Published in the August 9, 2018 edition

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — The North Reading Northeast Baseball League team (ages 15-18) captured the league title on Aug. 1 as they defeated visiting Woburn, 9-4, at North Reading High.

North Reading won the best-of-three series, 2-0, as Woburn forfeited game one the night before due to lack of players.

“You would like to win it on the field in two games,“ said North Reading assistant manager Greg Sawyer. “Woburn has a good team.”

Trailing 4-2, North Reading erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take control. Ryan Connor had the big blow with a two-run triple that tied the game at four and he later scored himself.

THE HORNETS brought home the 2018 Northeast Baseball League championship trophy after their 9-4 victory over Woburn at Carey Park last Wednesday. In the front row from left to right is Demitri Boulas, Cole Doke, Alex D’Ambrosio, Ryan Connor, Matt Solecki and Greg Sawyer. In the back row from left to right is coach Greg Sawyer, Dan Lignos, Matthew Capozzoli, Storm Davis, Joey Frammartino, Alex Vercolen, Andrew Giannattasio, Dylan Babcock, Cam Randazzo, Jimmy Currier and coach Nick Rosano. (Courtesy Photo)

Alex D’Ambrosio (1-for-4 with one RBI) and Cole Doke also scored twice. Joe Frammartino went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and he scored once while Matt Capozzoli went 1-for-1 with three walks, an RBI and also scored once.

Matt Solecki led the team on offense going 2-for-3 with a run scored and had a two-run single in the sixth while Dan Lignos also scored once and had an RBI single.

North Reading, who went 4-0 against Woburn this sumer including the forfeit, finished with eight hits while Woburn had six.

Both teams scored twice in the first inning.

Woburn then took a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning as Doke lasted 4.1 innings on the mound. Jim Currier then came in relief and went the rest of the way not allowing any more runs.

“Jim bailed us out,” admitted Sawyer.

Sawyer was also pleased with the play of Connor at shortstop and D’Ambrosio at second base.

“Those two middle infielders played very well,” said Sawyer.

This was North Reading’s first title since 2015. They finished second to Woburn in the South division and they beat Tewksbury and Dracut in the first two playoff rounds, two games to none.

Overall, their final record was 14-3-1. Woburn, meanwhile, finished at 13-7 as they beat Westford  two games to none in the first round and Lowell two games to one in the semifinal round.