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Tunnel City Freight Holds Off Pirates in BABL Playoff Opener

By Ben McDonoughiBerkshires.com Sports
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Tunnel City Freight Saturday picked up a 4-2 victory over the Pirates in the Berkshire Adult Baseball League playoffs, overcoming an early deficit with four unanswered runs.
 
The teams will meet again at Joe Wolfe on Sunday morning at 10 for Game 2 of the best-of-three series; the third game, if necessary, is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
The Pirates struck first in the bottom of the first inning. After Jason Ryan struck out to begin the inning, Phil Sullivan singled and Chad Walker reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing Sullivan to advance to third. Ryan Nalepa then delivered an RBI single to bring Sullivan home and give the Pirates the lead.
 
After a walk, Norm Sweet followed with an RBI single to extend the Pirates’ advantage to 2-0.
 
Tunnel City Freight answered in the top of the third. Jared Martin drew a walk before Nate Feder singled, and Nolan Brassard also walked to load the bases. DJ Clark was then hit by a pitch, bringing home a run. Kevin Lamb followed with a double play that ended the inning, but not before another run crossed the plate, tying the game at 2-2.
 
Tunnel City took the lead in the fourth. After a leadoff walk and a double put runners in scoring position, a sacrifice fly brought home the go-ahead run. Tunnel City added another baserunner with a walk, but the Pirates escaped the inning trailing 3-2.
 
The Pirates had opportunities to respond, including a pair of singles in the bottom of the fifth, but Tunnel City worked out of the inning without allowing a run.
 
Tunnel City added an insurance run in the sixth. After a single and stolen base, a strikeout briefly put the Pirates one out away from escaping the inning. However, a wild pitch allowed the runner to score, pushing the Tunnel City lead to 4-2.
 
The Pirates could not find an answer in the final two innings. Tunnel City retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to secure the 4-2 victory.
 
Ryan Nalepa started on the mound for the Pirates, while Matt Clark got the start for Tunnel City Freight.
 
The Pirates received offensive contributions from Sullivan, Nalepa and Sweet, while Tunnel City’s offense steadily built its lead after falling behind early.
 
Tunnel City ended the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the six-team 33-and-older division of the BABL. This weekend's other 33-yo semi-final involves the Pontoosuc Lake Monsters and Dalton Moneymakers, who play their second and, potentially, third game on Sunday at Mount Greylock Regional School.
 
The league's 20-year-old division semi-finals also are this weekend. The top-seeded and unbeaten GB Millers are taking on the Pittsfield Patriots; the Berkshire Thunder and Housatonic River Monsters are squaring off in the other half of the bracket.
 
The semi-final winners in both divisions will meet Aug. 15 and 16.
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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

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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