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NEW YORK — Rookie Brett Gardner singled home the winning run off Jonathan Papelbon with two outs in the 10th inning last night, and the New York Yankees overcame a two-run deficit to beat the Red Sox 5-4 for a four-game split.

Determining the best of anything is always a subjective process. As the cliché goes, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

First in a series on Cape Cod's public golf courses

NANTUCKET — Mark Heartfield doesn't worry so much anymore about fashion on the golf course. He wears a hat with a four-inch brim and he lathers on plenty of sunscreen.

Brittany Weddell of Buzzards Bay continues to play well this summer. She recently qualified for her second USGA national championship when she made the cut for U.S. Junior Girls.

The site of the Cape Pros Challenge, hosted by Carri Wood and Jason Caron, has been switched from Blue Rock to Hyannis Golf Course.

You might know their names - it seems they're at the club from morning to night, running the shop, giving lessons, offering advice on that new driver or putter.

The following are the Cape Cod Junior Golf Association tee times for Wednesday July 9, 2008 at Olde Barnstable Golf Course

COTUIT — The Hyannis Mets found some much needed offense to beat Cotuit 5-2 and take sole possession of first place in the Western Division.

ORLEANS — In a matchup that featured the two top teams in the Cape Cod Amateur Soccer League, Falmouth United and Nauset Storm played to a 2-2 deadlock under the lights at Eldredge Park.

WIMBLEDON, England — Back and forth they went in the Wimbledon final, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the two greatest tennis players of their generation producing one of the greatest matches of any generation on the sport's grandest stage.

Ahmed is the first repeat player of the year and joins Scott Barnes of Cathedral as the only players to win player and pitcher of the year honors.

By CHRIS KENNEDY
ckennedy@repub.com

One rough inning to close his season may have disappointed Nick Ahmed, but it did not overshadow the East Longmeadow senior's many accomplishments.

Ahmed, who pitched and played shortstop for the Spartans, earned The Republican's Player of the Year for the second straight season, and he was also selected the Pitcher of the Year.

The Republican file photoNick Ahmed of East Longmeadow was named The Republican's high school baseball player and pitcher of the year.

East Longmeadow has won the last two Suburban League titles and also took home the 2007 Western Massachusetts Division I title - all while posting a 38-7 overall record.

"The last two years have been the most fun I've ever had," Ahmed said. "We had two great groups of kids. I couldn't have asked for anything more."

Ahmed, who will play baseball at the University of Connecticut, is the only player to be named player of the year in two different seasons. He also joins Scott Barnes of Cathedral as the only player to capture both player and pitcher honors in the same year. The awards were instituted in 1996, and Ahmed is the only East Longmeadow player to be honored.

Andrew Siano of Cathedral was named the top defensive player. The center fielder will play at the University of Hartford.

Ahmed hit .437 with 22 RBIs during the regular season, and he also posted a 7-1 record with 0.82 earned run average and 62 strikeouts in 51 innings. He then pitched one-hit ball for six innings against Agawam in the Western Massachusetts Division I quarterfinals before the Brownies erased a 7-0 deficit with nine runs in the top of seventh inning en route to an incredible, 9-7 victory. It was only the second loss in Ahmed's high school career, and it was the only time he took the loss in a game he started.

"It was definitely tough to get over that; it took a while," Ahmed said. "You just learn that you can't get everyone out, that you can't win every game."

East Longmeadow still enjoyed a successful season, opening with 15 straight wins before posting a 3-2 record while playing five straight days in the final week of the season. The Spartans lost both of those games by one run. It was a somewhat surprising run for a team that had suffered a half dozen or so key losses to graduation off that 2007 title team.

East Longmeadow still had Ahmed, though, and he had spent the off-season prior to his senior year strengthening his game. His signature performance for 2008 was a perfect game thrown in an 8-0 victory over Belchertown. He fanned the first eight hitters and 14 in all.

"I think I was a stronger player mentally, and I worked to become a better leader," he said. "I don't think we were expected to have as good a season as we had."

After playing this summer, Ahmed will move on to UConn. He will have his chance to earn time on the mound or in the field at the Big East school.

"I'm excited go down there," he said. "I have to keep improving. I will have to fight for a spot. They have a lot of good players."

