Small school, giant year: Inside Pioneer Valley Regional’s unmatched athletic run

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

It’ll be a long time — if ever — before Pioneer Valley Regional School has an athletic year like the one it just had. 

Bulletin Board: Greenfield Post 81 falls to Pittsfield, 2-0, in season opener

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

The Greenfield Post 81 Senior American Legion team opened its season Monday on the road against Pittsfield Post 68 and it was a pitchers’ duel at Clapp Park. 

Krasco takes silver at New England Track & Field Championships

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

The 2025 New England Interscholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championship took place at Veterans Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut over the weekend, with Mahar’s Mitchell Krasco putting together another impressive performance against the best athletes in the region. 

1,000 strikeouts, countless memories: Western Mass. pitching greats take their final bows

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

High school softball players from Western Massachusetts have been waiting for this week for years; they will never again have to step into the batter’s box and see Greenfield’s MacKenzie Paulin, Turners Falls’ Madi Liimatainen or Franklin Tech’s Hannah Gilbert standing in the pitching circle.

Bulletin Board: Pipione’s wins Newt Guilbault title

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Madden Coates, Dalton Towne and Jaxon Bartlett each had two hits, Bartlett driving in four runs, to help Pipione’s Sport Shop capture the Newt Guilbault Community Baseball League championship following a 16-3 win over St. Stan’s in Game 2 of the championship series over the weekend. 

How Pioneer baseball’s culture fueled an unbeaten season and dramatic state championship win

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

WORCESTER — How do you go undefeated and win a state championship? It starts with culture, which was evident watching the Pioneer baseball dugout late on Saturday. 

Pioneer walks off in extras to win first state baseball title, finish perfect season (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

WORCESTER — It’s always hard for a state championship game to live up to the hype, especially a title game featuring one team going for an unbeaten season and another looking to defend their crown. 

Abarua’s extra-inning heroics power Turners Falls past Greenfield for 12th state softball crown (PHOTOS)

By JEFF LAJOIE

AMHERST — As the innings ticked by Saturday – seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th – and tension grew across Sortino Field, the opportunity arose for someone to etch their name into Franklin County softball lore on the sport’s biggest stage.

Bulletin Board: Northfield Cougars win Tri-County softball title

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

The Northfield Recreation Commission Cougars won the Tri-County League softball championship against Vernon this past week, capping an undefeated season. 

Redemption or Repeat? Turners Falls, Greenfield renew rivalry in state final

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

This decade of MIAA Division 5 softball has been dominated by Turners Falls and Greenfield. It only makes sense that the two powers will duke it out for a second time with a state championship game on the line. 

One Last Game: Pioneer’s seniors aim to finish the dream in D5 state baseball final against Boston English

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Pioneer Valley Regional is going to need to invest in a bigger trophy case. 

Keeping Score with Chip Ainsworth: Franklin County on fire as local diamond teams charge toward state glory

Good morning!

Bulletin Board: Isaac Bingham wins 2nd straight Northfield Summer Road Race Series event

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

For the second week in a row, Isaac Bingham led the pack by winning the Northfield Summer Road Race Series event on Thursday.

MIAA softball: Greenfield sets up championship clash with Turners Falls after semifinal rout of Hopedale (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

WESTFIELD — After needing to come from behind against West Boylston to reach the MIAA Division 5 Final Four, the Greenfield softball team wasted no time taking command of its semifinal contest against third-seeded Hopedale on Thursday. 

Greenfield’s Youmell tops Franklin County pack at MSTCA West Heptathlon champion

By RYAN AMES

SOUTH DEERFIELD – For the second straight season, Ella Hoogendyk took first place in the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association (MSTCA) West Heptathlon, winning with 3,742 points, following Day 2 of events on Wednesday at Frontier Regional.

Bulletin Board: Crumpin-Fox Women’s League opens season

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

The Crumpin-Fox Club Women’s League opened its season on Wednesday with a Throw Out 3 Hole contest, with Taylor Berry-Schumacher taking first with a score of 1-over. 

Turners Falls rallies from 6-run deficit to stun Georgetown, reach MIAA D5 title game

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

LOWELL — The defending MIAA Division 5 softball state champions showed championship mettle on Wednesday. 

Final Four No More: Pioneer baseball breaks through, routs Hopedale for spot in D5 championship at Polar Park

By GARRETT COTE

WESTFIELD — The No. 1 Pioneer baseball team is no stranger to the MIAA Division 5 Final Four. Including this spring, the Panthers have earned a trip to the state semifinals in four consecutive seasons — however they failed to punch their ticket to the championship game in each previous instance.

On The Ridge with Joe Judd: Get outdoors in the month of June!

For those that might not know, June is designated as our National Great Outdoors month, which dedicates an entire month of encouraging everyone to go outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty that’s all around us – both here in New England and around this great nation of ours. Yes, you can certainly travel far into the west, spending quality time in the great National Parks, seeing large, beautiful vistas, interesting wildlife, beautiful rivers, and much more. But you can also find natural beauty right here in New England, with all the sights, sounds, beauty, and amazement that will take your breath away every time you see it, with even an occasional surprise or two thrown in that will simply leave you astounded. So, in honor of the month of June, here’s few ideas that might really get you thinking about how you might get outdoors with the family and friends, or just on your own, and spend some extra time really appreciating all the wild places around us, sometimes, even as close as our own back yards!