Belchertown Post 239 survived the opening weekend of the American Legion Chairman’s Cup state tournament.
A 6-5 extra innings walk-off over Hanover on Saturday started its run with some drama. Trailing 5-4 in the ninth, Andrew Ciaglo and Ryan Zawistowski walked with no outs. Ryan Schneider laid down a sacrifice bunt, but a throwing error to first base brought both runners around for a heart-stopping victory.
Post 239 trailed three times but bounced back every one.
Colin Kennedy drove in two runs and walked twice. Jack Feltovic and Ryan Zawistowski (wo runs, RBI) had two hits each. Austin Endelos scored two runs. Nate Mills drove in a run.
Ty Gladu earned the win in relief after pitching out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the ninth.
Belchertown was supposed to face host Hudson on Sunday night when a storm blew through and tore up the schedule. Post 239 will now play Hudson at 7 p.m. Monday in the double-elimination tournament.
Frontier 3, Springfield 1 – Brady Burch, Matt Sicard and Aiden Valderrama found the back of the net at Lusitano Stadium to help the Redhawks claim the Pioneer Valley Summer Soccer High School Boys B league championship. They were the No. 2 seed and upended No. 1 Springfield.
Ludlow 2, Belchertown 0 – The Orioles were credited with two late own goals in the Pioneer Valley Summer Soccer High School Boys A final and fell to the No. 1 Lions.