Siano played the past two seasons at shortstop, but he switched to the outfield this season in a move that helped his team, and also helped the senior prepare for his college career.

"When I was first talked to my coach (Pat Moriarty) about it, I thought it might be difficult," Siano said. "I felt it would help the team because we had Matty (O'Herron) to play shortstop, and I wanted to help the team as much as I could. I knew it would probably be the position I would play in college, too."

The move worked out well as Siano's speed and arm strength proved beneficial. He was actually coming off an elbow injury to his right or throwing arm, but he proved completely recovered from that.

"I thought my arm might be a little bit weak coming off the injury," he said, "but the physical therapy worked out well. . . .

"I feel confident I can play (at the college level). I've been to a few college games and watched the outfielders. I feel I have the tools to play in the outfield. I just have to get used to the speed of the game in college."

Siano also hit .379 with 15 RBIs for Cathedral, which finished 17-5 and reached the Western Massachusetts Division I semifinal.

The defensive player award was instituted in 2001, and Siano is the second outfielder to be honored. Julian Colo of Amherst was the winner in 2003. Second baseman Scott Houghton, who won in the first year, is the only other Cathedral winner.

By GARRY BROWN
gbrown@repub.com

BOSTON - With the count 1-2 against him in the eighth inning Monday night, Manny Ramirez faced the threat of striking out for the 20th time in his last 14 games.

He came close, barely fouling off the next pitch. From there, though, he worked the count to 2-2, then pushed a single to right field for the hit that won a very tough game for the Boston Red Sox.

A Fenway Park throng of 37,512 saw them beat the Minnesota Twins 1-0 as Hideki Okajima got the victory in relief of a strong start by Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Jonathan Papelbon, who had been beaten by the New York Yankees Sunday night, rebounded with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 26th save. It came against the hottest team in baseball - the Twins came here after winning 18 of their previous 21.

The victory enabled the Red Sox to pull within four games of Tampa Bay, the surprise leader of the American League's East Division. The Sox continue to be tough at home, not so tough on the road. Their home mark of 32-10 is the AL's best.

"This was a huge win for us, especially after the way we dropped the last two in New York. A great performance by Dice-K, and by our pen," said Red Sox veteran Mike Lowell.

Boston's winning rally came against Brian Bass, working in relief of Scott Baker, a whip-armed right-hander who had worked a four-hitter through seven innings.

The Sox beat him with a big hit from Dustin Pedroia - a leadoff double which extended his hitting streak to 15 games.

J.D. Drew's groundout to the right side moved Pedroia to third, putting Bass into his confrontation with Ramirez.

Of Manny's hit, Sox manager Terry Francona said, "We needed something, anything, to get that run home and get out of here with a win. Dice-K did a great job of pounding the strike zone, commanding his fastball. And Okie made some real good pitches when we really needed them."

He was talking about the eighth inning, when Okajima pitched out of a bases-loaded one-out jam.

With Matsuzaka still in the game, the Minnesota eighth began with a full-extension diving catch by Jacoby Ellsbury of Carlos Gomez's sinking liner to left. However, an infield hit to Alex Casilla, then a single to right by Joe Mauer on a 3-2 pitch caused Francona to lift Matsuzaka.

Okajima, showing a return to the form the Sox will need from him, came on to bail out of the jam even though he walked his first hitter, Morneau to load the bases. He escaped as pinch hitter Craig Monroe fouled out (nice catch by Youkilis) and Young hit into a force play.

Matsuzaka pitched himself into trouble in the first inning, doing so after retiring the first two hitters. He allowed two walks and an infield hit, and was throwing a lot of pitches. Then up came Delmon Young to bail him out by hitting the first pitch right back to the box on one hop.

From there, the Red Sox starter worked through the sixth inning while allowing only two baserunners - a one-out single by Jason Kubel in the fourth and a two-out double by Justin Morneau in the sixth.

In the seventh, the Twins hit into a double play before wasting a triple by Nick Punto.

"One heck of a baseball game," said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire.

Second-guessed as to why he didn't walk Ramirez with first base open in the eighth, he said. "How's Manny been doing lately? We'll take our chances. Better than putting more people on base with guys like Lowell and Youkilis coming up," he said.

