Published July 30, 2020

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — The North Reading Northeast League baseball team lost 5-1 to visiting Lowell at Carey Park on a hot, humid evening on Tuesday. With that defeat, the Hornets fell to 6-4.

“We weren’t able to hit,” said Hornets manager Marco Vittozzi, as his team had six hits.

Tim McCarthy was the starting pitcher going four innings. After shutting out Lowell the first three frames, the visitors plated four runs in the top of the 4th inning.

“He had a tough inning,” admitted Vittozzi. “He walked a couple of guys and hit one batter.”

Joe Giacalone had an RBI single in the bottom of the 4th to score Aldo Vittozzi to cut the lead to three.

Lowell then scored once more in the top of the 5th.

Vittozzi was the team’s lone multiple hitter going 2-for-3.

On Sunday morning, the news was much better as the Hornets defeated guest Newton, 6-2. Newton was the designated home team and batted last.

Pitcher Nick Doucette improved to 3-1 with a complete-game effort. He gave up two runs (both unearned), three hits, three walks and he fanned four.

“It was another solid outing for Nick,” said Vittozzi, as Doucette leads the team in wins.

The Hornets scored once in the 4th inning and three times in the 5th. They tacked on two more in the top of the 7th.

Ryan Baker was the offensive superstar going 2-for-4 with a season-high five runs batted in.

He delivered a bases-clearing triple to left field in the 5th to make the score 4-2. Then, in the 7th, he had a two-run double to left-center to increase the lead to four.

“He carried us,” stated Vittozzi of Baker, as the Hornets finished with nine hits.

Mike Vittozzi was the team’s other multiple hitter going 2-for-4 with a walk. Aldo Vittozzi had the other RBI with a single in the 4th to cut the lead to 2-1 as Newton plated both of their runs in the 2nd inning.

Coach Vittozzi was also pleased with the defensive play of center fielder Matt Ryan.

Last Saturday afternoon, also at Carey Park, the Hornets were edged 4-3 by Westford.

“We got in a hole early but had our chances to come back,” said Vittozzi. “Their defense made some good plays.”

Westford plated four runs in the top of the 1st off starting pitcher Baker. Baker lasted just 2.1 innings allowing five runs, three hits, and two walks. He struck out one.

Frank Cassarino came on in relief and shut down the Grey Ghosts the rest of the way.

North Reading scored in the bottom of the 1st on an error to cut the lead to three.

Fielder’s choices by Cassarino and Zach Rosatone made it 4-3 in the bottom of the 2nd.

Westford scored once in the top of the 3rd but the Hornets cut the lead to one again on a sacrifice fly by Jack Fischer in the bottom of the 3rd.

The Hornets are currently second in the South Division with 12 points and two points behind first place Billerica.

Tonight, the Hornets hit the road to play Billerica at the Marshall Middle School at 6 p.m. They then wrap up the regular season on Sunday as they host Newton at 9 a.m.