MCLA's Ameen Named MASCAC Coach of the Year

MCLA Sports InfoPrint Story | Email Story
Mike Ameen

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MCLA head softball coach Mike Ameen has been tabbed as the 2013 MASCAC Coach of the Year following a vote of the conference coaches.  

The honor is the first for Ameen during his Trailblazer tenure.

Ameen led Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to a 19-20 record that was 10-4 in MASCAC play.

The Trailblazers are the second seed in this week's postseason tournament and will host the winner of Framingham State and Worcester State on Friday at 3 p.m.



The Trailblazers improved from a six-win campaign in 2012 to 19 wins this season. MCLA is entering the tournament on a hot streak, having gone 9-2 in their last eleven games. Included in that stretch were sweeps of MASCAC foes Framingham, Westfield and Massachusetts Maritime.

Ameen's honor is the first for the Trailblazers softball program since 2003. MCLA actually started out 4-11 this season before turning it around. They went an impressive 15-9 over the last three weeks of the regular season, cementing their status in the postseason tournament.

Ameen's troops will be set for the double elimination bracket beginning on Friday. Check out www.mascac.com for the up-to-date tournament brackets and scores.


Tags: awards,   college sports,   MCLA sports,   softball,   trailblazers,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

SteepleCats Earn Their First Home Win of Summer

By Ben McDonoughFor iBerkshires.com Sports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — It took nearly three weeks and plenty of heartbreak, but the North Adams SteepleCats finally had their breakthrough moment at Joe Wolfe Field.
 
Behind six strong innings from starter Niklas Pavia and a game-changing three-run third inning, the SteepleCats earned their first home victory of the 2026 season Sunday afternoon, defeating the Upper Valley Nighthawks 4-1.
 
The SteepleCats wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Chris Diaz opened the bottom of the first with a double into the gap and immediately put pressure on the Nighthawks by stealing third base. One batter later, Bobby Stang hit a ground ball that allowed Diaz to race home and give North Adams an early 1-0 advantage.
 
That was all the support Pavia needed to settle into a groove.
 
The right-hander was electric from the start, striking out the side in the second inning and consistently attacking hitters with confidence. Pavia struck out seven batters over six innings of work, allowing just one run while repeatedly pitching out of trouble.
 
Upper Valley’s lone run came in the third inning when Frank Kelly launched a solo home run to left field, knotting the game at one apiece.
 
The tie lasted only minutes.
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories