UPDATE: Softball team wraps up regular season going 1-2 after crushing Generals on Senior Day

 

 

 

After press time:
North Reading falls to Reading 8-6 (May 25)
North Reading defeats Gloucester 13-5 (May 24)
North Reading falls to Newburyport 7-6 (May 22)

 

Published May 23, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — On Monday afternoon, the North Reading High softball team rolled over guest Hamilton-Wenham, 13-1, in a five-inning mercy-rule game. With that win, the Hornets improved to 13-3 overall and 11-3 in the Cape Ann League.

“It was our Senior Day and all six of our seniors played the entire game,” pointed out Hornets head coach Nicole Zimmerman. “It was a nice way to honor them.”

Before the game the 12th-graders were acknowledged.

North Reading scored four times in the first and second innings. They plated two runs in the bottom of the fourth and three more in the fifth.

Keely Hannon was the winning pitcher going all five innings to improve to 10-3 in the circle. She gave up one run, four hits, no walks and she struck out seven.

The Hornet offense had 13 hits off Lady General pitchers.

Caitlin Reilly led the way going a perfect 4 for 4 with four runs scored, three runs batted in and one of those hits was a solo homer.

Kristen Galvin was 2 for 3 with an RBI while Jocelyn Ostrowsky was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Maggie Schulz had two RBI as well with a single and a sacrifice fly.

Olivia Reilly was 1 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored.

It was a nice bounce-back win after the Hornets were edged, 2-1, at Triton on May 18.

“That was our most heartbreaking loss of the season,” admitted Zimmerman as all three runs came in the eighth inning.

In the top of the eighth, Emily Cassarino singled home designated runner, Alyse Mutti for a, 1-0, lead.

However, the Vikings scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to pull out the win.

Hannon pitched seven plus innings. She gave up five hits, one walk and fanned seven.

“I felt so bad for her,” said Zimmerman. “She pitched a great game but our bats struggled.”

North Reading had seven hits but they were all scattered. Jillian Corbett led the way going 3 for 4 while Olivia Reilly was 2 for 4.

On May 17, the Hornets dispatched host Georgetown 9-3.

Emilia Yeakel was the winning pitcher improving to 3-0. She went all seven innings allowing three runs, three hits, three walks and fanning eight.

“She did a great job of keeping their hitters off-balance,” said Zimmerman.

North Reading jumped out early scoring twice in the first inning and six more times in the top of the second.

Caitlin Reilly was 2 for 3 with one RBI while her sister, Olivia, had an RBI on a bases-loaded walk. Ostrowsky had a two-run double while Galvin had an RBI single.

Hitting three home runs, the Hornets edged guest Lynnfield, 6-5, at home on May 15.

Alivia Heck was the hero with a three-run shot to right-center in the bottom of the sixth to give her squad a one-run lead.

Galvin had a two-run shot in the fourth while Yeakel had a solo homer in the third inning.

“That was a huge hit by Alivia and she is only a freshman,” pointed out Zimmerman.

Hannon was the winning pitcher in relief of Yeakel going 2 2/3 innings. She gave up two runs, two hits, two walks and struck out two.

The Hornets had nine hits as Caitlin Reilly went 2 for 3.

“Lynnfield played us really well,” said Zimmerman, as the team swept the Pioneers this spring. “They made some great plays in the field.”

The Hornets host Gloucester on May 23 at 4:15 p.m. They then wrap up the regular season on May 25 at 10 a.m. when they visit Reading.

North Reading entered this week ranked 8^th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings. The top 32 teams automatically qualify for the state tournament at the end of the regular season.

The seedings will come out on May 29 as the Hornets will get to open the postseason at home.