Dukes Fall to Lowell 5-4, Eliminated from Playoff Contention

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The Pittsfield Dukes had a tough road to travel if they wanted to make it into the NECBL playoffs, and they fell short in a comeback effort against the Lowell All-Americans at Wahconah Park. www.necbl.com/nutshell.htm The Dukes fell behind early, as starter Bob Buskett (College of New Jersey) allowed five runs through five innings, one in the second, two in the third, and one in each of the fourth and fifth innings. Pittsfield mounted their comeback in the sixth inning as Paul Heidler (Longwood University) and Alex Hassan (Duke University) led the frame off with consecutive singles. After back to back outs were recorded, Scott Savastano (Franklin Pierce University) came to the plate with runners on second and third. Savastano grounded a ball to third that was misplayed and allowed both runners to score. Nelson Gomez (Keystone College) followed with a single that put runners at first and second. Sam Shaughnessy (Boston College) lined a single to leftfield that plated Savastano making the score 5-3. Chester Wilson (Souther Utah University) who was 2-for-4 on the night, grounded a ball to shortstop that ate up shortstop Kevin Nolan (Winthrop University) allowing Gomez to score the fourth unearned Dukes run of the night. Pittsfield would put a two-out baserunner on in the ninth in Tyler Stampone (The College of the Holy Cross), but he was left on base as Savastano popped out foul to first base. With the loss the Dukes are eliminated from playoff contention and still have three games against the Manchester Silkworms. They will play a doubleheader in Manchester Tuesday, game one at 4 and game two at 7, the first of which is the continuation of the July 9th game that began at Wahconah Park. The final game of the year for the Dukes will be Wednesday, with the location to still be determined. For tickets or information, visit our website www.pittsfielddukes.com or call (413) 447-DUKE.
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State Fire Marshal: Fall Back Safely

STOW, Mass.—With the end of daylight savings time coming on Nov. 3, Massachusetts fire officials issued a seasonal reminder to check smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and change the batteries when changing clocks.

"Working smoke and CO alarms are vital to your safety at home," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "As we 'fall back' this weekend, protect yourself and the people you care for by putting fresh alkaline batteries in alarms that use them and replacing alarms that are out of date."

Today's smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have the manufacturing date printed on the back of the device. Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years, and CO alarms should be replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions – usually 5, 7, or 10 years, depending on the model. Unless you have newer alarms with 10-year sealed batteries, this is also a good time to replace the alkaline batteries in all your alarms. And remember to test your smoke and CO alarms once a month to be sure they're working properly.

Heating Season Brings Carbon Monoxide Hazards

Foxborough Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, emphasized the importance of working carbon monoxide alarms as we enter the colder months.

"Carbon monoxide is a leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, and heating equipment is the main source of carbon monoxide in the home," Chief Kelleher said. "We can't see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide. Working CO alarms are the only way to detect this invisible killer."

Replacement Alarms Should Have Sealed, Long-Life Batteries and a Hush Feature

Replacing your old single-station smoke alarm? Choose alarms that have sealed, long-life batteries and a hush feature. This makes it less likely that someone in the home will use the batteries for another device, forget to change them twice a year, or remove them when cooking causes smoke in the kitchen.

"Disabling a smoke alarm puts you, your loved ones, and everyone in the building at risk," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "Never remove batteries from a smoke alarm except when putting fresh ones in."

Alarms Should Be Listed by an Independent Lab

Massachusetts requires that all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). Listed devices will have the laboratory's mark on the back. In recent years, fire officials have seen numerous smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that were purchased online and either have counterfeit marks or no mark at all.

"Smoke and CO alarms can be the difference between life and death, but only if they work properly." said Chief Kelleher. "When you purchase a new alarm, choose one from a well-known, national brand. We've seen many alarms that were purchased online and don't meet the safety requirements of our State Fire Code. If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is."

Create & Practice a Home Escape Plan

"Changes to building construction and furnishings mean we have less time to escape a fire at home than ever before," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "You could have just three minutes to get out safely."

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