H.S. Roundup: Pioneer softball downs Mohawk Trail at home

NORTHFIELD — In a Valley Wheel contest, the Pioneer Valley Regional softball team defeated Mohawk Trail, 10-5, on Friday afternoon.

The Panthers (1-1, 1-0 Valley Wheel) went ahead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning when they scored five runs to take a 8-4 lead. Pioneer collected 13 hits in the game.

First year coach Mark Fortier is still tinkering with his lineup but got plenty of production from several players.

“We’re still in an experimental situation,” Fortier said. “We are still trying to figure out what I got for hitting and what I got for fielding. Today was more of an experiment than anything else so I am actually pretty impressed with how we did. We have a really young team. Hopefully they will be gelling for next couple years.”

Lucianne Burnap had a nice day at the plate, going 3-for-4 for the Panthers.

“I just try to think about doing the best that I can every time I go to the plate,” Burnap said. “It’s not always going to happen, but if I can get on base that’s my favorite part. That’s my motivation.”

Jaelyn Boliski won in the circle for the Panthers. Boliski gave up five hits with seven strikeouts and four walks. Burnap relieved Boliski with two outs in the sixth inning with Mohawk threatening. The crafty reliever struck out Emmalee Inman to get Pioneer out of the jam.

“I really enjoy coming in to help,” Burnap said. “I find it hard to start sometime because the score is 0-0 , we’re not behind we are not in the lead. It’s a blank slate. I really like coming in for relief.”

Inman went 2-for-3 with a triple and a double for the Warriors (0-2, 0-1). Grace Stevens pitched well in the circle with six strikeouts. The defense broke down in the bottom of the fifth inning.

“We just need to keep working in practice to build their confidence more,” Mohawk coach Maura Crossman said. “That’s what kills them the most, they just don’t believe in themselves. I think that will help. Just pump them with positive. This group needs it.”

Boliski had an RBI groundout in the first inning to give Pioneer a 1-0 lead. Riley Dyer’s RBI single tied the game for for Mohawk in the second. Burnap hit an RBI single in the bottom of the third for Pioneer. Dyer and Sadie Wilcox both had two RBI for the Warriors.

Amy VanDoren made the play of the day in right field for the Panthers. A line shot moved her to her right with the ball sinking quickly. VanDoren dove and made the catch for Pioneer. She decided to dive at the last moment.

“It was really far over,” VanDoren said. “I just ran to try to catch it. I wasn’t quite there yet and I wanted to make sure I had a firm grip on it.”

VanDoren added an RBI single in her next at bat. Mohawk’s starting catcher Addie Loomis missed the game, as she had wisdom teeth removed on Thursday. Maddie Finn had a strong day behind the plate in relief for the Warriors.

Greenfield 5, Hopkins Academy 1 — The Green Wave (2-1, 2-1 Franklin East) took down the Golden Hawks on the road in a Franklin East match up. Olivia Lemay gave up one run, two hits and struck out nine in a complete game for Greenfield. Lemay added two hits at the plate.

Sofia Ruggeri had a couple walks with two RBI for the Green Wave. Meghan Collins, Sophia Rotkiewicz and Sammi Suhl each added an RBI.

Frontier 13, Minnechaug 0 (five innings)— The Falcons were no match for the Redhawks in Wilbraham. Raine Wonsey struck out 10 batters and gave up only one hit for Frontier (4-0, 2-0) in the Franklin East match up.

Frontier scored nine runs in the fifth inning to pull away. Skyler Steele launched a couple home runs with three RBI in the fifth inning alone. Whitney Campbell joined the launch party with a homer of her own in the inning.

Haly Doucette-Kaplan and Lexi Hawkins added two hits each.

South Hadley 5, Franklin Tech 2 — The Tigers went to Turners Falls and beat the Eagles in a Franklin East match up. Lindsey Taylor, Amelia Rider, Charley Knight, Sandra Johnson and Emma Petersen each had a hit for Franklin Tech (0-2, 0-1).

In the circle, Brayleigh Burgh struck out six hitter while giving up seven hits and three earned runs. Knight came in for two and two-thirds innings and gave up one hit with two strikeouts.

Baseball

Granby 13, Mahar 5 — Hunter Brooks had a couple of RBIs, but the Senators lost to to the Rams in a Bi-County match up in Orange. Granby scored six runs in the first inning to take control. Kayden McGivern added a double and an RBI for Mahar. Matt Vitello added two hits with a double.

Ware 5, Frontier 2 — The Redhawks (2-1) had some chances with runners in scoring position, but couldn’t come up with the big hits in an independent loss to the Indians in South Deerfield. On defense, multiple errors proved costly for Frontier.

Braiden Dion had three hits and two RBI for Frontier. Brady Poreda added a couple doubles and two runs scored for the Redhawks. Carter Miller pitched five innings, giving up nine hits and an earned run with two strikeouts.

Volleyball

Athol 3, Frontier 0 — The Bears swept Frontier at Mallet Gymnasium in an East League match up. Set scores were 25-17, 25-19 and 25-16. Nate Rivera had eight kills, with Chanju Banda chipping in with four kills for the Redhawks.

Caunor Mason had eight digs, six assists and four kills for Athol. Aiden Desreuisseau led the offense with 10 kills. Erick Brito had 14 assists for the Bears.

Girls tennis

Frontier 3, Northampton 2 —Ella Sibley grabbed a win at No. 3 singles in a victory for the Redhawks in an independent match up in South Deerfield.

Sibley defeated Sofie Cosmer, 6-2, 6-0. In No. 1 doubles, Brooke Charest and Hailey Fernandez defeated Sara Stanley and Emmie Vinard, 6-0, 6-3. In No. 2 doubles, Esther Ehle and Jimin Ahn handled Ana-Lucia Ohm and Hattie Lewis, 6-2, 6-1.

Mount Greylock 3, Mohawk 2 — The Warriors lost their season opener in the Berkshires in independent play. Annabelle Koshinski won in No. 3 single and Ivan Hillenbrand and Anneke Whitsett captured a win in No. 2 doubles.

Boys tennis

Minnechaug 4, Frontier 1 — Casey Bestler got the lone win of the evening for the Redhawks (0-3, 0-1) in a loss to the Falcons in Wilbraham. Bestler defeated his opponent 6-4, 6-2 in the Valley Wheel contest. Xavier Fripp and Noah Nichols forced third sets in No. 2 and No. 3 singles but ultimately fell. Desmond DeAngelo and Anthony Leonardi lost in No. 2 double 6-1, 7-6.