Published in the July 21, 2016 edition
PITCHER MICHAEL VITTOZZI holds up the game ball from his complete-game shutout for the North Reading 13-year-old Pony League team at the Hood School. Vittozzi yielded just four hits and struck out two as the Hornets defeated Wilmington, 9-0, for their first win of the season. (Courtesy Photo)
NORTH READING — North Reading was well represented at the Northeast Baseball League All-Star Game, held last week at Lynn Classical High School.
Dan Madden took to the mound and helped pitch the Southern Division to a 7–3 victory over their Northern Division counterparts, while Matt DeBenedetto saw time at catcher and had a base hit and Marco Vittozzi played second base and also singled.
That trio is also helping the Hornets enjoy a successful league campaign. With a 12–3 decision over Lowell Catholic on Monday night, North Reading improved to 7–4–1 (15 points). They stood just two points behind division-leading Lynnfield (8-2-1) with one game remaining before the start of the league playoffs.
BEST OF THE BEST! North Reading sent three players to the Northeast Baseball League All-Star Game. The Southern Division team, coached by Marco Vittozzi (third from left), defeated the North, 7–3, thanks in part to the play of (left to right) Matt DeBenedetto, Marco Vittozzi, and Dan Madden. The Hornets are also having a successful season, owning a 7–4–1 record, good for second place in the Southern Division. (Courtesy Photo)
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After capturing the District 13 title, North Reading Little League’s 13/14–year-old All-Star Team was knocked out of the Massachusetts Sectional Championships. The Hornets defeated East Boston, 12–0, but that win was sandwiched between a pair of setbacks to Canton, 11–7 and 17–7, in games at North Reading High School.
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North Reading’s 14/15-year-old Pony League team improved to 9–3–1 with a 14–0 victory over Chelmsford on Monday. Matt Solecki hurled a five inning no hitter, striking out three, while Dylan Babcock and Ryan Connor each had four-RBI nights.
The Hornets have now won four of their last five games, a run that includes a 7–3 triumph over Tyngsborough. That game turned on two swings of the bat in the fourth inning as Alex D’Ambrosio slammed a two-run blast over the Hood School’s left field fence and Babcock followed two batters later with a rare homer into the woods in right field.
Also as part of the streak, North Reading edged Wilmington, 7–6. D’Ambrosio allowed just one hit and struck out 10 in 5.1 innings of work as the Hornets built a 7–1 lead. Matt Capozzoli had a hit and earned his third save of the season by retiring the final two batters with the tying and winning runs on base.
North Reading closes out its regular season tonight (Thursday) by hosting Reading at the Hood School at 5:45. The Hornets have already clinched a playoff berth and will begin play in the Suburban Pony League’s double-elimination tournament on Monday at the Hood (5:15 p.m. start).
