H.S. Roundup: Frontier softball stays unbeaten with win over Granby (Video)

SOUTH DEERFIELD — A power surge from Raine Wonsey finally arrived on Wednesday afternoon, as the freshman hit her first homer of the season for the Frontier Regional softball team in a 4-0 win over Granby at Zabek Field.

A towering shot to centerfield gave Frontier the lead in a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth inning of the independent contest.

“I have been working a lot on my own,” Wonsey said. “I’ve really been striving for that home run this season. I had a couple last season, but I haven’t gotten one until today. I really wanted that.”

While the home run was certainly impressive, her pitching effectively shut down a high-scoring Granby offense. Wonsey had 16 strikeouts and gave up only one hit. In her last two games combined, Wonsey has 35 strikeouts and now has 300 for her career. Wonsey and catcher Riley Tine are still progressing as far as chemistry is concerned.

“I feel like I’ve gotten better adjusting to a new catcher,” Wonsey said. “Me and Riley (Tine) work together in the offseason but we are both working on pitch calling and learning what works for each other.”

With Wonsey pitching at a high level and the offense coming from multiple spots in the lineup, the Redhawks are now undefeated through 11 games.

“Different players stepping up,” Frontier coach Gary Deane said. “It’s a different player every day. Raine (Wonsey) is obviously taking care of things in the circle.”

Granby (9-2) came into the game with only one loss on the season. Getting to play a team like Frontier can only prepare the Rams for the remainder of their Suburban East schedule.

“We scrimmaged them a couple years ago before the postseason,” Granby coach Mike Afflitto said. “We obviously know they have a good program so wanted to play them and see how we measure up. We knew we’d see a good arm. Not pleased we didn’t get the win, but a lot of good we can take away from this.

Granby pitcher Meredith Bartosz matched Wonsey until the fourth inning when Frontier took a 3-0 lead. Bartosz gave up only four hits with three strikeouts and four walks against a very explosive Frontier lineup.

“Certainly, it’s a big confidence booster for me,” Bartosz said. “I know I have a very solid defense behind me. I was able to pitch with confidence…for me, I struggle a lot with really good hitters. To have a good game and not allow too many hits was really great for the team.”

Bartosz had Granby’s lone hit, a bunt single in the top of the sixth. The Rams attempted to bunt several times throughout the game. Kara White made it into scoring position after a walk and a passed ball in the top of the fourth.

“She (Wonsey) mixed well,” Afflitto said.”When she got behind in the count, she made a good pitch to get herself back into it. Kept us off balance with some of her offspeed with two strikes. She’s obviously a quality arm. She was composed and didn’t rattle. Made her pitches.

Riley Tine had an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning. Wonsey finished 2-for-2 with a walk for the Redhawks. Haly Doucette-Kaplan added a hit for Frontier.

Mahar 31, Renaissance 11 — The Senators pounded out 19 hits in the Tri-County win over the Phoenix in Springfield. Carly Paluk had three hits and five RBIs for Mahar (6-3, 4-0). Mackenzie Matthews added a hit and four RBIs. Lexi Ares struck out 10 in the circle.

Baseball

Pioneer 2, Franklin Tech 0 — Osiah Ballard registered his first varsity win on the mound for the Panthers in the road win over the Eagles in Suburban East play.

Ballard pitched a complete game shutout with three strikeouts for Pioneer (3-5, 3-3). Ballard gave up five hits and a walk in his outing. Aaron Muese, Mauricio Hanono and Evan Tsipenyuk had two hits each for Pioneer. Brody Welcome added a hit with a RBI.

Hunter Donahue had two hits with a stolen base for the Eagles (5-3, 3-3). Brody Hicks pitched into the fifth inning, giving up seven hits with three strikeouts and no earned runs.

Hopkins Academy 9, Turners Falls 2 — The Thunder (1-5, 1-4) took a home loss to the Golden Hawks in a Suburban East match up. Hopkins scored five runs in the top of the sixth to pull away. Porter Dubow and Julian Kaiser (RBI) had two hits each for Turners Falls. Liam Kerivan added a hit and an RBI for the Thunder. Brody Girard got the start, pitching five and two-thirds innings with a strikeout. Girard gave up eight hits, six earned runs and five walks.