By JASON REMILLARD
jremillard@repub.com

After losing its opening game 19-1 on Friday, the Westfield Junior League baseball team could have easily been demoralized.

The defeat against Easthampton stung for a bit, but Westfield had another game to keep its hopes alive in the double-elimination District 2 tournament.

Evan Benoit and Sean Bienvenue drove in two runs apiece as Westfield eliminated host Northampton 6-3 on Monday night. Benoit also scattered two hits and gave up two runs in five solid innings on the mound.

"We had a tough loss the other day, but we came back well," Westfield coach Mike Burns said. "The kids showed a lot of character."

Westfield looks to eliminate host Southampton on Tuesday at 5:30.

Elliott Hartman-Russell, Cody Robinson and Jack Heath all had two hits for Northampton.

LITTLE LEAGUE

Westfield South 2, Amherst 0: Matt Irzyk's solo home run in the bottom of the first inning keyed visiting Westfield South in the District 2 tournament. Noah Parker scored on a third-inning passed ball and also pitched very well with 12 strikeouts and two walks.

Westfield South takes on Gateway at 6 p.m. Wednesday, with a berth in Saturday's championship round against Westfield North at stake, while Amherst was eliminated.

BABE RUTH 13

Westfield 11, Franklin County 0: Lee Papadimitriou went 3 for 4 with two RBIs as visiting Westfield advanced in the winner's bracket of the district tournament at Abercrombie Field in Greenfield.

Ryan Tettemer drove in two runs on two hits, including a double and scored twice more. Kyle Murphy added a two-run single, and Joe Lubanski was 2 for 5.

Westfield advances to the championship round Friday at Bullens Field.

AMERICAN LEGION

Northampton 3, Holyoke 2: Eric Adams went the distance for host Northampton, striking out 11 batters and walking only the first two batters of the game. From there, he settled down and allowed only four hits and one more run. Adams also collected two hits at the plate.

Nick Kellogg tied the game at 2-2 with a two-run single in the bottom of the third. The go-ahead run scored in the fourth when Mike O'Brien came home on a balk. Northampton (8-5) has now won three straight.

Mike Williamson tallied two hits for Holyoke (5-9).

Aldenville 6, Ludlow 2: Jacoby Ellsbury, watch your back. Here comes Kyle Phillips.

Phillips stole three bases, including home, to lead host Aldenville (7-7). Brendan McClelland was 2 for 2 with three RBIs, while Steve Lagasse fanned eight and walked two.

Matt "Buzz" Lavoie doubled twice for Ludlow (10-6).

Chicopee-Teddy Bear 3, Easthampton 0: Mark Lekarczyk had two hits and scored a run to lead visiting Chicopee-Teddy Bear Pools (6-7). Jack Ryan slapped a pair of doubles and scored once. Matt Dziok was 3 for 4 for Easthampton (5-8-1).

Amherst 12, Westfield 6: Mike Kelly and Owen Stebbins had identical lines - three hits, three RBIs, two runs - to pace visiting Amherst. Jasper Adams picked up the complete-game victory.

TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE 

PeoplesBank 6, Teddy Bear 1: Ryan Bradley had three hits, drove in one run and scored another to pace host PeoplesBank (12-4) at Mackenzie Stadium in Holyoke. Austin Kimball had two hits and an RBI, while Aaron Smith struck out eight.

Aaron Campbell homered in the fourth for Teddy Bear Pools (9-5).

Chic. Falls Tigers 12, Oliver 0: Rich Wilson and Mario Proiette each had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored to carry the host Chicopee Falls Tigers (7-10) at Szot Park.

MDS Construction 10, Spfld. Braves 3: Tanner Bathel and Joe Albano both were 2 for 3 with an RBI to lead host MDS Construction (5-8) at East Longmeadow High School. Nick Ahmed struck out seven and allowed one earned run in the complete-game win.

Pete Rogan had two hits and an RBI for the Springfield Braves (5-8).

Easthampton Savings 8, St. Joseph's 6: Drew Domina had three hits, including two triples, and two RBIs to pace visiting Easthampton Savings Bank at Thorndike (6-8).

Dan Abrahamson led St. Joe's (8-8) with a double, triple and two RBIs.

