Published in the April 27, 2017 edition
Senior catcher John Merullo somehow held onto the ball for an out despite being injured in this collision at the plate. (John Friberg photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING – Last Saturday, the North Reading baseball team hammered Amesbury, 21-1, at home in a five-inning mercy-rule game. With the victory, the Hornets improved to 4-1 overall and in the Cape Ann League.
“Pretty much everybody got to play,” said Hornets manager Eric Archambault, about the rout.
The Hornets plated 11 runs in the first inning and never looked back.
Ryan Connor was the winning pitcher going to 2-0 as he went three innings not allowing a run. Senior, John Zewieg, pitched the final two frames giving up the run.
Alex D’Ambrosio had a monster day going 4 for 5 at the dish with six runs batted in and four runs scored. Marco Vittozzi was a perfect 3 for 3 with three runs scored and one RBI. Bob Donohue went 3 for 5 with three RBI while Pat Davis had five RBI even though he had only one hit.
Jeff Mejia went 2 for 3 with three RNI and five runs scored.
Last Thursday, during school vacation week, the Hornets lost at home to Lynnfield, 6-2, in eight innings. The Pioneers trailed, 2-0, but tied it with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. They then scored four more times in the top of the eighth.
Mike McCauley was the losing pitcher going 7 2/3 innings to fall to 0-1. He gave up six runs, 11 hits, two walks and he struck out six.
“He went 1-2-3 in the seventh inning so I brought him back in the eighth,” explained Archambault.
The Hornet offense struggled against Pioneer pitcher Fernando Gonzalez who went the entire game allowing only three hits.
“He is one of the best pitchers in the league,” stated Archambault.
Derek Reilly, Vittozzi and Connor had the three North Reading hits in the game. Their first run came on a passed ball in the third while the second one came on an error in the bottom of the fifth.
On Thursday, the Hornets will host Manchester-Essex at 3:45 pm. This Saturday, they will take on Georgetown in the Pete Frates Tournament at Fraser Field in Lynn. That game is an early 9 am start.
The scheduled game at Ipswich on Tuesday was rained out and will be made up next Monday at 3:45 pm.
