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Matt Koperniak slides into third for Trinity College.

SteepleCats Bring Local Talent Back To The Berkshires

By John WoodNorth Adams SteepleCats
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — While the SteepleCats come into the 2018 season with a new look and all new players, the roster does feature some local talent looking to make their mark at Joe Wolfe Field.

One of these players, Matt Koperniak, has already seen plenty of Joe Wolfe Field, as the Hoosac Valley High School star formerly took to the diamond against rival Drury High School who called the field home. Matt comes to the SteepleCats after his sophomore season at Trinity College, where the infielder led Trinity with 47 hits, 75 total bases, a .620 slugging percentage, a .483 on-base percentage, five home runs, and a .388 batting average. Feeling great about his opportunity to play top-level baseball so close to home, Matt was also recently named to the 2018 D3Baseball.com All-New England Region Third Team.

Other local players bringing their talents back to Western Massachusetts include Hadley’s Evan Delaney of New England College, a former Northern Atlantic Conference Baseball Player of the Year who hit .328 with five home runs in his junior season, and Sacred Heart’s Stephen Thibault of Southwick, who compiled 40 hits and 26 RBIs for the Pioneers in his sophomore season. From nearby Troy, NY, pitcher Demitri Murray also represents local talent looking to gain experience this summer playing in the NECBL.

While not from the area, players Alex Rodriguez and Greg Cavaliere have garnered plenty of experience playing in the region. Rodriguez, a catcher for Trinity College, comes into this season as an NECBL veteran after winning the league championship with the Valley Blue Sox of Holyoke last year. Cavaliere, hailing from the University of Rhode Island, played last season with the nearby Pittsfield Suns of the Futures League, getting a feel for the baseball environment in the Berkshires.

Come see this local talent in action at the 22 home games this season at Joe Wolfe Field. First pitch for Monday through Saturday games is at 6:30 and for Sunday games it is at 4:30. Buy your tickets at www.steeplecats.org or at the Ticket Booth one hour before game time.


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BAAMS' Monthly Studio 9 Series Features Mino Cinelu

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On April 20, Berkshires' Academy of Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) will host its fourth in a series of live music concerts at Studio 9.
 
Saturday's performance will feature drummer, guitarist, keyboardist and singer Mino Cinelu.
 
Cinelu has worked with Miles Davis, Sting, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Tracy Chapman, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Vicente Amigo, Dizzy Gillespie, Pat Metheny, Branford Marsalis, Pino Daniele, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Salif Keita.
 
Cinelu will be joined by Richard Boulger on trumpet and flugelhorn, Dario Boente on piano and keyboards, and Tony Lewis on drums and percussion.
 
Doors open: 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
 
All proceeds will help support music education at BAAMS, which provides after-school and Saturday music study, as well as a summer jazz-band day camp for students ages 10-18, of all experience levels.
 
Also Saturday, the BAAMS faculty presents master-class workshops for all ages, featuring Cinelu, Boulger, Boente, Lewis and bassist Nathan Peck.
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