By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — In their final game of the season on July 31, the North Reading A’s lost, 15-5, to the visiting Northeast Tides at North Reading High School.
With the defeat, they ended the year at 5-19. The Tides, meanwhile, improved to 16-8 to tie the North Shore Phillies for second place in the North Shore Baseball League.
The A’s ended in last place (11th) as they will miss the playoffs for the ninth-consecutive year. Last year, they were 8-16.
Northeast took control of this game from the start plating seven runs in the top of the first inning.
They plated one run in the second, three in the fourth, one in the fifth and three more in the top of the sixth.
The A’s scored two runs in the first and three more in the fourth.
On July 28, the A’s were shut out, 3-0, by the host Rowley NorEasters at Eiras Park. It was the fourth time North Reading was shut out this summer.
The A’s stumbled the second half of the season losing 13 of their final 15 games.The two wins during that span came against Powerhouse.
Four of the A’s players are from town: Joe Dardeno, Frank Cassarino, Mike Vittozzi and Derek Reilly. Dardeno and Cassarino are the team’s co-coaches.
North Reading was solid on offense ranking third in hitting with a team average of .308. However, they were ranked last in pitching with a team earned-run average of 6.23.