By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading A’s snapped their nine-game losing streak on Monday evening as they beat guest Powerhouse, 6-5, in eight innings at North Reading High.
With that win, the A’s improved to 4-15 in the North Shore Baseball League while Powerhouse fell to 6-5.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, the A’s scored on a passed ball as Max Riordan scored from third.
“It was a good win,” said A’s player-manager Joe Dardeno. “We are better than what our record shows, so it was nice to be back in the win column.”
The A’s had 9 hits in the game led by Dardeno who was 2 for 4 with two runs batted in. Mike Vittozzi and Luke Martinho were also 2 for 4. Vittozzi had two doubles, one RBI and scored twice while Martinho scored once and had a single and a double.
Riordan, Derek Reilly, Ryan Corcoran had the team’s three other hits. Riordan and Corcoran each had one RBI.
Hayden Welch was the winning pitcher going the entire way. He gave up five runs (three earned), six hits, three walks and he struck out 10.
He improved to 3-4 with the victory.
“Hayden showed a lot of toughness,” said Dardeno. “He has pitched the most innings in our league and he was able to stop the bleeding.
Welch has tossed 40 innings already this summer.”
On July 8, the A’s fell to Powerhouse, 11-4, at Winnacunnet-Hampton in New Hampshire.
The A’s home game on July 9 against Peabody was postponed and will be made up on July 21 at 6 p.m.
On July 20, North Reading will go to Eiras Park in Rowley to play against the host Rowley NorEasters. The first game will start at 5 p.m.
On July 23, the A’s welcome Powerhouse at 6 p.m.