Published in the May 14, 2018 edition
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
NORTH READING — The NRHS softball team picked up three more wins over Lynnfield, Rockport and Newburyport to bring their record to an impressive 14-0 as they close in on another number one seed in the Div. 2 North Tournament.
The Hornets met Lynnfield on the road on Wednesday, May 9 for their second meeting of the season. The Hornets won the last matchup on an exciting walk-off in extra innings. It was another one-run win for North Reading as they beat the Pioneers, 1-0.
Cassandra Pascucci was lights out once again in the circle for the Hornets as she pitched a complete-game shutout, surrendering just one hit and striking out 14.
The only run of the game came in the 5th inning when Julia Howse stated a two-out rally with a double and scored on a base hit from Courtney Luker.
The Hornets hosted Rockport on Friday. The bats were back in true North Reading form as they tallied 15 hits to win 13-1.
Christina Simblaris allowed just two hits and no earned runs through six innings as the game was called via the mercy rule. She chipped in with a two-RBI single at the plate.
Pascucci went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Guiliana Peppe went 3-for-3 including a triple and two RBIs. Luker had two hits and an RBI. Emma Valade and Emma Lord each had an RBI single.
Against Newburyport on Monday, the host Hornets made it another quick game as it was called in the 5th with a 12-0 victory.
Pascucci had another shutout and scattered three hits while striking out six Vikings. The junior now has 58 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched while only allowing four earned runs.
Peppe followed up a three-RBI double in the 1st with a solo shot in the 2nd.
Jessica Ferrazzani added a two-RBI double, Howse had two hits and an RBI and Pascucci and Abby Paine each had an RBI single.
The Hornets traveled to Pentucket on Wednesday after press time. They host Triton (13-1) on Monday at 3:45 p.m. which could determine who gets first in the CAL Kinney division.
