GREENFIELD — An early lead for Hilltown Tents quickly evaporated against BankESB on Thursday in a Tri-County League Baseball contest. 

Hilltown raced out to a 6-0 lead after one but ESB kept chipping away, scoring three in the second and two in the fourth. Trailing 7-5 going into the sixth, ESB scored four runs, two on a base hit and two on an error, to take the lead. ESB added four runs in the seventh to pull away with a 13-7 triumph at Vets Field. 

“We scored six in the first inning and they were playing sloppy,” Hilltown’s Owen Phelps said. “We probably took them a little lightly. Right before playoffs, this is a good wake up call for us. It lets us know any given day anyone can beat anybody.” 

Colin Cloutier singled in Tyler Dubreuil to give Hilltown the opening lead of the game. Liam Datres de la Blotier followed with a base hit that scored Alex Gochinski and Cloutier, then Datres de la Blotier scored on a wild pitch before Michael Bassett and Dubreuil each recorded RBI singles, giving Hilltown its 6-0 lead after one. 

Jayden Rodriguez, Rosco Palmer and Cody Collins each knocked RBIs in the second to get ESB back in the game. Palmer, a former Mohawk Trail and Frontier player who went 3-for-5 on the day, singled in a run and later stole home in the fourth, cutting the lead to 6-5. 

Cloutier singled in the bottom of the fourth and Ben Arnold drove him in with a base hit to extend the Hilltown lead to 7-5, but the hosts would manage just two hits in the final three innings. 

Dylan Arooth hit a two-RBI single in the sixth that tied the game. With the bases loaded, an error on a throw to first allowed two runs to score to give ESB a 9-7 lead. 

Palmer, Collins and Arooth each drove in runs in the seventh to help ESB extend its lead. 

Phelps tossed the opening 5⅓ innings for Hilltown, striking out four. TJ Thibeault and Datres de la Blotier came on in relief in the loss. 

Kyle Nosca, Tyler McDonald (2) and Kevin Baumann also hit safely for Hilltown. 

With the playoffs right around the corner, Thursday’s loss served as a lesson for Hilltown (10-5) to not take any opponent lightly. 

“You don't want this game to happen two weeks from now,” Phelps said. “It’s unfortunate but it happens.” 

Golf

95th New England Amateur

A 2-under-par round of 70 helped the Country Club of Greenfield’s Ryan Cote finish strong on the final day of the 95th New England Amateur Golf Championship on Thursday at Laconia Country Club (N.H.).

Cote finished in a tie for 38th place, posting a three-day total of 1-over 217. He shot rounds of 76, 71 and 70.

On Thursday, Cote recorded four birdies against two bogeys.

CJ Winchenbaugh 0f Oyster Harbors Club (Mass.) edged Dedham’s John Broderick in a playoff to capture the New England title. The duo tied for first place after stroke play with 11-under 205s. Winchenbaugh came from far back on Thursday, firing an 11-under 61 to erase an eight-shot deficit entering the final round.

Timmons-Messer

John Paresky and Curt White carded the low gross of 34 in the Timmons-Messer League at Northfield Golf Club on Wednesday. 

Rob Schrader and Pete Mallet placed second (36). Nate Pecor and Jim Jason shot the low gross (24) followed by Bill Bourbeau and Don LaCoy (27). Closest to the pin winners were Jim Jason on No. 6 (five feet, 10 inches) and Neil Black on No. 7 (5-8). White was the match medalist with a 34. 

Running

Northfield Summer Road Race

Jacob Morrow-Spitzer won the 3-mile Northfield Summer Road Race on Thursday night, setting a new course record with a time of 17 minutes, 23 seconds.

Lily Kitfield-Vernon (24:37) was the first female finisher (10th overall). Rounding out the top five of 24 runners were Mike Townsley (19:52) finishing second, then Michael Bear (22:15), Charlie Widmann (22:16), and Matt Bassett (22:21)

30th Don Maynard Race

The 30th annual Don Maynard Memorial 5 Mile Run and 3 Mile Walk will be on held Saturday Sept. 21 at the Greenfield Municipal Swimming Area on Nash’s Mill Rd.

The race is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on the day of the race. T-shirts will be given to the first 50 registrants. To sign up beforehand visit runsignup.com. Any questions contact Chuck Adams at 413-522-6688. 

Field Hockey

Deerfield Rec programs

The Deerfield Recreation Department is holding its summer field hockey programs in August. 

The programs are for girls who live or attend schools in the towns of Conway, Deerfield, Sunderland and Whately. 

The first program is Union 38’s Intro to Field Hockey, which is for girls grades 1-4 who have never played the sport. The goal is to introduce the game and develop players through skills and drills. Sticks and shin guards are available the first night, with the program running on Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Frontier Regional School. There is no cost for this program. 

The Union 38 Summer Clinic is for girls grades 3-6 who are interested in playing on the Union 38 Frontier girls field hockey travel team. The focus is on skill development and learning different game scenarios. 

The clinic runs from Aug. 19-21, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at noon each day at Frontier Regional. The cost is $45, with equipment available for a $50 deposit. Contact the recreation department before the first day to arrange equipment pickup. 

Union 38 team tryouts will be on Aug. 22-23 at Frontier Regional, running from 9 a.m. until noon. The team is limited to 20 players in grades 4-6. Practices are held each Tuesday and Thursday at Frontier, with games being played against teams from Hampshire and Hampden County. 

The cost is $120 after team selection. Team uniforms are supplied but players must bring a mouthguard, water bottle and snack. 

To enroll in any program, contact the Deerfield Recreation Department at recdept@town.deerfield.ma.us or call 413-665-1400 ext. 107. 

Tennis

Beacon Red Clay Classic

The 2024 West County Cider Beacon Red Clay Classic is scheduled to begin Monday, July 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Beacon Field Clay Courts. 

The event is a men’s single tournament, and cost is $10. Registration closes on Saturday, July 20. Players must start play at 5:30 p.m. each day or be subject to default. Players must be available to play each day next week or until the draw is completed. Tennis balls will be supplied. 

For more information or to register, contact Tim Prevost at 413-773-8984.