Just when you thought the spring high school sports season was officially canceled, we’ve found a way to keep it going. That’s right, throughout the spring, the Recorder sports department will be reporting on various days in the calendar schedule with game roundups.
How are we going to do that? By using our advanced computer simulation technology, we’ll be able to provide occasional recaps and roundups for your faux reading pleasure — the games being faux, not the reading. That part is very real.
So let’s hop in our alternate universe machine and set the stage for our first batch of recaps. Students have returned from April vacation, and things are starting to get real on the high school front.
(NOTE: This was the actual schedule of games that were supposed to be played on Monday, April 27)
Frontier 8, Mohawk 4 – Natalie Denkiewicz’s go-ahead, two-run double in the fifth inning righted the ship, and Lily Spencer finished the job with a two-run home run in the sixth to lift Frontier past Mohawk, 8-4, in a Franklin County League contest on Monday in Buckland.
Mohawk hurler Mya Lesieur kept Frontier (5-5 overall, 3-1 FCL) quiet offensively into the latter innings, and the sophomore helped herself at the plate with an RBI triple in the third inning as the Warriors led 4-3 until Denkiewicz’s go-ahead double.
“(Lesieur) did a good job keeping us off-balance early in the game,” Frontier coach Gary Deane lauded. “I have confidence in our offense that eventually they’ll come through. A couple big hits late in the game from Natalie and Lily.”
Junior righthander Olivia Deane made sure the lead held down the stretch, retiring six of the final seven batters she faced for the Red Hawks.
Mohawk (4-4, 2-2) received two hits apiece from Isis Moon and Reagan Dupree.
Turners Falls 6, Mahar 2 – Megan Rich has plenty of experience against Turners Falls batters. The Mahar senior pitcher has been facing Powertown lineups since her freshman year, and that intimidation factor has subsided since that time.
Rich and the red-hot Senators stayed within striking distance all afternoon, but the heart of the Turners Falls order tacked on some insurance late to lift the Thunder to a 6-2 victory on Monday at the Bourdeau Fields Complex.
Mahar (4-2, 1-1) trailed just 3-2 entering the bottom of the sixth inning. Hailey Bogusz got the rally started for the hosts with a lead-off single, and Catie Reynolds walked to load the bases. Eliza Johnson reached on an error to load the bases, and two batters later, Aly Murphy drove a bases-clearing double all the way to the fence in right center field that created some breathing room with a 6-2 cushion.
Jade Tyler retired the final three batters she faced in the seventh to seal the deal for Turners (4-0, 2-0). The junior finished with nine strikeouts, walking just one batter and scattering three hits.
Mahar first baseman Skylar Dodge had the big blow for the visitors, smacking a two-run single back up the middle in the top of the third inning. Rich went the distance, striking out two and walking three.
Pioneer 3, Greenfield 2 (10 inn.) – It was fitting that Steph Scoville delivered the final blow.
The Pioneer senior was dominant in the pitching circle, and with the game on the line, she came through at the dish. Scoville’s single through the left side of the infield plated Charlotte Kahler, lifting the host Panthers to a walk-off 3-2 victory in 10 innings in FCL action in Northfield on Monday.
“We’re counting on Stephanie a lot this year and she’s off to a great start,” Pioneer coach Tina Riddell said of Scoville.
Scoville and Greenfield junior Gianna Conte were locked in a pitcher’s dual into the 10th. Scoville finished with 11 strikeouts, and Conte joined her in double figures with 10 K’s.
Both teams scored runs early, as Pioneer led 2-0 in the second inning before Greenfield (4-4, 2-2) tied it when Kelsey Richardson plated Kaitlin Lavoine and Rachel Dodge with a two-run double.
Athol 15, South Hadley 3 – The bats are heating up in the Tool Town.
A 15-hit attack provided plenty of offense for the Red Raiders, which rolled past South Hadley, 15-3, in an independent contest on Monday in South Hadley.
Haley Bigwood continued her torrid start to the season, as the senior shortstop was a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs. She also drew a walk, reaching base all five times she strode to the plate.
Jenna St. Cyr and Roz Nelson had two hits apiece and combined for five RBIs, while Lexi Forte and Sadey Lehtomaki each had extra-base hits and drove in a run.
Lindsey LeBlanc went the distance in the circle, striking out six and walking just two while limiting South Hadley to just four hits – all singles.
FC Tech 8, Smith Voke 3 – Garret Cole pitched five strong innings, and Nate Sciandra and Max Leh came through offensively to lift Franklin Tech to an 8-3 win over Smith Voke in a Tri-County League South contest on Monday in the Powertown.
“It was nice to see us play a solid all-around game of baseball,” Franklin Tech skipper Dan Prasol lauded.
Cole struck out four and walked three in five innings, limiting the Vikings to just four hits before Leh came on and nailed down the victory with two scoreless frames. At the plate, Leh was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, and Sciandra doubled home a run and drew a bases-loaded walk for another RBI.
Greenfield 4, Mohawk 1 – Jenna Keith won her match at first singles to set the tone, scoring a 6-3, 6-2 victory to lift Greenfield to a 4-1 win in a Tri-County League match on Monday in Buckland.
Sophomores Kaitlyn Phillips and Estera Covalenco teamed for a 6-0, 6-1 win at first doubles, as the duo continued their strong start to 2020 after carrying over the momentum from a year ago.
“It’s always nice to see players continuing to improve and that’s been the case for the girls so far this year,” Greenfield second-year coach Alexis Silk offered.
Mohawk’s Sienna Lewis captured a 6-2, 7-5 win at No. 2 singles to pace the hosts.
Frontier 3, Pope Francis 2 – Senior Tori Speth’s return to form has elevated the Red Hawks, as the team’s No. 1 singles player moved back into the lineup and scored a 6-3, 6-4 win to help Frontier score a tight 3-2 victory over Pope Francis in TCL play on Monday.
Sofia Patten and Jalen Sullivan snagged a win at No. 1 doubles to aid the Frontier attack, while junior Mary Laurens was a 7-5, 6-1 winner at No. 2 singles.
Frontier 87, Easthampton 53 – Jack Vecellio and Jackie Phong combined to win five events, lifting Frontier to a convincing 87-53 win over Easthampton in track & field action on Monday in wet conditions in South Deerfield.
Vecellio claimed first in the pole vault, 110-hurdles and high jump, while Phong had the top throws in both the discus and shot put.
Frontier 115, Easthampton 30 – Reilly Isler set a new personal-best in the javelin, and Frontier used its depth to cruise past Easthampton, 115-30, in action on Monday.
Lilah Evans, Sierra Warren and Claudia Rajballie all won two events for a balanced Red Hawk squad.
Athol 3, Sabis 1 – Senior setter Colby Soltysik dished out 29 assists, and host Athol held on late for a 25-18, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21 victory over Sabis in an independent volleyball match Monday at Mallet Gymnasium.
Zach Aldrich registered nine kills in the victory, while Matt Willhite was right behind with seven kills for the Red Raiders.