After press time: North Reading defeats Ipswich 30-2 (April 25)
Published April 24, 2025
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — On Patriots’ Day morning, the North Reading High softball team beat Lynnfield, 11-5, at home. The Hornets broke this game open with seven runs in the bottom of the third inning. They also scored once in the fifth and three more times in the sixth.
The Pioneers, meanwhile, scored once in the third, twice in the fifth and two more in the top of the sixth.
With the win, the Hornets improved to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the Cape Ann League, Lynnfield fell to 2-4 overall and 2-3 in the CAL.
“We hit the ball well,” said Hornets head coach Nicole Zimmerman, as her squad had 13 hits. “The defense also stepped up in the field.”
Naomi Barber was 3 for 5 with three runs batted in. Julia Mulik went 2 for 3 with a walk and two RBI while Alyse Mutti was 2 for 4 at the dish.
Senior Sam Cassarino was 1 for 2 with three runs batted in.
Joelle Ferrazzani was the winning pitcher picking up her first varsity win. She went all seven innings allowing five earned runs, 10 hits, four walks and she struck out seven.
Last Saturday morning, the Hornets lost, 9-5, at home to non-league Wilmington.
“They have a good hitting team and we made several miscues in the field,” pointed out Zimmerman. “We also walked 12 batters.”
The Wildcats’ scoring was spread out as they scored two runs in the first, three in the third, one in the fifth and three more in the top of the sixth.
North Reading plated two runs in the third and three more in the bottom of the fifth.
Emilia Yeakel was the losing pitcher going 2 2/3 innings as she had to leave the game due to an arm injury. She gave up five runs, two hits, five walks and she fanned two.
The Hornet offense had seven hits led by Emily Cassarino who was a perfect 3 for 3 with three RBI. Mutti was 2 for 3 while Jillian Corbett was 1 for 3 with one RBI.
Meghan Russell had the team’s other hit going 1 for 2.
On April 18, the Hornets lost, 8-2, at Essex Tech up in Danvers.
The Hawks scored three times in the third, once in the fourth and four more times in the bottom of the sixth.
The Hornets scored single runs in the first and seventh inning.
“We were swinging for the fences,” explained Zimmerman, as the fences are short. “We only had two hits and they were both singles.”
Barber and Alivia Heck had the two Hornet hits.
Yeakel pitched three innings in this game giving up five runs (four earned), three hits, five walks and five strikeouts.
“Our defense also gave them extra outs,” said Zimmerman.
On April 16, the Hornets beat Manchester-Essex, 9-7, at home.
Down 1-0, North Reading plated five runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead for good.
“That inning set the tone for us,” stated Zimmerman.”It took the pressure off Emilia.”
The offense had nine hits as Barber, Corbett and Heck all went 2 for 3. Barber scored two runs while Corbett knocked in two. Heck had one RBI.
Ella Yeakel had a huge three-run double for her lone hit while Mulik added a two-run double.
Emilia Yeakel pitched all seven innings. She gave up seven runs (two earned), four hits, six walks and she struck out 12.
On Friday, the Hornets visit Ipswich at 10 a.m. They then visit Newburyport on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
On April 30, North Reading goes to Rockport with that game also starting at 4:30 p.m.