PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Three Pittsfield Babe Ruth 16-year-old All-Stars combined for 12 strikeouts in a 13-0, five-inning win over Southern Berkshire to open the Western Massachusetts Tournament on Wednesday night.

 

Pittsfield collected five extra-base hits, highlighted by Cooper Reed’s two-run home run in the middle of a six-run second inning as it opened the three-team tournament with a win.

 

Southern Berkshire (0-1) will host Westfield on Thursday night. Pittsfield travels to Bullens Field to face Westfield on Friday. The top two teams after the round-robin will meet at the top seed on Sunday to decide who goes to the New England Championship in Stamford, Conn.

 

Pittsfield’s Kevin Smith set the tone on Wednesday night when he struck out the side in order in the top of the first inning.

 

“He’s my ace,” Pittsfield coach Phil Bock said of Smith. “That’s pretty much what I always get from him. He’s just a hardworking kid who throws a lot of strikes and throws extremely well.”

 

And Smith’s offense rewarded him with a four-run first inning.

 

Bryce Hoff led off with a double to left field, and he came home when Smith reached on an infield throwing error.