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Leominster Ends Pittsfield Nationals' Run in Little League Tourney

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Twenty-four hours after falling victim to a dramatic sixth-inning comeback, the Pittsfield National Little League All-Stars Friday found themselves needing to do the same thing.
 
But after putting two men on base with two out and a four-run lead, Leominster was able to get the final out on a swinging strike and secure a 6-2 win that ended the Nats’ run in the Major League sectional tournament.
 
“I said to them, ‘We have the recipe for coming back because we just had it done to us,’ “ Pittsfield NL coach Darren Lee said. “But we weren’t able to execute.”
 
Cal Lewis and Johnny Crawford each singled around a pair of strikeouts to start the home half of the sixth. That prompted Leominster to bring in its fifth pitcher of the ballgame, Louis Ciccolini, who struck out the only batter he faced to end the game.
 
Pittsfield already successfully came back from one deficit in the elimination game.
 
In the top of the first, Thomas Rupp homered with two out and a man aboard to give his team a 2-0 lead.
 
In the third, Nick Guachione hit a one-out single down the third-base line, and Adam Lazits followed with home run to center to tie the game.
 
Starting pitcher Nate Murphy was able to shut door after that first-inning blast, allowing no more hits before departing the hill after the fifth inning.
 
He finished with eight strikeouts, two hits and the two runs.
 
In the top of the sixth, a pair of singles and an error loaded the bases with nobody out. Brandon Ciccolini doubled in the left-center gap to give his team a 4-2 lead, and Reece Lora followed with a two-run single.
 
The combination of Adam Sears and Louis Ciccolini held the Nats off the board in the bottom of the inning, and Leominster moved into Saturday’s championship round against Holden, which dropped Leominster into the losers’ bracket with a win in Wednesday’s opening round.
 
Lee said the Nationals will take some time off before possibly finding another tournament. Whatever happens from here, there is no taking away from what the District 1 champions accomplished this summer.
 
“We’ve been together 45 days, and I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it,” Lee said. “I’m proud of all these guys. They’ve all come a long way. They showed some heart when we needed it. We fell a little short tonight, but that was a good team we just played.”
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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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