After press time:
North Reading falls to Essex Tech 8-2 (April 18)
North Reading defeats Manchester Essex 9-7 (April 16)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — On April 11, the North Reading High softball team lost, 12-8, at home to Pentucket on a raw, damp day.
With that defeat, the Hornets fell to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the Cape Ann League.
Things looked good early on as the Hornets scored three times in the bottom of the first inning.
However, the Panthers scored five times in the third, four more times in the fourth and three more times in the top of the sixth inning.
The Hornets plated four runs in the fifth and one more in the seventh.
Emilia Yeakel (1-2) pitched three innings. She gave up nine runs (four earned), five hits, six walks and she struck out six.
“She pitched the day before and she ran out of gas,” pointed out Hornets head coach Nicole Zimmerman. “We also made some costly errors behind her.”
Joelle Ferrazzani pitched the final four innings and did a good job in relief.
The Hornet offense had its best game of the season with 10 hits. Alivia Heck was 2 for 4 with a team-high four runs batted in. Jillian Corbett was a perfect 2 for 2 with a walk and one RBI. Ella Yeakel was 2 for 4 with two RBI while Julia Mulik was also 2 for 4 with one RBI.
“It was good to see the bats come around,” said Zimmerman.
On April 10, the Hornets edged host Triton, 2-1, up in Byfield.
Corbett and Emilia Yeakel had back-to-back homers in the top of the first both to left field.
Emilia Yeakel pitched all seven innings allowing one run, two hits, four walks and she struck out ten.
“She did a great job of changing speeds and keeping their hitters off-balance,” stated Zimmerman.
The defense did not commit any errors.
“The defense was awesome,” said Zimmerman. “They have a very good team so this was a very good win for us.”
The game at Ipswich scheduled for April 14 was postponed because of the field conditions and will be made up on April 25 at 10 a.m.
The next game for North Reading will take place on Friday as they visit Essex Tech at 4 p.m. up in Danvers.
The next day, they host Wilmington at 10 a.m. in a non-league contest.
The Hornets then return to CAL action on Patriots Day as they host rival Lynnfield at 10 a.m. They then have the rest of the April Vacation Week off.