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KEVIN GUTTING

HADLEY - Heading into the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Baseball Tournament, Hopkins Academy ace left-hander Garrison Banas was on the cusp of reaching a milestone few achieve in high school: 400 career strikeouts.

Not only did Banas reach the mark by getting the four strikeouts he needed, he also delivered a strong performance, going eight innings en route to a 3-2 nine-inning victory over 17th-seeded Lenox (7-14) Saturday.

The top-seeded Golden Hawks (16-3) will host No. 8 Dean Tech (15-4) at 4 p.m. Monday in the quarterfinal round.

"We've played really close games for the last month or so," said Hopkins coach Pat Lemieux. "We were ready for a tough battle, knowing that these guys play in that tough Berkshire (League). I have to tip my cap to them, they grind in every at-bat."

Banas' fourth strikeout of the game came in the third inning after he fanned two batters in the first and one in the second.

Jake Jordan ran the count to 2-2 after fouling off a pitch, then Banas struck out Jordan swinging for the milestone.

"I didn't want to make a big deal about it while out there, but I knew when it happened," Banas said.

Banas finished with 14 strikeouts and now has 410 for his career.

"I'm pretty proud of it, but I couldn't have done it without the guys behind me who have helped me progress over the years," Banas said.

"Coach Lemieux has also had a big impact on me. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all the guys I've played with and the coaches who've taught me."

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Evan Delaney of the Golden Hawks was hit by a pitch, scoring Nate Bombardier for the walk-off win.

"It was a great game all around, everyone playing really hard," said Lemieux. "As a spectator, it must have been exciting to watch. As a coach, I think I've grown a few gray hairs after sitting through that experience. It can get pretty nerve-racking at times, like today."

Hopkins took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when Banas (1-for-2, three walks) walked, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored when Delaney (hit, three RBIs) singled to right-center.

The Millionaires tied the game in the second when Chris Bravo walked, stole second and scored on Austin Salnoitis' double.

"It was back and forth all day, momentum swinging each way as the innings went on," said Lemieux.

The Golden Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the fifth when Rob Cooke scored on Delaney's sacrifice fly to deep center. The offense had an opportunity to put a man at third on the fly ball, but Banas got a late break off second base and was tagged out for the second out of the inning.

Lenox tied the score in the top of the sixth when Chris Consodine scored on a passed ball.

Banas walked two and allowed one earned run on four hits over eight innings. The senior, who graduated Friday, threw 110 pitches.

"I really did my best trying to get ahead in the count and establishing my fastball in the zone," said Banas, who recorded first-pitch strikes on 20 of 31 batters.

Aiden Barrett pitched the ninth to earn the win.

HADLEY - Heading into the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Baseball Tournament, Hopkins Academy ace left-hander Garrison Banas was on the cusp of reaching a milestone few achieve in high school: 400 career strikeouts.

Not only did Banas reach the mark by getting the four strikeouts he needed, he also delivered a strong performance, going eight innings en route to a 3-2 nine-inning victory over 17th-seeded Lenox (7-14) Saturday.

The top-seeded Golden Hawks (16-3) will host No. 8 Dean Tech (15-4) at 4 p.m. Monday in the quarterfinal round.

"We've played really close games for the last month or so," said Hopkins coach Pat Lemieux. "We were ready for a tough battle, knowing that these guys play in that tough Berkshire (League). I have to tip my cap to them, they grind in every at-bat."

Banas' fourth strikeout of the game came in the third inning after he fanned two batters in the first and one in the second.

Jake Jordan ran the count to 2-2 after fouling off a pitch, then Banas struck out Jordan swinging for the milestone.

"I didn't want to make a big deal about it while out there, but I knew when it happened," Banas said.

Banas finished with 14 strikeouts and now has 410 for his career.

"I'm pretty proud of it, but I couldn't have done it without the guys behind me who have helped me progress over the years," Banas said.

"Coach Lemieux has also had a big impact on me. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all the guys I've played with and the coaches who've taught me."

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Evan Delaney of the Golden Hawks was hit by a pitch, scoring Nate Bombardier for the walk-off win.

"It was a great game all around, everyone playing really hard," said Lemieux. "As a spectator, it must have been exciting to watch. As a coach, I think I've grown a few gray hairs after sitting through that experience. It can get pretty nerve-racking at times, like today."

Hopkins took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when Banas (1-for-2, three walks) walked, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored when Delaney (hit, three RBIs) singled to right-center.

The Millionaires tied the game in the second when Chris Bravo walked, stole second and scored on Austin Salnoitis' double.

"It was back and forth all day, momentum swinging each way as the innings went on," said Lemieux.

The Golden Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the fifth when Rob Cooke scored on Delaney's sacrifice fly to deep center. The offense had an opportunity to put a man at third on the fly ball, but Banas got a late break off second base and was tagged out for the second out of the inning.

Lenox tied the score in the top of the sixth when Chris Consodine scored on a passed ball.

Banas walked two and allowed one earned run on four hits over eight innings. The senior, who graduated Friday, threw 110 pitches.

"I really did my best trying to get ahead in the count and establishing my fastball in the zone," said Banas, who recorded first-pitch strikes on 20 of 31 batters.

Aiden Barrett pitched the ninth to earn the win.