HOLYOKE – The third time was the charm.
Coming into Wednesday, the No. 1 Pioneer Valley baseball team had lost two consecutive Western Massachusetts Class D final games against No. 2 Ware. But none of that mattered as the Panthers have been on a mission this season.
And it showed on Wednesday, as starting pitcher Ethan Quinn (game-high 11 strikeouts) and Ethan Mauthe (go-ahead, run-scoring triple) helped Pioneer Valley defeat Hopkins Academy 4-2 at MacKenzie Stadium.
“This feels good because I’m happy for the guys,” Panthers coach Kevin Luippold said. “This is such a senior-heavy and older roster, so I was happy these guys got to enjoy it with each other. From the bond they’ve made, they deserve it more than anyone else, in my opinion, and I’m glad to see them come out on top.”
Those efforts ensured the Pioneers improved to 21-0 and raised their first sectional crown since 2022. But according to Quinn: “The job isn’t finished.”
“It feels great that we finally got it back after those two years that we lost,” Quinn said. “But there’s still more to do.”
Starting pitcher Chace Earle allowed four hits, four runs (one earned), four walks, and struck out five in 4.1 innings of work as the Golden Hawks moved to 12-9. Hopkins Academy also committed three of the game’s five combined errors.
It didn’t take the Golden Hawks long to reach the scoreboard, as Carter Styspeck earned a leadoff walk before Alek West attempted to advance him to second base with a sacrifice bunt.
But as Pioneer Valley’s defense attempted to deny that opportunity, the execution was mishandled, which allowed Hopkins Academy runners on first and second base with no outs in the top of the first inning.
That miscue proved essential, as Earle helped himself with a run-scoring double down the third-base line to ensure the Golden Hawks an early two-run lead to begin things.
“I told the guys before the game that it’s going to be a tough and challenging game,” Braeden Tsipenyuk said. “So what are you going to do if you go down one, two, or three runs – are you going to crumble or come back and fight?”
The Panthers chose the second option, as Braeden Tsipenyuk (error) and Jackson Campbell (infield single) reached safely to ensure the Panthers had runners on the corners with no outs in the bottom half.
Moments later, Braeden Tsipenyuk cut their team’s deficit in half as he scored on a passed ball.
Quinn then completed the mission with an RBI sacrifice fly to left field that scored Campbell from third and helped Pioneer Valley even the score at 2-2 through one inning.
That first inning was uncharacteristic for both sides, especially since Quinn and Earle are two of the region’s premiere pitchers. So it was no surprise when Hopkins Academy’s offense was retired during its subsequent two plate appearances, as Quinn struck out three of the next six batters.
Earle wasn’t far behind the opposition, as the Super 7 selection fanned three of the next five batters he faced. But before Earle could also secure back-to-back 1-2-3 innings, Quinn spoiled the fun with a two-out single in the bottom of the third inning.
Mauthe then countered with a run-scoring triple to right field that moved the Panthers ahead 3-2.
But the excitement wasn’t over, as Evan Tsipenyuk and Brody Welcome earned back-to-back walks to load the bases. It wasn’t enough, though, as Earle forced Ben Werner to chase a high fastball to end the threat.
“The guys came back and fought like hell,” Braeden Tsipenyuk said. “I’m so proud of them. Being here for four years and seeing the culture we built, I’m proud of what we accomplished, win or lose.”
Speaking of culture, though, the outcome also ensured that Pioneer Valley won its third consecutive regional crown: boys’ soccer, boys’ basketball, and now baseball.
“It’s really cool to be a part of this,” Braeden Tsipenyuk said. “It shows how the work and dedication have gotten good over the years. These guys have worked their tails off to earn an award in all three sports.”
As the Panthers maintained that two-run lead during the top of the seventh inning, Quinn made sure that history didn’t repeat itself as he struck out the side to seal the outcome.
Moving forward, though, Pioneer Valley earned the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Division V state tournament, while Hopkins Academy will be No. 6.
But no matter whom they face moving forward, the Panthers will enjoy one last ride with each other.
“I haven’t cried in a long time,” Luippold said. “But they made me cry a couple of times this year just for the bond that they have and for the way they play ball. Senior Night was a big night for us, and emotions were high.
“So those guys didn’t want to end their senior year with a loss in the Western Mass. finals. Obviously, we have states to look forward to now, but this was sort of an end-of-regular-season game for the guys to see if they were going to come out with a little more happiness – and they did.”
