Published June 10, 2021
NORTH READING — The NRHS baseball team beat Lynnfield for the second time this season with a 3-2 home victory on June 3. They followed that up with a 4-0 shutout over Rockport on Sunday for their third consecutive victory, improving to 7-5 on the season.
North Reading overcame an early 2-0 deficit to the Pioneers, getting one back in the bottom of the 1st and eventually taking the lead for good with two in the 4th. Ryan Baker earned his third win of the season by pitching a complete game, scattering 10 hits and allowing no earned runs while striking out three and walking one.
The Hornets got seven hits with Nick Ciardello collecting the only RBI as the other two runs were unearned thanks in large part to North Reading’s aggressive style of play.
North Reading’s consistent pitching and defense stayed strong against Rockport. The teams started their game on Saturday but had to pick it up on Sunday due to heavy rain, in which both teams were at least able to have some fun sliding around the bases during the delay.
As the sun returned on Sunday, Nick Doucette picked up where he left off throwing a complete game shutout, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out four in seven innings.
The Hornets had six hits, led by two each from Matt Ryan and Michael Vittozzi. Ryan had a double and an RBI while Vittozzi had two RBI’s.
Frank Cassarino picked up the other RBI for North Reading. Ryan, Joe Giacalone, Nick Shea and Aldo Vittozzi scored the four runs. The Hornets looked to keep their winning streak going when they hosted Pentucket on Wednesday after press time. Pentucket won the first matchup 5-1 on May 6. North Reading travels to Newburyport on Thursday at 4:15 p.m. and play Lynnfield for a third time on Monday, 4 p.m. at Carey Park.
