North End Dodges Capture LaFesta 30th Baseball Exchange

Sister cities, North Adams and Boston (North End) recently squared off in the 30th year of the LaFesta Baseball Exchange, a home and away series.

Over the years, the two teams have played 100 games with over 1,000 players participating in the challenging competition.

Traveling to North Adams for a scheduled two-game series, weather canceled one game, prompting them to play a nine-inning contest won by the North End Dodges, 7-5.

North Adams traveled to the North End for games two and three at Puopolo Park, where the home team won both games, 3-2 and 12-4.

In a closely contested game, the Dodges scored a sixth-inning run for the win.

Jordany Mak singled in the bottom of the 6th on a 2-0 count scoring the eventual game-winning run. He also played solid defense at shortstop.

Starting pitcher Matthew Griff hurled three-hitter, allowing only two-runs, striking out four batters in a complete seven inning performance.

Mak and Richard Bova had multiple hits (2 each) for the home team.

North Adams scored three runs in the seventh inning of the second game but the Dodges still picked up the victory 12-4 winning the series 3-0.

Jordany Mak started things off with a first inning single picking up an RBI. A 5 run second inning gave the home team a comfortable lead with Richard Bova starting it off with a walk a single by Oliver Barca a groundout by Niklas McHugh and a double by Jo Brienze produce the runs.

Pat Keefe was on the mound for the Dodges and pitched a complete game, allowing four runs, eight hits while striking out 15 North Adams batters.

Dodges racked up 14 hits Max Howard, Keefe, Brienze, Bova and Mike Murphy collected two hits each.

No errors were committed by the Dodges with Brienze handling 14 changes.

The weekend series MVP was Jordany Max.

Before the game, the North Adams delegation were treated to lunch on The Greenway provided by Pauli’s of the North End.

After the game, both teams went to the Nazzaro Community Center for an Italian meal by Gary Forziati of Mangia Mangia.

George Canales was presented a rocking chair by the North End Athletic Association (NEAA) for all his years of service and hospitality to the youth of the North End.

The National Anthem was sung by Denyel Fonseca of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services and the colors were presented by the USS Constitution Color Guard.

First pitches were tossed out by John Fiumara and Joe Sgarano who helped create North End Against Drugs (NEAD) and were part of the group that met with North Adams to start the Exchange 30 years ago.  

Joining them of the field were former North End coaches and players of the Exchange including State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Matthew Imbergamo, Michael Martignetti and current GM Ralph Martignetti.

North End Dodges capture LaFesta 30th Baseball Exchange

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