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By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Ellis Merriweather never took the easy path to the NFL.The former UMass running back began his college career at Garden City Community College after a standout career at Alpharetta High School in Alpharetta, Ga. Garden City reached the NJCAA National...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Even in Hampshire Regional’s illustrious softball history, no one’s ever had quite a day at the ballpark like the one senior pitcher Jocelyn Mettey authored Thursday.She threw a perfect game against Northampton in a 17-0 victory, striking out all 15...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

AMHERST — The brightest spot of the past UMass football season wants to crank up the lumens even more.One of the best pass defenses and stingiest third down defenses is only getting better.“We’re a lot better than we were last year at this point, I...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

SOUTH HADLEY – The 30 extra feet between a softball and baseball first base line allows Jessica Nelson to translate.She coached South Hadley’s softball program for more than a decade and played in college before joining Matt Foley’s varsity baseball...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Another former Minuteman is headed to the Power 5.Former UMass men’s basketball forward Tafara Gapare announced his commitment to Georgia Tech on Tuesday. The former four-star recruit originally pledged to DePaul as a member of the Class of 2023...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

After playing high up Northampton’s singles ladder last season, the Metz twins decided to combine their powers for their final seasons.Seniors Aidan and Ethan Metz will man the Blue Devils top doubles pairing when the team is operating at its highest...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

AMHERST – Steve Casula examined every aspect of the UMass football team’s offense in the offseason.The Minutemen finished last in the country scoring just 12.5 points per game and were third from the bottom gaining just 265.8 yards per contest. They...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Hitters last feared Erik Ostberg’s fastball when he took the mound at the Cal Ripken level.Nevertheless, the Florence native took the ball when Montgomery Biscuits manager Morgan Ensberg needed an arm to face the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and their Double...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

SOUTH HADLEY — Small ball built just big enough of a lead for the Hampshire Regional baseball team in a 10-8 victory over South Hadley on Friday.Just two of the Raiders’ nine hits went for extra bases, but Hampshire scored 10 runs in five innings.“We...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

AMHERST – No pass is safe around UMass senior defender Audra Tosone.The Walpole native ranks seventh in Division I women’s lacrosse and leads the Atlantic 10 forcing 2.5 turnovers per game. She’s won four Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

AMHERST – Jerry Roberts Jr.’s family and football family converged at UMass, so he met both there.His younger brother Jyree Roberts signed with the Minutemen during the early signing period, pledging to play for the coach that gave the elder Roberts a...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Ty Bogdanovich joined Belchertown’s boys volleyball program to help grow his vertical leap for basketball season.Orioles coach Chris Shea hooked the now-senior when he was a sophomore, leaning on their longstanding relationship that dates back to...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Frank Martin coached his first season as the UMass men’s basketball coach without a fully executed contract, according to documents obtained Wednesday.The Daily Hampshire Gazette requested Martin’s contract last April after he was hired in late March,...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

AMHERST – Gino Campiotti raced toward the front pylon. This year he met the football there from inside the end zone and hauled in a catch for a (spring practice) touchdown as a tight end rather than diving to score from outside like last season when...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

SPRINGFIELD – The Belchertown boys volleyball team isn’t there yet, but the Orioles aren’t far away.Belchertown erased multiple double-digit deficits in a 3-1 loss Monday at Putnam playing without its starting libero. Seniors Ty Bogdanovich and Connor...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

“Who’s got the shootah?” Thomas Messinger yelled from the Walter Davis Gymnasium sidelines.The surprise Boston accent drew glances and chuckles from the assembled Hargrave Military Academy fans in Chatham, Virginia. Messinger smiled to himself. He...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Amalia Martin stood outside a chemistry classroom and watched flaming napkins extinguish themselves when they dropped and chemicals change states and colors from a hallway.Her classes took place online during her sophomore at Ridge View High School in...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Luke Giguere nearly stopped swimming before his junior season at Belchertown.“I didn’t really like it anymore,” the junior said. “I was doing it so much the past six years, every day for the past two years almost.”Both he and the Orioles are glad he...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

AMHERST – Emphasizing the “UMass” part of UMass football has been key to the Minutemen’s recruiting efforts under Don Brown over the past year.When he went out on the road after taking the job a year and a half ago, Brown would ask where UMass rated...

By KYLE GRABOWSKI

Noah Fernandes is making big moves.The former UMass men’s basketball guard announced Thursday that he’ll transfer to Rutgers for his final season of collegiate basketball. He spent three seasons at UMass after attending Wichita State as a...