Update post publication:
#19 North Reading defeats #14 Greater New Bedford 9-2 (6/5)
Advances to the Sweet 16 and will face the Bishop Stang Wednesday. First pitch at 3 p.m.
Published June 1, 2023
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NORTH READING — As the current season progressed from March into April, it became apparent that the North Reading baseball team had a flair for the dramatic, frequently assembling thrilling come-from-behind rallies to win games that, by some accounts, should have ended in defeat.
Down 6-0 to the Essex Tech Hawks at the outset of their regular season finale last Saturday morning at friendly Carey Park, the tenacious Hornets scratched, clawed and ultimately overcame the deficit to claim an inspiring 9-6 win.
For the North Reading faithful, it was a fitting end to Senior Day festivities, which celebrated the contributions of Alex Carucci, Ryan McGuire, John Paolucci, Zach Rosatone, Craig Rubino, and Aldo Vittozzi.
The much-improved Essex Tech Hawks, winners of three of their last four coming in, book-ended the North Reading season starting with the April 6 opener, a 6-1 Hornet win, and finishing Saturday.
North Reading, which last Tuesday, handed the stubborn Northeast Knights a 7-4 defeat, has weathered a rash of recent injuries and a depleted pitching staff. Facing Essex Tech, coach Eric Archambault went with Stephen Carreiro. The junior hurler endured a difficult start, yielding two-out damage in the opening frame, including 6 runs on 4 hits.
The Hornets answered with a run in the bottom of the first inning, as Carucci reached on an error, advanced on a Vittozzi basehit, and scored on a comebacker to the mound.While Nick Torra pitched lights-out in long relief, the Hornets provided run support, closing the gap with three in the third. McGuire chopped a one-out bunt single and soon crossed on a Carucci triple to deep center. Carruci followed, compliments of another Vittozzi hit. Zach Rosatone later cut the deficit to 6-4, barreling home on a Robbie Daley double.
North Reading moved in front, 7-6, with three more in the fourth, as Max Forristall, Brandon Eng, and Jason Curran each put their stamp on the comeback. In the fifth, the Hornets added insurance, as Ryan Labb drove in Daley and McGuire, who soon tripled, and came home on a passed ball.
“It wasn’t a matter of if, but rather when they would take the lead in their minds,” said Archambault, “This came from the players. They knew they could do it. They didn’t get down on themselves and kept at it. The leadership we have on this team is phenomenal.”
In the later innings, Torra pitched out of back-to-back two-out jams, fanning the final Hawk batter in each inning and stranding four baserunners in scoring position. A banged-up Dylan Matthews, in a closing role, fired his trademark heaters to keep the Hawks hitters at bay down the stretch.
“It was an absolutely phenomenal performance from Nick Torra today,” said Archambault. “He came in as a reliever and pitched five innings of shutout baseball when we needed it most. And Matthews, who was injured earlier in the season, was able to battle back and close it for us.”
While hitting and aggressive baserunning is key to a comeback of this nature, it is often the defense that makes the difference. Behind the plate, catcher Matt Mancinelli is often described as a “brick wall” by his teammates, stopping the majority of wayward throws. The infield, with Daley manning third, Carucci at short, Labb holding second, and Curran anchoring the group at first base, was just plain fun to watch. Throughout the season, McGuire has been a proven commodity in center but his wingmen rose to the occasion against Essex Tech, with flawless fielding and run-saving diving catches.
“Max Forristall has done an awesome job for us in right,” said Archambault. “But it’s Aldo Vittozzi who is the ultimate gamer. We’ve used him at second and third base, and both right and left field. He’s just a baseball player – you put him anywhere on the field and he’ll be able to make the plays. He’s all about athleticism and versatility and winning.”
North Reading (15-5) earned the No. 19 seed in the Div. 3 tournament and will travel to No. 14 Greater New Bedford (14-6) in the first round, date and time to be announced as of press time. Last year, the Hornets were tabbed No. 27 of the 43 Division 3 entrants and enjoyed great success, advancing to the Round of 16 before suffering a season-ending loss to Dighton-Rehoboth.
“This has been a great season for the entire team,” said Archambault. “The belief that these kids have in each other is truly awesome. They are excited to get started in the tournament and we’ll see what happens from there.”