Rams girls stop Pirates 5-1

Rams First Baseman Jess Schutrizk and Pirates runner Callie Andrews

Photos and text by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY - The Shepherd Hill Rams rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Oxford Pirates 5-1 in Southern Worcester County league softball action this past Friday (April 13) at Shepherd Hill.

Senior hurler Molly Covill was impressive for the Rams, striking out eight batters and allowing only four hits against a very powerful Pirates team. She did so while out-dueling Pirates senior ace Nicole Mangaudis, who is one of the top pitchers in Central Mass.

The Rams were led at the plate by the sister duo of Cassidy and Marissa Colby, who banged out three hits apiece. Shelby Stracher also added a pair of hits for the Rams, while Covill helped out her own cause with a pair of singles.

The Rams are now 2-1, while the Pirates are 3-2.

Pirates batter Indians 12-0
On Thursday (April 12) the Pirates used a massive hitting attack and an outstanding pitching performance by Mangaudis to beat the Bartlett Indians 12-0.
Mangaudis struck out 12 Indians batters and allowed only two hits in the blow-out victory.

Left: Pirates Ace Nicole Mangaudis

Senior centerfielder Kayde McCarthy went 3 for 5 at the plate, knocking in a pair of runs while teammate Sarah Smith also had three hits and RBI’s in the Pirate win.

The Indians received a gutsy effort from freshmen Lucy Orne on the mound.

Woolies top Indians 5-1
The Indians were beaten 5-1 last Monday (April 9) by the Millbury Woolies. Junior Aston Morio had a pair of hits in the loss for the Indians.  The winless Indians hope to get on the winning track with upcoming contests against Tantasqua and Auburn looming.

Pirates First Baseman Lauren Puishys

Bartlett's Lindsay Bond

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Rams winning pitcher, Adam Darling. More photos follow.

Photos and text by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY - The Shepherd Hill Rams exploded for ten runs in the first two innings and held on to deal the Oxford Pirates their first defeat of the season Friday (April 13) at Shepherd Hill 11-7.
The Rams wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Chris Daniels homered deep to center off Pirates senior right-hander Nick Bruzios to give the Rams a quick 2-0 lead.

The Pirates battled back to tie the game in the top of the second inning. Senior second baseman Mike Cicero doubled with one out and was knocked in by Nick Bates. Cody Stone drove home Tyler Barrie to make it 2-0 but Bruzios lined hard into a double play to end the Pirates rally.

The roof completely caved in on Bruzios in the bottom of the second inning as the Rams batted around and scored eight times. Matt Vertucci and Drew Ravenelle supplied the big hits that knocked Bruzios out of the game after only 1 1/3 innings.

Nick Lemay hit a two-run homer and the Pirates scored four runs in the top of the seventh but it was too little too late for the visitors, who suffered their first loss of the season and fell to 4-1 on the season.

Rams starting pitcher Adam Darling pitched six strong innings to get the win against a strong-hitting Pirates lineup. Darling also singled a run home to help his own effort.

The Rams are now 3-1, 3-0 in SWCL play.  They play Leominster on Saturday, April 21, and Grafton on Monday, April 23, and will meet the Pirates in a rematch at Oxford on April 27.

The Pirates, who fell to 4-1, have key tilts upcoming against Hopedale and Millbury before they get another shot at the Rams.

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Rams Bench looks on

Pirates Nick Bruzios

Cody Stone had 3 hits against Bartlett. Photo by Steev Riccardo.

By Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER - The Oxford Pirates banged out 15 hits and took advantage of some costly errors by the Bartlett Indians and went on to cruise to a 10-1 victory last Thursday (April 12) at the Bartlett High School field.

Pirates’ senior Tyler Bostek led the top of the second inning off with a single and later scored on a wild pitch to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The Pirates rallied for four more runs in the top of the third inning as Cody Stone, Nick Bruzios, and Nick Lemay all had base hits topped with a couple of crucial errors by the Indians.

Bruzios drove in Nick Bates who singled with another run in the top of the fourth, giving the Pirates a 6-0 lead.

Tyler Mandeville drove in the Indians’ only run with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, scoring Luis Caro, making it 6-1.

The Pirates broke the game open and knocked out Indians’ starter sophomore Evan Anderson in the fifth inning, scoring four more times.  Lefty Brandon Cummings finished the game on the mound for the Indians.

Stone led the Pirates with three hits while Bates added two more. Mandeville and Luis Caro each had a pair of hits for the Indians, who suffered their first loss of the season.

Dennis Sneade pitched four strong innings for the Pirates and both Stone and Nick Cardoni pitched well in relief.

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Pirates Pitcher Dennis Sneade. Photo by Steev Riccardo.

Baseball is here and the locals will be hitting the diamond this week!

