By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — It was a successful Senior Day for the North Reading High softball team on Tuesday afternoon as they rolled over Northeast Tech, 14-2, in a five-inning mercy-rule game.
With that non-league win, the Hornets improved to 12-3.
“Everybody played and contributed,” said Hornets head coach Nicole Zimmerman.
North Reading scored twice in the first inning, three times in the second, five times in the third and four more times in the bottom of the fourth.
Alyssa Cassarino was the winning pitcher going all five innings to go to 6-0. The senior gave up no earned runs, four hits, three walks and she struck out six.
The Hornet offense had 16 hits off Knights pitching. Keely Hannon was 2 for 2 with two runs scored. Caitlin Reilly was 2 for 3 with a walk while Cassarino went 2 for 4 with two RBI.
Mia Lava was the team’s other multiple hitter going 2 for 4 with one RBI.
Cassarino and Mia Vittozzi ware both honored before the game as the Hornets have just two 12th-graders on the roster.
On Monday afternoon, the Hornets beat host Rockport, 12-0, in a five-inning mercy-rule game to go to 10-1 in the Cape Ann League.
Vittozzi was the winning pitcher going three innings. She gave up four hits, no walks and struck out one. Emilia Yeakel pitched the final two innings as she preserved the shutout.
The offense had nine hits led by Reilly who went 2 for 2 with two runs scored. Olivia Reilly had two RBI while Jill Corbett had an RBI single.
Naomi Barber had an RBI on a fielder’s choice.
North Reading scored once in the first, three times in the third, six times in the fourth and twice more in the fifth.
On May 12, the Hornets were shut out, 3-0, by guest Triton. It is the first time the Hornets have been shutout this year.
The Vikings were able to get a split of the season series as the Hornets won the first meeting, 3-0, back on April 21.
“We hit the ball right at their fielders,” pointed out Zimmerman, as her squad had only two hits.
Hannon was the tough-luck starter in the circle. She gave up no earned runs, four hits, no walks and fanned three. She went all seven innings.
“All three runs came in the second inning since we committed two errors,” said Zimmerman. “Keely pitched a great game.”
On May 10, also at home, the Hornets rolled over Hamilton-Wenham, 14-4.
Cassarino was the winning pitcher going three innings. She did not allow an earned run, gave up one hit, struck out four and did not allow a walk.
Yeakel pitched the final three innings and struck out six General batters.
The Hornet offense had 16 hits. Alyse Mutti was 2 for 3 with one RBI. Jocelyn Ostrowski was 2 for 4 with two RBI while Barber was also 2 for 4 at the dish.
Maggie Schultz was 2 for 5 with one walk and two RBI.
The next game for North Reading will be May 23 as they visit Amesbury at 4:30 p.m. They wrap up the regular season the next day as they visit Lynnfield.
That game will start at 4 p.m.