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Articles by Ryan Ames
History in Hangzhou: Smith coach Greg Walker helps Team USA secure spot in 2028 Paralympics
NORTHAMPTON — The 2028 Paralympic Summer Games in Los Angeles will feature at least one local connection in Smith volleyball head coach Greg Walker. Walker guided Team USA’s Men’s National Sitting Team to a spot in the Games after qualifying at last month’s World ParaVolley Men’s World Championships in Hangzhou, China.
Sports Briefs: Easthampton’s Colin Larson wins CCBL John J. Claffey Award for top New England player
Easthampton native and Williston product, Colin Larson, was selected as the Cape Cod Baseball League’s John J. Claffey Award winner as the most outstanding New England player, on Wednesday. Larson is currently an outfielder for the Harwich Mariners and batted .264 with 24 runs scored during the regular season. The Mariners advanced to the second round of the playoffs Wednesday after sweeping the Brewster Whitecaps.
Forgotten footage tells story of Amherst ultimate’s memorable 2003 season
AMHERST — The sport of ultimate frisbee has a rich tradition in western Massachusetts, and specifically in the town of Amherst. Look no further than the Amherst Invitational, an annual high school ultimate tournament held at the University of Massachusetts. It dates to the early 1990s and is the longest-running tournament in the country.
Sports Briefs: Delaney Ochs wins multiple medals in national baton twirling championships
Delaney Ochs took home several medals in baton twirling as part of the season-ending slate for the Belchertown Twirlers. First, Ochs earned seventh place at the National Baton Twirling Association’s Championships in South Bend, Indiana. Ochs competed against twirlers from around the United States, Canada and elsewhere in the Advanced Solo Division at Notre Dame. Then, Ochs traveled to College Station, Pennsylvania two weeks later for The State Games of America National Championships.
Valley Blue Sox clinch 2026 NECBL playoff spot
The Valley Blue Sox clinched a spot in the 2026 NECBL playoffs following their 8-6 win over the Mystic Schooners at Mackenzie Stadium on Friday. The Blue Sox will now attempt to snag their third NECBL title in team history. The Blue Sox won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. One of the hottest teams in the NECBL over the last month, the Blue Sox closed the regular season winning eight of their final 10 games to secure a spot in the eight-team playoff tournament.
History in Hangzhou: Smith coach Greg Walker helps Team USA secure spot in 2028 Paralympics
NORTHAMPTON — The 2028 Paralympic Summer Games in Los Angeles will feature at least one local connection in Smith volleyball head coach Greg Walker. Walker guided Team USA’s Men’s National Sitting Team to a spot in the Games after qualifying at last month’s World ParaVolley Men’s World Championships in Hangzhou, China.
Sports Briefs: Two-Ball tournaments held at NCC, AGC
The Northampton Country Club held its Don O’Brien Two-Ball tournament over the weekend and five pairs of golfers finished in first place across three divisions of competition.
Local golf: Susan Teasley takes Women’s Club title at Amherst Golf Club
Susan Teasley secured the Women’s Club Championship at Amherst Golf Club earlier this month in a sudden-death playoff. Teasley defeated Michelle Morgan in the first hole of the playoff after the pair each shot 160 after 36 holes of competition. Teasley shot 77-83, while Morgan shot 81-79 to force the playoff. In the women’s 21-and-over division, Karen French claimed the title, shooting 102-107=209, while Kim Wright won the 9-hole division, carding a 47.
Amherst 14U caps off incredible PVYBL season on top, claims Koufax championship
In a rematch of its dramatic, walk-off victory a day prior, the Amherst 14U baseball team cruised past Brattleboro Maroon, 8-1, in the PVYBL championship game of the Koufax division playoffs at Deerfield Academy on Saturday. The Hurricanes scored eight unanswered runs following Brattleboro taking a 1-0 lead after just one inning, the bulk of which occurring during the bottom of the fifth when Amherst plated six straight runs.
