NORTHFIELD — After a big first inning for Pioneer, Riley Giard and the Mohawk Trail softball team shut the Panthers offense down the rest of the way. 

The Warriors got things going with two runs in the first inning but the Panthers responded by tacking four runs on the board in the bottom of the frame to take a 4-2 lead. 

Giard didn’t allow a hit the rest of the way while Mohawk Trail scored seven in the third, six in the fourth and four in the fifth to pull away with a 19-4 Franklin County League East victory in five innings on Thursday. 

“It was really good to see them turn it around there,” Warriors coach Sherri Lannon said. “It didn’t start out well but they got back in it. They’re really great kids and I’m so blessed to be coaching this group.” 

It was walks that did Pioneer in on Thursday. The Panthers had 23 Mohawk Trail runners reach base via walk or hit by pitch, with the Warriors staying patient at the plate to put runs on the board. 

“The biggest thing for us right now is that we have two brand new pitchers,” Panthers coach Marty Mulvihill said. “They’re learning on the job. It’s our biggest challenge. These girls stepped up to pitch but it’s hard for any one to go a full game. It’s not their fault. We knew pitching was going to be where we’re hurting this year after losing our starter from last year.” 

Sophia Goodnow walked in the first inning for Mohawk Trail, moved up a pair of bases on wild pitches and scored after Rachel Pease cracked a single to put the Warriors on the board. An error later allowed Pease to get home, giving Mohawk Trail its 2-0 lead. 

The Pioneer bats got it right back in the game. Allison Clary opened the bottom of the frame with a walk, Avery Johnson knocked a single and Jacobia Tyminski knocked Clary in with a base hit. 

Tyminski stole second to put runners on second and third for Kelly Baird, who blasted a single up the middle to bring Johnson and Tyminski home. Baird later made her way to third and scored on a wild pitch, giving the Panthers a 4-2 lead after one. 

Following a scoreless second inning, the Warriors took control of the game in the third as five of the first seven batters were walked while  the other two were hit by a pitch. Three run s were scored on wild pitches, two runs made it home via bases loaded walks before Addie Loomis and Goodnow each grounded out to bring in a run, giving Mohawk Trail a 9-4 lead going into the bottom of the third. 

The runs continued in the fourth. A trio of walks loaded the bases before an error allowed Adrian Grant to score. Loomis walked with the bases loaded to bring in a run before Kaylin Sumner, Abi Dobias, Loomis and Goodnow scored on wild pitches, giving the Warriors a 15-4 edge going into the bottom of the fourth. 

In the top of the fifth, Abby Moffatt scored on a wild pitch, Maddie Cosentino knocked a single to drive in Grant before Loomis crushed a double that drove in Shelby Collier and Emmalee Inman to close out the scoring for Mohawk Trail. 

Giard finished with 11 strikeouts for the Warriors. With a big senior class, Lannon said she’s hoping for a big season from her squad as it looks to build off 2023 and reach the MIAA Div. 5 state tournament for the second straight year. 

“We have six seniors,” Lannon said. “It’s going to be a great season. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do. After last season, I know the potential of this team. We want to build on that. They all want to get to states. We’re slowly setting goals and doing a lot of team bonding. I really enjoy what I do. They make it really easy to be the coach of this team.” 

With a young group, Mulvihill said the Panthers will be building and looking to get better with each game. 

“I know this year will be a rebuilding year,” Mulvihill said. “I have some solid kids coming back who are planning on staying here. That’s where we’re at right now.” 

Boys volleyball

Westfield 3, Frontier 0 — The Redhawks put up a fight against the defending MIAA Div. 2 state runners-up, but it was the Bombers that pulled away with a 25-16, 25-18, 25-11 victory in Westfield on Thursday. 

“We learned a lot as a team tonight,” Frontier coach Courtney Parent said. “The boys played tough against a very talented Westfield team.” 

Aleks Carey put down 13 kills and one ace, Jack Carey tallied eight kills and two aces, Theo Sargent and Evan Maio each made two digs while Tavo Vincent Warner dished 16 assists for the Redhawks. 

East Longmeadow 3, Athol 0 — Ben Mannheim put down 10 kills for the Spartans, allowing them to earn a 25-16, 25-12, 25-15 victory over the Bears at Mallet Gymnasium on Thursday.