NECBL

Mainers 3, Blue Sox 2: Shevis Shima and Craig Turner drove in the lone runs for the visiting Holyoke Blue Sox (10-10) at Sanford, Maine. 

By RON CHIMELIS
rchimelis@repub.com

Three former University of Massachusetts men's basketball players are bidding to win NBA jobs through its summer leagues.

Rashaun Freeman will play for the Chicago Bulls summer team in the Pepsi Pro Summer League in Orlando, Fla.

Freeman's teammates will include Derrick Rose, the former Memphis point guard and No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Freeman, a 6-foot-9 forward, graduated from UMass as its fourth all-time leading scorer in 2007. Last year, he averaged 19.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for Nantes, a team in France's professional B League.

Freeman will now try to win a spot on the Bulls team coached by Vinny Del Negro of Springfield, who was hired last month.

Forward Stephane Lasme will play for Miami's team in the Pepsi Pro League. A former UMass teammate of Freeman's, the 6-8 Lasme was a second-round draft choice of Golden State in 2007, but finished the season with the Heat.

Gary Forbes will play for the Washington Wizards team in the Las Vegas Summer League. A 6-7 college forward who could play shooting guard as a pro, Forbes was the Atlantic 10 Conference player of the year in 2008.

Lasme had won that honor in 2007. Unlike Lasme, Forbes was not drafted, though he did draw good notices at predraft camps in Portsmouth, Va., and Orlando.

By RUSS HELD
rheld@repub.com

Werenski & Werenski.

Sounds like a law firm; plays like a pair of national caliber junior golfers.

South Hadley brothers Richy and Mickey Werenski held the overnight lead in their respective divisions after the opening round Monday of a PGA Junior Series tournament at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick.

Richy Werenski closed with an eagle and a 1-under-par 71 to take a two stroke edge in the boys 16-18 age division. Mickey carded a 73 to share the lead in boys 13-15 competition.

Elizabeth Monty (77) of North Granby, Conn., leads the girls 16-18 chase, while Kristen Garabedian (77) of Wells, Vt., was the first round leader in the girls 13-15 division.

The 54-hole tournament continues Tuesday.

Richey Werenski was 2-over after three holes before his round was jump started when he holed out for birdie from a bunker at the 13th hole, his fourth.

"That got me going," Werenski said. "I putted pretty well and I made some long ones."

Werenski birdied three of the four par-5s, and eagled the other.

"I hit driver, 7-iron to about seven feet at the ninth," said Werenski, who hit 10 fairways, eight greens and made 31 putts. "It was a pretty straightforward putt and it was a great way to finish, to go from 1 over to 1 under."

Brad Cadigan of South Weymouth and Michael Smith of Hartford followed with 73s. Dan Fanion of The Ranch GC was tied for sixth with a 75.

Mickey Werenski, an incoming high school freshman, did his damage at the par 3s. He made birdie at three of them - Nos. 5, 12 and 17.

"I struggled with my driver, I was hitting it left ... so the (birdies at the) par 3s really helped," Mickey Werenski said.

Werenski, who started at No. 10, birdied the 12th from five feet, No. 17 on a 15-foot putt and No. 5 with a three-footer. He also hit 10 fairways and 11 greens in regulation.

He shared the lead with The Ranch GC member Andy Mai of Suffield. Mai birdied four holes, including three of his last nine.

Monty made her only two birdies at the first two hole, and she leads Katie Coons of Wilbraham by two shots. Coons led the field with four birdies.

PUBLINX PLAY: Franconia GC in Springfield will host a qualifier on Tuesday for the upcoming Massachusetts Public Links Championship.

The championship proper is set for Blissful Meadows Golf Course in Uxbridge, Aug. 11-12.

By RUSS HELD
rheld@repub.com

Just call her a Hoosier.

Katie Coons of Wilbraham has made a verbal commitment to attend and play golf at Indiana University.

The Republican/Michael S. GordonKatie Coons of Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham is has made verbal commitment to attend Indiana University.

Coons, 17, begins her senior year next month at Minnechaug Regional knowing that Big Ten and Division I women's golf is on the horizon.

"This is going to make my senior year 1,000 times easier," Coons said of the mid-summer decision. "So many schools were looking for, and had already gotten commitments from (high school junior) girls, and it was an easy decision for me."

