THE NRHS baseball team had a memorable trip to Cooperstown last weekend which included a tour of the Baseball Hall of Fame and a chance to play on Doubleday Field. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
COOPERSTOWN — As the North Reading baseball team boarded a charter last Saturday bound for Cooperstown, New York, there was a lot of chatter during the ride about what awaited them at the end of a 250-mile journey. But it was the return trip on Sunday that proved even more enjoyable as the Hornets were able to bask in the satisfaction of a hard-fought baseball triumph.
The weekend was filled with team bonding, a few great meals, a little bit of bowling, a visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, all capped-off with a clutch 8-7 win over non-league opponent, Bedford.
The Bedford Buccaneers had been struggling of late, dropping five of their last six. But they played well in the early innings, matching North Reading hit-for-hit and run-for-run. Trailing by a run in the fifth, the Hornets staff put their faith in pinch-hitter Zach Rosatone, who delivered an RBI-base hit to tie the game.
In a pivotal sixth-inning, hurler Nick Doucette handled Bedford in dramatic one-two-three fashion. His offense then provided the run support, putting up three in the bottom of the frame to claim an 8-5 lead.
The Buccaneers also faced a 4-hour ride home, much longer mentally if they failed to put up a fight. They succeeded in turning up the pressure, closing to within a run.
“In the top of the seventh, it did get a little dicey,” recalled North Reading coach Eric Archambault, whose team improved to 5-4 at the season midpoint. “With two outs, Bedford loaded the bases, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. But Doucette was able to shut the door, getting a pop-up to Aldo Vittozzi at second. We were able to walk off Doubleday Field with an 8-7 win.”
Aside from the game, the Hornets players took part in a number of team-building activities. And of course, what would a trip to Cooperstown be without a visit to the building housing decades of baseball history?
“We got to tour the Hall of Fame, which included a chance to view a twenty-minute video clip,” said shortstop Craig Rubino. “It was a collection of why people love baseball. It was interesting to see how some of the major league players have similar mindsets about the game as we do.”
THE HORNETS celebrate a walk-off, 8-7 win over Bedford at historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown on Sunday, May 1. (Courtesy Photo)
Facing Georgetown early last week, Rubino contributed with the Hornets first homer of the campaign. In the midst of a mercy-rule abbreviated 17-7 pounding of the visiting Royals, Rubino got hold of one, drilling it over the right field fence to Park Street. The two-run blast was part of a first inning that saw North Reading bat around the order not once, but twice and score a dozen.
“At the beginning of the season, the weather is colder and the pitchers often get ahead of the hitters,” explained Archambault. “In that game, the bats opened up. The kids have really bought into the North Reading baseball mentality. Find a way to get on base and be ready to roll.”
After dispatching Georgetown with ease, North Reading suffered an 8-3 loss to Manchester-Essex. But with the excitement of Cooperstown on the near horizon, they were quickly able to put that defeat behind them.
“We went through a few rough patches before the trip,” said pitcher and first baseman Ryan Baker. “But it was a great experience and definitely brought us all together. Hopefully, the success we had in Cooperstown will carry over to some of the tough games we have ahead, with teams like Lynnfield, Ipswich and Newburyport.”
Matt Ryan agreed with the team bonding aspect that the upstate New York trip provided.
“I thought it was a great opportunity for the whole team to come together,” said the Hornet outfielder. “On Sunday night, we went bowling as a team and it really brought the competitor out in all of us.”
Since starting the season 2-0, beating Weston and Northeast, the Hornets haven’t been able to string together back-to-back wins. With the heart of the Cape Ann League coming up, all agree that it’s time to ramp up their level of play.
“Our message has been to gain consistency,” said Archambault, as he prepared his club for a key matchup with archrival Lynnfield. “The Cooperstown trip was extremely beneficial for our team camaraderie and bonding and for trusting each other and really enjoying the grind that is the baseball season. We’ll definitely try to string along some consistency now.”
North Reading will now face six straight Cape Ann League opponents, starting with Lynnfield Tuesday afternoon (results in after press time). The Hornets will then host Ipswich on Thursday and wrap up the week with a trip to Newburyport for the season’s first rematch.