Legion baseball: Northampton post 28 overpowered by Milford Post 59 in season-ending defeat
MILFORD — The Northampton Legion Post 28 baseball team lost in a lopsided, 24-5, elimination game to Milford Post 59 at the Senior State Legion Baseball tournament at Fino Field on Sunday afternoon. Milford raced out to a 5-0 lead during the top of the first inning, courtesy of four RBI base knocks, then blew the game open with a 12-run second inning, to hold a 17-0 advantage after two frames.
Amherst 14U wins PVYBL Koufax playoff thriller, 10-9, with walk-off bunt versus Brattleboro Maroon
AMHERST — The Amherst 14U baseball team executed the rare, walk-off bunt, in its 10-9 win against Brattleboro Maroon during the third round of the PVYBL Koufax division playoffs at Amherst Middle School on Friday. Tied 9-9 with the winning run 90 feet away at third base, Walker Austin dropped a dribbler down the third base line, forcing the Brattleboro third baseman to retrieve it.
TD Garden to host UMass men’s basketball for rematch with Boston College this fall
The UMass men’s basketball team announced it will take on in-state rival Boston College on Friday, Nov. 6 at TD Garden, on Friday. The matchup will be part of the Hall of Fame Series Boston, with both teams making their return to the Garden hardwood for the first time since facing off against each other in 2014. “What an incredible opportunity to once again play Boston College in our own state,” Minutemen head coach Frank Martin in a news release.
Granby’s Ryley Regan reaches quarterfinals of 93rd Massachusetts Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship
Granby’s Ryley Regan competed in the 93rd Massachusetts Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship at Ledges Golf Club in South Hadley earlier this week. Regan advanced to the quarterfinal round after shooting four-over during the first two days of competition, which entailed 18-hole stroke play on Monday and Tuesday. Regan carded a 76 on Monday before firing an even-par round of 72 on Tuesday.
Sheffield Post 340 falls at Northampton in American Legion District Tournament
FLORENCE — Nine years of waiting is over. The Northampton Legion Post 28 baseball team is heading to the Massachusetts Legion Senior State tournament for the first time since 2017, after winning the District 3B playoff division on Wednesday. Northampton overcame Sheffield Post 340, 6-2, at Arcanum Field to punch its ticket to the eight-team statewide tournament, which begins on Saturday in Milford.
Youth baseball: Top seed Amherst advances in Koufax playoffs after blowout win over West County
The Amherst youth baseball team began its PVYBL Koufax division playoff slate with a bang, taking down West County, 18-5, at Amherst Middle School on Monday. The top-seeded Hurricanes strung together 11 hits in the five-inning affair. Oliver Howard concluded with three RBIs in a 3-for-4 performance while Cyrus Arwade, Nick Stinson and Gus Garrett Peltier recorded multiple hits.
Legion baseball: Andrew Gagne’s no-hitter extends Northampton Post 28’s win streak to eight
Andrew Gagne powered the Northampton Legion Post 28 baseball team with a five-inning no-hitter in its 10-0 win over Sheffield Post 340 on Saturday at Arcanum Field. Gagne walked one and fanned 11 batters over five innings before the run-rule was enacted when Northampton scored in the bottom of the fifth. The victory counted as Post 28’s eighth straight. Gagne retired the first 13 batters he faced before walking a batter with one out in the fifth. It was the only Sheffield base runner to reach base.
Local golf: Susan Teasley takes Women’s Club title at Amherst Golf Club
Susan Teasley secured the Women’s Club Championship at Amherst Golf Club over the weekend in a sudden-death playoff. Teasley defeated Michelle Morgan in the first hole of the playoff after the pair each shot 160 after 36 holes of competition. Teasley shot 77-83, while Morgan shot 81-79 to force the playoff. In the women’s 21-and-over division, Karen French claimed the title, shooting 102-107=209, while Kim Wright won the 9-hole division, carding a 47.