Coons said Wake Forest and the University of Virginia were other top choices, but a visit to Bloomington, Ind., in February changed everything.

"They say that you'll know once you step on campus and I felt that way at Indiana," Coons said. "The coach was the best, the school . . . everything about it."

Coons, who accepted a nearly full scholarship, plans to make her commitment official during the National Letter of Intent signing period in November. The six-time high honors student with 4.19 grade point average is leaning toward a medical field study.

The 3.3-handicapper and member at Springfield Country Club is a two-time Western Mass. girls individual champion and has posted two top-10 finishes at both the state and New England championships.

Coons will join older sister Erin as a collegiate golfer in the family. Erin is on scholarship at San Diego State University. She was red-shirted as a freshman after undergoing hip surgery last spring. Erin, also a former Western Mass. girls champion, made the Dean's List there with a GPA of 3.74.

Katie Coons qualified for the U.S. Girls' Junior last summer, but last week missed out on qualifying for the 2008 championship at Hartford GC in West Hartford, Conn., later this month. She heads to California next week to compete at the Junior World Championships in San Diego.

Katie opened play Monday at a PGA Junior Series tournament at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick. The three-day championship concludes Wednesday.

GOING HOME: Minnechaug Regional's 10th-year boys basketball coach Doug Fraser is going home.

Fraser, 42, will return to his hometown to teach and coach varsity basketball at Queensbury (N.Y.) High School, located halfway between Saratoga Springs and Lake George.

"It came with mixed emotions, with the love I have for Minnechaug and the special memories with the students and players," said Fraser, also a physical education teacher at Minnechaug. "But I'm excited, I feel rejuvenated with a special opportunity like this. I was born and raised there and it is home too for (wife) Kathy."

Fraser led Minnechaug to the Western Mass. Division I title in 2006, the program's second and first in 21 years.

Fraser was a two-year starter and all-league guard as a blue-and-gold Spartans at Queensbury, and he said the school is comparable in size and makeup to Minnechaug.

PHOTO FINISH: The Republican's spring season All-Scholastic section will be published on Sunday.

Photos are needed of all first-team selections in all sports. If you have not had your picture taken or have not submitted a photo, please call (413) 788-1327. Photos are needed by the end of the day Wednesday.

TOP ATHLETES: The Republican will unveil its choices for high school Athletes of the Year next Tuesday, in its final UNleashed section of the 2007-08 academic season.

By GARRY BROWN
gbrown@repub.com

BOSTON - Rookie Justin Masterson was sent to Triple A by the Boston Red Sox on Monday as part of a plan to convert him from starter to middle reliever.

Masterson (4-3) has pitched well in nine starts, which came about because of injuries to Daisuke Matsuzaka and Clay Buchholz.

Now, though, the Sox believe that Masterson can best help them as a reliever, and want him to work on the transition while with their Pawtucket farm club in the International League.

Meanwhile, Buchholz will be brought back from Triple A to join the rotation. That could happen Friday, which would have been Masterson's next day to start.

Buchholz went on the disabled list May 14 with a torn nail on the index finger of his pitching hand. When he was activated May 31, he was sent to Pawtucket. He has gone 4-2 over nine starts with 43 strikeouts in 43Ò innings.

Until Buchholz is activated, Masterson's spot on the roster will be filled by first baseman Jeff Bailey, an International League All-Star who was recalled Monday. He was hitting .301 for the Pawsox with 23 homers and 61 RBIs.

"We've been wanting to get Clay back here, and we think that getting Justin into the pen can help our club. He'll pitch for Pawtucket Wednesday, Friday and Sunday as a way of getting him acclimated. We believe he can be really effective against right-handed hitters," manager Terry Francona said.

FOR THE CAPTAIN: Red Sox catcher/captain Jason Varitek, struggling through a long batting slump, received staunch backing from his manager Monday.

"Because of who he is and what he does for this team, he has earned the right to have our trust," Francona said. "Everybody's pulling for him. That's how much he means to us."

SALUTE FROM SOX: As part of the Red Sox "Seats for Soldiers" program, pregame ceremonies for Wednesday will focus on showing appreciation for the work of men and women in the armed forces.

