Hornets honor five on senior day
Published in the May 24, 2018 edition
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
NORTH READING — The NRHS baseball team is headed for the state tournament after their 12-0 victory over Pentucket on Friday’s senior day.
It was the last home game of the season for the Hornets and a perfect time to celebrate North Reading’s five seniors.
“It’s an awesome group of kids,” said head coach Eric Archambault of the seniors. “Every one of them buys into their role and all five show leadership in various ways.”
The five seniors are: Michael Brown, Matt DeBenedetto, Derek Reilly, Marco Vittozzi and Joe Wallace.
THE SENIORS on the NRHS baseball team were honored before their 12-0 victory over Pentucket on Friday. Pictured in the front row from left is Marco Vittozzi and Derek Reilly. In the back row from left to right is Joe Wallace, Matt DeBenedetto and Michael Brown. (Courtesy Photo)
“We talk a lot about different types of leadership and as a group they hit all of those types which is great for our team,” said Archambault.
The seniors set the tone against Pentucket during a game that NR knew could catapult them to the postseason. Wallace got the ball and dominated from the outset, allowing just two hits, no walks and no runs in six innings of work while striking out two.
“He was attacking the strike zone all game,” said Archambault, who pointed to the fact that Wallace only threw 47 pitches in what was a quick and efficient day for the Hornets.
The bats did the majority of their damage in the middle innings as they scored three in the 3rd, four in the 4th, three in the 5th and two in the 6th.
DeBenedetto was productive at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI’s.
“He’s been hitting the ball well for us all year,” said Archambault of the catcher.
Alex D’Ambrosio went 3-for-3 with three RBI’s from the lead-off spot.
Following that special day which was well-deserved for this group, the Hornets kept the momentum up with a big 9-2 road win over Triton on Tuesday. It was North Reading’s fourth win in their last five games.
Junior pitcher Ryan Connor was excellent in this one, ceding just two hits and one run during five innings, and helping himself with three hits at the plate.
It was a 3-1 game until the top of the 6th when the Hornets exploded for six to take complete control.
DeBenedetto and junior centerfielder Matt Solecki each had two hits and two RBI’s. Solecki has built a reputation has a clutch hitter for the Hornets this season as he had RBI singles in the 3rd and the 6th.
“He’s been great with runners in scoring position,” said Archambault of Solecki. “He keeps getting the job done.”
The Hornets will treat all of their remaining regular season games as must wins, so they can stay sharp for the tournament. It’s difficult to do, but if they keep the right attitude and mindset, they can be playing their best baseball of the season when the games matter most, which is always the goal.
“Once we got in the tournament we decided we would play each game like a tournament game,” said Archambault, which will be the focus as they compete in the Nipper Clancy Tournament at Fraser Field in Lynn this weekend.
“The Clancy Tournament is already a state tournament-type of atmosphere. They do a great job and we’re really looking forward to it,” said Archambault.
