Updates after press time:
North Reading defeats Northeast Metro Tech 16-1 (May 13)
North Reading defeats Triton 13-1 (May 8)
North Reading defeats Amesbury 7-6 (May 7)
Published May 8, 2025
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — On May 1, the Hornets edged Essex Tech, 10-9, at home in a thriller. Trailing 9-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Hornets rallied for five runs with the game winner coming on a wild pitch with two outs that allowed Alyse Mutti to score from third base setting off a huge celebration.
“This was our biggest win of the year,” stated Hornets head coach Nicole Zimmerman. “The girls were ecstatic.”
Ella Yeakel (2 for 4) had the big blow in that seventh with a three-run homer to center. Meghan Russell had the other RBI that inning with a single.
The Hornet offense had 14 hits led by Mutti who was 3 for 4 with one RBI. Naomi Barber was 2 for 4 with a solo homer. Jillian Corbett and Julia Mulik were also 2 for 4 at the dish as Mulik also had two RBI.
Freshman, Emma Levato, was the winning pitcher improving to 4-0 as she came on in relief. She pitched the final 4.2 innings, allowing three runs, five hits, two walks and striking out one.
The Hornets scored one in the second, three times in the third and one more in the fourth for their other runs.
The Hawks, meanwhile, scored once in the first, five times in the second, and thee more times in the top of the seventh.
North Reading was able to get a split of the season series as the Hawks won the first meeting, 8-2, on April 18.
On April 30, the Hornets blanked Rockport, 19-0, in a five-inning mercy-rule game on the road.
North Reading plated 10 runs in the top of the first to take command early.
They had 18 hits led by Emily Cassarino who was 3 for 4 with one RBI and three runs scored. Corbett also had a big day going 3 for 5 with four RBI and she also scored twice. Sam Cassarino was 2 for 4 and also knocked in four runs.
Alivia Heck went 2 for 4 with one RBI while Barber was 1 for 3 and had a team-high three walks.
Levato pitched all five innings allowing just three hits, three walks and she fanned four.
“Emma pitched very well that game,” said Zimmerman.
On Friday, the Hornets visit Pentucket at 4:30 p.m. The Hornets are looking to get a split of the season series as the Panthers won the first match-up, 12-8, back on April 11.
The Hornets then visit Lynnfield on May 14 looking to sweep the Pioneers as they beat them, 11-5, back on April 21. That game will start at 4:30 p.m.
The Hornets entered this week seeded 32nd in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings. The top 32 teams at the end of the regular season automatically qualify for the tournament regardless of their record.