Div. 4 softball: Raine Wonsey, Frontier blank South Hadley 5-0 in Round of 16 (PHOTOS)

Frontier Regional's Raine Wonsey pitches the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Raine Wonsey pitches the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Isabella Schaeffer pitches the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

South Hadley's Isabella Schaeffer pitches the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Ashley Taylor runs toward third base during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Ashley Taylor runs toward third base during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Addie Ehle, left, slides home as South Hadley's Isabella Schaeffer receives a pass during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Addie Ehle, left, slides home as South Hadley's Isabella Schaeffer receives a pass during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Kayleigh Walsh watches the game during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

South Hadley's Kayleigh Walsh watches the game during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Samantha Laflesh hits the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

South Hadley's Samantha Laflesh hits the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Whitney Campbell looks to hit the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Whitney Campbell looks to hit the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Delaney

Frontier Regional's Delaney "Lu" Fifield (12) fist-bumps Head Coach Garrett Deane during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Addie Ehle, left, Liv Machon, center, and Ashley Taylor, right, cartwheel before the start of an inning during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Addie Ehle, left, Liv Machon, center, and Ashley Taylor, right, cartwheel before the start of an inning during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Raine Wonsey pitches the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Raine Wonsey pitches the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Delaney

Frontier Regional's Delaney "Lu" Fifield, left, prepares to bat during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Grace Watyszewski throws a fielded ball to first base during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

South Hadley's Grace Watyszewski throws a fielded ball to first base during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional Head Coach Garrett Deane, right, talks to the team before the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional Head Coach Garrett Deane, right, talks to the team before the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Sophia Pinardi (15) high-fives Assistant Coach Larry Laclaire during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Sophia Pinardi (15) high-fives Assistant Coach Larry Laclaire during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Skyler Steele (10) attempts to catch a fly ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Skyler Steele (10) attempts to catch a fly ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Addie Ehle yells after a second bunt attempt is called foul during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Addie Ehle yells after a second bunt attempt is called foul during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Delaney

Frontier Regional's Delaney "Lu" Fifield looks at her bat in between pitches during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Addie Ehle bunts the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Addie Ehle bunts the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Natalie Wells (20) smiles while scoring a run during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Natalie Wells (20) smiles while scoring a run during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Liv Machon attempts to catch a fly ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Liv Machon attempts to catch a fly ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Karli Carmody catches a fly ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

South Hadley's Karli Carmody catches a fly ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Ryley McMahon bites her nails during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

South Hadley's Ryley McMahon bites her nails during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Skyler Steele looks to field a ground ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Skyler Steele looks to field a ground ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Frontier Regional's Sophia Pinardi prepares for a pitch during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

Frontier Regional's Sophia Pinardi prepares for a pitch during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against South Hadley at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Grace Matyszewski, left, attempts to tag Frontier Regional's Delaney

South Hadley's Grace Matyszewski, left, attempts to tag Frontier Regional's Delaney "Lu" Fifield (12) during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. Fifield would be called safe at third base. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

South Hadley's Sophia Butler hits the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield.

South Hadley's Sophia Butler hits the ball during the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 softball game against Frontier Regional at Frontier Regional High School, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in South Deerfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

By GARRETT COTE

Staff Writer

Published: 06-04-2025 8:54 PM

SOUTH DEERFIELD — For the third time in just over two weeks, the Frontier and South Hadley softball teams squared off – this edition coming in the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16 with a trip to the quarterfinals on the line on Wednesday afternoon.

The No. 8 Redhawks – which fell to the No. 9 Tigers 2-1 in the Western Mass. Class B semifinals on May 25 after winning 4-2 in the two teams’ regular-season finale on May 19 – used small ball to score three runs in the bottom of the sixth and take a 5-0 lead into the final frame.

Star pitcher Raine Wonsey took it from there, fanning a pair of South Hadley batters before getting Sienna LaFlesh to ground out to second and secure Frontier the rubber-match win and a date with No. 1 Hampshire Regional in the Div. 4 Elite Eight. Wonsey’s complete-game shutout was highlighted by 11 strikeouts and zero walks as she allowed just three base runners all day.

With Tigers ace Ella Schaeffer on the other side, Frontier head coach Gary Deane knew it was essential to limit the South Hadley offense. And Wonsey did exactly that.

