Hornets Set For Softball Final Four

What started in frigid March temperatures with way-too-much snow, continues Tuesday night at 7 in Taunton. The North Reading softball team is one of four teams in Division 2 still playing and next up for the Hornets is South champion Greater New Bedford.

North Reading beat Burlington, 3-1, Saturday for the North title while Greater New Bedford beat Middleboro, 6-4, in eight-innings to take the South. For the Bears, the feat was made more impressive after moving up from Division 3 last year. Greater New Bedford (20-4) pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament regardless of division when the Bears beat Norton in the semifinals. Greater New Bedford is led by sophomore pitcher Jenna Sylvia, who pitched all 11 innings in blanking powerhouse Norton, 3-0.

The North Reading vs. GNB contest isn't the only game in town. In the other semifinal, CMass champion Leicester faces WMass champion Greenfield Tuesday at 4 p.m. Leicester (18-6) has three shutouts in its four tournament wins, with the fourth game an 18-9 affair with Auburn. Greenfield (19-2) was the top seed in the West and has given up one run in each of its three tournament wins including a 2-1 win over Wahconah in the sectional final.

Tuesday's winners head to Worcester State Saturday for the state championship.

Photo by Bob Holmes