The ceremonies and entertainment will include video messages from soldiers serving at Camp Fallujah, Iraq. Red Sox players and season ticket holders will be honored on the field for their donation of game tickets to members of the armed forces.

ROCK-CAT COUNTRY: This week's series at Fenway Park marks a return to New England for several Minnesota Twins players, who spent time with the New Britain Rock Cats of the Double A Eastern League on their way up through the farm system.

The list includes seven of last night's Minnesota starters: infielders Alexi Casilla, Justin Morneau and Brian Buscher, catcher Joe Mauer, outfielder Denard Span, DH Jason Kubel and pitcher Scott Baker.

By MIKE BOGEN
mbogen@repub.com

Abby Fuhrman and Danielle Sullivan took very different routes to where they are, but where they are is at the very pinnacle of the high school softball mountain.

Fuhrman, who has been the starting pitcher in every game Amherst Regional High School has played in the last four years, and Turners Falls' Sullivan, whose bat kept her on the field while she patiently waited two years for her turn in the circle, are The Republican's high school softball Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year, respectively.

The Republican/Bob SternThe Republican's High School Softball Pitcher of the Year, Abby Fuhrman, fires away during an early season game.

The seniors represent quite different constituencies.

Fuhrman was 21-3 for a Hurricanes team that plays in the middle of three mostly Division I leagues, a Western Massachusetts champion that hadn't won a title since 1994.

Sullivan was 19-2 in the circle and .493 at the plate for an Indians team that is the perennial favorite in the toughest Division III league in the region, a program that has produced five consecutive, and eight of nine, sectional Division II and III championships.

The Republican/Christopher EvansThe Republican's High School Softball Player of the Year, Turners Falls' Danielle Sullivan, delivers the game-winning hit against West Bridgewater during the state Division III final.

By GARRY BROWN
gbrown@repub.com

Do the Boston Red Sox miss David Ortiz, disabled since June 2 with a wrist injury?

They are 18-15 without him, and J.D. Drew does a noble job of filling his No. 3 spot. Yet, there can be no doubt that the Olde Town Team's batting order at times has looked somewhat dysfunctional without him.

Associated PressDavid Ortiz plays catch before the Red Sox game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.

Ortiz does more than hit homers and drive in runs. He also does a pretty good job of intimidating the opposition with his mere presence.

When Big Papi's in there, everybody in that Red Sox lineup looks better. Drew can hit in his comfortable No. 6 spot. Manny Ramirez can know that he has his old friend up there ahead of him. Mike Lowell can feel good about pitchers walking the "Bash Brothers" and having to pitch to him.

It's just a whole different dynamic when Ortiz can do his job as the most dangerous designated hitter the Red Sox have ever had.

The Sox came home last night from a tough road trip. Close games lost, bases-loaded opportunities missed. Good pitching jobs wasted. With Ortiz healthy, might the trip have been different?

"You feel it when any productive player goes down," Ortiz said.

He felt like talking Monday, probably because he's encouraged by his progress in recovering from a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. He took some swings in the batting cage Sunday, and more on Monday at Fenway Park.

"It was good. It just takes me a minute to warm up, then I'm fine," he said.

"I don't have to be 100 per cent to come back. I can do it at 95 per cent. No timetable. I just hope everything goes well this week. After this week, when I hit on the field I'll know (when he'll be back)."

The good news from his viewpoint is that offseason surgery probably will not be necessary.

"It's the kind of injury that takes time. I can't be swinging and playing and expect it to get back to 100 per cent, but once the season's over and I can shut down, they tell me I won't have trouble with it again," he said.

"But this injury is kind of tricky, so I have to be patient, and not try to come back before I'm ready."

If he can get back soon after the All-Star break, the Red Sox would gladly settle for that.

Ah, but if he's not near the "95 per cent healthy" goal he seeks, the Sox could be forced to make a move. Hence the rumors of a possible deal for Mark Teixeira, a switch-hitting slugger for the Atlanta Braves.

Tex makes $12.5 million and will be a free agent after this season. Such monetary concerns don't matter to the Red Sox any more. If Papi's not ready and they need Teixeira, be assured that they will go hard after him.

