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North End Starts La Festa Baseball Exchange with Win at North Adams

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Matthew Griffin struck out 12 and overcame a rough start to earn a complete game 11-5 win for the North End Dodgers in the opening game of the La Festa Baseball Exchange against North Adams at Joe Wolfe Field on Saturday.
 
Joe Brienze went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two runs batted in to pace the Dodgers, who overcame a 5-0 deficit after two innings.
 
The two teams will meet again on Sunday morning at 10:30 before the scene shifts to Boston in two weeks for the annual trip east for the North Adams squad.
 
The home team got off to a fast start in the opener.
 
Ethan Denette started the first with a one-out single and stole second ahead of Lucas Hamilton’s base hit. Hamilton took second on the throw on the play and scored when Ethan Sherman launched a double deep to right to make it 2-0.
 
Sherman scored one batter later when Brayden Canales singled up the middle, and coach Tito Sniezek’s team had a 3-0 lead.
 
North Adams stretched its margin in the second thanks to RBI singles from Sherman and Canales.
 
But Griffin did not allow a baserunner past second base the rest of the way and allowed just one hit over the next five innings.
 
Meanwhile, his offense gave him a pair of runs in the top of the third and five in the top of the fourth to take the lead.
 
Anthony Sapienza and Brienze each had an RBI during the winning rally.
 
The Dodgers picked up a pair of insurance runs in the fifth and two more in the top of the seventh when Richard Wells hit a two-run single.
 
Although the teams combined for a handful of errors, the game also had a number of defensive gems.
 
Catchers Brienze and Jules Feliciano each went well into Joe Wolfe’s expansive foul territory to run down fly balls for their respective teams.
 
And Feliciano had a pair of assists on a rare 2-6-2-5 double play to end the top of the seventh as North Adams caught a pair of runners attempting to pull off a delayed double steal of second and home.
 
 
VideoGeorge Canales throws out one of the first pitches to his grandson Brayden prior to the start of Saturday’s La Festa Baseball Exchange between North Adams and the North End Dodgers of Boston at Joe Wolfe Field. NA Mayor Jennifer Macksey also threw out a first pitch.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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