By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — The North Reading 10-year-old Little League baseball All-Stars ended up reaching the District 13 final before losing, 4-2, to Billerica back on July 9 at Weafer Park in Woburn. Overall, North Reading ended up going 2-2 in the tournament.

“They beat us 12-1 when we first played them,” said North Reading head coach Greg Mello. “We gave them a good battle and almost came back in the final.”

North Reading led, 1-0, early but Billerica scored two runs in the third and fourth innings to lead by three. North Reading then plated one run in the bottom of the sixth but Billerica was able to hold on as the rally came up short.

Ethan Sharp led the North Reading offense going 2 for 3 with an RBI single in the second inning. Owen Quinn had the team’s other RBI with a single in the sixth.

North Reading had six total hits in the game.

In the semifinal game on July 6, North Reading hammered the Andover American team, 16-3, at Benevento Park. Although that game was at Benevento, North Reading was the designated visiting team and batted first.

“That was our best offensive performance of the tournament,” recalled Mello. “The kids stepped up knowing a win would put us in the finals.”

North Reading had 13 hits led by Tim Quinn (no relation to Owen) who went 4 for 4 at the dish with three runs batted in. Colin Hannan was a perfect 2 for 2 with two walks in his four at bats. He also knocked in one run.

Dylan DiCarlo was the team’s other multiple hitter going 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Tim Quinn was also the winning pitcher as the starter pitched the first three innings. He gave up no runs, five hits, one walk and struck out two

On June 30 they fell 12-1 at Billerica.

“We didn’t play well,” acknowledged Mello. “It just wasn’t our day.”

This game went five innings as Billerica invoked the mercy-rule plating seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

North Reading had four hits with Drew Harrington having an RBI single in the top of the third inning to account for the team’s lone run.

The team bounced back on June 28 as they shut out the Andover American team, 10-0, at Benevento Park in a four-inning mercy rule game. North Reading was the designated visiting team in this one as well.

DiCarlo was the winning pitcher going three innings. He gave up six hits, no walks and he fanned one. Tim Quinn pitched the fourth inning to preserve the shutout and end the game.

“Dylan pitched well and the defense behind him was great,” pointed out Mello.

Cam Mead was 2 for 2 with a walk and two RBI while Calvin Mello was 2 for 2 as well with one RBI. Tim Quinn added a two-run double.

North Reading broke the game open with six runs in the second inning.

The other players on the roster were Blake Adams (right fielder), Kingston Bourque (outfielder), Cam Eisnor (outfielder- pitcher), Cam Kosinski (outfielder), Mike Ruschioni (first baseman), Brayden Turcott (first baseman), Lucas Giordano (outfielder), and Jackson Hodge (third baseman).

“I loved coaching these kids,” stated Mello. “They were a great group and I am looking forward to coaching them as 11-year-olds next year.”