THE NRHS softball team has plenty of talented players returning from last year’s state tournament team. The Hornets began the season with a 9-5 win over Newburyport on Tuesday. (Eric Evans Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — Last season, the North Reading high softball team finished the year at 12-8 as they lost to visiting East Bridgewater in the first round of the Division 3 state tournament. In the Cape Ann League, they finished tied for Triton in first place in the CAL Kinney division going 11-2.

That team lost just one senior to graduation, outfielder Emily Sonia.

When practice opened on March 20, second-year head coach Nicole Zimmerman returned 13 veterans. The two senior captains are Alyssa Cassarino (second base- pitcher) and Mia Vittozzi (shortstop- pitcher).

Kristen Galvin (catcher- third base) and Jocelyn Ostowsky (right field- second base) are the two junior captains.

Cassarino and Vittozzi were both CAL Second-Team All-Stars last season.

The six other juniors back are Kelly Hannon (pitcher), Maggie Schultz (first base), Isabella Duffy (left field), Julia Kelley (right field) and the Reilly twins Caitlin (center field) and Olivia (catcher).

Caitlin Reilly, was a Cape Ann League First-Team All-Star last year as she hit .500 with an on-base percentage of .528. Hannon went 9-8 in the circle as she pitched 107 innings, allowing 62 runs and striking out 126. At bat she hit .340 and had an on-base percentage of .421. Schultz was also a CAL First-Team All-Star.

Olivia Reilly was a CAL Second-Team All-Star last year.

Mia Lava (first base), Alyse Mutti (outfielder- shortstop) and J.J. Genzler (catcher) are the three returning sophomores.

“Our pre-season went pretty well,” said Zimmerman. “We scrimmaged St. Mary’s and Central Catholic who are two really good teams.”

North Reading opened the year on Tuesday as they won at Newburyport 9-5.

Caitlin Reilly went 2 for 2 at bat with two walks and she scored three times. Cassarino was a perfect 3 for 3 with a sacrifice bunt while Lava went 2 for 3.

The other multiple hitter was Vittozzi who was 2 for 4 at the dish.

Hannon was the winning pitcher going all seven innings. She gave up two earned runs, five hits, five walks and she struck out 16.

“I am very excited about our team this year,” stated Zimmerman. “You can feel the whole vibe and the girls are ready.”

Zimmerman thinks that Triton will be the team’s biggest challenge in the CAL Kinney.

The next two games for the Hornets will both be at home. They welcome Pentucket on April 10 in the home opener with that  game starting at 4:30 p.m.

Georgetown then visits on April 11 with that game also starting at 4:30 p.m.