North Adams, MA- It was Opening Day for the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The town of North Adams rejoiced as their beloved SteepleCats, the boys of summer, were ready to take the field once again. After a playoff appearance in 2021, expectations were high. A familiar face, the lanky left-hander for the Shippensburg Raiders, Kaleb Sophy, toed the rubber. 

Opening Day for the SteepleCats didn't exactly go the way they wanted. The Blues came to play on Tuesday. Before anyone even had a chance to settle in, grab a hot dog or some popcorn, it was 7-0. 

The problem for North Adams was walks. Between the three pitchers Sophy, Nate Beal, and Joe Skapinetz, a total of 15 base on balls were issued. The SteepleCats actually outhit the Blues 9-7, but as any coach will tell you, walks kill.
The Blues were led by David Christoforo, who went 2 for 4 with four runs batted in, capped off by a huge bases-clearing double in the top of the 2nd. 

The starting pitcher for Bristol performed brilliantly in his first appearance with the team. Peter Ostenson, a rising junior for Fairfield University, hurled four superb innings, scattered four hits, and only allowed a single run. 

Despite finding themselves in a deep hole early on in the game, it wasn't all doom and gloom for the Cats. 1B Cedric Rose, 3B Will Binder and CF Hunter Pasqualini all had solid days at the dish. Rose collected three base hits and knocked in a pair on a two-run single in the bottom of the 7th. Binder and Pasqualini each provided a multi-hit game.

Opening Day lasted only seven innings as the rain furiously poured all night. After the bottom of the 7th was completed, the umpires decided to call the game.

In the grand scheme of a long and grueling summer baseball season, one measly loss is not a reason to panic. North Adams will be back at it again on Wednesday night as they take on the Winnipesaukee Muskrats, who are playing their first game this season.

On the hill for the SteepleCats will be Butler Bulldog and returning player Cory Bosecker. The young right-hander was Butler's ace pitcher all season and will look to provide a spark to get his team back on track. On the other side, the Muskrats selected Franklin Pierce University's Kyle Roche as their Opening Day starter. 

First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. under the lights at Joe Wolfe Field.