Ian Simpson pitched well, tossing a complete game while allowed just three earned runs, but visiting Greenfield Post 81 was unable to break through offensively in a 4-1 loss to Pittsfield Post 68 in an American Legion Senior Division contest on Thursday in Pittsfield.

Post 81 fell to 7-4, while second-place Pittsfield improved to 11-3.

Simpson struck out four and walked five while giving up five hits. Offensively, Jackson Campbell paced Greenfield with three hits, and Sam Connors doubled home the team’s lone run in the top of the seventh inning, plating Simpson (walk) to cut the deficit to 4-1.

Pittsfield scored twice in the first inning and then added single runs in the third and sixth frames. Dylen Richardson also had a hit for Post 81.

Next up is a home game back at Vets Field on Friday against Sheffield.

Junior Legion

Greenfield 11, West Springfield 3 – Austin D’Urso struck out six in five solid innings, and Wayde Bardwell was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored as Post 81 cruised to a decisive Junior Division win on Thursday in West Springfield.

Post 81 (8-3) was buoyed by the top of the order, where Michael Hioe scored four runs. Hayden Girard added two hits, and Grayson Bishop drove in a pair.

Greenfield used a six-run fourth to break a 1-1 tie, and tacked on three insurance runs in the sixth to put things well out of reach.

Post 81 will host Belchertown on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Running

Northfield Summer Series

For the second week in a row, Ben Whitbeck bested the field at the Northfield Summer Road Race on Thursday night, completing the 3-mile course in 18 minutes, 49 seconds.

Robin McKeon (25:24, 8th overall) was the first female to finish. Both were rewarded with homemade pies from the prize table.

Asa Taggert (19:56) came in second, followed by Mike Townsley (20:14), Matt Bassett (23:17) and Joe Snikeris (23:30).

The race takes place every Thursday during the summer months, beginning and ending at 105 Main Street in Northfield. Start time is 6:30 p.m., registration begins at 6. Walkers are welcome to participate and can start early or take a shorter route. Cost is $5.

Golf

Thomas Women’s League

Sally Malloy, Jenn Murphy and Jane Smith all fired rounds of 43, taking low gross honors at the Thomas Memorial Women’s League on Wednesday in Turners Falls.

Cynthia Marchand had the low net score for the day with a 26, while Smith was closest to the pin at No. 7 (4 feet).

Timmons-Messer League

Jeff Seymour posted a round of 36 to snag match medalist honors, and wound up with the low gross along with Rich Drozdal during Timmons-Messer League play on Wednesday at Northfield Golf Club.

After a match of cards, Rob Schrader and Dan Arsenault finished second with a 37.

Ronnie Parker and Tim Herzig were the low net winners with a 24, followed by Ed Marvell and Fran O’Neil (25).

Closest to the pin winners were Andy Sena on No. 6 (9-3) and Gene Strunjo on No. 7 (9-0).

CCG Pro Junior

Jim DiRico and Danny O’Connor shot 67, securing low gross honors in the 15-to-18 year old division during the Country Club of Greenfield’s Pro Junior event on Thursday.

Kevin Piecuch and Gunnar Moore tied for second with Piecuch and Phineas Tuttman (68), as well as Josh Hillman and Tim Kaley.

In the 14 and Under Division, Josh Hillman and Jacob Hillman shot 68 to lead the way. Taylor Schmidt and Amelia Gruber tied for second place with Chad Alibozek and Gabe Thomas (71).

Adult softball

Greenfield coed

Farmers United 17, RG Penfield 16 — Dennis DePaolo made two diving catches in the outfield and smacked a two-run triple in the sixth inning to lift Farmers United to a thrilling 17-16 victory in Greenfield Adult Coed Softball action on Tuesday.

Tyler Leroux racked up four hits and scored three runs to lead the way for Penfield.