UMass football: Minutemen wrap up spring practice, turn focus to Spring Game Saturday

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — The 15th and final practice of the spring took place at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Thursday morning, as for the first time in 2025, the UMass football team practiced outside of The Bubble thanks to 50 degree and sunny weather. Head coach Joe Harasymiak met with members of the media following practice and had a mix of emotions when asked about the spring.

HS Roundup: Greenfield softball scores 11 runs in second inning to defeat Frontier, 16-4

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield softball team hasn’t lost often in recent years, never mind twice in a row. 

UMass basketball: Transfers Dimitri Clerc and Charles Outlaw to join Minutemen

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — UMass men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin landed a pair of commitments on Wednesday, as forwards Dimitri Clerc and Charles Outlaw – former junior college players – transferred to UMass out of the portal. That now makes four Minutemen transfers coming in (joining K’Jei Parker and Donovan Brown), and all four have either been from JUCO or Division 2.

Greenfield native Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Brewery, to throw out first pitch at Fenway Park on Friday

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Greenfield native Sam Calagione has accomplished a lot in his life. But on Friday, the founder of Dogfish Head Brewery will get to live out a dream he’s had since he was a child. 

HS Roundup: Athol, Mahar and Pioneer compete on the track (PHOTOS)

It was a busy day at Greenfield High School, as Athol, Mahar and Pioneer competed in a track and field meet at GHS. Greenfield, who competed against Mohawk Trail the day before, was just hosting the meet and did not participate. 

HS Notebook: Rain spoils Bi-County North showdown in Hartford

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

It’s a shame Mother Nature got in the way of a great game at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford last week. 

HS Hockey: Greenfield senior Jake Jurek, head coach Adam Bouchard honored with Bessone Awards

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

It was a celebratory end of the season for several members of the Greenfield hockey program.

HS Roundup: Athol baseball’s bats get rolling in 19-5 win over Turners Falls (PHOTOS)

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

TURNERS FALLS — After the Turners Falls baseball team beat Athol in the final regular season game of 2024 to win the Bi-County League North title, the Bears have been waiting to get their revenge against the Thunder. 

Bulletin board: Greenfield Post 81 American Legion baseball tryouts May 3 and 4

The Post 81 American Legion Baseball Team will hold registration and tryouts on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field in Greenfield.

HS Roundup: Smith Academy baseball knocks off Mahar, 5-1

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

HATFIELD — Without a senior on the roster and just two returning varsity players from a year ago, Mahar baseball coach Dan Guertin understood it was going to be a rebuilding season in Orange this spring. 

HS Softball: Hampshire blanks Greenfield 4-0 in battle of WMass heavyweights (PHOTOS)

By GARRETT COTE

WESTHAMPTON — As is always the case when western Massachusetts heavyweights Hampshire Regional and Greenfield meet on the softball diamond, high-level pitching was on display Monday afternoon. The Green Wave rely on senior MacKenzie Paulin, a Merrimack commit, while the Raiders typically give the ball to sophomore Ryanne Dubay, who will have her fair share of college offers when the time comes.

Victory Lap with Jessica Lapachinski: You need character, and you need culture

Old school coaching tells us to leave emotion out of sport.We’ve heard it all before – Toughen up! We need you! Get it together! Stop crying!

Rory McIlroy wins Masters playoff to complete the career Grand Slam

By DOUG FERGUSON

Rory McIlroy wins Masters playoff to complete the career Grand Slam

HS Roundup: Autumn Thornton’s game-winning sacrifice fly lifts Turners softball over Greenfield, 3-2

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

TURNERS FALLS — With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning and runners on first and third in a tie game, Turners Falls coach Gary Mullins asked Autumn Thornton, about to bat, if she would rather bunt or try to get a hit against Greenfield ace MacKenzie Paulin. 

Keeping Score with Chip Ainsworth: UMass decidedly now a hockey school

Good morning!The Marty and Martha Maroons of the world would have you believe that the 9,493-seat William D. Mullins Center was built for men’s basketball. Understandable, considering John Calipari’s team was 24-7 and ranked No.14 by the AP the year the building opened its doors. 

Pioneer's Riley Thayer commits to play field hockey at Lasell University

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

GREENFIELD — Riley Thayer made it official where she will continue her field hockey career on Thursday. 

Track roundup: Mohawk Trail opens season with sweep over Franklin Tech/Turners Falls (PHOTOS)

The spring track and field season official got underway in Franklin County on Thursday, with the Mohawk Trail boys coming away with a 103-41 victory over Franklin Tech in Buckland. 

HS Roundup: Chase Earle strikes out 15 to lead Hopkins baseball past Greenfield, 5-1

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

GREENFIELD — On a chilly April day at Vets Field, hits were at a premium between the Greenfield and Hopkins baseball teams. 

Bulletin Board: Frontier Baseball Ham Raffle set for Saturday

The seventh annual Frontier Baseball Ham Slam Raffle will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the South Deerfield Polish Club. 

Franklin Tech’s Hannah Gilbert records her 500th career strikeout in win over Mohawk Trail

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Have a day, Hannah Gilbert.