Letting it fly: Golfer Bill Wonkka wins car with hole-in-one at fundraiser for Northampton Senior Center
NORTHAMPTON — A hole-in-one is the ultimate accomplishment in the game of golf given its rarity and level of difficulty to accomplish… that is, for most amateur golfers. Bill Wonkka, of Templeton, earned an ace at last month’s Swing for Seniors 3 fundraiser golf tournament, to benefit the Northampton Senior Center, at Saint Anne Country Club in Feeding Hills for Wonkka’s 26th career hole-in-one.
Legion baseball: James Lavalle tosses two-hitter as Northampton Post 28 advances in playoffs
FLORENCE — Make it seven straight wins for the Northampton Legion Post 28 baseball team following its 7-1 victory over Belchertown Post 239 at Arcanum Field on Thursday night. After falling behind 1-0 during the top of the second inning, Northampton scored seven unanswered runs to advance in the winners bracket of the District 3 playoffs. “We played a really good baseball game and that’s a really good team,” Post 28 head coach Adam Krol said.
Sports Briefs: Amherst youth baseball heads into Koufax playoffs as top seed
The Amherst youth baseball team capped off its regular season on a high note, defeating West County, 9-6, in PVYBL Koufax division play at Amherst Middle School on Thursday. Sean Lucien led the way on offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, triple and two RBIs, while Jack Bajnoci served as the Hurricanes ace, surrendering just two runs from the mound in 4 1/3 innings of work for the win. Amherst will be the No. 1 seed when playoffs begin next week.
Legion baseball: James Lavalle tosses two-hitter as Northampton Post 28 advances in playoffs
FLORENCE — Make it seven straight wins for the Northampton Legion Post 28 baseball team following its 7-1 victory over Belchertown Post 239 at Arcanum Field on Thursday night. After falling behind 1-0 during the top of the second inning, Northampton scored seven unanswered runs to advance in the winners bracket of the District 3 playoffs. “We played a really good baseball game and that’s a really good team,” Post 28 head coach Adam Krol said.
Letting it fly: Golfer Bill Wonkka wins car with hole-in-one at fundraiser for senior center
NORTHAMPTON — A hole-in-one is the ultimate accomplishment in the game of golf given its rarity and level of difficulty to accomplish… that is, for most amateur golfers. Bill Wonkka, of Templeton, earned an ace at last month’s Swing for Seniors 3 fundraiser golf tournament, to benefit the Northampton Senior Center, at Saint Anne Country Club in Feeding Hills for Wonkka’s 26th career hole-in-one.
Youth baseball: Northampton blasts Brattleboro Maroon behind Dylan Lawrence-Riddell’s seven strikeouts
Dylan Lawrence-Riddell paced the Northampton youth baseball team in its 12-1 win against Brattleboro Maroon in PVYBL Koufax division action on Monday at Tenney Field. The hurler earned the win for Northampton, surrendering two hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings, while striking out seven. Miles Cameron appeared in relief and closed out the contest for Northampton.
Letting it fly: Golfer Bill Wonkka wins car with hole-in-one at fundraiser for Northampton Senior Center
NORTHAMPTON — A hole-in-one is the ultimate accomplishment in the game of golf given its rarity and level of difficulty to accomplish… that is, for most amateur golfers. Bill Wonkka, of Templeton, earned an ace at last month’s Swing for Seniors 3 fundraiser golf tournament, to benefit the Northampton Senior Center, at Saint Anne Country Club in Feeding Hills for Wonkka’s 26th career hole-in-one.
Sports Briefs: Northampton Post 28 baseball enters postseason winners of six straight
The Northampton Legion Post 28 baseball team is red hot entering the postseason as it won its sixth straight game to close out its regular-season slate with a 2-1 victory over Westfield Post 124 on Monday. Post 28 potted both runs in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from Pat Millin and a RBI double from J.J. Scanlon-Dean. Harry LaFlamme secured the win on the mound, tossing five innings while allowing one run and five hits. Matt Vassallo threw the final two innings, not allowing a run.
