SteepleCats Drop Another At Home

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —It seems to be a retelling of the same story for the SteepleCats at Joe Wolfe Field.

After getting two big wins on the road, the North Adams SteepleCats returned home Sunday for a faceoff against the Vermont Mountaineers where the away team pulled away after garnered an early lead to get the victory over the SteepleCats 9-3.

The loss brings the home record for the SteepleCats to 1-5, as the team has struggled offensively and on the mound when the donning their white jerseys.

Cam Kovachik made the start for the SteepleCats, allowing Vermont to jump out to an early 3-0 in the 1st. Yet after that inning, Cam seemed to have the Mountaineers under control, keeping them scoreless for the next three innings he was on the field. Rowan University’s Andrew DiPiazza then pitched the next inning, walking two runs in but also striking out two. The next three innings were handled by Stanley Vargas, who allowed six hits and the four runs that allowed Vermont to secure the victory. In a three-way position change that sent Vargas to left field and Tony Ortiz to first base, Jackson Coutts came on to pitch the last inning. The two-way player usually known for his skills at the plate got the Mountaineers to hit a ground ball into a double that ended the 8th inning.

Vermont’s starting pitcher Indigo Diaz went deep into Sunday’s contest, tossing six innings in which the SteepleCats were only able to garner up four hits and one run. Zach Lutner made a quick appearance on the mound, throwing a third of an inning where the home team grabbed two hits and two runs. Levi Abrahamson got the save for the Mountaineers, striking out two and only one hit in his 2.2 innings.

A highlight of the night for North Adams was Bryant University sophomore Sam Owens adapting into more of a utility player for the SteepleCats. Owens came into the season as an infielder, but Sunday night he made the move to behind the plate.

“I’ve been doing it my whole life” said Owens about catching. “After a year off it felt really good to get back at it and catch the game.”

Owens also had a night at the plate, going two-for-three and helping the SteepleCats get some runs up on the board.

The SteepleCats have a much-needed rest on Monday after going on a nine games in ten days span. They’re back at Joe Wolfe Field on Tuesday when they take on the Winnipesaukee Muskrats at 6:30. Grant Stone is expected to make the start for North Adams while the Muskrats starter is to be determined. Tickets for Tuesday’s game can be purchased online at www.steeplecats.org or at the Ticket Booth one hour prior to the game’s start.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.