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Haley McNeice struck out nine in pitching a no-hitter for the Adams-Cheshire-Savoy Swat on Wednesday night.
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The ACS Swat 16-and-under softball team Wednesday celebrates after winning the Berkshire County Softball League title.

McNeice Fires No-Hitter as ACS Swat Claims League Title

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Haley McNeice did not get a badass bruise or a fun story to tell out of Wednesday’s Berkshire County Softball League 16-and-under division final.
 
She had to settle for a no-hitter and a league title.
 
McNeice struck out nine and allowed just two baserunners in leading the Adams-Cheshire-Savoy Swat to a 10-0 win over the Berkshire Liberty at McCann Tech High School.
 
The Hoosac Valley High School junior flirted with perfection while sporting a conspicuous contusion on her non-throwing arm, a souvenir from a different travel softball game.
 
“I got hit with a line drive,” she said after celebrating the title with her teammates. “We had a tournament in Greenfield this weekend. Line drive, last play of the game. Our shortstop got it – it went up in the air, and she got it and got a double play.”
 
She did not have to sacrifice her body on Wednesday night, but her defense still made all the plays behind her.
 
The Swat played error-free ball, and one big play late helped keep the no-hitter alive.
 
With one out in the top of the sixth, the Berkshire Liberty’s Emily Steuernagle laid down a well placed bunt on the third base line.
 
ACS catcher Maryn Cappiello popped out, grabbed the ball and fired to Paige Rochelo, who was able to stretch out to get the throw that just beat Steuernagle to the bag.
 
The Swat offense, meanwhile, gave McNeice a lead to work with right out of the gate.
 
Maddie Saunders was hit by a pitch and raced around the bases from first on an outfield error that left Ari Rivard on second in the bottom of the first. Rivard eventually came home when Courtney Kanelos was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
 
ACS took a 2-0 lead into the third, when it scored three runs on four hits. Emily Raschdorf (2-fo-4) had a two-run single, and Trinity Brackett drove in a run with a single to left to make it 5-0.
 
Cappiello (2-for-4) drove in a run in a two-run fourth and picked up another RBI in a three-run sixth against Liberty starter Julia Devoti (seven strikeouts).
 
The most trouble McNeice saw in the circle came in the top of fifth.
 
Samantha Ullrich worked a walk to get the Liberty its first baserunner, and Lily Brancato drew a walk right behind her to give her team first and second with nobody out.
 
“I just had to think to myself, ‘I have to stand up tall,’ “ McNeice said. “I just had to get it together.”
 
She got the first out of the inning on a fly ball to Rochelo at first and then sat down the next two hitters on strikeouts to get out of the jam.
 
Relying on her fastball and mixing in an effective drop pitch, McNeice then retired the next six hitters in a row, ending the game on a strikeout for her first career no-hitter.
 
“It actually feels really cool,” she said. “It’s cool that it was a championship game and everyone all played together. It’s really nice.”
 
 

12U Tournament

ADAMS, Mass. -- Gianna Witek had four hits and drove in five runs Wednesday to lead the Greylock Thunder to a 19-1 win over Dalton in the 12-and-under league final at Russell Field.
 
Witek also struck out five to earn the win in the circle.
 
K.J. ivingston had three hits, including a pair of doubles. Avery Lane and Maria Welch had three hits apiece, and Abby Wilson doubled.
 
"Greylock played tremendous defense, especially Kyleigh Cooper, who made five plays at second base, Abby Wilson catching a fly ball in centerfield and Elin Reinhard making a great play at third base to end the first inning," Thunder caoch Mike Ameen said.
 
Kaylee, Layla and McKinley each had a hit for Dalton. Kaylee also struck out five in taking the loss in the circle.
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Adams Parts Ways With Police Chief

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The town has parted ways with its police chief. 
 
K. Scott Kelley "is no longer employed by the Town of Adams," according to interim Town Administrator Holli Jayko. 
 
The Board of Selectmen voted on Sept. 8 to put the police chief on a paid leave of absence but town officials have declined to answer repeated questions about the nature of the absence other than to clarify it was not a "suspension."
 
His departure follows an executive session held by the Selectmen last Wednesday to discuss a personnel matter other than professional competence, including health or discipline, or dismissal. 
 
A request for further information on whether Kelley's leaving was through resignation or termination was not provided, or whether his contract had been paid out. 
 
"The Town does not comment on personnel matters and will have no further comment on this matter at this time," responded Selectmen Chair John Duval via email on Friday. 
 
Kelley, who moved here to take the post of chief in 2021, has reportedly sold his home. 
 
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