Keeping Score with Chip Ainsworth: UMass decidedly now a hockey school

Good morning!The Marty and Martha Maroons of the world would have you believe that the 9,493-seat William D. Mullins Center was built for men’s basketball. Understandable, considering John Calipari’s team was 24-7 and ranked No.14 by the AP the year the building opened its doors. 

Pioneer's Riley Thayer commits to play field hockey at Lasell University

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

GREENFIELD — Riley Thayer made it official where she will continue her field hockey career on Thursday. 

Track roundup: Mohawk Trail opens season with sweep over Franklin Tech/Turners Falls (PHOTOS)

The spring track and field season official got underway in Franklin County on Thursday, with the Mohawk Trail boys coming away with a 103-41 victory over Franklin Tech in Buckland. 

HS Roundup: Chase Earle strikes out 15 to lead Hopkins baseball past Greenfield, 5-1

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

GREENFIELD — On a chilly April day at Vets Field, hits were at a premium between the Greenfield and Hopkins baseball teams. 

Bulletin Board: Frontier Baseball Ham Raffle set for Saturday

The seventh annual Frontier Baseball Ham Slam Raffle will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the South Deerfield Polish Club. 

Franklin Tech’s Hannah Gilbert records her 500th career strikeout in win over Mohawk Trail

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Have a day, Hannah Gilbert. 

Athol and Franklin Tech baseball teams to square off at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford Friday

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Friday night will be a special one for Athol and Franklin Tech baseball players. 

Madi Liimatainen becomes first Turners Falls softball pitcher to reach 1,000 strikeout milestone (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

SOUTH DEERFIELD — When Turners Falls softball pitcher Madi Liimatainen eclipsed the 500 strikeout mark as a sophomore, a question emerged – just how many K’s could the ace rack up before her time with the Thunder came to a close?

HS Roundup: Frontier softball rallies for walk-off 2-1 win over Turners Falls (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

SOUTH DEERFIELD – It was a seventh inning to remember for the Frontier softball team on Wednesday against Turners Falls. 

High School Tennis Preview 2025: Franklin County programs looking to break through in state tournaments

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Franklin County tennis programs continue to make it to the MIAA Div. 4 state tournament.

On The Ridge with Joe Judd: Tips for turkey hunting as opening day approaches

With the 2025 wild turkey hunting season right ahead of us, Massachusetts hunters are thinking full speed ahead, as Opening Day is set to kick off one half-hour after sunrise on April 28! That has turkey hunters beyond excited to get back into the springtime woods to match wits again with the greatest game bird of all time.

HS Roundup: Frontier boys volleyball falls to West Side, continues to navigate challenging schedule (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Frontier boys volleyball team knew it had a gauntlet of a schedule to get through this week. 

High school boys volleyball preview 2025: Athol on the cusp of program’s first state tournament appearance

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Can this be the year the Athol boys volleyball team breaks through and reaches the MIAA Div. 2 state tournament for the first time since the new format was put in place?

HS Roundup: Franklin Tech baseball wins third in a row following 8-1 triumph over Smith Academy

The Franklin Tech baseball team is off to a hot start. 

Bulletin Board: Greenfield's Savannah Thomas wins Knights of Columbus Hoop Shoot state title

Greenfield’s Savannah Thomas left the Knights of Columbus State Hoop Shoot with some hardware on Saturday. 

High school track preview 2025: Powerhouse Frontier favorites to lead the local pack

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Frontier has dominated the Intercounty League the last few years.

UConn women's basketball team captures 12th national title in dominant win over South Carolina

By DOUG FEINBERG

TAMPA, Fla. — UConn is back on top of women’s basketball, winning its 12th national championship by routing defending champion South Carolina 82-59 on Sunday behind Azzi Fudd’s 24 points.

HS Roundup: Ethan Heuer, Logan Cormier power Athol baseball past Mahar 11-1

It was all Athol in the battle of North Quabbin rivals Friday, as the Bears scored in every frame en route to an 11-1 five-inning run-ruled victory over Mahar in Orange.

HS Softball: Turners’ Madi Liimatainen strikes out 17, Franklin Tech’s Kylee Gamache records 100th hit in Thunder’s 10-3 win (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

TURNERS FALLS — Turners Falls softball coach Gary Mullins knew his team would be facing tough pitchers throughout the year. Taking on one of them in Franklin Tech’s Hannah Gilbert Friday, the longtime coach was proud of the way his players handled the pressure at the plate. 

High school softball preview 2025: Can Turners Falls defend its Division 5 state title?

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

When Gary Mullins took over the Turners Falls softball program in 1979, he was inheriting a team devoid of much success.