Photos and text by
Steev Riccardo

Oxford High School and Shepherd Hill Regional both open their season Wednesday, April 4, while Bartlett High School starts its season on Friday afternoon.

The Oxford Pirates, who are coming off a very successful 16-6 season, play the Quaboag Cougars at Oxford High School. Despite losing some key players from last year, the team has the veteran leadership to have a big year.

Bartlett Sophomore Pitcher Evan Anderson

Oxford Shortstop Nick Bruzios

“I feel like we can be just as good as we were last year,” said starting shortstop senior captain Nick Bruzios. “We lost a couple of good players who are playing college ball now, but I feel like we have a good team coming back and we have good team chemistry.”

“Everybody enjoys going to practice every day and working hard.  Some of us started playing baseball and have been getting ready for the season since December. I feel like everybody is going to overlook us this year but I feel like we can be just as good if not better than last year.”  

Bruzios will also be called upon this year to do some pitching behind ace Nick Lemay after only throwing a couple innings last year in what he called “mop up duty.”

“We will look to Nick (LeMay) to be a leader. I think he can be one of the leading pitchers in SWCL. I will be getting a couple starts as well Cody Stone and Tyler Barrie.  Unlike last year when it was all lefties, we have some righties this year.  I think we have some pretty decent people.”

Oxford First Baseman Tyler Bostek

Senior Tyler Bostek, who will be the team’s first baseman and a key bat in the middle of the lineup, is also optimistic about the team. “We did lose six or seven players from last year so I guess some people would consider it a rebuilding year. I think having a freshmen catcher (James Sheehan) who didn’t really think he was going to catch

but is working out well helps. I think everyone is finding their role and coming together well. We have good team chemistry and we all know how to play the game, we all play well together.”

Last year Bostek hit “OK” in his own words but he adjusted his swing in the off-season and is “trying to get it right.” He will hit after LeMay and Bruzios and have Nick Cardoni behind him in the order.

In the off season, he is “definitely going to play in college.”

The Bartlett Indians are coming off a rough season in which they only had three wins but are looking to get off to a good start on Friday at Home against Grafton.

Bartlett's Centerfielder Connor McCarthy

They are led by rookie manager Jonathan Way and have plenty of leaders including Connor McCarthy, Nick Kobel, and Luis Caro. They also have guys like junior Billy Phillips and sophomore Evan Anderson who know how to play the game.

It was Anderson, looking solid on the mound in a scrimmage against Sutton last week, who will be one of the keys to the team’s pitching success.

Up on the hill, the Shepherd Hill Rams open against Marlborough at home and travel to Quaboag on Friday in their first week of the season.

Key match-ups you can put on your calendar and look forward to:

Oxford at Bartlett, Thursday, April 12, 3:30

Oxford at Shepherd Hill, Friday, April 13, 3:30

Shepherd Hill at Oxford, Friday, April 27, 3:30

Bartlett at Shepherd Hill, Wednesday, May 16, 3:30

MORE BASEBALL SCHEDULES POSTED UNDER REGION

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New Position Comes as Harrington Launches $8.8 Million Fundraising Campaign

SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass., March 27, 2012 -- Harrington HealthCare System has named Sean Mitchell as its new Director of Development.

Mitchell, a resident of Monson, is former Director of Development for Valley Health Systems, which includes Holyoke Medical Center.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to hire Sean Mitchell as our new Director of Development,” said Edward H. Moore, President and CEO of Harrington HealthCare System. “Our hiring of Sean comes as we announce our $8.8 million fundraising campaign, called Strengthening Our Future, to rebuild the aging Emergency Department on our Webster campus.”

Moore introduced Mitchell to the community as he announced the public phase of the Strengthening Our Future campaign at an event at the Webster campus, Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard, on March 16. As Director of Development, Mitchell will be in charge of the Strengthening Our Future campaign as well as other Harrington fundraising initiatives.

The $8.8 million Strengthening Our Future campaign, fueled by a $4 million anonymous challenge match from a local donor, will enable Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard to continue to deliver the highest quality care to its patients. The anonymous donor will match donations, dollar for dollar, up to $4 million.

The planned reconstruction of the Emergency Department includes nine treatment rooms, up from the current five, new state-of-the-art equipment, and expansion of the overall size of the department from 3,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet.

“After being involved in development and fundraising for over 13 years, I am truly looking forward to this endeavor since this organization is right in my own backyard and is a part of my community,” Mitchell said.

Harrington HealthCare System has conducted fundraising activities but has had no formal Development Department or Director of Development since its successful campaign several years ago to fund the construction of a new medical office building at 94 South Street on its Southbridge campus.

Mitchell most recently was Managing Partner of Pioneer Valley Development Associates, a Holyoke-based consulting firm that assisted small to medium-sized non-profits in their fundraising and communications efforts. Prior to that, he directed management and supervision of all development staff and development-related programs as Director of Development for Valley Health Systems, which included Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke Visiting Nurses Association, and River Valley Counseling Centers.

