Pittsfield Falls in Final Battle of the Berkshires
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Joe Pavone (UConn) went 4 for 5 and Sean Burns (Univ of San Francisco) pitched seven innings as the North Adams SteepleCats (22-16) won 15-2 against the Pittsfield American Defenders (13-22) on Sunday.Burns allowed just one run and every North Adams starter reached base at least once in the win. The SteepleCats won 5 of the 6 games in the Battle of the Berkshires this season.
North Adams scored twice in the first inning against Pittsfield starter Nate Sermini (Franklin Pierce) without picking up a hit. Sermini walked three batters and hit another as the SteepleCats pulled ahead.
With the 2-0 lead, North Adams added another run in the 2nd inning on a sacrifice fly from Brandon Macias (South Mountain CC). The SteepleCats shortstop was 0 for 1 in the game, with two sacrifices, two walks, and a hit by pitch.
Sean Burns was staked to a 3 run lead and started off pitching effectively. He retired the first three hitters he faced, but the next three hitters reached to start the second inning. With the bases loaded, Burns got John Andreoli (UCONN) to ground out and Anthony Bona (San Jose State) to hit into a double play to end the inning. Pittsfield did strand a run but were able to close the gap to 3-1.
Nate Sermini then retired the next six hitters he faced but allowed a leadoff home run to Bo Reeder (East Tenn St Univ) as North Adams pulled ahead 4-1.
The SteepleCats batted around in the 6th inning and started to pull away. Patrick Johnson (Riverside CC) brought home two runs on a single and Paul Hoilman (East Tenn St Univ) scored another two more on a triple to right field. Infielder Brian Meagher (La Salle Univ) finished the frame and pitched a total of 3 1/3 innings for Pittsfield to save the bullpen. The American Defenders have doubleheaders on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week.
North Adams would go on to win 15-2 as Ryan Walker (UNC-Wilmington) pitched the final two innings for the SteepleCats. Sean Burns earns the win after the seven-inning performance, his second of the season.
Nate Sermini takes the loss after pitching 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander allowed 10 runs (9 earned) in his second loss of the season. Infielder Brendan Norton (La Salle Univ) pitched the final inning for Pittsfield as the American Defenders lost their fifth straight game.
North Adams improves to 22-16 on the season and will travel to play at the Vermont Mountaineers (19-16) tomorrow night at 6:35 PM.
The Pittsfield American Defenders will continue their weekend-long homestand as the Danbury Westerners visit for a doubleheader on Monday. The games will start at 5 o'clock and both will be scheduled for seven innings. Danbury and Pittsfield are vying for the final playoff spot in the Western division and will meet again on Tuesday night in Danbury for another doubleheader between the two clubs.
Fans can listen to all Pittsfield games by using Teamline, the official broadcasting partner of the American Defenders. Fans can also go to the team store at 2 South St. for more information or to the team site.
The American Defenders front office can be reached by calling 413-997-2273. Fans can call for information on the teams, tickets, sponsorship, group outings and more.
