Legion baseball: James Lavallee lifts Northampton past Easthampton, Ian McDonald’s walk-off hit power Belchertown

Jeff Roberson

By GARRETT COTE

Staff Writer

Published: 07-01-2024 9:26 PM

James Lavallee continued his dominant summer on Monday evening, tossing a one-hitter in Northampton Post 28’s 11-1 win over Easthampton Post 224 in American Legion Senior Division action at Arcanum Field in Northampton.

Lavallee, a rising senior at Smith Vocational, struck out a baker’s dozen (13) on just one walk to help Post 28 improve to 5-3 this season.

Easthampton’s lone hit and run came in the second inning when Will Hogan walked, stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw. Zach Phakos singled Hogan in for Post 224.

The offensive onslaught for Northampton was led by Elijah Rubinstein (single, RBI triple, three runs), Andrew Gagne (double, RBI triple, run) and Trey Kuzmeski (two hits, two runs). Post 28 is now 2-0 against Easthampton this summer, winning 6-5 the first time around.

The winning mercy-rule run came in the bottom of the sixth. Jamie Fowler reached on an infield single to bring home Kuzmeski and make it 11-1. 

Northampton Post 28 is back at it Tuesday night against East Springfield Post 420 at Arcanum Field (5:45 p.m.), while Easthampton Post 224 also plays Tuesday night – first pitch starting at 7 p.m. at Monson Post 241.

Belchertown Post 239 7, West Springfield Post 207 6 — After West Springfield tied things up in the top of the seventh, Ian McDonald had an answer – one that put a stamp on a back-and-forth win for Belchertown.

McDonald ripped a double in the bottom of the last frame, bringing home Alex West to give Post 239 a walk-off win on Monday evening.

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Belchertown tallied 10 hits in the win.

Jake Waller went 2-for-4 with an RBIs and two runs scored,  Cooper Beckwith  reached base three times and scored once and Brady Perkins, Derek Gould, West and Spencer Waite tallied RBIs to go along with Waller and McDonald.

Perkins (four innings, five strikeouts) and Waller (three innings, three strikeouts) combined to fan eight West Springfield batters in the win.

Post 239 is now 8-0 this year, their next contest coming Tuesday evening at 5:45 p.m. in North Adams against Post 125.

Youth baseballLate weekend results

PVYBL Koufax Division

Amherst 18, Northampton 6 — Every player touched home for the Hurricanes, and the hitting attack was led by Nolan Ingram and Oliver Howard (two hits apiece) as well as Jack Cycz and Daniel LeBron (two RBIs each). Jesse Drinker reached base in each of his four plate appearances, Greg King scored three times, Oscar Petersen scored twice and Colin Beganny went 1-for-2 with two walks for Amherst.

Miles Cameron had Northampton’s sole RBI on a hard single to left, while Tommy Bixby, Owen Laudner, Bobby Matteis and Eze Torres all came around to score for the Blue Devils.

Amherst’s Gus Garrett Peltier earned the win with 3 1/3 no-hit innings for Amherst before Cyrus Arwade (four strikeouts) allowed just one run over the last two innings to seal the victory.