Youth baseball: GAA 12U baseball sweeps Granite Valley Gunners to capture J.S.L. title
The Granby Athletic Association (GAA) 12U baseball team won the J.S.L. championship after taking down the Granite Valley Gunners in a best-of-three series on Monday, June 29. Granby used a strong pitching performance from Ivan Dusza (eight strikeouts) and three hits from Thomas Curran to cruise to a 12-2 victory in Game 1. Game 2 was a back-and-forth barn-burner, with Granby securing the clinching win in extra innings by a 19-18 score.
Sports Briefs: Second annual Tim Welch Memorial Golf Tournament set for September
The second Tim Welch Memorial Golf Tournament, Tee Off for Tim, will be held Sept. 13, 2026, at East Mountain Country Club in Westfield. Check in starts at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Tim Welch, a Holyoke native, who died unexpectedly in November of 2024 at age 40, had been a plumber for 20 years and was known for mentoring apprentice plumbers.
Northampton Post 28 picks up third straight win
The Northampton Legion Post 28 baseball team grabbed a crucial, 7-1, win over East Springfield Post 420 at Central High School on Wednesday night. James Lavallee pitched a gem for Post 28, tossing six innings with one run and three hits allowed while racking up six strikeouts. Carter Styspeck and Harry LaFlamme each pounded two-RBI hits for Northampton, while Andrew Gagne added a pair of base knocks as well. Matt Vassallo threw the final frame on the bump for Post 28.
Youth baseball: GAA 12U baseball sweeps Granite Valley Gunners to capture J.S.L. title
The Granby Athletic Association (GAA) 12U baseball team won the J.S.L. championship after taking down the Granite Valley Gunners in a best-of-three series on Monday, June 29. Granby used a strong pitching performance from Ivan Dusza (eight strikeouts) and three hits from Thomas Curran to cruise to a 12-2 victory in Game 1. Game 2 was a back-and-forth barn-burner, with Granby securing the clinching win in extra innings by a 19-18 score.
Blue Sox break losing streak with 2-1 walk-off win over SteepleCats
HOLYOKE — Small ball was alive and well in the Valley Blue Sox’s 2-1 walk-off win against the North Adams SteepleCats at Mackenzie Stadium on Wednesday. During the bottom of the 11th inning with the score tied, 1-1, the Blue Sox executed two perfect sacrifice bunts to best their Western Mass. rivals as well as secure their first win in seven games.
Local baseball: Northampton Post 28 comes back to beat Longmeadow Post 175
The Northampton Post 28 Legion baseball team got its revenge against Longmeadow Post 175 in its 7-5 win at Russell Field on Wednesday. Post 28 erased a 5-3 deficit by scoring four runs in the fifth to pick up its sixth win of the season, just two days after a 13-3 drubbing from Post 175. Andrew Gagne grabbed the win for Northampton, pitching 4 2/3 innings and posting seven strikeouts while allowing no hits or batters to reach base.
Blue Sox break losing streak with 2-1 walk-off win over SteepleCats
HOLYOKE — Small ball was alive and well in the Valley Blue Sox’s 2-1 walk-off win against the North Adams SteepleCats at Mackenzie Stadium on Wednesday. During the bottom of the 11th inning with the score tied, 1-1, the Blue Sox executed two perfect sacrifice bunts to best their Western Mass. rivals as well as secure their first win in seven games.
UMass hockey to add 12 newcomers to 2026-27 roster
The UMass hockey team has finalized its incoming class as 12 newcomers are expected to hit the ice for the Minutemen during the 2026-27 season. Seven forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders make up UMass’ class, with several newcomers belonging or soon-to-be belonging to NHL clubs as draft picks. Two of the 12 players were transfer additions for the Minutemen.
Sports Briefs: Multiple Paper City Flyers qualify for USATF National Junior Olympics
Athletes from the Paper City Flyers Track & Field program delivered standout performances at the USATF Regional Championships held at Gordon College, earning multiple podium finishes and national qualifying spots for the upcoming USATF National Junior Olympics in California. Leading the group was Ava Rios of Holyoke, who captured first place in the shot put and second place in the javelin, securing her qualification for the national championship meet.