“We had a feeling it was going to be a low-scoring game,” Deane said. “We didn’t pitch Raine in the last game, so she was full-tilt, as you could see. She threw a ton of strikes. We had to keep them off the bases, because Ella, their pitcher, is fantastic. And she nearly shut down Hampshire in the Western Mass. final – it was a 1-0 game.”

Ahead 2-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Frontier put together a string of successful bunts – something the Hawks have worked on all season – that South Hadley struggled to field. With one out and nobody on, Wonsey was intentionally walked for the third time to put a runner on first.

Sophia Pinardi then ripped a single up the middle to put runners on first and second for Addie Ehle, who laid a perfect bunt down the third base line and beat it out, loading the bases. Abigail Schreiber then bunted one and took off for first, and Schaeffer had no other choice but to throw it that way. The ball deflected off the glove of South Hadley’s Samantha LaFlesh and out of play, plating two runs for the Redhawks. Ehle made it a three-spot for Frontier after coming around to score on a wild pitch.

It was the bottom of the Redhawks order generating some offense in a big-time spot.

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“We’ve won games where the top of the lineup wins the game offensively, certainly the middle of the lineup at times and today, that bottom of the order laying down some high-pressure, two-strike bunts, those were huge,” Deane said.

Coming into Wednesday’s game, both squads were well aware what they were in for. Typically in the state tournament, teams run into an out-of-region opponent that they’ve never played before, and it makes scouting much more difficult (Frontier hosted Ayer Shirley in the Round of 32 while South Hadley hosted Northbridge, for example). But having played each other twice in the last 15 days, both coaches admitted postgame they were ready for just about everything.

South Hadley head coach Arianna Williams said she preferred playing against a team she’s seen multiple times, leaning in to the chess match-like preparation.

“Obviously we were both well-aware of how each other plays and how the players each play individually, so that’s definitely an advantage [rather than not knowing anything about a team],” Williams said. “Not a lot of teams are able to see a team they’re already familiar with, especially this far into the tournament. So that was cool that we were able to have the chance to do it against Frontier.”

The Tigers’ best shot to get to Wonsey came in the top of the fourth. Samantha LaFlesh beat out a slow-rolling infield single to give South Hadley a leadoff runner on for the second time. Schaeffer then stepped up and hit a bullet to right field that had double written all over it. However Ehle tracked it down and made a fantastic catch in right field for the Redhawks. Next up was Sophia Butler, who sent a long fly ball out to center field, but Olivia Machon caught it just a few steps in front of the fence.

Ryley McMahon ended the frame with a sharply hit ground ball to Skyler Steele at short, who fielded it cleanly and threw a dart to Pinardi at first to barely beat McMahon. Three hard-hit balls off of Wonsey, three outs after working the leadoff batter aboard.

“Unfortunately that’s been happening a lot lately,” Williams said. “We’re able to hit the ball, but we can’t place it in the sweet spots, we just kind of hit it right to their gloves – which is sad. We get people on first, then it’s really difficult to get them around. A few little things here and there that we could’ve done better, and I think we could have had them. We’ve done it before.”

Frontier got the scoring started early, as Ashley Taylor drew a walk on a full-count after an impressive first at-bat of the game for the Hawks. Two batters later, Delaney Fifield ripped a double to the fence that brought Taylor all the way around to score. In the bottom of the third, Taylor again drew a leadoff walk and again two batters later, Fifield sent one out to the outfield. This time it bounced off a South Hadley glove and allowed Taylor to the plate, making it 2-0 in favor of the hosts.

“To get a run early and keep chipping away… We took a big breath of relief thinking two [runs] might be enough,” Deane said.

Next up for Frontier is the top seed in Division 4, the Raiders of Hampshire Regional. The game is set for Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in Westhampton.

The Redhawks put up a great fight in the two teams’ only meeting this season, losing 6-4 all the way back on March 28. Hampshire is now 22-1 and its only loss came to the No. 2 seed in Division 1, Wachusett. Frontier knows it’ll be its toughest test yet.

“They’re an unbelievable team,” Deane said of the Raiders. “After they beat us, they went on to win like 17 in a row. We know we have our hands full. It’s going to be a tough battle, but we’ll start preparing [on Thursday] and we’ll see what happens.”

For South Hadley (14-9), its season ends in the Round of 16 but the Tigers had a terrific campaign, finishing as the Class B runners-up to Hampshire in a game they lost 1-0. Schaeffer sat 10 Redhawk batters down in her final high school game, finishing a stellar career that saw her accumulate over 1,000 career strikeouts.