Holyoke, Mass.

The time-tested adage that pitching wins championships was proven again in 1985, when Holyoke High School rode its quality arms to the program’s fourth Massachusetts Division 1 title.

Pat Brennan was the ace of that team, winning the three biggest games down the stretch: 1-0 over Minnechaug in the Western Mass. final, getting the decision in extra innings against Milford and then hurling his team past Boston College High in the state championship.

"We had tons of pitching, and then guys who could spray the gaps and run the bases, and we never made mental mistakes," said Jim Woods, a sophomore on that team who’s been the coach at Granby High School since 2003.