Published August 8, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING – It was do-or-die for the North Reading Northeast League baseball team on July 30 as they hosted Dracut in game two of the best-of-three finals. The Middies won the first game 10-2 the night before in game one in Dracut.

Dracut, however, was able to compete the sweep and win the league title as they won 3-1 at North Reading High School on a hot, humid night.

With that victory, the North division champion Middies finished at 14-3-1. The South division champion Hornets, meanwhile, ended the year at 12-6.

North Reading was the defending league champs.

JOEY FRAMMARTINO carried over his strong spring for the NRHS baseball team into the Northeast League this summer. Frammartino kept the Hornets in it from the mound throughout game two of the finals last week, but the Hornets were edged 3-1. (Dan Pawlowski File Photo)

Mike Moore was the winning pitcher going five-plus innings. He gave up one run, three hits and he fanned five batters.

Matt Miller pitched two scoreless innings to record the save. He did not allow a hit and struck out two.

“We threatened a lot but couldn’t get that timely hit,” pointed out North Reading assistant manager Aldo Vittozzi. “We left way too many runners on base.”

Joe Frammartino pitched well for the Hornets despite getting the loss to end up at 2-1. He went 6 2/3 innings, giving up three runs, seven hits and he struck out four. He also walked three.

“He was able to keep us in the game,” said Vittozzi.

MICHAEL VITTOZZI scored North Reading’s only run during game two of the Northeast League finals. Vittozzi walked, got to second on a passed ball and scored on an RBI hit from Mario Perrone. (Dan Pawlowski File Photo)

Dracut scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jason Tyler drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and scored on a Kyle Mackay single to center. Moore then made it, 2-0, as he had a single to left that plated Mackay.

In the top of the sixth, Sean McMeniman had an RBI single to scored Kyle Cox who reached base with an infield single.

Mario Perrone got the Hornets on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double to score Mike Vittozzi who walked and got to second on a passed ball.

“They have a very good team,” said Vittozzi, about the Middies.

North Reading will lose six players who will all be seniors next year so they all age out of the league, Frammartino, Perrone, Cam Randazzo, Jack Keller, Chris Gwozdz and Jimmy Currier.

“Overall it was a good year,” said Vittozzi. “Hopefully they can use this as a springboard for the high school season next year.”