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Force Drops Pair at USSSA Tournament

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SALISBURY, Md. -- The Berkshire Force 16-and-under travel softball team got the tying run to the plate in the top of the fourth, but its rally fell short in a 6-4 decision on Tuesday at the United States Specialty Sports Association's Eastern National Championship.
 
Berkshire's second game of the day went down to the wire with Maryland's Brunswick Steam ahead, 6-1, after three innings.
 
With the tournament's time constraing making the fourth inning the Force's last chance, it got a one-out single from Julia McComish to start a three-run rally.
 
Ava McMahon singled to put two runners on, and with two out, Lexi Spratling singled to left to make it 6-2.
 
Amelia Polidoro worked a walk to load the bases, and Madilyn Demary earned a seven-pitch walk to bring in a run, making it 6-3. Spratling scored on a wild pitch, but Brunswick's pitcher got a groundball out to end the rally.
 
McMahon went three innings in the circle, allowing three earned runs in the loss.
 
The Force started its Tuesday against the Beacon Extreme of New York, which earned a 5-1 win after scoring five in the top of the second.
 
Spratling singled and drove in Mollie Crawford, who had Berkshire's other hit in the loss.
 
Amaya Alger and Polidoro combined to strike out two in four innings in the circle.
 
The Force (0-4) begins bracket play on Wednesday.
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State Auditor DiZoglio Pushes for Beacon Hill Transparency

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

The state auditor called on voters to support Question 1 on the November ballot, which would bring most legislative and governor's office records under the public records law. 
DALTON, Mass. — Transparency is not a one-party issue, and democracy is also "under attack" here in Massachusetts, not just at the federal level, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio said during a presentation to the Dalton Democratic Town Committee.
 
More than a dozen people filled Nessacus Regional Middle School's auditorium Thursday as DiZoglio outlined her belief that power on Beacon Hill has become concentrated among a small number of House leaders, limiting legislative debate and creating what she described as a system of "rewards and punishment" to influence lawmakers.
 
"That system is really destroying democracy here in Massachusetts," she said.
 
The system was designed with a system of checks and balances, including giving the people a right to create laws at the ballot box, DiZoglio said.
 
"We have the right to vote for our elected representatives and senators to represent us and to be our voice at the state house. The people have constitutional rights in this commonwealth, but the people's rights are being ignored over and over and over again," she said
 
"This isn't about liberal, moderate, conservative. This is an everyone issue. That's why you see so many people coming out and supporting these transparency issues, regardless of party affiliation."
 
Since being elected in 2022, DiZoglio has been advocating for more transparency and accountability within the Legislature, specifically through the 2024 Question 1 ballot question which authorizes the state auditor to audit the Legislature.
 
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