By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading 12-year old Williamsport All-Stars baseball team lost its final District 13 game on Sunday as they lost to guest Wilmington, 11-0, at Benevento Park. The game was a five-inning mercy-rule game.
With the defeat, North Reading finished at 1-3.
“Their pitcher was good and threw a lot of curveballs,” explained North Reading manager Anthony DiBella “They have a good team and we came out a little flat.”
Wilmington came out of the gates strong scoring four times in the top of the first inning. They then scored twice in the second, once in the third and two runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
North Reading had only two hits as Logan MacGregor and Carter Callanan each had singles.
On July 6, North Reading lost to host Andover, 5-1, at Degermond Field.
“Their pitcher was the best I have seen by far,” said DiBella. “He was throwing around 70 miles-per hour.”
North Reading was no-hit but did score one run in the fifth inning as MacGregor who reached base on a strikeout that got by the catcher, plated the lone run later on in the inning.
Andover scored single runs in the second and fourth innings and then plated three runs in the forth to pull away.
“Anthony (DiBella Jr.) kept us in the game until the fifth inning,” said DiBella, as his son was the starting pitcher.
North Reading’s win came on July 5 at home as they rolled over visiting Billerica 13-4.
“The bats came alive big time,” recalled DiBella, as his squad had 16 hits.
David Machado was the winning pitcher going 4 2/3 innings. He gave up four runs, four hits, three walks and he struck out three.
Callanan pitched the final 1 1/3 innings allowing no runs and fanning one.
North Reading’s offense scored once in the second, four times in the third, five times in the fifth and three times in the sixth (North Reading was the designated road team even though the game was at Benevento).
MacGregor and A.J. Marengi led the offense as each player went 3 for 3 at the dish. MacGregor scored two runs while Marengi knocked in two runs.
Tom Fagner and DiBella were both 3 for 4 as Fagner knocked in two while DiBella had one RBI.
Coach DiBella enjoyed coaching the team.
“I have been coaching these kids for three years and I am fond of them,” he said. “We have formed a bond.”