All-Star Weekend Round-Up, Part 2: SteepleCats Ozzie Borrell Takes Home All-Star MVP

By Jen ThomasPrint Story | Email Story
Ozzie Borell was presented with the All-Star MVP trophy by NECBL Commissioner Mario Tiani and John Watterson.
View Slide Show
For the first time, the Berkshires hosted the New England Collegiate Baseball League’s All-Star Game on Sunday. In honor of the region’s legacy of baseball accomplishments and in an effort to welcome all-stars to the county, the NECBL sponsored a series of weekend-long events as part of All-Star Weekend. North Adams - Despite receiving tragic news early Sunday morning, the North Adams SteepleCats were instrumental in the southern division’s 8-0 victory over the northern division in the New England Collegiate Baseball League’s All-Star Game. SteepleCat Ozzie Borrell, who hit the game’s only homerun at Joe Wolfe Field yesterday, dedicated his MVP-winning performance to teammate Neiko Johnson, after learning of Johnson’s mother’s death earlier in the day. “This award’s for him,” said Borrell, holding up his John Watterson Most Valuable Player trophy. “We’ve only been playing together for about two months, but it’s amazing how close we’ve gotten. He’s a great kid and I love him to death.” “It’s an emotional day,” said SteepleCats General Manager Sean McGrath. “These guys are like family and to start the day off with news like that, it’s tough.” With 4, 210 in attendance at the Berkshire debut of the All-Star Game, the home team showed the crowd how all-stars play. Along with players from the Newport Gulls, the Danbury Westerners, the Torrington Twisters, the Manchester Silkworms and the Pittsfield Dukes, the SteepleCats’ southern division took on the Keene Swampbats, the Vermont Mountaineers, the Sanford Mainers, the Lowell All-Americans, the Holyoke Giants and the Concord Quarry Dogs. MVP Performance Beginning the night with a 2-run homerun in the third inning on his first pitch, Borrell started his game off right. “I just saw the ball clearing the fence, but I could tell from the crowd’s reaction it was one of our guys,” said McGrath. Borrell later hit a blistering groundball to shortstop in the fourth inning for a base hit. He concluded his night going 2 for 2 with two runs batted in. “Ozzie was able to put it all behind him and he did a heck of a job,” said teammate and fellow all-star Michael Moras, who was the catcher from the fourth inning to the sixth. “I had a lot of extra energy because my fans were here. I love North Adams and I love my team,” said Borrell. “I told the guys. ‘Let’s get a win. I want a win. I don’t like losing.” “He played this game for Neiko and his mother,” said McGrath. “He’s the type of teammate you want - he loves the players like his brothers.” Pitcher Perfect It was all about pitching for the southern division as they shut out the northern division, holding them to 3 hits and striking out 11. SteepleCats pitchers fared well, allowing their opponents no runs in two innings. Nick McCully, the freshman from Lakeland, Fla., pitched the fourth inning. After getting one quick out, McCully struck out the following two batters, throwing a perfect inning. Jack Britton, a Middlebury College junior, came in for the fifth, where he pitched a quick 1-2-3 inning, giving a one-out hit but was rescued when he got the Mountaineers’ Chad Durakis to ground to a double play. “It was picture perfect,” said McGrath of his team’s performance. “I couldn’t be more happy. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.” All-Star Weekend Before the game, All-Star weekend sponsored a "Pirate's Bay All Star Fan Fun Fest" complete with water slide, player dunk tank and "bounce house." Fans from all teams were treated to cotton candy and snow cones and had the opportunity to dunk their favorite SteepleCat pitcher, including Rhode Island's Robert Germane and Canada's Shane Davis. "You do it for the kids," said Germane after being dunked by a line of children with amazing accuracy. Following an All-Star skills competition featuring a homerun derby and fastest baserunner activities, local band Character Nine played a few original songs behind home plate before the game, sending the team mascots into a dancing frenzy. The SteepleCats also hosted a short memorial service for members of the armed forces who lost their lives since September 11, 2001 with a flag ceremony by the American Legion Post 125 Color Guard. Representative Daniel Bosley and Mayor John Barrett III were seen in the stands, cheering on the home team, while local celebrity and Pittsfield Dukes owner Dan Duquette supported Dukes players Alex Hassan and Nelson Gomez. Future Plans The SteepleCats are looking to make a solid playoff run as they near the end of the season. They’ll be facing the Concord Quarry Dogs tonight at Joe Wolfe Field. The game begins at 7 p.m. The Pittsfield Dukes’ Media Relations Manager Daniel Sturtevant contributed to this story. Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 
 
The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 
 
"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."
 
LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 
 
"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.
 
The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.
 
"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back. 
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories

Schools
image description

McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

Schools
Community News
image description

Companion Corner: Weber at No Paws Left Behind

Community News
Business
image description

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

Business
Business
image description

North Adams Jewelry Store Has New Owner

Business
Community News
image description

North Adams Water Safe to Drink

Community News
Community News
image description

North Adams Lifts Boil Water Order for Most of City

Community News
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?