Updated August 30, 2015 04:46PM

Cornerstone Completes Sweep in BABL Final

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Ryan Melle went 3-for-3 with four runs batted in on Sunday to lead the Cornerstone Nineties to the Berkshire Adult Baseball League 20-and-over Division title.
 
Andrew Kelly and Brendan Bushey combined for the win on the mound as Cornerstone won, 11-4, to complete a two-game sweep in the best-of-three championship series.
 
In the BABL's 35-and-over Division, the Adams Aces took the championship with a 2-1 series win over the Bandits.
 
The Bandits forced Game 3 with a 2-1 win on Sunday morning. Justin Tenczar drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh to win Game 2.
 
In Game 3, Pete Greenbush hit a three-run home run, and Dave Vidal pitched 2-2/3 winnings of scoreless relief to lead Adams to an 8-3 win. Greenbush ended up with two hits and four RBIs, and Corey Swistak, Matt Larabee and Mike Rinaldi had two hits apiece.
 
The 35-plus Division on Sunday was much different than Saturday's Game 1, when when Cornerstone scored in the top of the seventh to earn a 1-0 decision. In Game 2, Nineties wasted no time breaking out the bats on Sunday at Clapp Park.
 
 
Bushey led off the bottom of the first with an infield single that sparked a six-run rally. Joe Bastow, Melle and Pat Geary also singled in the inning, which saw Cornerstone take a 6-0 lead.
 
BBA, which handed Cornerstone its only regular season loss, rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the third when Andrew Senger drove the ball over the right field fence to bring home Joe Bateman.
 
But Bastow and Melle each drove in a run in the fourth to re-establish Cornerstone's six-run advantage at 8-2.
 
Again, BBA battled back, scoring a pair in the top of the fifth thanks to a sacrifice fly by Senger and an RBI groundout by Mike Massery to make it 8-4.
 
But a BBA error with one out fueled a three-run rally for Cornerstone in the bottom of the fifth.
 
Kelly got the start on the mound and went five innings, scattering five hits and allowing all four runs. Bushey struck out one and gave up two hits in two innings of scoreless relief.
 
Matt Clark was roughed up for 11 Cornerstone runs -- eight earned. BBA's Senger went 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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