Published July 23, 2020
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — In Northeast Baseball League action on Tuesday night, North Reading blanked visiting Dracut 6-0 at North Reading High School on a hot, humid evening. With that win, the Hornets improved to 5-2 as they are in first place in the South Division.
“It is always good to beat them,” said North Reading manager Marco Vittozzi, as Dracut is the defending league champs. “They have a good team every year.”
North Reading scored once in the 1st inning, four times in the third and one more time in the top of the 7th as Dracut was the designated home team.
In the 1st, Mike Vittozzi had a sacrifice fly. In the 4th, Alex Carucci, who finished 3-for-4, had a two-run double to left field to make it 3-0. Vittozzi had another sacrifice fly and the other run came on a Middie error.
Carucci scored on a passed ball in the 7th for the final run.
Nick Doucette was the winning pitcher improving to 2-1 with a complete-game effort. He gave up only one hit, one walk and he struck out seven.
“He had a solid game,” said Vittozzi. “He was very efficient and kept his pitch count low.”
North Reading’s defense also played well committing just one error.
The Hornets had six hits as Ryan Baker was the team’s other multiple hitter going 2-for-3 with a walk.
On July 16, the Hornets were shut out 4-0 by host Lynnfield at Lynnfield High School. The Pioneers scored two runs in the bottom of the 4th inning and two more in the bottom of the 6th.
“They have a pretty good team and we just didn’t hit well,” said Vittozzi.
North Reading had six hits in that game with Aldo Vittozzi being the lone multiple hitter going 2-for-3.
Doucette was the losing pitcher going two innings and allowing two runs.
The next two Hornet games will be at home at Carey Park. On Thursday night at 6 p.m. the Hornets will welcome Lowell. On July 26, Newton comes to town for a 9 a.m. start. Newton will be the designated home team and bat last.
