Northfield’s Andy Lesenski tied for fourth place overall, finishing just outside a top two spot that would have punched him a ticket to the next round of U.S. Open qualifying, Tuesday.
Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield was the site of a local qualifier for the 119th U.S. Open on Tuesday. The top two golfers advanced to Sectional qualifying, the last round necessary to earn a spot in the field at the June event held at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Jared Nelson of Rutland, Vt. and Mark Purrington of Dartmouth tied for first place, firing identical 3-under rounds of 69 to snag the two spots Berkshire Hills was awarded into sectionals. Garren Poirier of Killington, Vt. wound up in solo third place with a 2-under 70, with a Lesenski and two others tying for fourth with even-par rounds of 72. The former Greenfield and Turners Falls High School star recorded four birdies and four bogeys in his round.
In local qualifying on Monday, South Deerfield’s Jonathan Elkins shot 7-over 79 and finished out of the mix in the tournament held at Lyman Orchards Golf Club (Jones Course) in Middlefield, Conn. Four golfers in the 66-player field were awarded berths into sectional qualifying, with Chris Houston of Gilford, N.H. earning the top spot with a 3-under 69.
The Bay State will be conducting one additional U.S. Open qualifier this week. On Thursday at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, five competitors will advance to the sectional round of U.S. Open qualifying stage.
CCG 18-hole league
Margo Worden, Maureen Barclay, Gail Miller and Phyllis Canon posted a winning score of even-par 72, leading the way at Tuesday’s Country Club of Greenfield 18-Hole League.
Matt’s Men’s League
Jon Snow knew something, Tuesday.
He carded low gross (38) and low net (32) totals to lead the pack in the opening week at the Matt’s Men’s League, played at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls.
Bob Samson was closest to the pin on No. 7 (10 feet, 3 inches), and Charlie McCracken was closest on No. 9 (14-2).
George Handschuh and Jon Snow scored the most points with 5½.
GMLB
Behind a four-run fourth inning, Rotary Club snuck past Freedom Credit Union, 7-5, in a Greenfield Minor League Baseball AAA Division contest Tuesday night at Lunt Field.
Mike Cyhowski led the Rotary Club with two hits, while Brayleigh Burgh drove in two runs with a double. Ethan Burgh and Nolan Kalinowski each singled, and Jackson Glazier closed out the game striking out the side.
Freedom’s Chase Zraunig paced his team’s offense with two hits. Austin Drowski, Bryce Drowski and Landen Benz all singled.
• In other AAA action, Mason Fiorey and Hunter Donahue combined to strike out 11 batters as Smitty’s Pub defeated Sandri Plumbing, 10-2.
Malik Moore went 3-for-3 and Fiorey went added two hits to pace the offense.
Xavier Lackey, C.J. Halla and Rylin Koscinski all had a hit for Sandri’s.
• Elsewhere, Aiden Shea, Conner Bergeron and Arthur Fitzpatrick combined to strike out 10 as Denny’s Pantry bested Aubuchon Hardware, 6-2.
Shea had three hits including a triple in the win, and Judah Glenn had two hits and scored twice. Bergeron added a bunt single to drive in the eventual game-winning run, and William Renaud had a hit.
David Knox, Bradley Welcome, Brody Welcome and Bodie Burke combined to strike out 11 in the loss. Nico Siano had three hits, while Brody Welcome and Chris Chabott each had a hit.
GGSL
Savannah Brown, Emilie Cleveland and Autumn Thornton each had four hits on Tuesday to lead the Purple Panthers to a 12-4 win over Pelletier Electric in a Greenfield Girls Softball League Ponytail Division game at Murphy Park in Greenfield.
Markie Vachula-Curtis added three hits in the win.
Ashlyn Koscinski and Madisyn Pelletier each had three hits for Pelletier, while Lilly Laprade and Maya Laprade finished with two hits apiece.
Amherst tourney this weekend
Thirty-two teams — ranging from as far away as Illinois and Pennsylvania — will participate in the 28th annual Amherst Invitational Tournament this weekend, including two of the top-ranked boys teams in the country.
Host Amherst Regional High School’s boys varsity team is ranked No. 2 in the country, according to Ultiworld, a website devoted to the sport of Ultimate Frisbee. The nation’s number one boys’ team, Columbia High School (Maplewood, N.J.) will also be on hand.
In the girls’ division, Amherst is currently ranked 12th in the nation. The girls team from Four Rivers Charter School in Greenfield, which is ranked 15th in the country, will also be participating.
Other local teams will include girls from Northfield Mount Hermon and Deerfield Academy. In the Open Division, teams from Frontier Regional School, Deerfield Academic, and NMH are in the field.
Games start at 9 a.m. Saturday and continue through the afternoon. There will be more games on Sunday morning starting at 8 a.m.. Finals are set for Sunday afternoon at 2 and 4 p.m., with all games at Amherst Regional High School and Amherst Regional Middle School. Games on Saturday will be played at Community Field (across from the high school).
Greenfield Co-Rec
Luis Melendez finished 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double and seven RBIs to lead Beck’s Automotive to a 21-6 win over Penfield, Tuesday in Greenfield Co-Rec Adult Softball League action at Green River Field in Greenfield.
Maddy Atkocaitis and Ashley Parker each went 3-for-4 in the win, and Sunny Lucas went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles.
Ainslee Penfield doubled in the loss.
Bluefish registrations
The Montague Parks & Recreation Department is accepting registrations for the Summer Bluefish swim team.
The Bluefish are a competitive/recreational swim team that competes in the Pioneer Valley Swim League. Participation is open to all area youth who are able to successfully complete an in-pool swim test. Practice begins May 13 and meets are held Saturdays and occasional Tuesdays through the end of July. Rates vary.
For more information check out the team’s website at montaguebluefish.com or contact the Recreation Department at 863-3216 or email recdir@montague-ma.gov.