RallyNorth.net

Hornets battle back against Swampscott

Saturday, May, 31 By Eric Pederson
Staff writer

NORTH READING | This one was not easy. Then again, it never seems to be when these two teams square off in the postseason.

After falling behind early and facing some rainy conditions, No. 1-seed North Reading fought back to defeat Swampscott, 8-5, in the first round of the Division 3 North sectional. This comes one year after the Hornets needed extra innings to edge out the Big Blue, 2-1, in the quarterfinals.

"From last week, I knew we were going to play St. Mary's, Rockport or Swampscott," said North Reading coach Frank Carey. "Naturally, the one I didn't want to see was Swampscott."

The vital offensive attack for the Hornets came in the fifth when, trailing 5-2, they scored six runs off Big Blue ace Hunter Gordon. Following a two-RBI single by Tim McAuliffe, Matt Barretto crushed a triple down the left field line to score two runs for a 6-5 Hornet lead. Darren Hartwell later drove in two of his own with an infield single and an overthrow to first base.

"He got me out last year twice in the same game,' said Barretto about Gordon. "I had the chance to win the game twice and he struck me out twice. So I said 'I'm not going to let this happen a second year in a row.' He threw an inside pitch and I turned on it and sliced it down the line."

North Reading scored its only other runs in the first on a two-RBI double by Brian O'Neil to drive in Hartwell and Zach Hastings, who had a solid 3 for 4 day at the plate.

The Big Blue countered quickly, however, by scoring four runs in the next inning on a series of wild pitches, overthrows, and bloop hits. Swampscott would add one more run in the fourth for a 5-2 advantage.

Nevertheless, Carey decided to stick with his starting pitcher, Kevin O'Leary, who settled down to earn the complete game win, allowing seven hits and striking out four.

"What I can tell you about Kevin is that what he lacks in velocity, he makes up with courage," said Carey. "I told him 'all I want you to do is keep the ball down, they will hit it and look for a ground ball,' and he kept it down."

North Reading will hope to continue its winning ways Monday when Cape Ann League rival Georgetown visits for a quarterfinal matchup.