Keene SwampBats Down North Adams

By Ben McDonoughFor iBerkshires.com Sports
09:44PM / Saturday, June 20, 2026Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The SteepleCats battled back from an early deficit and pulled within one run midway through Saturday night’s contest, but a late offensive push by the Keene Swamp Bats resulted in an 8-4 defeat in New England Collegiate Baseball League action at Joe Wolfe Field.

Keene struck first in the opening inning. Jackson Smith led off with a single and later scored on an RBI double by Jackson Marshall. Eli Stephens followed with an RBI single to put the Swamp Bats ahead 2-0.

The SteepleCats answered in the second inning. After Matthew Colella lined a double into the gap, Parker Camelo delivered an RBI single to score Colella and cut the deficit to one.

North Adams’ defense kept the game close over the next two innings. A great catch at third base robbed Michael O’Brien of extra bases in the second, while center field and left field each came up with impressive grabs during a scoreless third inning.

The Swamp Bats added to their lead in the fourth. Consecutive singles put runners on second and third before an error allowed both to score, extending the advantage to 4-1.

The SteepleCats quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. Nelphie Lopez opened the frame with a double before Sean Stephenson singled to put runners at the corners. Sebastian Rose followed with an RBI single, and after Stephenson aggressively advanced around the bases, Colella drove in another run with a groundout to trim the deficit to 4-3.

Richie Kerstetter provided a strong inning out of the bullpen in the fifth, retiring three of the four hitters he faced after issuing a leadoff walk. Steven Sams entered in the sixth and struck out one, though Nico Senese led off the inning with a solo home run that pushed Keene’s lead to 5-3.

The game remained within reach entering the seventh inning, but the Swamp Bats created separation. Smith led off with a double and later scored, while Senese came through with the biggest swing of the night, ripping a two-run double to extend Keene’s lead to 8-3.

The SteepleCats continued to compete throughout the final innings. Colella singled in the seventh, and Nicolas Lobello followed with a base hit of his own. In the eighth, Rose collected another hit after Bobby Stang reached after being hit by a pitch.

North Adams added one final run in the ninth. Camelo opened the inning with a single to right field and then put his speed on display. After stealing third, Camelo raced home to score, bringing the SteepleCats within four.

Camelo and Colella each finished with two hits on the night. Lopez doubled and scored a run, Rose collected an RBI and two hits, and Stephenson added a hit and scored.

The SteepleCats (1-12) will look to bounce back on on Sunday when they host the Upper Valley Nighthawks at 4 p.m.s on Sunday afternoon.

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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