H.S. Roundup: Frontier softball stays unbeaten with win over Granby (Video)

SOUTH DEERFIELD — A power surge from Raine Wonsey finally arrived on Wednesday afternoon, as the freshman hit her first homer of the season for the Frontier Regional softball team in a 4-0 win over Granby at Zabek Field.

A towering shot to centerfield gave Frontier the lead in a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth inning of the independent contest.

“I have been working a lot on my own,” Wonsey said. “I’ve really been striving for that home run this season. I had a couple last season, but I haven’t gotten one until today. I really wanted that.”

While the home run was certainly impressive, her pitching effectively shut down a high-scoring Granby offense. Wonsey had 16 strikeouts and gave up only one hit. In her last two games combined, Wonsey has 35 strikeouts and now has 300 for her career. Wonsey and catcher Riley Tine are still progressing as far as chemistry is concerned.

“I feel like I’ve gotten better adjusting to a new catcher,” Wonsey said. “Me and Riley (Tine) work together in the offseason but we are both working on pitch calling and learning what works for each other.”

With Wonsey pitching at a high level and the offense coming from multiple spots in the lineup, the Redhawks are now undefeated through 11 games.

“Different players stepping up,” Frontier coach Gary Deane said. “It’s a different player every day. Raine (Wonsey) is obviously taking care of things in the circle.”

Granby (9-2) came into the game with only one loss on the season. Getting to play a team like Frontier can only prepare the Rams for the remainder of their Suburban East schedule.

“We scrimmaged them a couple years ago before the postseason,” Granby coach Mike Afflitto said. “We obviously know they have a good program so wanted to play them and see how we measure up. We knew we’d see a good arm. Not pleased we didn’t get the win, but a lot of good we can take away from this.

Granby pitcher Meredith Bartosz matched Wonsey until the fourth inning when Frontier took a 3-0 lead. Bartosz gave up only four hits with three strikeouts and four walks against a very explosive Frontier lineup.

“Certainly, it’s a big confidence booster for me,” Bartosz said. “I know I have a very solid defense behind me. I was able to pitch with confidence…for me, I struggle a lot with really good hitters. To have a good game and not allow too many hits was really great for the team.”

Bartosz had Granby’s lone hit, a bunt single in the top of the sixth. The Rams attempted to bunt several times throughout the game. Kara White made it into scoring position after a walk and a passed ball in the top of the fourth.

“She (Wonsey) mixed well,” Afflitto said.”When she got behind in the count, she made a good pitch to get herself back into it. Kept us off balance with some of her offspeed with two strikes. She’s obviously a quality arm. She was composed and didn’t rattle. Made her pitches.

Riley Tine had an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning. Wonsey finished 2-for-2 with a walk for the Redhawks. Haly Doucette-Kaplan added a hit for Frontier.

Hampshire 13, Malden Catholic 6 — The Raiders came to play against the Division 1 Lancers, smacking 17 hits in the drubbing.

Raegan Dubay led the charge with four hits in five at-bats, including a double during the first inning.

Ryanne Dubay won in the circle for Hampshire, going all seven innings with a line of four hits, six runs (three earned), four walks and nine strikeouts.

Northampton 13, Monson 5 — Greta Lepore sat down 15 Mustang batters as the Blue Devils won with ease on Wednesday.

Ryleigh Pease, Sadie Muszynski and Talia Garretson each brought in two runs for Northampton.

Ludlow 9, Belchertown 2 — The Lions overmatched the Orioles in Bi-County league play.

Lila Roy smacked two hits for Belchertown.

Baseball

Hopkins Academy 9, Turners Falls 2 — Jeremiah Scanlon-Dean and Aiden Keeling-Lococo mashed home runs for the Golden Hawks in the win against the Thunder.

Derek Gromacki (3-for-4) also swung a hot bat for Hopkins.

On the mound, Tucker Russell picked up the win, striking out 11 while allowing six hits and two runs in five innings.

Chicopee Comp 3, Belchertown 2 — The Colts got the better of the Orioles in Wednesday’s pitchers’ duel. All five runs were scored in the seventh inning.

Ryan Gould struck out 12 and surrendered just five hits in the losing effort for Belchertown.

Holyoke 5, Amherst 0 — The Purple Knights picked up their third win in a row in the shutout against the Hurricanes.

Carter Felsentreger went 3-for-3 for Holyoke, with a triple highlighting the performance.

Aiden Robinson won on the bump, posting six hits and zero runs over seven innings, while striking out seven and walking four.

Amherst got a strong game from Cyrus Arwade, who finished 2-for-3 from the plate.

Drury 3, Hampshire 1 — Offense was hard to come by for the Raiders in the Suburban West showdown.

Wes Thompson and Riley Florek had Hampshire’s two hits.

Boys volleyball

Belchertown 3, East Longmeadow 1 — The Orioles halted their two-game skid with the comeback victory against the Spartans.

Belchertown fell in the first set, before rattling off three straight wins to earn the match victory. Set scores read 16-25, 25-14, 25-16, 25-16

Gavin Couchon (10 kills, 11 digs) and Arda Cayan (32 assists) stood out for the O’s.

Granby 3, Chicopee 0 — The Rams cruised their third consecutive victory in the shutout against the Pacers.

Jake Gagnon (nine kills, 10 assists) and Nathan Walsh (17 assists) starred for Granby.

Set scores came out to 25-19, 25-17, 26-24.