GREENFIELD — Locked into the No. 2 seed for the Western Mass. American Legion Junior Division playoffs heading into its final regular season game against North Adams, Greenfield Post 81 was able to rotate its lineup and get its players at-bats on Thursday in preparation of the upcoming postseason.

Visiting North Adams was able to take an early lead however, and despite getting runners on base, Post 81 was unable to get anyone across home plate in seven innings. That allowed North Adams to come away with a 4-0 victory at Veterans Field. 

“It’s a tough loss,” Greenfield coach Dan Prasol said. “Any loss is a tough loss. We’re looking at this game as a tune up for the postseason. I wanted to make sure everyone got an at-bat and the kids I wanted to throw got to do that.” 

Hayden Barrett singled with one out in the first and Mason Canata doubled to drive him home, giving North Adams a 1-0 lead in the first. 

Post 81 put runners on second and third in both the second and third innings, but was unable to get a run across. 

Nick Prasol rocketed a double to deep left field to open the second before Arthur Fitzpatrick walked. Paxton Phelps laid down a perfect bunt down the first base line that allowed Prasol and Fitzpatrick to move up a base with one out, but North Adams’ Noah Arnold recorded a pair of strikeouts to get out of the jam. 

Hayden Girard cracked a single in the third for Greenfield and Luca Siano followed with a walk. Both moved up a base on a ground out but Joseph Prenguber, on in relief of Arnold, recorded a fly out to end the inning and keep Post 81 off the scoreboard. 

North Adams added two runs in the fourth. 

Mason Canata and Jake McAllister opened the frame with singles before a Julian Feliciano base hit scored Canata. Later in the inning Prenguber hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored McAllister, giving North Adams a 3-0 lead. 

North Adams’ final run came in the sixth inning. An error put Feliciano on first and Aidan Tremblay belted a double that allowed Feliciano to score to give North Adams a four-run cushion going into the bottom of the sixth. 

Grayson Bishop and Luca Siano singled in the seventh but Post 81 was unable to bring either home.  

Aiden Shea tossed the opening six innings for Greenfield, striking out four and scattering six hits. Austin D’Urso pitched the seventh and struck out one. 

Post 81 now awaits its opponent for the District 3 tournament. Dan Prasol lauded how hard his team has played all summer to position itself to make a run at the championship and subsequent state tournament berth.

“This season, these kids have performed,” Prasol said. “They’ve come back, they’ve played hard. They’re a great group of young gentlemen. I’ve been privileged to coach them this season.” 

Tennis

Beacon Clay Court Classic

After two days of rain postponed play, the final four is now set for the Beacon Clay Court Classic.

Lexi Silk defeated Scott Ball, 6-3, 7-5, in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, earning a spot in the semifinals. Silk also defeated Matt Howell, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, in the opening round.

Silk will meet Petru Cojocaru in the semis (Friday, 5 p.m.), after Cojocaru got past Mike Husted, 6-2, 6-1, in the quarters. He also earned a 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) win over Steve Unkles in the first round.

Steve Pedigree and Brian Campbell will meet in the tournament’s other semifinal round. Pedigree bested Thomas Unkles, 6-4, 6-2, in the quarters, while Campbell was a 6-0, 6-0 winner over David Zacheo. Pedigree and Campbell, who received first-round byes, will play their semifinal match on Saturday at 10 a.m.

The final will be played Monday at 5 p.m.

Running

Northfield Road Race

Mike Townsley was the first runner across the finish line at the Northfield Summer Road Race on Thursday, completing the three-mile course in a time of 19 minutes, 51 seconds. 

Marcy Cabanas took eighth overall and was the first female finisher (22:58). Michael Bear took second (20:26) followed by Charlie Widmann (20:27), Dan Nawskou (21:41) and Joe Snikeris (22:30). Twenty-five runners participated. 

Golf

Timmons-Messer League

John Waters and Jim Laford won a match of cards over Ronnie Parker and Andy Chartier to record the low gross of 35 on Wednesday in the Timmons-Messer League at Northfield Golf Club. 

Doug Turner and Bob Wanczyk shot the low net (24) followed by Jim Jason and Lloyd Grover (25). Mike Stephens won closest to the pin on No. 6 (5 feet, 11 inches) while Bill Noyes won it on No. 7 (3-8). Chartier and Laford were the match medalists with scores of 38. 

Adult softball

Greenfield coed

Liberty Tax Sharks 25, Hot-L Warren 11 — Storm Cindir smacked five hits, including two doubles and two RBIs, to help the Sharks cruise to a victory on Wednesday night.

Liberty Tax received four hits apiece from Che Christi (two RBIs) and Cody Willor (double, three RBIs), and three hits each from Matt Gibson (home run, two doubles, five RBIs), Robert Badillo (double, four RBIs). Other multi-hit Sharks with two apiece were Heather Gibson, Marcy Conway, Elyse Merrill (two RBIs), Jill Cote and Kyle Conway.

Hot-L Warren was buoyed by Matt Weeden’s three hits (two doubles) and two RBIs. Two hits apiece were contributed by Jake Conway, Rylan Wade (two doubles, two RBIs), Josh Lashway (home run, two RBIs), Codie Chapin and Dylan Tucci.