Dukes Fall to Lowell 5-4, Eliminated from Playoff Contention

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The Pittsfield Dukes had a tough road to travel if they wanted to make it into the NECBL playoffs, and they fell short in a comeback effort against the Lowell All-Americans at Wahconah Park. www.necbl.com/nutshell.htm The Dukes fell behind early, as starter Bob Buskett (College of New Jersey) allowed five runs through five innings, one in the second, two in the third, and one in each of the fourth and fifth innings. Pittsfield mounted their comeback in the sixth inning as Paul Heidler (Longwood University) and Alex Hassan (Duke University) led the frame off with consecutive singles. After back to back outs were recorded, Scott Savastano (Franklin Pierce University) came to the plate with runners on second and third. Savastano grounded a ball to third that was misplayed and allowed both runners to score. Nelson Gomez (Keystone College) followed with a single that put runners at first and second. Sam Shaughnessy (Boston College) lined a single to leftfield that plated Savastano making the score 5-3. Chester Wilson (Souther Utah University) who was 2-for-4 on the night, grounded a ball to shortstop that ate up shortstop Kevin Nolan (Winthrop University) allowing Gomez to score the fourth unearned Dukes run of the night. Pittsfield would put a two-out baserunner on in the ninth in Tyler Stampone (The College of the Holy Cross), but he was left on base as Savastano popped out foul to first base. With the loss the Dukes are eliminated from playoff contention and still have three games against the Manchester Silkworms. They will play a doubleheader in Manchester Tuesday, game one at 4 and game two at 7, the first of which is the continuation of the July 9th game that began at Wahconah Park. The final game of the year for the Dukes will be Wednesday, with the location to still be determined. For tickets or information, visit our website www.pittsfielddukes.com or call (413) 447-DUKE.
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Dalton Resident Ranks Third in National Snocross Race

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Sal LeBeau on his machine with his sister, Kenna, in the black hat, and friend Brandon and his sister Alea.
DALTON, Mass. — At just 16 years old, Salvatore LaBeau is already making avalanches in the national snocross racing scene.
 
Last weekend, LaBeau raced in the Mount Zion Snocross National race in Ironwood, Mich., the first of eight races in the national circuit series. 
 
Competitions take place across national circuits, attracting racers from various regions and even internationally. 
 
Labeau rides for CT Motorsports, a team based in Upstate New York, on a 2025 Polaris 600R. 
 
This is LaBeau's first time competing on the CT Motorsports team. Years prior, he raced for a team owned by Bruce Gaspardi, owner of South Side Sales and Service in North Adams.  
 
Despite a bad first day on Friday when he fell off his snowmobile and didn't make the final, LaBeau carried on with confidence and on Saturday obtained his first national podium, placing in third for the Sport Lite class. 
 
"I'm feeling good. I'm gonna start training more when I come home, and go to the gym more. And I am really excited, because I'm in 11th right now," the Wahconah High student said. 
 
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