Published in the June 29, 2017 edition

By Stephen Martellucci

On Monday night, the North Reading A’s fell, 7-2, to the visiting North Shore Storm at North Reading High School. With the defeat, the A’s record dipped to 3-12 on the season as the team lost its fourth game in a row. They also fell to tenth-place in the 11-team North Shore Baseball League.

“It was closer that the final score indicated,” said A’s player- manager Joe Dardeno. “They scored three times in the top of the seventh to pull away.”

The Storm scored three runs in the first inning and one more in the third. The A’s, meanwhile, scored their two run in the bottom of the sixth.

The A’s had five hits led by Jake Sparta and Brendan Carter who both went 2 for 3 with a run and a steal. Mike Bailey had an RBI single and Rob Lagasse had an RBI on a fielder’s choice.

Andrew Lessard was the losing pitcher going three innings. He gave up four runs, five hits, two walks and he struck out four as his record dipped to 0-2.

It was the second defeat in two days for the team as they were blanked, 10-0, by the North Shore Phillies at Breen Field in Lynn. The A’s could only muster three hits total and had no multiple hitters.

“Their pitcher (Kyle Gauthier) has a good arm and a nice slider,” said Dardeno. “He kept us off balance.”

Clay Yiannacopolus (0-1) was the losing pitcher as he lasted three innings. He gave up eight runs (three earned), six hits, three walks and he fanned three.

“We had a couple of bad errors that game,” admitted Dardeno.

The Phillies scored six runs in the first inning and two runs in the third and fifth innings.

On June 21st, the A’s were knocked off by the Peabody Champions, 7-4, at home. The A’s led, 4-2, after the second inning but were outscored, 5-0, the rest of the game.

“They are a great hitting team,” said Dardeno.

Justin McQuarrie led the North Reading attack going a perfect 4 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Lagasse went 2 for 4 with one RBI. John Lyman was 1 for 2.

Matt Wood fell to 0-3 on the hill going all seven innings. He gave up seven runs (two earned), seven hits, four walks and he struck out five.

“He pitched well,” said Dardeno.

The A’s lost to Manchester Marlins, 11-5, at O’Malley Park.

Michael Bailey led the A’s offense going 3 for 4 with one RBI as the North Reading offense had seven total hits.

Kyle Flanagan (0-3) pitched four innings allowing four runs (two earned). He gave up six hits, one walk and he fanned five.

The next game for the team is this Friday night at 6, as the A’s welcome the Beverly Recs.