Berkshire Force 12U Team Stays Alive at Conn. Tournament

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WINDSOR, Conn. – The Berkshire Force 12-and-under travel softball team Saturday went 2-1 in the double-elimination bracket at the End of Summer Challenge at the Fast Pitch Nation complex.
 
The Force dropped into the tournament’s losers bracket, where, on Sunday morning, they will face the Connecticut Titans needing two wins to reach the championship round.
 
On Saturday, the Force won its first two bracket-play games, beating the Enfield (Conn.) Extreme, 8-2, and the Hops Fastpitch Red of Rhode Island, 7-2.
 
Against Enfield, C.C. Clark went 2-for-2 at the plate and Cali’Ray St. John doubled in a six-hit Berkshire attack.
 
Emma Wixsom went all three innings in the circle in the win, striking out three.
 
Peyton Demary threw three innings against the Hops, striking out three before giving the ball to McKinley Bushika to finish up.
 
Wixsom went 3-for-3 with three RBIs in the win, which saw Demary double and drive in a run.
 
In the semi-final round of the winners bracket, the Hilltop Hurricanes of Pennsylvania jumped on top with three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-1 lead and held on for a 3-2 win.
 
Charlotte Kotski and Clark each had a hit for the Force.
 
Demary allowed just two earned runs and struck out five in a four-inning effort in the circle.
 
Heading into Sunday’s play, the Force is 5-1 at the tournament.
 
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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue. 

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry. 

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer. 

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday. 
 
The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings. 

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote. 

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Attempted murder
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

  • Attempted murder
  • Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday. 

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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