RallyNorth.net

Hornets stunned by Austin Prep

Wednesday, June, 04 By Eric Peterson
Staff writer

Repeating a championship season is a difficult task. No. 4 North Reading found that out the hard way as it fell to No. 21 Austin Prep, 5-0, in a Division 3 North quarterfinal matchup yesterday.

It was one year ago when the Hornets knocked off two-time defending champ Turners Falls in the state title game.

Nevertheless, North Reading coach Rusty Russell does not believe that having a target on their backs had anything to do with the loss.

"I knew everyone was out to get us this year and we played every team strong. I wouldn't say this team caught us at a weak moment. I just think that they brought it. They were ready to play and they got the breaks and we didn't," said Russell.

Austin, which has won three tourney games after going just 9-9 in the regular season, stormed out to score two runs in the first inning off an inside-the-park home run by Alex Gustafson. The Cougars added another run in the second when Felicia Giuliano of North Reading stole home after an infield single.

Gustafson (triple) and Sam Cila (single) drove in the final runs in the fifth inning.

The Hornets struggled to generate any offense off Lauren Kilp. The best opportunity came in the fifth as Caitlin Reilly reached on a walk and Brittni Coppola bunted for a single, but both were stranded.      

Russell was mystified by the Hornets' lack of production.

He said, "We couldn't get any offense going. That was probably our biggest problem. I don't know why."

These two teams have recent history in the state tournament as the Hornets needed 12 innings to defeat Austin Prep, 12-7, in the 2006 North semifinals.   

This year was supposed to be a rebuilding one after the graduation of All-Scholastic slugger to Stephanie Mayne. The Hornets hope to surprise again next year despite losing record-setting strikeout artist Caroline Gattuso.