Needing a win in its season-finale to qualify for the postseason, Frontier Regional School pushed things to the limit on Thursday … and fell short.
The visiting Red Hawks tied the game with three runs in the top of the fifth, but Athol High School scored the eventual game-winning run in the bottom of the frame, holding on for a 7-6 win in the Franklin County League softball finale for both teams in Athol.
The loss ended Frontier’s season at 8-10 overall (5-9 FCL). After winning four straight games to get back in postseason contention, the Hawks needed a win Thursday to earn a spot in the WMass Division III Tournament.
Trailing 6-3, Frontier got its offense going in the top of the fifth. McKenzie Patterson and Natalie Denkiewicz led off the frame with singles, and Hanna LaClaire reached on an error that plated Patterson and cut the lead to 6-4. That set the tone for senior Sarah Meunier, and she delivered a two-run single that tied the game, 6-6.
Athol (14-6, 9-5) responded with a run in the home half of the inning however. Hope Parker reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second base. The throw got away, however, enabling Parker to continue on to third base. The ensuing throw wound up hitting Parker, and the ricochet went out of play, allowing the senior to waltz home with what proved to be the winning run.
Frontier didn’t go down without a fight. Down to its final at-bat in the top of the seventh, Meunier reached on an error and wound up at second base. Athol pitcher Jess Soucie dug deep, however, getting a strikeout and a line-out to end the game and preserve the win.
“We actually got in (to the postseason) last week but just because we’re in, I told the girls they can’t just sit in the backseat and let the rest of our games go by,” Athol coach Sharon Chauvette explained. “We beat Gardner twice and then Frontier, so three wins to close out the season, that was nice.”
In addition to picking up the win in the circle, Soucie had a huge day offensively for the Red Raiders. The senior had four of Athol’s seven hits, including a solo home run in the third inning that put the hosts up 3-2 at the time.
Meunier had two hits and two RBI for Frontier, while Lexa Boyden had two hits, including a double. Ariana Walker had a hit and drove in a pair, while Ava Harper also had a hit and two RBI.
Athol will await its postseason seed and destination when the brackets are released on Tuesday.
“We’ve played eight games in about a week and a half, so the girls are tired,” explained Chauvette, who said she’ll give them the weekend off. “They’ve won some big games, so they’ve earned the weekend off.”
Mohawk 11, Mahar 4 — Ashley Reynolds had three hits, including a triple, and drove in three run as Mohawk Trail Regional High School secured a tie for third-place in the Franklin County League on the strength of an 11-4 win over Mahar Regional School Thursday in Orange.
The Warriors (14-6, 9-5) finished in a third-place tie with Athol in the league. Turners Falls High School captured the outright title at 13-1, one game clear of runner-up Greenfield High School at 14-2.
Mohawk jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning in the win over Mahar (6-14, 2-12). Shelby Sinistore, Morgan Roccio, Lilly Lesieur, Emma and Olivia Dubrule all had two hits as the Warriors pounded out 17 on the day. Senior Hayley Lowell finished with a hit and drove in two runs.
Playing in their final games, Mahar seniors Hannah Britt and Joslyn O’Brien had memorable outings Thursday. Britt had two hits, including a two-run home run over the center-field fence in the bottom of the fifth inning — her first career homer. O’Brien also had two hits, including a single in her final Senator at-bat.
“My two seniors … they went out with class,” offered Mahar coach Jerry Duguay of the two four-year varsity performers. “They started the foundation of this program, which will hopefully continue on an upswing, with a lot of young talent ready to grow over the next few seasons.”
Sarah Graeff and Megan Rich had two hits apiece for Mahar, while Marie Nottleson notched her first-career varsity hit.
“The girls played really well and, to be honest, I was ecstatic to end the season the way we did, despite the loss,” Duguay lauded.
Mohawk’s Emily Page went all seven innings, striking out three and walking three to earn the win. Rich also pitched a complete-game, striking out four and walking three.
Mohawk is one of five FCL schools to qualify for the postseason.
No. 6 Ludlow 3, No. 11 Athol 0 — Faced with a difficult task, the Athol High School boys’ volleyball team left it all on the floor Thursday night.
On the road against sixth-seeded Ludlow High School, the 11th-seeded Red Raiders were unable to pull the upset, however. The Lions captured a 25-16, 25-15, 25-17 sweep in a Western Mass. Division I preliminary-round match in Ludlow.
“I’m proud of the guys’ efforts this year. The progress they made is something we hope to build on going forward,” offered Athol first-year coach Sean MacDonald, whose team went 12-9 overall as tri-champions of the PVIAC East Division.
Justin Blake posted a team-high 10 kills for Athol, and he added six digs and a service ace. Josh Herk added eight kills and an ace, while Ryan Warner had four kills and two aces and Jordan Carrasquillo registered three kills and a block.
“Jordan came off the bench and had some good play at the net,” MacDonald explained. “Justin and Josh played well against some big blockers.”
Dustin Aikey paced the defense with eight digs, while freshman setter Colby Soltysik finished his rookie campaign with 21 assists, giving him over 400 for the season.
“We have some good talent returning and a talented JV group that won all but three of their 18 matches,” offered MacDonald of the future.
Ludlow (13-7) advanced to play at No. 3 Agawam High School (13-5) in the D-I quarterfinals Tuesday.
Mahar Regional School sophomore Anna Wetherbee picked up a best finish of third place in the 800 meters competing in the Central/Western Mass. girls’ pentathlon Thursday at Westfield State University.
Wetherbee’s time of 2:37.25 put her third in the 800, earning her 605 points toward her five-event total. She was ninth in the 100-meter hurdles (21.99 seconds), eighth in the high jump (1.26 meters), eighth in the long jump (4.02m) and 10th in the shot put (5.55m) as the lone local competitor in the grueling day-long event.