By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — For the second year in a row, the North Reading Northeast Baseball League team (ages 15-18) won the league championship.
This is the team’s fourth title overall and first back-to-back since joining the league in the early 1980’s.
In the title game on Aug. 4, North Reading beat host Dracut Blue, 5-2, at Richardson Middle School.
Dylan Matthews was the story in this one pitching all seven innings. He gave up two runs (one earned), two hits, four walks and he struck out 12.
“He was dominant,” stated North Reading assistant coach Rob Vittozzi. “He is a good-sized kid and can be imposing.”
North Reading scored one run in the second inning, two in the third and two more in the top of the fifth. Both of Dracut’s runs came in the bottom of the third.
The Hornet offense had six hits led by Matt Mancinelli who was 2 for 4. Christian Lava had three runs batted in with a two-run double and a fielder’s choice.
Colin Brady knocked in two with an RBI single and a walk with the bases plugged.
“The kids loved it,” said Vittozzi. “We had everybody there and that made a big difference.”
North Reading had a big roster and coaching in the summer is different than coaching during the school year.
“It is a lot more difficult,” explained Hornets head coach Marco Vittozzi. “The varsity players were still in the tournament when the season started and then you have to deal with kids who go on vacation as well.”
Seven members of the team were on the MIAA Division 3 state champion North Reading High team.
In the semifinal best-of-three round, the Hornets beat Dracut two games to one.
In the last semifinal game on Aug. 1, the Hornets beat Dracut, 5-1, at Dracut High School.
Tyler Boviard was the winning pitcher going all seven frames, He gave up one run, five hits, two walks and he fanned 10.
“He was phenomenal that night,” said Rob Vittozzi.
North Reading led wire-to-wire as they plated three runs in the top of the first. They then scored single runs in the third and fifth innings.
The offense had six hits led by Boviard who went 2 for 3. Nick Torra had two RBI with a single and a fielder’s choice.
Glen Mello also had an RBI single.
In game two of the series at North Reading High, the Hornets won 5-4 back on July 30.
Zack Emery was the hero in this game with a game-ending RBI single in the bottom of the seventh.
North Reading had eight hits overall as Matthews and Charlie Cooper were both 2 for 3. Cooper also had one RBI. Emery was 2 for 4 while
Mello added an RBI single while Mancinelli had an RBI on a sacrifice fly.
The Hornets scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings and plated two more in the sixth.
Dracut, meanwhile, had two runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and one more in the top of the seventh.
Dracut won the first game of the series, 5-0, at home.
“The kids showed a lot of resiliance after losing that game,” said Rob Vittozzi.
Marco Vittozzi, who had been the team’s head coach since 1997 was very proud of his team.
“We had the right kids at the right time,” he said. “They are well-rounded and they come in well-coached by the high school staff on the varsity and junior varsity levels.”
The season started for the team back on June 12. The Hornets came in third place in the five team league going 8-5. They beat Dracut who was the second seed and then beat the Dracut Blue team who went 11-1-1 and came in first place.
The league has been losing teams the past few years as they had nine just a few years ago.
“Some of the towns are now playing Lou Tompkins and other high school players are playing on club or AAU teams so they can’t field teams,” explained Marco Vittozzi.