He holds a Master of Science in Non-Profit Management from American International College in Springfield and is a candidate for Doctor of Educational Leadership and Supervision at that institution. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Business Administration from American International College and is a part-time professor at the institution’s School of Business for the Master of Science in Non-Profit Management and Master of Public Administration programs. Mitchell also has a Certificate in Fundraising Management from The Fundraising School at Indiana University.

Worcester Sharks defenseman Nick Petrecki, forward Tony Lucia, and mascot Finz dropped by the Webster-Dudley Boys & Girls Club Tuesday to share the importance of eating healthy and exercising.

Nick emphasized the importance of eating healthy and getting enough exercise during your childhood so that translates to when you get older. Nick also discussed the 5-2-1 plan which involves: 5 fruits and vegetables, 2 or fewer hours of screen time, and 1 hour of reading every day.

Tony went through his game day routine and stressed that it is very important to keep the body fueled at all times. Tony said incorporating various berries throughout the day kept him fueled and ready to go.

Nick and Tony broke the kids up into four teams and showed them the proper ways to pass and shoot before the game started. All the kids in attendance got a chance during the game to get some exercise and learn a little more about the game of hockey.

Each student received an autographed photo from Nick and Tony to conclude a fun and exciting day for the kids at the Webster-Dudley Boys & Girls Club.

“It really means a lot to the kids to see the Sharks players take time out of their day to come and visit, the message that they send is a real important one for our kids,” said Executive Director Tony Poti.

The FINZ Fit Kidz initiative is in the midst of its inaugural season as the flagship community program of the Worcester Sharks. The assembly based program will bring Sharks players and Saint Vincent Hospital staff to visit schools and youth sports organizations throughout Central Massachusetts promoting the importance of exercise and making healthy

Every seat was filled and there was standing room only at the launch of the matching fundraising campaign for a new Emergency Department at the Hubbard campus. CEO Ed Moore addresses the group of residents, hospital employees, and federal, state, and local officials.

From left, Harrington’s CEO Ed Moore, Diane Hanley, John Hanley, Representative Richard E. Neal, State Senator Richard T. Moore, and in front, Zachary Urbanowski, at Harrington HealthCare System’s announcement last week. More photos follow.

Webster - Promising it will be a state of the art, 21st century facility, Harrington Healthcare System on Friday officially launched a fundraising campaign to rebuild the Emergency Department at its Hubbard campus in Webster.

Harrington CEO Edward H. Moore announced that Harrington has a $4 million anonymous challenge match from a local donor.  The campaign has already received $434,500 in donations and pledges from individuals and businesses and five financial institutions –Webster Five Foundation, Savers Bank, Southbridge Savings Bank, Hometown Bank, and a grant from TD Bank.  Combined with the anonymous match, the total amount pledged comes to $869,000.

Addressing a standing room only assembly of local, state, and federal officials, Harrington employees, and residents at the Hubbard site on Thompson Road,  Mr. Moore described the current Emergency Room as “five stretchers and four curtains,” a cramped space with no privacy, and without even a bathroom.  The room is just 430 square feet, yet serves more than 12,000 patients a year.

Despite its 50’s appearance, Mr. Moore said the department staff is top-notch. Every doctor is board certified in Emergency Medicine and the nursing staff is certified in Emergency Nursing, which is not the case at many community hospitals, he noted.

“Since 1929, this site has been the focal point of healthcare for individuals, institutions and businesses in Webster, Dudley, Douglas, Oxford, Thompson and surrounding communities. Meeting our campaign goals will ensure that those who live and work in this region will continue to receive state-of-the art healthcare, close to home, for many years to come.”

Congressman Richard E. Neal, in a political aside, talked about the realities of healthcare today and its costs. If it weren’t for Medicare, he said, any one of us who has aging parents and college-age kids, “you could never hope to pay for those kids to go to college if you had to pay for your parent’s medical expenses.”

He also talked about people who take advantage of emergency rooms. We subsidize those who come “out of Ed Moore’s door and suggest they beat the system. They didn’t.”  That “free service” adds $1000 to the cost of each person’s private insurance plan, he said.

State Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) talked about the importance of the Hubbard facility to local communities. “Worcester is closer than it used to be, but it’s not close enough when you have an emergency,” he said.  He hoped a lot of people would contribute a few dollars to the fundraising campaign, and it will produce “a pot of gold.”

Terri Colognesi, Chairman of the Board of Harrington HealthCare System said, “This Emergency Department has always been an essential piece of the Webster community. The opportunity to expand and renovate the ER into a bright, modern ER facility with board-certified docs is one that is a winning proposal for Webster and its surrounding communities. It is a commitment by Harrington HealthCare for total local care in South Central Worcester County, and only means good things for the area’s citizens, schools, and employers.”

