Baseball: Frontier handles Greenfield 12-2 in five-inning victory (PHOTOS)

Greenfield’s Arthur Fitzpatrick catches the ball at second as Frontier’s Nico Fasulo dives back into the base on Thursday at Vets Field.

Greenfield’s Arthur Fitzpatrick catches the ball at second as Frontier’s Nico Fasulo dives back into the base on Thursday at Vets Field. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

Greenfield’s Michael Pierce pitches against Frontier at Vets Field on Thursday.

Greenfield’s Michael Pierce pitches against Frontier at Vets Field on Thursday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

Frontier’s Rosco Palmer gets caught in a pickle between Greenfield third baseman Chase Zraunig and catcher  Luca  Siano  at Vets Field on Thursday.

Frontier’s Rosco Palmer gets caught in a pickle between Greenfield third baseman Chase Zraunig and catcher Luca Siano at Vets Field on Thursday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

Frontiers Max Skribiski-Banack pitches against Greenfield at Vets Field on Thursday.

Frontiers Max Skribiski-Banack pitches against Greenfield at Vets Field on Thursday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

Greenfield’s Michael Pierce makes contact against Frontier at Vets Field on Thursday.

Greenfield’s Michael Pierce makes contact against Frontier at Vets Field on Thursday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

Frontier’s Colin West scores ahead of the  throw to Greenfield catcher Luca Siano at Vets Field on Thursday.

Frontier’s Colin West scores ahead of the throw to Greenfield catcher Luca Siano at Vets Field on Thursday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Staff Writer

Published: 04-18-2024 6:55 PM

GREENFIELD — All three games between the Greenfield and Frontier baseball teams last spring were decided by one run. 

The Redhawks made sure to leave no doubt when the two squads met Thursday at Vets Field. 

Frontier jumped out to a 3-1 lead after two innings, put five on the board in the third before adding a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. That ultimately led to a 12-2 Suburban League West victory. 

“We played a good baseball game today,” Redhawks coach Chris Williams said. “I was impressed with the way we put the ball in play. We were smart on the basepaths and stealing bases. Guys were getting guys in scoring position by putting the ball in play then we had some clutch hits from some upperclassmen. I’m excited about that.” 

It was mistakes that doomed the Green Wave (1-4) on Thursday. 

Greenfield committed 11 errors in the field, often extending innings which allowed Frontier (3-1) to build its lead. 

“They hit the ball and we made mistakes,” Green Wave coach Tom Suchanek said. “We didn’t play well at all.”

It was Max Skribiski-Banack who shut down Greenfield at the plate. The junior went all five innings on the hill for the Redhawks, striking out three and allowing just three hits. 

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Skribiski-Banack is stepping in this season for his brother, Liam Skribiski-Banack, who graduated. Williams said he’s been impressed with how he’s done on the mound thus far. 

“Happy for Max getting his first win of the season,” Williams said. “He has some big shoes to fill with his brother but he had a great save against Ludlow and came in and won this game. We’re hoping he continues to work hard and keep it up.” 

Rosco Palmer put Frontier on the board in the first. Nico Fasulo got on with a leadoff walk, stole second before Palmer blasted a triple that nearly made it to the left field fence, scoring Fasulo in the process. 

Tyler Cusson drew a walk on the ensuing at bat and an error on the pickoff attempt at first allowed Palmer to score, giving the Redhawks a 2-0 lead. 

Frontier added to its lead in the second. Collin West reached on an error, stole second and Fasulo brought him home with a base hit up the middle that put the Redhawks ahead, 3-0. 

Greenfield got one back in the bottom of the second. Caleb Thomas knocked a single and scored on an Arthur Fitzpatrick base hit to right field, cutting the lead to 3-1. 

It was all Frontier in the third. Cusson and Grayson Loos reached via back-to-back Green Wave errors before Wyatt Edes smashed a double to drive them both in. 

Porter Hall followed with a single and Kaden James knocked a single to drive in Edes. James attempted to steal second and the throw was offline, allowing Hall to score from third. James took third and Fasulo hit a sacrifice fly to bring him home, giving the Redhawks an 8-1 lead going into the bottom of the third. 

Palmer was hit by a pitch to open the fourth. The senior stole second and third and a ground out by Loos brought him in to score. Edes then knocked a single, moved to second on a wild pitch before trying to steal third. The throw was offline to get him, allowing him to round and turn home put Frontier ahead, 10-1. 

Just as the fourth inning started, James was hit by a pitch to get a base runner on to open the fifth for the Redhawks. He moved to second on a wild pitch and scored off a Jack Conlon single. Conlon moved to second on an error, made it to third on a Cusson base hit and scored off a Loos sac fly to center field, which put Frontier ahead, 12-1. 

“We did great out there,” Conlon said. “Happy with the win.” 

Bryce Hammond and Deven Dubie drew walks to open the bottom of the frame for Greenfield. John Marchefka later walked to load the bases, with Michael Pierce hitting a sac fly to drive in Hammond. Frontier got an out on the ensuing at bat to secure the win in the fifth. 

Pierce tossed the first four innings for the Green Wave, striking out five and allowing six hits. 

The Green Wave are back in action Friday, hosting Easthampton at 3:30 p.m. The Redhawks hope to stay in the win column when they travel to face Nipmuc on Saturday at 11 a.m.