Published August 6, 2020
THE HORNETS tip their caps to the Pioneers after a special Senior Day game on Saturday. (Kristine Marengi Photo)
NORTH READING — The seniors on the North Reading High baseball team finally got an opportunity to run onto the field at Carey Park together on Saturday. It was the first time and the last time the nine from the class of 2020 put on their Hornet jerseys this year. They left with a wonderful memory and an even stronger bond that only they could understand.
The Hornets hosted Lynnfield, who also had nine seniors. All 18 were honored before the game by a great turnout of friends and family.
“It was a really special day for everyone involved,” said North Reading head coach Eric Archambault. “These graduated seniors have been playing baseball with the same group of kids since little league. They worked extremely hard all four years of high school and especially hard during this recent offseason. To have their senior season taken away from them was heartbreaking, so the ability to play one final game together gave them the closure they needed to their high school baseball careers.”
THE TRADITIONAL infielder Hornet huddle was back at Carey Park on Saturday. (Bob Currier Photo)
The game was organized by the North Reading Diamond Club, who decided to scratch their typical Alumni Game and give the seniors a chance to play instead. The Diamond Club with the work of people like Marco Vittozzi brought the idea to the baseball program who worked with Lynnfield High to get it done.
North Reading’s nine seniors are: Demitri Boulas, Jimmy Currier, Joey Frammartino, Chris Gwozdz, Joseph Hoadley, Ryan Kavanaugh, Jack Keller, Mario Perrone and Cam Randazzo.
“It’s a great group of kids with tremendously bright futures,” said Archambault. “I’m really proud of each and every one of them.”
The Hornets dropped a 7-2 decision. Ask them afterwards and frankly it didn’t matter. They got a chance to play ball after all.
The most important number of the day was $1,163 which is how much was made in donations from both sides. Each program received $562 for their respective scholarship funds. For the Hornets, those funds will go toward the annual baseball scholarships awarded to seniors for the Hunt Memorial Scholarship and Verdonck Memorial Scholarship.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE for NRHS Hall-of-Famer and Hornet sports photographer John Friberg was held before the baseball team’s senior game on Saturday. (Bob Currier Photo)
Legendary Hornet coach Frank Carey also helped facilitate the game and collected donations.
“I can honestly say of all my days on that field, it was my proudest moment,” said Carey.
The organizers of the game were grateful to the parents who made sure the day would be a memorable one with decorations and awards. There was also a nod to the Carucci family for donating 50 box lunches supplied by Pat Lee of the Horseshoe Grille at the post game reception.
It was the type of sporting moment that longtime sports photographer and NRHS Hall-of-Famer John Friberg would have loved. The game began with recognition and a moment of silence for Friberg, who passed away last week.
In the same spirit of John’s passion and dedication to providing Hornet student-athletes and families with lifelong memories, the North Reading baseball community came together to give the class of 2020 a souvenir from a day they won’t ever forget.
THE SENIORS and their families finally got their chance to celebrate terrific Hornet baseball careers. The nine 2020 baseball seniors are Demitri Boulas, Jimmy Currier, Joey Frammartino, Chris Gwozdz, Joseph Hoadley, Ryan Kavanaugh, Jack Keller, Mario Perrone and Cam Randazzo. (Dan Doke Photo)
