Published August 1, 2019
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — It was a rough evening for the North Reading Northeast League (ages 15-18) baseball team on Monday as they lost 10-2 to host Dracut in the first game of a best-of-three finals series at Dracut High School on a hot, humid day.
The Middies improved to 12-3-1 with the victory while North Reading fell to 12-5.
“They hit the ball really well and found a lot of gaps,” said North Reading assistant manager Aldo Vittozzi.
The scoring was spread out for the North division champs as they scored two runs in the first and second innings. They then plated three runs in the fifth and three more in the bottom of the sixth.
The Hornets, who are the South champions, scored single runs in the second and sixth innings.
Demitri Boulas was the losing pitcher falling to 2-1. He went five innings allowing seven runs, seven hits, three walks and he hit one batter. He also struck out three Middie hitters.
Cam Randazzo led the North Reading offense going 2 for 3 with a walk and he also scored in the second inning.
Mike Vittozzi had an RBI on a fielder’s choice in the sixth inning scoring Joey Frammartino, who reached on a single.
Frank Cassarino and Mario Perrone had the two other hits as the Hornets had five total hits.
“Their pitcher threw an excellent game,” said Vittozzi.
The Hornets, who are the defending league champions, played game two of the series at home on July 30 (results not available at press time).
If North Reading won that game, the final game will take place on Thursday (Aug. 1) at Dracut at 5:45 p.m.
Beat Wilmington in semifinals
In game two of the semifinal round on July 24, the Hornets shutout host Wilmington 9-0 to win that series 2-0.
The Hornets scored two runs in the first, four in the fourth, one in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Perrone led the offense with two hits and two RBI. Casserino, Rob Tammaro, and Joe Giacalone all had one hit and one run batted in.
Frammartino was the winning pitcher going to 2-0 as he went all seven innings. He gave up five hits, five walks and fanned nine Wildcat hitters.
“He did a terrific job,” said Hornets manager Marco Vittozzi. “He was able to get his curveball over for strikes.”