For the second consecutive year, the 12U Valley Storm softball team captured the title at the Summer Stealth Softball Tournament in Norwich, Conn.
The Storm avenged their only loss of the weekend with a 6-3 victory over the East Coast Scorpions from Cranston, R.I. in the title game on Sunday. Maggie Fay went the distance in the pitching circle, striking out four, while Skyler Steele smacked three hits and drove in a run.
“Total team effort in this one receiving a solid pitching performance, strong defense and timely hitting,” lauded Valley Storm coach Joe Gamache.
Hannah Gilbert had two hits, including a double, Mackenzie Paulin registered two hits and two RBIs, Anna Bucala had a triple and an RBI, while Mel Ring (hit), Fay (RBI) and Cordelia Guerin (RBI) all contributed to the offensive effort. Haly Doucette-Kaplan, Steele and Guerin made stellar defensive plays in the outfield to preserve the victory.
The weekend began with an 8-0 loss to the aforementioned Scorpions, though the Storm rebounded with an 11-0 victory over the Methuen Rangers where Fay tossed a no-hitter, striking out seven.
The 1-1 showing on Saturday placed the Storm as the No. 6 seed in the single-elimination bracket, and the club began with a 12-4 win over the Western Mass. Heat. Fay struck out eight for the win, while Steele had three hits and three RBIs and Bucala smacked a home run as part of a two-hit, three RBI day. Ring had two hits, including a double and two RBIs, Kylee Gamache had two hits and two RBIs, and Fay had two hits and an RBI.
In the quarterfinals, the Storm knocked off No. 3 Shoreline Sting Gold (Conn.), 5-3. Paulin went the distance in the circle to pick up the win, striking out 10, and Gilbert smacked three hits, including a double, to go with two RBIs. Bucala, Steele, Gamache, Guerin and Amelia Pierce each had a hit, and Paulin registered two RBIs. Gilbert turned a key double play in the final frame with runners on second and third and no outs by snagging a line drive and picking off the runner at third to help seal the victory.
In the semifinals, the Storm picked up a 6-4 win over No. 2 CT Pride from Milford. Paulin again picked up the win in the circle going the distance and striking out six, while Gilbert had two hits, including a home run and two RBIs, Paulin had two hits and an RBI, Bucala had a double and an RBI, and Steele, Guerin, and Pierce all had a hit.
Greenfield Juniors get first win
After a season-opening loss to Easthampton, the Greenfield Junior Division baseball team bounced back in a big way on Sunday night. The hosts thumped West Springfield, 12-1, in a Western Mass. Summer Baseball League contest at Vets Field.
Cayden Lehtomaki, Tyler Podolski and Nick Bresciano combined on a one-hitter for Greenfield. Lehtomaki started and struck out six in three innings of work.
David Carey paced the offensive attack with three hits, two runs scored and an RBI. MJ Paulin roped a two-run double in the second inning and scored two runs, while Gavin Rubio doubled and scored.
“The bats came alive,” said Greenfield coach Tom Bresciano. “The first game we made a lot of mental errors (in a 10-1 loss to Easthampton). A lot of these kids haven’t played baseball in a year so it’s an adjustment.”
Next up is a road trip to play at Wilbraham on Tuesday.
Greenfield Seniors win again
Owen Phelps tossed a complete-game, four-hitter, and visiting Greenfield snagged a 6-2 victory over Agawam in a Western Mass. Summer Baseball League Senior Division game on Saturday in Agawam.
Phelps struck out seven batters in the win, as the club improved to 4-1 on the summer.
“The pitching has been stellar all season,” lauded Greenfield coach Kyle Phelps of his club.
Michael Bassett had two hits and two RBIs for Greenfield, and Connor Waitkus had three hits, including a double. Jacob Bryant singled and drove in two runs, and David Carey and Bryan Baumann each added a hit.
Frontier Mantle bests West County
Tyler Baranowski went the distancing, striking out six batters, and Frontier Alber Hearing Services didn’t commit an error behind him en route to an 11-1 win over the Hilltown Hardwood West County Warriors in a Pioneer Valley Youth Baseball League Mickey Mantly game on Sunday in Buckland.
Kevin Baumann paced the offensive effort with two hits and two RBIs for Frontier, while Ben Zaranek had a hit and two RBIs. Ben Martino (single), Max Edwards (RBI), Gehrig Brynda (RBI), Tom Alber (RBI) and Baranowski (RBI) also contributed in the victory.
West County’s Reuben Bassett was 2-for-2 with a double, while Shawn Davenport drove in the team’s lone run. Cullen Brown (double) and Sam Schreiber (single) also had hits.
Mass. Women’s Four-Ball
The Crumpin-Fox Club duo of Kerry Dolan and Meg Watson shot a 5-over-par 77, finishing 12th overall at the Massachusetts Women’s Four-Ball Championship for the Townshend Cup on Monday at Haverhill Country Club.
Shannon Johnson and Megan Buck of Thorny Lea Golf Club captured the gross title with an 8-under 64.
Dolan and Watson fared well in the net scoring. The pair tied for third place with a net score of 6-under 66.