NORTHFIELD — With a 4-1 win over Pioneer Valley Regional, the Frontier Regional baseball team won its fifth league championship under coach Chris Williams on Wednesday.
Frontier finished (15-3, 10-2) tied for first place with Hopkins Academy, leading to a split of the Suburban East crown. The Redhawks swept the season series against the Golden Hawks.
“Something I have been preaching to these guys all year is our athleticism one through nine,” Williams said. “We have bench guys that can fly too who would be starting on a lot of other teams around here. Just the depth has been clutch, all season. Our pitchers have stepped up. Carter Miller, Jack Cusson and Joey Hutkoski. Winning baseball games for us. Defense has been outstanding.”
Hutkoski pitched seven strong innings in rainy and wet conditions. The righty pitched to contact and let his defense make the plays behind him. Hutkoski have up three hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
In the bottom of the fifth, Pioneer got runners to second and third with two outs. Jacoby Stumpo then hit a slicing shot to left field that was falling fast. Brady Poreda used his running-back speed to track down the ball and make the play for his pitcher.
Pioneer (5-11, 5-7) got an excellent start from Carter Gerry. The crafty lefty held Frontier scoreless until the fifth inning. It was Gerry’s second start of the season and fifth appearance overall
“He threw a gem,” Pioneer coach Kevin Luippold said of Gerry. “He stayed in the zone and stayed consistent with a wet ball. He gave us every opportunity to stay in the game.”
Gerry gave up only three hits but did have six walks. He used a deceptive delivery to pick off two Frontier baserunners who attempted to leave first base early.
With the Western Mass. tournament just around the corner, Frontier currently ranks No. 4 in Class B. The Redhawks would host a game if the rankings hold. In the Class D rankings, the Panthers are fifth.
An RBI single for Cusson, scoring Noah Poreda, gave Frontier a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning. The Redhawks would add two more runs in the sixth on a wild pitch and an error. Henry Drinker added an RBI single in the top of the seventh for Frontier.
The Panthers plated a run in the bottom of the seventh when Hayden Girard led off with a double. Osiah Ballard brought Girard home with an RBI groundout for the Panthers.
Athol 12, Mahar 2 (six innings) — The Bears exacted some revenge on their crosstown rival in Tool Town. The Senators won a close game in Orange at the beginning of the season. Eli Wein went 3-for-4 for Athol. Ethan Heuer gave up two hits with 10 strikeouts in six innings of work. Cooper Smith led the offense with three RBIs. Gavin Young, Clayde Thompson and Matt Vitello had hits for the Senators.
Franklin Tech 8, Westfield Tech 7 (six innings) — Hunter Donahue launched a missile of a home run for the Eagles in a win over Tigers in independent play in Turners Falls. The game had to be called early due to darkness. Donahue finished 2-for-4 two RBI and two run scored. George Gutierrez Jr. and Brody Hicks added two hits each. Joey Bobala got the win in relief for Franklin Tech (12-5)
Softball
Mahar 36, Athol 8 — The Senators poured on the offense in the win over the Bears in Orange in a Tri-County match up. Mahar (9-6, 9-2) has a chance at their first league championship since 1973. Mahar needs a loss from Smith Academy on Thursday to clinch a share of the league title. The Falcons host Renaissance at 4 p.m.
Wahconah 10, Franklin Tech 4 — Lindsey Taylor had a hit and two RBI, but the Eagles (5-12) lost to the Warriors in Turners Falls in an independent match up. Ava Worden added a hit and two RBI for Franklin Tech.
Hampshire Regional 12, Greenfield 1 — The Green Wave couldn’t hang with the Raiders in an independent loss at Vets Field. Hampshire Regional’s Ryanne Dubay recorded her 500th strikeout in the game. Olivia Lemay had two hits for the Green Wave (6-7).
Track & Field
Greenfield 99, Franklin Tech 46 — The Green Wave picked a road win over the Eagles in an Intercounty match up. Mason Youmell won the pole vault (12 feet), the 100-hurdles (15.8) and the 400-hurdles (58.6) for the Green Wave. Dylan Breiwick place first in the mile (5:15.3) and the two-mile (11:06.6). Jack Laurie added wins in the 200-meter (23.1) and the javelin (165-4). Dustin Reade had wins in the shot put (35-5.75) and the discus (105-9) for the Eagles.
Girls tennis
Frontier 4, Palmer 1 — The Redhawks registered a huge Pioneer league win under the lights in Palmer. Thanushi Ratnatunge won at No. 1 singles over Maria Kompenietts 6-3, 6-0. Kayla Fagan outlasted Maddy Roy 7-5, 6-1 at No. 2 singles. Brooke Charest and Hailey Fernandez won a close match at No. 1 doubles. Esther Ehle and Jimin Ahn cruised at No. 2 doubles for Frontier (12-3, 5-1).
Chicopee 3, Turners Falls 2 — The Thunder lost to the Pacers at Szot Park. Olivia Wolbach and Kenzie Flaxington won in singles competition for the Thunder. Wolbach defeated Leisha Caraballo 6-3, 6-0. Flaxington handled Vicky Ou 6-1, 6-4.
Volleyball
Southwick 3, Frontier 1 — The Redhawks jumped ahead, but then watched the Rams win three straight sets to register the win at Goodnow Gymnasium. Set scores were 15-25, 25-22, 25-19 and 25-19. Nate Rivera (10 kills) and Chanju Bana (11 kills) led the hitting attack. Ethan Rivera had 39 assists.
Late Tuesday results
Baseball
Drury 12, Pioneer 6 — The Panthers got doubled up by the Blue Devils in an independent match up in the Berkshires. Mauricio Hanono and Carter Gerry both had a hit with two RBI for Pioneer (5-10). Brody Welcome and Jacoby Stumpo each added a hit with an RBI.
