By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — On July 28, the North Reading A’s lost to the visiting Peabody Champions by a final score of 5-2 at North Reading High School. With that defeat, the A’s record dipped to 3-17-1 while the Champions, who are in first place in the North Shore Baseball League, improved to 14-3-3.
The A’s started off well scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning. However, they were shut out the rest of the evening as the Champions scored three times in the top of the third and then added two more runs in the top of the fifth.
In the first, Brendan Eaton walked with the bases loaded to score Anthony Capuiano. A fielder’s choice by John Sirois made it 2-0.
Aaron Fernstermacher was the losing pitcher going three innings as he went to 0-1. He gave up three runs but only one of those was earned.
“We played well,” said A’s player-manager Joe Dardeno. “Peabody is the top team in the league and we hung with them. We just didn’t hit enough.”
The A’s had only three hits led by Jagger Iovinelli who was a perfect 2 for 2 with a walk in his three times up. North Reading resident, Matt DiVecchia, had the other A’s hit with a single.
That turned out to be the last game of the season as, due to rain and other issues, the last three A’s games were canceled.
They were slated to play at Marblehead on July 29, home against Kingston on July 31st and at the North Shore Phillies on Aug. 2.
North Reading finished in 11th place out of 12 teams in the league.