Landon Nycz highlights UMass hockey’s loaded 2026 NHL Draft class
Eight players affiliated with the UMass hockey team were selected during Day 2 of the NHL Draft on Saturday. Rising sophomore defenseman Landon Nycz went to the St. Louis Blues with the 107th overall pick (fourth round). Nycz had three points in 35 games with the Minutemen as a true freshman and was the only current UMass player to be plucked by an NHL squad on the weekend.
Sports Briefs: Amherst picks up multiple wins in PVYBL action
Cyrus Arwade led Amherst past West County, 16-8, with a dominant performance on the mound in PVYBL Koufax Division play at Mohawk Regional School on Wednesday. Arwade sat down the first three batters of the game on strikes, while the Hurricanes’ offense potted six runs in the top half of the inning to get out to a healthy lead. The ‘Canes collected 14 hits in the victory, with two doubles from Oliver Howard and Jack Bajnoci and a three-bagger from Agho Mankin.
UMass hockey to add 12 newcomers to 2026-27 roster
The UMass hockey team has finalized its incoming class as 12 newcomers are expected to hit the ice for the Minutemen during the 2026-27 season. Seven forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders make up UMass’ class, with several newcomers belonging or soon-to-be belonging to NHL clubs as draft picks. Two of the 12 players were transfer additions for the Minutemen.
Sports Briefs: Amherst Golf Club crowns Appleby, Gere as Special Cup champs
Marie Appleby won the Amherst Golf Club’s Special Cup with a net 65 over the weekend. Appleby was the 18-hole net champion of the event, which has been played since 1901. Claudia Gere claimed the 9-hole net title, shooting a 34. Amherst Golf Club will host the Steamboat Member-Guest tournament next, starting on Friday, June 26. Legion baseball Northampton Post 28 fell to West Springfield Post 207, 7-4, at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford, Conn., on Sunday morning.
Sports Briefs: Trevor Sullivan earns podium finish at New Balance Nationals, sets school record in 2-mile
South Hadley’s Trevor Sullivan set a new school record during the New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet in Philadelphia on Friday. Sullivan competed in the freshman 2-mile race and ran to a sixth-place finish in 9:30.19, setting a new personal-best in the process. Sullivan finished about seven seconds behind Fisher Carroll of Wisconsin, who won the 2-mile race in 9:23.43.
Holyoke youth track stars qualify for USATF Region 1 Junior Olympics
Holyoke’s youth track and field program, the Paper City Flyers, had several standout performances at the Region 1 USATF Junior Olympic Qualifying Meet at Fitchburg State last weekend. Fourteen Flyers competed in the event and 10 advanced to the next round of competition. Among the top team finishers included Esther Nwabunor, the winner of the 800-meter hurdles championship in the girls 11-12 division and Ava Rios, the runner-up in the shot put in the girls 9-10 division.
Sports Briefs: Paul Appleby excels at Amherst Golf Club Senior Club Championship
The Amherst Golf Club held its Senior Club Championship last weekend and four different trophies were awarded. Paul Appleby took home half of the hardware, winning the Rocking Chair Net Senior Club Championship with a net 64 and the Roy Gage Trophy for low net for players over 65. Deron Estes won the Shumway Trophy with a gross score of 77 and Jay Morgan won the Kuzmiski Trophy for players over 65 with a gross score of 79.
Legion baseball: East Springfield Post 420 shuts out Northampton Post 28 at home
The Northampton Post 28 Legion baseball team fell victim to a hot pitcher in its 6-0 loss to East Springfield Post 420 at Arcanum Field in Florence on Monday. Post 420’s Aiden Archeval gave up just one hit and fanned 12 Northampton batters in the sparkling six-inning outing. Matt Walko and James Lavalle poked hits for Post 28, which fell to 2-2 on the season.