The planned reconstruction of the Emergency Department includes nine treatment rooms, as well as trauma, cardiac and negative pressure rooms, all in a 10,000 sq. ft. space. It will include all new state-of-the art equipment, a private family waiting room, and three separate areas for psychiatric emergency services.

John Zychowics, at DiGiorgio Associates Inc, architects for the project, said that the rooms are flexible. They are designed for multiple purposes, depending on the needs at any given time.

The new facility will also have a rebuilt entrance and enhanced ambulance entrance and a new main entrance and lobby.

Mr. Moore said he anticipates that fundraising will be concluded by the end of 2012, with construction to begin immediately thereafter.

Terri Colognesi, Chairman of the Board
of Harrington HealthCare System

Charles Wheeler

Artist’s rendering of the new main entrance
to the Hubbard Emergency room.

AG’s Office seeks more than $75,000
in restitution as well as civil penalties from Oxford oil company

BOSTON – An Oxford oil company that allegedly left families in the cold through the holiday season, including a disabled widow on Christmas Day, was ordered to refund consumers who prepaid for service at the start of the winter season, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.

Issued by a Worcester Superior Court judge yesterday afternoon, the preliminary injunction prohibits Kalami Fuels, Inc., doing business as Action Oil & Septic (Action Oil), and its owner, George Papageorge, from destroying any records pertinent to business operations. It also requires Action Oil to issue refunds to all prepaid customers for any oil they did not receive. The injunction will remain in place throughout the AG’s lawsuit which is seeking more than $75,000 in restitution to victims as well as civil penalties.

“We are very pleased that the court has taken this important step to ensure restitution for some consumers but we are still aggressively pursuing our lawsuit to make certain all affected customers receive compensation,” AG Coakley said. “The safety and well-being of several families were put at risk by Action Oil and we are determined to not let them get away with their irresponsible business practices.”

The AG’s complaint, filed in Worcester Superior Court on February 28, alleges that Action Oil and Mr. Papageorge violated the state’s consumer protection laws by enticing customers to enter prepaid unfair contracts for home heating oil and then repeatedly failing to deliver. On February 28th, the AG’s Office sought and the court approved a temporary restraining order freezing all of Action Oil’s financial assets.  Yesterday’s preliminary injunction further orders Action Oil to refund consumers who prepaid for service at the start of the winter season.

The complaint further alleges that when Action Oil did deliver to prepaid customers, it only provided enough oil for a week or two at most, often saying it was delivering small amounts to everyone so it could supply all customers. At the same time, however, Action Oil continued to make full and prompt deliveries to customers paying cash.

In one case, a disabled widow ran out of oil on Christmas Day and was forced to spend the night at a friend’s house. Action Oil only responded to calls for delivery after the Oxford Police became involved.

In addition to the company’s failure to honor its prepaid contracts, the complaint alleges that Action Oil contracts contained several unfair terms including:

• That they did not specify how or when oil was to be delivered, despite Action Oil’s oral promises that oil would be delivered regularly as needed;
• That the contracts stated deliveries of prepaid oil would be made between October 1, 2011 and March 1, 2012 even though the heating oil season typically runs through April; and
• That the contracts specified that any balance remaining after March 1, would not be refunded but would carry over until the next heating season beginning October 1, 2012, essentially locking customers into service with Action Oil beyond the stated term of the contract.

This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Kiernan Joliat and Chief Margaret Hurley of AG Coakley’s Central Massachusetts Regional Office, with assistance from David Monahan, Deputy Chief of AG Coakley’s Consumer Protection Division; Kristen Metzger, Investigator; and Amy Skrzek, Consumer Mediator.

Rep. Kuros’ Opportunity to Meet With Constituents

BOSTON—Representative Kevin Kuros (R-Uxbridge) announces the following office hours in the 18th Worcester district. Rep. Kuros will be at the following locations and times:

March 26th – Webster: Webster Library at 7pm in the conference room

April 2nd – Dudley: Dudley Town Hall at 7pm in the 3rd floor meeting room

April 3rd – Douglas: Douglas Town Hall at 7pm in the community meeting room

April 23rd – Uxbridge: Uxbridge Town Hall at 7pm in the lower town hall

April 10th – Oxford: Oxford Town Hall at 7pm in the first floor conference room

The office hours are an opportunity for constituents to meet with the Representative to discuss any issues or concerns they may have.

"As always, I look forward to meeting with and hearing from the constituents of the 8th Worcester District. Anyone who would like to meet with me but cannot make the published office hours can schedule a personal meeting by contacting me at (774)495-0538 or via my website at www.kevinkuros.com."

Any constituent who wishes to speak to Representative Kuros, but is unable to attend the office hours, is encouraged to contact him at (617)722-2460.

For further questions and details contact Sarah LaBeche.