Updates post publication:
North Reading defeats Pentucket 12-2 (May 16)
North Reading defeats Rockport 17-7 (May 18)
5/20 at Weston PPD until 5/24 @ 6pm
Published May 18, 2023
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
ROWLEY — After sustaining back-to-back losses to Cape Ann League clubs last week, North Reading baseball returned to the win column on Saturday morning with a 6-4 defeat over a stubborn Triton team in Rowley.
Heading into the seventh-inning with what seemed like a comfortable 4-run lead, North Reading instead was forced to survive a scare as the Vikings rallied, rendering two-out damage and putting the potential game-tying runs in scoring position. After a few tense moments, Ryan Labb, who relieved starter Dylan Matthews, was able to get the final out and ensure the Hornets sidestepped a third straight loss.
In addition, by virtue of a 10th win, North Reading claimed a post-season berth.
“Making it into the tournament is definitely an accomplishment in itself,” said North Reading Coach Eric Archambault, who improved to 10-4 overall, 7-4 in the CAL. “Especially with this group of young guys making up the core of the team. We have the older guys steering the ship and we’re getting significant contributions from some of our younger kids, like Dylan Matthews who, once again, threw a phenomenal game.”
Earlier in the week, North Reading dropped a 5-2 decision to Amesbury’s ace, Trevor Kimball. The Hornets fell behind 3-0 in the third, clawed back to within a run, only to give up a pair late. Days later, they didn’t fare well against Notre Dame-bound sophomore Gian Gamelli, who overpowered the North Reading hitters to hand his Hamilton-Wenham teammates a one-sided 8-1 win.
“We faced two extremely good left-handed pitchers and we struggled a little bit,” said Archambault. “But when I talked to the kids, I said I didn’t view losing two-in-a-row as a slump. And we came here today with great energy, ready to play.”
On a windswept, dust-strewn field at Eiras Park in Rowley, Triton was out to an early 1-0 lead, capitalizing on a leadoff double in the second frame. North Reading answered with little delay, scoring three in the third. Alex Carucci delivered a loud basehit to send Jason Curran and pinch-runner Brandon Eng to the plate. Carucci, two of four, later scored on a precision double steal.
In yet another example of small ball success, Labb circled the basepads in the fourth inning for an unearned insurance run, taking a heater on the shoulder for a free base, stealing second, then third, and arriving home on a throwing error.
Matthews, who fanned six and stranded eight, including five in scoring position, was supported by superb defense, particularly in the outfield. Centerfielder Ryan McGuire chased down several fly balls that would have entirely changed the complexion of the game had they dropped into a gap.
“We align our corner outfielders close to the line because we can count on Ryan to cover a lot of ground,” Archambault explained. “We’ve caught several in foul territory this season which are stolen outs and Ryan in center helps us with that.”
“I just want to cover as much ground as I can,” said McGuire, who was nicknamed ‘Lightning McQueen’ by a number of Little League spectators, referring to the fast vehicle in the Disney series Cars. “I try to track the ball the whole way and never take my eyes off of it.”
In the bottom of the seventh and trailing 6-2, Triton got to a tiring Matthews for back-to-back basehits and with two-outs, a two-run double from Jack Lindholm. Labb came on and added stress to the pressure-packed situation, hitting Joshua Penney and giving up an infield hit to load them. The tying run was on second, the winning run on first. What was later described as “the longest out,” Labb was able to strike out the Vikings Jakob Lennon to preserve the win.
“This Triton team is resilient, so it was awesome to find a way to get the win,” said Archambault, who claimed the season series after previously defeating the Vikings 7-6 in mid-April. “We’ve been in a bunch of similar end-of-game situations this season but the kids stepped-up nicely to get that final out.”
North Reading will host 3-10 Pentucket on Tuesday (results in after press time) and winless Rockport on Thursday before heading into the final week of the regular season.