Published in the August 17, 2017 edition
THE SENIORS of NRHS spent another summer working hard on their game with longtime coach Marco Vittozzi. Pictured from left to right: Greg Sawyer, John Day, Joe Wallace, coach Marco Vittozzi, Derek Reilly, Marco Vittozzi and Matt Debenedetto. (Missing from photo, Anthony Shea).
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
NORTH READING — North Reading baseball is finally done with their season. It’s a journey that started in April during NRHS’ spring season, and continued through the summer during the Northeast Baseball League.
The Northeast team consisted of mostly players entering their sophomore, junior and senior seasons. For a player, it is a great opportunity to work on your game. The Hornets’ Northeast coach, Marco Vittozzi, was happy how his team progressed, and not just because they made it to the championship series, finishing second in a league that included nine good teams.
“They played solid, good, sound baseball, and improved in many areas,” said Vittozzi.
North Reading lost a close game three to Lowell, 2-1, in the championshpi but beat Lowell 12-6 before that in game two to force the rubber match.
The Hornets jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after the first inning in game two after a two-RBI double off the bat of incoming senior Derek Reilly.
Hornets starting pitcher John Day kept Lowell off the board in the first two innings, and the Hornets jumped all over the Red Raiders in the bottom of the second, scoring eight runs to take a commanding lead. The Hornets got four runs via RBI singles from Dan Lignos, Alex Vercolen and Marco Vittozzi. The other runs were scored on either walks or hit batters.
Lowell came back and scored five on the Hornets in the third inning.
Joe Wallace entered the game in the fourth and gave up no earned runs over the final four innings.
Vittozzi and Matt Debenedetto added RBI singles in the fourth to put the finishing touches on this one.
It was a big win to force a game three, and even though the Hornets came up just short, it was a positive outcome for the baseball program and certainly a sign of good things to come for the 2018 season.
Vittozzi was especially proud of the effort and improvement of the incoming seniors: Debenedetto, Wallace, Vittozzi, Reilly, Day, Greg Sawyer and Anthony Shea.
“The seniors worked hard to improve their game. Their attitude and leadership was very impressive.”
It was also a bittersweet moment for the seniors who have been learning the game from coach Vittozzi for what seems like a lifetime.
“He has been with them since they were five years old,” said Jen Wallace, Joe Wallace’s mother. “They wouldn’t be where they are if it weren’t for coach Vittozzi.”
“This is a good group,” said Vittozzi of the class of 2018. “I’ll miss them.”
