Berkshire Force 12U Team Starts Strong at Conn. Tournament

iBerkshires.com Sports08:33PM / Friday, July 17, 2026Print Story | Email Story

WINDSOR, Conn. – Peyton Demary raced home on an error in the bottom of the fourth inning Friday to give the Berkshire Force a 6-5 walkoff win and a 3-0 record on day one of a tournament at the End of Summer Challenge at the Fast Pitch Nation complex.

The winning rally against the CT Titans started with a leadoff walk and a single by Demary.

After the lead runner was eliminated on Emma Wixsom’s single, McKinley Bushika stepped to the plate and put the ball in play.

A miscue allowed Demary to score from second base and end the game.

Wixsom and Demary split time in the circle against the Titans, striking out one apiece and allowing three earned runs.

The Force started its day on Friday against the Bethel (Conn.) Blast, earning a 6-2 win behind Demary and Wixsom. Demary struck out a pair in two innings in the circle, and Wixsom delivered two scoreless innings.

C.C. Clark, Wixsom and Bushika each doubled in the opener. Bushika went 3-for-3 with an RBI.

Cali’Ray St. John and Abbi M. had a pair of hits apiece.

Berkshire’s second game was an 8-2 win over the Western Connecticut Eagles.

Mila Ostellino and Charlotte Kotski each had a pair of hits and drove in a pair of runs.

Demary and Wixsom again handled the pitching, striking out four between them.

The Berkshire Force ended up seeded third out of 14 teams coming out of pool play and starts its Saturday morning in bracket play against the Enfield (Conn.) Extreme, which went 0-3 on Day One.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Greylock Youth SummerFest

Come join in on the wealth building fun! August 3-8. Click for event details. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:52PM / Tuesday, August 25, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A former Pittsfield Police officer was one of five statewide who recently had their licenses revoked by the POST Commission.

Last week, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission voted to strip five former officers of their licenses to work in law enforcement, including former PPD officer William Straub.

The commission had determined that these workers were unfit to carry a badge and gun in Massachusetts; so far, 92 state police officers have been decertified by the commission.

Records indicate that Straub faced charges tied to a 2024 incident, but details are redacted. On Oct. 31, 2024, the POST Commission suspended Straub's law enforcement certification, and he resigned from PPD in April.

"According to Pittsfield District Court records, Straub pleaded guilty in April to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery tied to a 2024 incident," MassLive wrote on Monday.

"Three other charges, including drunk driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, were continued without a finding. While that resolution allows the charges to be dismissed after a period of time if Straub abides by certain conditions, the commission treats them as a criminal conviction."

According to records, he was certified as a police officer in July of 2021, and recertified in July 2024.

"The Respondent's appointing agency, the Pittsfield Police Department ("PPD"), submitted a final report to the Commission finding that the Respondent had engaged in criminal conduct and conduct unbecoming [of] an officer," the Aug. 20 final decision to decertify reads.

"The Respondent resigned from PPD on April 9, 2026, prior to the imposition of any discipline."

View Full Story