Belchertown High School swimming coach Matthew Nodell has been named Westfield State’s women’s swimming and diving coach, the school announced Thursday.

Nodell, a Monson native, spent the past three seasons coaching the Orioles. He was a four-time CSCA Scholar All-America swimmer at Elms, where he graduated in 2021. He also was an assistant swim coach for Monson Parks and Recreation.

“I am pleased our search for a new coach led us to Coach Matt Nodell,” said Nancy Bals, Westfield State Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator who chaired the search committee. “Matt comes to us highly recommended. He is a solid candidate with a strong coaching background, strong values and great communication skills. He will be an asset to our staff and a great addition to our Owl family. I look forward to introducing him to the team and working with him going forward to sustain a successful women’s swimming & diving program.”

Nodell is currently a manager at M&R Transportation LLC in Holyoke after being promoted from assistant manager in 2019.

Legion baseball

Northampton 3, Wilbraham 2 – Griffin Smiarowski doubled home Jamie Fowler with the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift Northampton Post 28 to a walk-off 3-2 victory over Wilbraham No. 2 in an American Legion Senior Division game on Thursday night at Arcanum Field.

Fowler led off the eighth inning with a double to left center.

Smiarowski got the win in relief, tossing three scoreless and hitless innings facing only nine batters.

Cody Gaida went the first five innings for Post 28 (5-3), allowing two unearned runs. Trey Kuzmeski had a two-run double for Northampton while Phil Morin had two hits.

Northampton plays again Friday night at Belchertown.

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