By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading 12-year old Williamsport baseball team edged visiting Wakefield, 9-8, on Sunday afternoon at Benevento Field on a hot, humid day.
It was bittersweet for the team as they were eliminated from the District 13 tournament despite the win.
“We knew going in that Andover and Billerica already clinched moving on,” pointed out North Reading head coach Greg Mello. “The kids still played hard and with pride.”
This game was back-and-fourth as North Reading scored three runs in the first and third innings. They then plated two in the fourth and got the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth.
Wakefield, meanwhile, scored twice in the second, three times in the third and three more times in the top of the fifth.
“Both teams are pretty even,” said Mello.
The winning pitcher was reliever Cam Eiser who pitched two innings. He gave up three runs, three hits, no walks and he struck out three.
With one out in the sixth inning, Dylan DiCarlo relived him and fanned the next two batters to record the save.
“Cam pitched well and Dylan was clutch with those strikeouts,” said Mello.
The starter was Owen Quinn who went the first 3 and 1/3 innings. He gave up five runs, eight hits, three walks and struck out five.
The North Reading offense had seven hits with the lone multiple hitter being Drayden Turcott who went 2 for 3.
Calvin Mello had a huge two-run triple to right field in the third inning as he was 1 for 2 with a walk.
Ethan Sharp and Quinn were also both 1 for 2 with a walk and one RBI.
Kingston Bourque walked with he bases loaded for an RBI.
The key was the defense. North Reading only committed two errors while Wakefield committed four that led to five North Reading runs.
“We have had good fielding all tournament,” said Mello.
North Reading, who went 2-2 in District 13 play, will continue to play this summer in the Bay State Tournament.
