Mainers Secure Walk Off Win Over SteepleCats

SANFORD, Maine. —As the old Yogi Berra saying goes, “It ain’t over till it’s over”

That proved to be true in Sanford, Maine Wednesday night, as a 2 RBI double for the Sanford Mainers in the bottom of the 9th secured a walk-off win over the North Adams SteepleCats 4-3.

The first six innings of the contest proved to be a pitcher’s duel. Andrew DiPiazza made his first NECBL start in Sanford after appearing in two games prior for the SteepleCats. The 6’7” senior had the Mainers almost under complete control, only allowing one run off of three hits with striking out six in his impressive outing. Mainers Ed Baram and and Ryan Twitchell manned the mound for the home team’s first 5.3 innings. The two Mainers combined for ten strikeouts with only surrendering one run off of one hit.

Only one other SteepleCats pitcher took the mound on Wednesday, and that was left-hander Greg Gasparro. The UNC Asheville two-way player held Mainers scoreless in the 6th and 7th innings, but troubles finding the strike zone in the 8th and 9th resulted in four walks and four hits and an eventual Sanford win.

The Mainers utilized three more pitchers after Ryan Twitchell, each tossing one inning. North Adams did it’s most damage against pitcher William Kazura, gathering four hits and driving in two runs. Pitcher’s Sean Fisher and Jack Weisenburger followed Kazura, holding North Adams to just one hit and Weisenburger striking out three.

Most of the game’s offense was produced in the last three innings. With the bases loaded, SteepleCat Matt Koperniak drove a ball to the outfield, allowing two of his teammates to score and allow North Adams to take a 3-1 lead. The Mainers then knocked in another run in the 8th off an RBI single to make the game 3-2. The game concluded after the Mainers put two runners on in the bottom of the 9th courtesy of a walk and a single and leadoff man Jake Alu smacked a double into the outfield to bring the game-tying and winnings runs in.

The SteepleCats are off on Thursday but look to bounce back when they take on the Plymouth Pilgrims on Friday and the Upper Valley Nighthawks on Saturday. They make their return home to Joe Wolfe Field on Sunday to take on the Keene Swamp Bats at 4:30. Tickets for Sunday’s game or any SteepleCats home game can be purchased online at www.steeplecats.org or one hour prior to the game’s start at the Ticket Booth.

Drury Hosts Inaugural Government Appreciation Day

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
01:17PM / Sunday, May 05, 2024

State Rep. John Barrett III explains his role in the state Legislature to students during Government Appreciation Day at Drury on Friday.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Eighth-grade students learned about civics firsthand during the school's inaugural Massachusetts Government Appreciation Day.

 

"Government is strongest when every individual feels as though they are part of the process," said civics teacher Patrick Boulger, before introducing the Friday's guest speakers. "Today is the day when you have an opportunity to be part of this process and learn from individuals who have dedicated their lives to government service."

 

The event is a new addition to the eighth-grade civics curriculum, to provide students with a deeper understanding of state and local governance before they take Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System's civics exam

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey, former Gov. Jane Swift, state Rep. John Barrett III, Assessor Jessica Lincourt and the mayor's executive assistant Lindsay Randall all addressed students in breakout sessions and explained their role in government.

 

Macksey started her presentation by telling her own story starting as a Drury High School graduate. 

 

She said her first job in government was a little less glamorous.

 

"My first job with the city truly was at the dump," she said pointing out the window toward where the city dump used to be. "I sold composting bins, and I did such a good job I was able to get a part-time job in the public service department at City Hall."