NR beats Whittier Tech, Burlington to take the North
Published in the June 21, 2018 edition
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
LOWELL — Big dog’s gotta eat!
The North Reading High School softball team has stayed true to their motto all year as they refused to go hungry on their way to a Div. 2 North championship.
Cruise past Whittier Tech
The No. 1 Hornets feasted on No. 5 Whittier Tech, 10-2 during the semifinals on Wednesday, June 13 at Martin Field in Lowell as they picked up nine of their runs in the first two innings, taking complete control and refusing to let it go.
Senior captain Christina Simblaris pitched a complete game, scattering five hits and allowing just one earned run while striking out four.
WELL-DESERVED VICTORY. Hornet softball captains and coaches proudly accepted the Division 2 North championship trophy presented by the MIAA after defeating Burlington 3-1 Saturday to continue their undefeated season 23-0. From left: assistant coach Katie Davis, head coach Michelle Morales, senior tri-captains Tara Driver, Christina Simblaris and Abigail Paine, and assistant coaches Paul Greene and Tim County (Maureen Doherty Photo)
The Hornet offense was led once again by senior captain Tara Driver who hit two doubles and accounted for three RBIs.
The bats responded to Whittier Tech’s 1st inning run by scoring three in their half of the 1st.
“The best part about this team is they never give up,” said head coach Michelle Morales. “One run or 10 runs in the first inning; we would have came back either way.”
Jessica Ferrazzani reached on an error and Courtney Luker was hit by a pitch. After the next two batters got out, the Hornets staged a two-out rally, first when Julia Howse reached on an error from the shortstop, who’s wild throw scored two. Then, Guiliana Peppe roped a double to left, scoring Howse and making it 3-1.
If the 1st inning was an appetizer, the 2nd was an all-you-can eat buffet for North Reading’s big dogs who jumped all over the Wildcats with six runs.
Simblaris reached 2nd after another overthrow to first. Ferrazzani later tripled on a shot to center to score Simblaris and make it 4-1.
A JUBILANT NR team storms the mounds after clinching the Div. 2 North championship. (John Friberg Photo)
Luker was hit by a pitch for the second time, setting up Driver’s first double of the night, this one to dead center field for an RBI.
Cassandra Pascucci followed up with an RBI double of her own to score pinch runner Elinor DeCleene. The Hornets took an 8-1 lead when Howse made it three straight RBI doubles as she scorched one to left, scoring Pascucci.
Peppe hit an infield single and a run scored on an error. It was 9-1 before the 3rd.
Simblaris then put it into cruise control and the defense stepped up as Whittier Tech only scrapped up one more run in the 4th.
Senior captain Abby Paine made the play of the day in the 6th as she made an incredible over-the-shoulder catch in deep center field to end the inning and send a rowdy Hornet fan base up another decibel.
In the end, it was a classic 2018 NR softball game: dominant pitching, sound defense and a whole lot of hits.
“They’ve been doing a lot hitting with the machine and they’ve see
