By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — The road to Williamsport came to an end for the North Reading 12-year-old Little League team on July 13 as they were doubled up by guest Andover, 6-3, at Benevento Park in the District 13 Pool B title game.

What makes the loss tough to swallow is that North Reading finished 4-1 in pool play including a 7-3 win over Andover on July 5.

Andover also finished 4-1.

“It is unfortunate because we beat everybody in our pool,” explained North Reading manager Ryan Fitzgerald. “The most ideal scenario is that we play one more game against them, double-elimination, but the rules are what they are.”

Andover scored first on a home run to center by Gideon Barnes in the top of the 1st inning off Gavin Griffith.

RBI double for DeLuca

In the 4th inning, Aiden DeLuca had an RBI double to make it 2-0.

They made it 4-0 in the top of the 6th as Jed Sanchez had a leadoff double to left and scored when Dan Dunn reached on an error. Two hitters later, Evan Starr had an RBI single.

In the bottom of the 5th, North Reading got on the scoreboard. Griffith walked and with one out, Charlie Scott (2-for-3), homered to left field off reliever Griffin Murray to make it 4-2.

Andover, however, plated two runs in the top of the 6th as Sanchez had an RBI double to right and Theo Del Greco, Andover’s starting pitcher who got the win, had an RBI single to make the score 6-2.

Nicols Scores final NR run

North Reading got their final run in the bottom of the 6th on an RBI single by Zach Vautin that scored Drew Nichols, who reached on an error, but the guests were able to close the door and advance to the Division 4 Sectionals in Lynn that opened on July 20.

Griffith, who went 1-1 on the mound in the tournament, pitched 4 2/3’s innings. He gave up four runs (three earned), six hits, walked three and struck out nine.

Proud of team’s effort

“I was proud of the kids and had a lot of fun coaching them,” said Fitzgerald. “We had a tough pool and were able to go 4-1.”

In addition to their previous win over Andover, North Reading also beat Wakefield, Billerica and Wilmington.