By HARRY PLUMER
hplumer@repub.com
Joe Popielarczyk had quite an afternoon for Northampton yesterday, pitching six strong innings and going 4 for 4 with a homer, double and two RBIs in a 9-1 rout of first-place East Springfield in an American Legion game yesterday at Arcanum Field in Northampton.

Noah Feingold's two-out, three-run double in the first got Northampton (7-5) out to a 5-0 lead, and it never looked back, scoring single runs in the second and third and adding two more for good measure in the fourth.

Popielarczyk surrendered only three hits and one earned run in six innings, fanning seven and walking only two.

Ludlow 5, Wilbraham 4: Curtis Orlik's two-out, walk-off single scored Jake Flynn to break a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth and give Ludlow its 10th victory of the season.

Flynn had two hits and two RBIs, and Sean Regnier added two hits for Ludlow.

East Longmeadow 13, South Hadley 3: Host East Longmeadow took advantage of seven first-inning walks by Karl Kapinos to jump out to an 8-0 lead on the way to routing South Hadley.

Colin O'Neil had three hits and four RBIs, Kyle DiFranco had two hits and three RBIs, and Rob Mack had two hits and scored twice for East Longmeadow (9-7).

Belchertown 3, Chicopee-Teddy Bear 2: Cody Brown had two hits and the game-winning RBI in the fourth inning as Belchertown (5-7) won at Chicopee (5-7).

Glenn Stowell went the distance for Belchertown, striking out seven and scattering only five hits over seven innings.

Palmer 7, Longmeadow 5: Kevin Czabaj and Brad Brothers, with two hits each, headlined an 11-hit day as Palmer (5-7) took its show on the road to beat Longmeadow.

Orange 5, Aldenville 4: Chad Sullivan's two-run double spearheaded a five-run, first inning for Orange, which held on despite a four-run seventh for host Aldenville.

Koby Kilhart was 2 for 4 for Orange (4-8). Ken LeBlanc added a single and double for Aldenville (6-7).

Westfield 4, Greenfield 1: Eric Liptak's two-run single in the third broke open a 1-1 game for visiting Westfield (7-3).

BABE RUTH 15
¦Westfield 10, Franklin County 5: Lucas Ciminno's three-run double in the bottom of the fourth led Westfield in the opener of the best-of-3 championship series.

BABE RUTH 13
¦Franklin County 10, Amherst 5: Ryan Wilder's four hits, including two doubles, pushed Franklin County past Amherst in the opening game of a four-team, double-elimination tournament.

Westfield 13, Hilltown 2: Westfield jumped out to an 11-0 second inning lead and never looked back to rout Hilltown of North Adams in their tournament opener at Westfield.

Rob Sullivan and Keith Hadley each were 2 for 2 with a double for Westfield.

LITTLE LEAGUE JUNIORS
¦Easthampton 10, Southampton 1: Cody Potasky pitched a complete game, striking out seven for Easthampton. Thomas Lucia delivered three hits for the winners.

Agawam 12, Northampton 0: Tyler Caram was 3 for 4 with two doubles and five RBIs and also pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout for Agawam, which advances to take on Easthampton in the winner's bracket of the juniors tournament.

10-11 LITTLE LEAGUE
¦Northampton 4, Agawam 3: Ben Murphy's first-inning double set the tone for Northampton, which eliminated Agawam.

Ben Modzelesky had a two-run double in the fifth to pace Agawam.

METRO SOFTBALL
¦East Longmeadow 7-0, Chicopee Chix 6-11: Meg Forrest's double and two RBIs paced East Longmeadow in its first-game victory. Chicopee answered in Game 2, rolling 11-0.

For those in serious need for a hit of basketball as the dog days of summer slowly approach, consider yourselves lucky this Friday and Saturday.

The HoopHall Summer Showcase, set for Friday and Saturday July 11-12 "...promises to feature many high-level teams and prospects from across the country. This event promises to have some of the top players throughout the country attending," according to Colin Tabb, director of Agawam-based BasketBull, which is putting on the event.

Westfield State College will host the 17-and-under group with play on three separate courts running from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The 16-and-under tournament will be held at Holyoke Community College with the same start and stop times.

For a full list of teams invited and more information, check out hoophallshowcase.com.