KEELY HANNON threw a complete game shutout in North Reading’s 7-0 win over Oakmont in the first round of the D3 state tournament at NRHS on Tuesday. The junior ace surrendered just two hits and one walk while striking out 10 in a performance that head coach Nicole Zimmerman called her best of the season. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 

Update post-publication:
North Reading falls to Bishop Fenwick 2-0 in the Round of 16 (June 8)

 

Published June 8, 2023
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — It was a solid MIAA playoff opener for the North Reading High softball team on Tuesday afternoon as they shut out visiting Oakmont, 7-0, in a Division 3 first round game.

With that win, the 8th-seeded Hornets improved to 14-5. The 26th-seeded Spartans, meanwhile, ended the season at 9-11.

Oakmont Regional is located out in the central part of the state in Ashburnham.

“We took advantage of their mistakes,” said Hornets head coach Nicole Zimmerman, as the Spartans committed three errors that allowed North Reading to score three times.

The Hornets scored once in the first inning, four times in the third and twice more in the fifth.

Mia Lava had an RBI singles in the first, scoring Caitlin Reilly who was hit by a pitch to reach base.

In the third, her sister Olivia, had an inside-the-park home run to right field that went off the tip of the fielder’s glove. The other three runs scored on Spartan errors.

In the fifth, Bella Duffy had a sacrifice fly while the other run scored on a passed ball.

The Hornets had seven hits total.

Keely Hannon was the winning pitcher improving to 7-4 with a complete-game effort. The junior gave up only two hits, one walk and she struck out 10.

“It was her best effort of the season,” stated Zimmerman. “She had all of her pitches working.”

The Hornets will meet Bishop Fenwick on June 8 at home in the Round of 16 at 4:30 p.m. The 9th-seeded Crusaders enter the game with a record of 13-7 as they beat Lowell Catholic, 5-2, last Saturday in the first round.

The winner of that game will take on the winner of the No. 17 Dedham vs. No. 1 St. Mary’s game in the quarterfinals (date, time and location unknown as of press time).