Host Frontier Regional School put the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Taconic High School pitcher Mary Lee induced a fly out to end the threat and persevere with a 5-4 independent softball victory in rainy conditions Monday at Zabek Field in South Deerfield.
Frontier (4-1) trailed 3-0 before getting on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a run due to an error.
Taconic (2-1) grew its advantage to 5-1 with a pair in the fourth, only to see the Red Hawks chip away in the home half of the fifth. Skyla Burniske and Chloe Cutting reached on bunts that wound up as errors, the latter scoring Burniske on the play.
In the bottom of the sixth, Frontier got even closer thanks to Lily Spencer. She clubbed her first career varsity home run over the fence in left field, scoring Macy Ring (hit by pitch) to pull the hosts within 5-4.
In the seventh, Olivia Deane drew a four-pitch walk and Ariana Walker bunted her up to second. With two outs, Natalie Denkiewicz’ fly ball to deep right was hauled in to end the game.
Deane went all seven innings in the circle, striking out two and walking five for Frontier. Lee struck out eight in a complete-game effort for Taconic.
The Red Hawks travel to Athol for a Franklin County League showdown this afternoon at 4.
Turners Falls 7, Granby 0, forfeit — It officially went down as a forfeit in the Powertown, Monday.
Granby pitcher Lindsey Wensel was hit in the ankle by a line drive with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, and as she was unable to return and the visiting Rams were left with less than nine players at their disposal, action was called with Turners Falls declared the winners. The Thunder led 16-0 in the frame, and while the game did not go the necessary 4½ innings to be an official game, forfeits are scored as 7-0 wins.
Statistics from the game do count toward the season records however, although pitching victories and losses are not charged in this particular situation, according to NFHS Rule 4, Section 3, Article 2.
Olivia Whittier set the tone for Turners (4-0) with a home run in the bottom of the first inning. She added a double and a walk in her three at-bats.
Aly Murphy smacked two hits, including a double, and drove in five runs, while Hailey Bogusz was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Juliana Rode (two hits, two runs), Lexi Lacey (triple, four runs), Taylor Murphy (hit, four runs) and Jade Tyler (hit, RBI) all contributed offensively.
Tyler struck out nine and walked one in four hitless innings of work, though she does not get credit for the pitching victory due to the forfeit.
Turners takes to the road for an interesting tussle Wednesday afternoon, as the squad will play central Mass. Division 1 foe St. Peter-Marian of Worcester.
Frontier 93, FC Tech 52 — Phaelon Koski won a trio of events, helping visiting Frontier overcome both Franklin Tech and the elements in a 93-52 Intercounty League victory Monday in Turners Falls.
Koski was first across the line in the 100 meter dash, posting a time of 11.3 seconds. He added a victory in the 400 hurdles (60.8 seconds), and added a long jump win behind a top leap of 18 feet, 2¾ inches.
Jack Vecellio (pole vault, 11-0) and Jackie Phong (discus, 83-7) added victories in the field events for the Red Hawks (4-0, 3-0). The team also swept wins in the distance events, where George Balis captured the 2-mile (11:28) and Alex Sharp won the mile (5:04.3). Eric Trueswell (400, 57.5) and Dan Dejnak (800, 2:20.3) were other Frontier winners.
Franklin Tech (0-1, 0-1) was paced by Ryan Duclos’ two field wins. Duclos took first in the javelin (123-1) and shot put (38-1½). Justin Dobias was the high jump winner with a clearance of 5-4, and Kai Rodriguez claimed first in the triple jump (34-9½).
Donte Rosewarne was first across in the 200 meters (25.3) for the Eagles, with teammate Zack Conway the 100 hurdles winner in 19.0.
Holyoke 3, Athol 2 — Despite battling back to force a decisive fifth set, host Athol was unable to secure an independent victory, Monday. Holyoke High School came to Mallet Gymnasium and picked up a tight 24-26, 25-17, 25-18, 11-25, 15-9 victory.
Colby Soltysik registered a big night for the Red Raiders (2-6), dishing out 39 assists from the setter position to go with four aces and five kills. Joey Gray amassed a team-high 17 kills, and Parker Deleo totaled 11 kills, 19 digs and an ace. Zach Aldrich nearly joined them in double figures with nine kills and 19 digs on the night, while Issac Dodge put down four kills in the loss. Luke Innis (four digs) and Evan Blake (six digs) helped pace the defensive effort.
Athol heads to the road to play an independent match against Leominster, Wednesday night.
Taconic 5, Frontier 4
Taconic ……………….. 210 200 0 — 5 5 2
Frontier ………………. 010 012 0 — 4 4 4
Hits: (T) Ostrander 2, Christopher, Donovan, Bramer. (F) Spencer 2, Deane, Cutting.
HR: (F) Spencer.
RBI: (T) Christopher, Puin. (F) Spencer 2, Cutting 2.
WP: Lee (7ip, 8k, 2bb).
LP: Deane (7ip, 2k, 5bb).
Frontier 93, FC Tech 52
100 — Koski (Fro), 11.3
200 —Rosewarne (FT), 25.3
400 —Trueswell (Fro), 57.5
800 —Dejnak (Fro), 2:20.3
Mile —Sharp (Fro), 5:04.3
2 Mile —Balis (Fro), 11:28
100 HH — Conway (FT), 19.0
400 LH —Koski (Fro), 60.8
4×100 relay —FC Tech, 48.9
4×400 relay — Frontier, 4:06.7
Long jump — Koski (Fro), 18-2¾
Triple jump — Rodriguez (FT), 34-9½
High jump — Dobias (FT), 5-4
Discus — Phong (Fro), 83-7
Javelin — Duclos (FT), 123-1
Shot put — Duclos (FT), 38-1½
Pole vault — Vecellio (Fro), 11-0