Published in the May 12, 2016 edition
SENIOR FIRST BASEMAN Sean Castro lays down the bunt and beats the throw to first against Northeast Metro. The Hornets improved to 12-0 with the 2-0 win against the Knights. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — On Saturday afternoon, the North Reading High baseball team shutout host Northeast Tech, 2–0, in Wakefield. With that non–league win, the Hornets improved to a perfect 12–0. Dan Madden (3–0) was the winning pitcher in relief going four innings.
He gave up two hits, a walk and he struck out two. Shawn DiVecchia pitched the seventh to record his second save of the season.
The Hornets bookended their two runs scoring once in the top of the first inning and once in the top of the seventh.
They had seven hits off Golden Knights pitching with Sean Castro leading the way going 2 for 3.
Last Thursday afternoon, the Hornets beat guest Hamilton–Wenham, 6–4,to go to 11–0 in the Cape Ann League. Mike McCauley improved to 4–0 on the hill with a complete-game effort. He gave up four runs (one earned), seven hits, four walks and he fanned three.
“It was our sloppiest defensive game,” said Hornets manager Eric Archambault, whose squad committed six errors. “We didn’t give him the help.”
North Reading have five hits against the Generals. Jeff Mejia reached base all four times going 1 for 1 with three walks and he scored twice. Pat Driscoll was 1 for 2 with one RBI and one run scored.
The key inning was the fourth as the Hornets scored four times. North Reading drew five walks.
On May 4, the Hornets defeated visiting Ipswich, 8–6, in a five-inning game because of the rain. Jake Doucette won his first start going three innings. He gave up five runs, seven hits and one walk. He struck out one.
Greg Johnson got the final out to record his first save of the year.
The Hornets has seven hits against the Tigers. Mike Driscoll was 2 for 3 with two RBI and two runs scored. DiVecchia and Tyler Calos were both also 2 for 3 with one RBI each.
That win clinched a Division 3 state tournament bid.
On May 3, the Hornets won at Rockport, 11–6, in eight innings.
“It was the craziest game of the year,” recalled Archambault.
North Reading trailed, 6–3, going into the seventh as they plated three runs to send the game into extra innings. They then scored five times against the Vikings in the top of the eighth.
North Reading had 13 hits led by Pat Driscoll who went 3 for 4 with two RBI. DiVecchia was 2 for 5 with two RBI. Tyler Calos also knocked in a pair of runs.
Johnson was the winning pitcher in relief going four innings to go to 4–0.
This Saturday at noon, the Hornets visit Newburyport. The Hornets then host Pentucket next Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m.
