NR hosts Bedford in first round of tourney Saturday

Published June 6, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — In their final game of the regular season on May 31, the North Reading High softball team doubled up visiting Tewksbury 4-2. With that win, the Hornets ended up at 17-3.

Shea Hansen was the winning pitcher improving to 11-2 in the circle going all seven innings. She gave up one earned run, five hits, two walks and she struck out three.

Julia Howse had the big hit with a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth to break a 2-2 tie. She finished 2 for 3 at the dish. Emma Valade had a two-run single in the third.

The Hornets finished with eight hits.

“That is a good win against a Merrimack Valley Conference team,” pointed out Hornets assistant coach Paul Greene.

JESSICA FERRAZZANI puts down a bunt against Tewksbury. (John Friberg Photo)

Put out Rockets

The day before, the Hornets won at Reading 7-2.

Hansen was the winning pitcher in this one as well going all seven frames. She gave up two earned runs, three hits and she fanned seven Rocket batters.

“She had good control and the defense behind her played well,” said Greene.

The Hornets scored two runs in the first and one in the top of the fourth. They then added four more in the top of the sixth to pull away. Reading scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Valade had a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. Jessica Ferrazzani had an RBI single in the fourth to make it 3-0.

North Reading finished with 12 hits led by Hansen and Emma Lord who both went 3 for 4. Ferrazzani and Valade were both 2 for 4

Topped by Vikings

On May 29, the Hornets visited Triton up in Byfield with first place in the Cape Ann League Kinney division on the line. The Vikings ended up winning the game 9-4 to win the CAL Kinney title as the team’s split the season series.

“We gave up too many hits and committed three errors,” said Greene.

North Reading finished at 14-2 in the league while Triton went 15-1.

The Vikings raced out to a 9-0 lead as they plated five runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Valade (4 for 4) hit a two-run homer to right-center in the fifth to get the Hornets on the scoreboard and then they scored twice more in the sixth.

Cassandra Pascucci was the losing pitcher going a little over two innings to fall to 6-1. Hansen pitched the rest of the game.

North Reading had ten hits overall as, along with Valade, Howse was the team’s other multiple hitter going 3 for 4.

“We would love to get another shot at them in the tournament,” said Greene.

On Tuesday, the seedings for the Division 2 North state tournament came out and the Hornets are seeded fourth. Their first playoff game will be at home on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. as they welcome Bedford. The Buccaneers, a team out of the Dual County League, are the 13th seed and they enter the game with a record of 10-10.