy nailed down her second shutout of the season, striking out 13 batters for her third consecutive double-digit outing. She allowed just two hits, singles to Mahar’s Hannah Britt and Megan Rich, while walking just one in the complete game effort.
Greenfield (3-0, 2-0 FCL) pounded out 15 hits in total, with Smith leading the charge with four hits to go with a pair of RBI. Hickey had two more hits and five RBI in what was a huge offensive week for the sophomore. Audrey Bresciano (two hits, RBI), Molley Duclos (two hits, RBI) and Kirsten Ward (two hits, RBI) were also key offensive contributors.
Mahar is off until a Tuesday home game against Turners Falls High School, while Greenfield hosts Frontier Regional School under the lights at Veterans Field later that night.