H.S. Roundup: PVCICS boys tennis returns to form in 3-2 win over East Longmeadow

AMHERST — The PVCICS boys tennis team bounced back after consecutive tough losses with a narrow, 3-2 victory over East Longmeadow at the Hampshire College Tennis Courts on Tuesday night.

As has become a common theme throughout the course of the season, the Dragons relied on the success of their three singles players to lead the way to victory.

Lee Ferguson continued to prove why he’s one of the best players in the Pioneer Valley, dominating the first singles court. Against the Spartans’ Jack Serafini, Ferguson was nearly flawless, winning 6-0, 6-1.

The eighth grader had a racket break on him during the middle of the match, forcing him to switch to a backup. Despite the hiccup, Ferguson stayed locked in and showed off his versatility by hitting shots from everywhere on the court.

“[Ferguson] is just an extraordinary player,” PVCICS head coach Mike Locher said.

Derek Ye has been another staple at second singles for the Dragons all year long, continuing his big sophomore season with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Samuel Sares on Tuesday night.

So far through 14 matches, Ye is undefeated, providing his squad with consistent play on a nightly basis.

“[Ye’s] been able to be the one guy that I know is likely to get a win for us, every single time out,” Locher said.

Devan Ye played third singles for PVCICS in what was the longest match of the night, with back-and-forth action. Ye came out on top 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) over Declan Dulchinos, solidifying the win for his team.

The doubles pairings for the Dragons weren’t as successful on Tuesday, but each group battled in matches that could’ve gone either way.

Simon Speek and Jack Herman played first doubles, taking on Michael Lonczak and Sean O’Neill and coming away with a tough, 2-6, 5-7 loss. Second doubles featured James Ferrer and Alexander Rachele for PVCICS, narrowly dropping their matchup with Patryk Czudek and Charlie Grey 5-7, 4-6.

“They’re getting better about adjusting where they stand on the court, depending on how the other team plays,” Locher said of his doubles pairings. “… [But] they all seem to play kind of tight. Like, they’re afraid to really go after the volleys. They’re afraid to really hit balls hard. I’d like to see them at opportune moments, take the big shot.”

With Tuesday night’s victory, the Dragons broke a two-game losing streak and will look to stay hot as the regular season comes to a close. They’ll be back in action on Wednesday, May 13, at 4:30 p.m. back at home to host Lenox.

PVCICS knows that with the Western Mass. Tournament looming, the three-time defending champs will have a target on their back. Finishing the final two regular-season games on a high note would be huge down the stretch.

Softball

Hampshire 6, Longmeadow 0 — Ryanne Dubay’s complete game shutout led the Raiders to a comfortable victory. The junior tallied 10 strikeouts in the win, with a walk at the plate.

The offense was dominated by a 3-for-3 night from Reagan Dubay, which included a double and three RBIs.

Granby 29, Ware 1 — The Rams’ offense exploded for 24 runs through the first two innings, led by Rowan Cook, who went 3-for-5 with three doubles, five runs scored, four RBIs and a walk.

Kaitlyn Curran also had a huge night at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles, five runs scored, five RBIs and two walks. All nine members of the starting lineup tallied at least two runs scored for Granby in the win.

Smith Academy 20, Hampden Charter 2
Smith Academy 22, Hampden Charter 3 — The Falcons soared past the Wolves in a doubleheader, with Quinn Carlson leading the way.

Carlson started both games in the circle and struck out 12 total, plus recorded seven RBIs and a home run at the plate.

Baseball

Belchertown 5, Ware 3 — Alex Ryczek came up big both on the mound and with the bat in the Orioles’ victory, throwing the first five innings of the night and allowing just one earned run, while also tallying a hit and a run scored.

Ryan Gould led the squad with two hits in the win, adding two runs scored and an RBI. Belchertown made the most of its opportunities, with all five runs scored on the night coming in unearned.

Easthampton 4, South Hadley 1 — Anthony Incampo’s seven-inning one-hitter on the bump with zero earned runs allowed paved the way for the Eagles on Tuesday night. Christian D’onofrio led the way offensively, going 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs.

Brody Keller tallied the lone hit for the Tigers in the loss, with Memphis Huertas getting the start and picking up seven strikeouts through five innings of work.

Smith Academy 22, Commerce 0
Smith Academy 17, Commerce 1 — The Falcons mashed 26 hits altogether in their doubleheader sweep on the road.

Oscar Higuera was phenomenal on offense for Smith Academy, producing six hits and six RBIs across both wins.

Girls lacrosse

Belchertown 13, Pope Francis 7 — Three different Orioles tallied a hat trick in Tuesday night’s victory over the Cardinals. Lia Pikul was one of two players with four goals in the win, adding on an assist.

Lily Tellier also scored four separate times, setting up a teammate with an assist as well. Aubrey McCain rounded out the hat tricks with a three-goal performance that included two assists. Piper Laurenzo tacked on two goals of her own with one assist.

Outdoor track

Several seniors raced well for the Holyoke outdoor track teams in a dual meet against Westfield at the Roberts Sports Complex.

Yasani Thompson finished first in the girls 400-meter in 59.74 seconds, Ryan Kennedy won the boys 100-meter hurdles, the 400-meter hurdles and the high jump, Jaybriel Rivera- Soto took the 110-meter hurdles and Julia Guzik captured the 800 with a new personal best of 2:50.06.

Both 4×400 relay squads also won, wrapping up the day’s events.

Hampshire 108, Belchertown 36 (boys) — Aidan Conklin, Owen Cubi and Oscar Schiff each won two events as the Raiders downed the Orioles.

Carter Hampson claimed the javelin with ease for Belchertown with a toss of 118 feet, two inches.

Hampshire 102, Belchertown 43 (girls) — The Raiders received two event wins each from Caitlyn Packey and Meghan Wood, plus dominated in the distance events, to move past the Orioles.

Aubrey Klingensmith was stellar for Belchertown, winning three events, in the defeat.

Late Monday Results

Boys lacrosse

Amherst 11, Wahconah 3 — The Hurricanes bested the Warriors at home, thanks to strong games from Tri Nguyen and Nate Desbien.

Amherst’s duo combined for eight goals in the victory.

Girls tennis

Longmeadow 5, Belchertown 0 — The Orioles were blanked by the Lancers in a Valley League clash.

Baseball

Monument Mtn 9, Northampton 6 — The Blue Devils let a 5-1 lead slip away on senior night as the Spartans scored eight runs in the final two innings to take the victory.

Maceo Nteta mustered two hits and three RBIs for Northampton in the loss.

Girls lacrosse

Minnechaug 14, Northampton 4 — It was a tale of two halves in this one as the Blue Devils fell to the Falcons.

Northampton trailed 5-3 at halftime, but then only managed one goal in quarters two and three as Minnechaug won with ease.

Kaydence Braman led the Blue Devils with a pair of goals.