Local baseball: Ryan Gould tosses no-hitter in Belchertown Post 239’s win over North Adams

Staff Reports

Published: 07-02-2024 8:58 PM

Ryan Gould’s pitching couldn’t be touched by the North Adams Post 125 lineup on Tuesday evening. The Belchertown Post 239 hurler tossed a no-hitter in Post 239’s 13-0, five-inning American Legion Senior Division win on the road.

Gould only struck out two, but his command didn’t allow Post 125 to find any gaps. He scattered two walks and Belchertown made just one error behind him.

The offense also helped make Gould’s job a lot easier on the bump. Ahead 1-0 in the top of the third inning, Post 239 erupted for six runs in the frame to jump out to a 7-0 advantage. Two more runs in the fourth and four runs in the fifth put things well out of reach, as Belchertown cruised to its league-leading ninth win to remain undefeated this summer.

Patrick Fitzgibbons launched a two-run home run as part 0f his two-hit, three-run, two-RBI performance while Derek Gould (one RBI, one run) and Cody West (two RBIs, two runs) ripped three hits apiece. Ryan Gould added two hits, one run and three RBIs to continue his stellar day.

Cooper Beckwith (two hits, two RBIs), Ian McDonald (one hit, three runs, two RBIs) and Alex West (one hit, one RBI) all contributed to the Post 239 party on offense.

Following a walk-off win Monday and a no-hitter Tuesday, Belchertown (9-0) returns to the diamond on Wednesday. Post 239 will once again see North Adams Post 125, this time playing at home. First pitch is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

East Springfield 420 15, Northampton Post 28 10 — Post 28 held a slim 10-9 lead after four innings, but East Springfield ripped off six unanswered runs – including five in the sixth inning – to pull away for the win at Arcanum Field in Northampton on Tuesday night.

Liam Flynn led the way for Northampton, collecting three hits, two RBIs and one run in the loss, which dropped Post 28 to 5-4 overall. Aiden Keeling-Lococo put together a strong day at the plate as well, walking three times to go along with a double and three runs scored.

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Post 28 will play their third game in as many days on Wednesday night, traveling to Wilbraham for a 7 p.m. contest under the lights.

Late Monday/weekend results

Youth baseball (13U)

Auburn 12, Northampton 1 — The Blue Devils All-Stars couldn’t keep up with the high-powered offense of the Auburn All-Stars in Game 1 of the 50/70 Massachusetts Sectional Tournament at Camosse Field on Saturday afternoon.

Northampton fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first, then cut the deficit in half with an RBI double from Tait Kennedy – scoring Maceo Nteta, who walked. Oliver Yau singled and Easton Jewell tripled for the Blue Devils, but neither came across to score while the Auburn bats kept on clicking.

Hingham 5, Northampton 2 — Game two came against Hingham (a team fresh off a 19-1 win over the weekend) on Monday evening in the comfort of the Blue Devils’ home field in Florence.

Northampton’s Dylan Lawrence-Riddell limited the opposition to one hit and no earned runs over six innings of work, tacking on four strikeouts as well. But Northampton’s defense, which has been solid all season according to head coach Michael Lawrence-Riddell, struggled to make plays as mistakes turned into three Hingham runs. 

However, Lawrence-Riddell was supported by some solid defense. Left fielder Alex Visentin-Laing and center fielder Tait Kennedy each made diving catches to rob Hingham hitters. Oliver Yau pitched one inning in relief, surrendering three hits and two runs.

Elliott Frankl and MaceoNteta picked up hits while Yau and Easton Jewell each drove in a run for the Blue Devils. They play their final Sectional All-Star game on Saturday in Bridgewater.