A balanced offensive attack saw nine batters record at least one hit, as Frontier Alber Hearing Services continued its march through the Western Mass. Sandy Koufax Tournament with a 9-6 win over the Western Mass. Rebels Thursday night at Headmaster’s Field on the campus of Deerfield Academy.
Ben Zaranek paced the offense with three hits on the night, while Matt Como had two hits for Frontier. Tynan Creagh (double, RBI), Ben Martino (single, RBI), Gehrig Brynda (single, RBI), Rowan Blair (single, RBI), Tom Alber (single, RBI), Kevin Baumann (single) and Dylan Martin (single, RBI) all helped the squad past the Rebels, who play out of the John L. Sullivan League.
Brynda struck out six batters to earn the win on the mound, while Creagh closed out the victory by tossing the seventh inning.
Frontier advanced to Saturday’s semifinals of the tournament against an opponent to be determined. For more information, visit www.pvybl.org.
Frontier 5, Mohawk 4 (10) — A suicide squeeze from Jack O’Neill scored Bryan Baumann with the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift Frontier to a 5-4 win over Mohawk Hilltown Hardwood Flooring in an elimination game of the Pioneer Valley Youth Baseball League Mickey Mantle playoffs Thursday night in Buckland.
Frontier trailed 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, but pinch-runner Tim Barrington stole second and third base, eventually tying the game and forcing extra innings when Cam Barnes drove a single through the infield.
Barnes picked up the victory in relief for Frontier, as he worked the final eight innings, giving up just two runs. Jack O’Neill added two hits and two RBIs to pace the Frontier offense.
Mohawk, the tournament’s top seed, was paced by Cody Letourneau and Sam Bobala with two hits apiece.
Frontier advanced to the next round of the double-elimination event, and the team will play an opponent to be determined on Saturday.
Mohawk finished 14-6 overall as the regular season champions of the PVYBL.