'Cats Beat Bristol, Force First-Place Tie in Western Division

By Rick ZmudzienNorth Adams SteepleCats
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Andy Mena's RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning was the difference maker as the SteepleCats defeated the Bristol Collegiate Baseball Club 2-1 Tuesday night at Joe Wolfe Field.

The SteepleCats are now tied with Bristol for first place in the New England Collegiate Baseball League Western Division.

Bristol's only run came in the top of the first inning against SteepleCats starter Ryland Parker. After the first three batters of the game reached base, Ryan Maghini popped out for the first out of the game. The next batter, Mike Olszyk, grounded out to first base but Mike Fransoso was able to score from third base on the play to give Bristol a 1-0 lead. Parker settled down after the first inning and went six innings for the SteepleCats. He allowed just the one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four.

The SteepleCats' first run of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning against Bristol starter Alex Smith. With two runners on and two out in the inning, right fielder Tom Coulombe singled to center field to score first baseman Cam Kneeland from second base.

The SteepleCats scored their second run in the bottom of the eighth inning against Bristol reliever Ryan Moore. Kneeland walked to lead off the but was still standing at first base after third baseman Matt Petty flied out. The next batter, second baseman Andy Mena, ripped a double to the right-center field gap that scored Kneeland and made the score 2-1. 

Sean Albury came out to pitch the ninth inning for the SteepleCats and pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his sixth save of the season. Corey Vogt, who recorded the final out of the eighth inning, picked up the win. Moore took the loss for Bristol.

Kneeland continued his hot start with the SteepleCats as he went 1-for-3 with a walk and scored both SteepleCats runs. Coulombe and center fielder Kyle Saul also added two hits each.

The 'Cats (12-6) are off on Wednesday and will return to action Thursday night when they host the Vermont Mountaineers at Joe Wolfe Field at 6:30.
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Companion Corner Grey Boy at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a cat No Paws Left Behind still waiting for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. He was previously highlighted but he now has new information.

Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair and was previously highlighted on Companion Corner.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.

"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."

It was previously thought that he has feline herpes but he was recently diagnosed with a palette fracture because of how bad his dental disease was, which is what is causing his sneezing. He can now go home with cats, a cat-savvy dog and children.

"He has had two dentals since being with us. Due to the palate fracture he will be sneezy for the rest of his life, not contagious sneezing, but that doesn’t stop him from living a perfectly happy life. He should be on wet food with chunks due to this and since he has had many teeth removed," Howland said.

Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.

"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."

Now that he is ready to be adopted, he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.

"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."

He is now perfectly healthy with his dentals all done and veterinary care up to date and is ready to find his forever family.

"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.

Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.

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