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Force 14U Team Wins Three in Connecticut Tournament

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ENFIELD, Conn. – The Berkshire Force 14-and-under travel softball team went 3-0 in three tight games at the Enfield Invitational on Saturday.
 
The Force edged the host Enfield Extreme Blue, 4-2, before beating the Connecticut Charge 13U squad, 7-2. Berkshire then beat the Senior Noles of Central Massachusetts, 7-5.
 
Ava McMahon struck out seven in a complete-game effort to beat the Enfield Extreme. Amelia Polidoro led the offense, doubling and driving in a pair of runs.
 
Against the Charge, Lillian MacDonald went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI to lead a 10-hit attack for the Force. Lexi Spratling also doubled in the win, which saw Julia McComish strike out seven and allow just one earned run.
 
In its final game of the day, the Force rallied from a 5-0 deficit to earn a 7-5 win.
 
Berkshire scored four times in the bottom of the fourth inning – the last inning started under the tournament’s time rule.
 
Polidoro and Madilyn Demary got the winning rally started with back-to-back singles. Then McMahon drew a walk to load the bases.
 
Grace Hunt’s RBI groundout made it 5-4 and left runners at second and third with one out.
 
Demary tied the game on a passed ball, and Spratling reached on a fielder’s choice that left McMahon at third.
 
Both McMahon and Spratling then came home on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Arianna Perkins to provide the winning runs.
 
Polidoro again led the offense for the Force, going 2-for-2 with a double.
 
She also earned the win in the circle, striking out two and allowing four earned runs.
 
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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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