Sports Briefs: Amherst’s defense steps up in win over Frontier in PVYBL Koufax play
Several stellar defensive plays powered Amherst past Frontier, 13-2, in PVYBL Koufax Division action at Amherst Middle School on Friday. Walker Austin tracked down a deep ball in right-center field early in the contest for the first noteworthy snag. Gus Garrett Peltier then handled two liners at the mound, forcing a double play on one, before Carl Larsen had the play of the game in the sixth inning, hauling in a pop fly in foul territory along right field with a sliding catch.
Sports Briefs: Northampton 12U softball claims District 2 Little League title
The Northampton 12U softball team secured the 2026 Massachusetts District 2 Little League championship after rallying to defeat Wilbraham, 4-3, on Tuesday. Trailing 2-1, the Blue Devils scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning off RBI hits from Annalia Palladino and Maya Coates to go ahead, 3-2. An RBI triple from the Falcons in the sixth evened the score at 3-3 and forced extra innings, where Northampton quickly regained the lead on an RBI single from Sylvia Berthe.
Legion baseball: Harry LaFlamme’s stellar pitching leads Northampton Post 28 past West Springfield Post 207
The Northampton Post 28 Legion baseball team got back on the right track in its 10-2 win over West Springfield Post 207 at Arcanum Field on Wednesday night. Two days after suffering a 18-2 defeat in its season-opener against Greenfield Post 81, Harry LaFlamme’s three-hitter brought Northampton’s record back even at 1-1. LaFlamme went all seven innings on the bump and added seven strikeouts in the victory for the hosts.
Sports Briefs: Paul Appleby excels at Amherst Golf Club Senior Club Championship
The Amherst Golf Club held its Senior Club Championship last weekend and four different trophies were awarded. Paul Appleby took home half of the hardware, winning the Rocking Chair Net Senior Club Championship with a net 64 and the Roy Gage Trophy for low net for players over 65. Deron Estes won the Shumway Trophy with a gross score of 77 and Jay Morgan won the Kuzmiski Trophy for players over 65 with a gross score of 79.
MIAA boys tennis: PVCICS’ season ends in narrow defeat to Cohasset in Div. 4 Round of 8
The PVCICS boys tennis team’s season came to a close in the Round of 8 of the MIAA Division 4 tournament, falling 3-2 to Cohasset, at Hampshire College on Friday. The third-seeded Dragons needed to win the last match of the contest –first doubles– to advance past the sixth-seeded Skippers as the first four matches resulted in a 2-2 split.
Local results from Day 1 of MIAA Meet of Champions
The MIAA Meet of Champions kicked off on Thursday at Merrimack College in North Andover and several local outdoor track and field athletes turned in notable performances. Holyoke’s Yasani Thompson had the best finish of area athletes, taking third in the girls 200-meter final. Thompson crossed the finish line in 24.82 seconds. Amherst’s Nico Lisle claimed a top-five finish as well, dashing to fourth place in the boys 800.
NECBL: Blue Sox squander lead in ninth, start 2026 season with tie
The Valley Blue Sox opened the 2026 NECBL season with a 2-2 tie against the Newport Gulls at Mackenzie Stadium on Thursday. Ahead 2-0 in the ninth inning, the Blue Sox allowed a RBI double and single in the frame to extend the season-opener to extras. While each team earned a ghost runner on second base to start innings 10 and 11, neither could plate the deciding run, forcing the deadlocked final score.
MIAA softball: Easthampton lets late lead slip away in eight-inning loss to Academy of Notre Dame in Div. 4 prelims
EASTHAMPTON — The No. 27 Easthampton softball team lost a heartbreaking, extra-innings battle, 9-7, to the No. 38 Academy of Notre Dame in the MIAA Division 4 state tournament preliminary round on Friday night. Heading into the seventh inning up 4-2, the Eagles struggled to shut the door and close the game out. The Lancers’ bats got going immediately, putting a run on the board before recording an out.
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