Published in the May 4, 2017 edition

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

IPSWICH – The North Reading High baseball team snapped its two-game losing streak on Monday afternoon with an 8-2, win at Ipswich. With the victory, the Hornets improved to 5-3 overall and in the Cape Ann League.

Ryan Connor was the winning pitcher going to 3-0. The sophomore went 4 1/3 innings allowing one run.

“His pitch count got high,” explained Hornets manager Eric Archambault, about why he lasted less than five innings.

Joe Wallace came in relief and pitched well allowing one run and two hits in 2 2/3 innings to close out the Tigers.

North Reading plated four runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back.

“After our last two games, it was nice to see us get off to that kind of start,” said Archambault.

Marco Vittozzi had a two-run single with two outs in the first.

Bob Donohue led the Hornet offense going 3 for 4.

Last Saturday, the Hornets were blanked by Georgetown, 3-0, at Fraser Field in Lynn in the Pete Frates Tournament.

“That was a tough loss for us,” said Archambault. “We only had four hits all game.”

Matt DeBenedetto was the team’s lone multiple hitter going 2 for 3.

The Royals scored once in the bottom of the third inning and two more in the bottom of the fifth.

Dan Madden was the losing pitcher as he fell to 2-1 on the hill. He went all six innings allowing only on earned run, six hits, one walk and he struck out three.

“He kept us in the game,” said Archambault.

At home last Thursday, North Reading lost, 4-1, to Manchester-Essex.

“That was a very frustrating game for us,” said Archambault. “We stranded the bases loaded twice and couldn’t get the big hit all game long,”

The Hornets stranded 10 runners on base.

North Reading’s offense had eight hits overall led by Jeff Mejia who was a perfect 3 for 3 at the dish. Pat Davis went 2 for 3 with a walk and scored the only run in the seventh on an RBI single by DeBenedetto.

Mike McCauley was the losing pitcher going six innings. He gave up only one earned run, three hits and three walks. He fanned four as his record dipped to 0-2.

On Thursday, the Hornets visit Hamilton-Wenham. Next Tuesday, they visit Masconomet. Both games start at 3:45 pm.