Hornets Sting AC, Advance To North Softball Semis

NORTH READING - This is what the MIAA postseason is supposed to look like.

For the second straight season North Reading earned the top seed in the Division 2 North softball tournament but unlike last year's frustrating first-round loss, the Hornets played like the team to beat Sunday in a 12-0 win over Arlington Catholic that ended in the fifth inning.

"They showed what they are made of right from the start," said North Reading coach Michelle Morales. "They just kept fighting every inning and they didn't give up defensively."

North Reading (21-0) took a 2-0 lead in the first thanks to a two-run homer from Cape Ann League Player of the Year Tara Driver. The Hornets would score one in the second, four in the third, and five in the fifth to end the Cougars' season at 14-7. Unlike that extra-inning loss to Swampscott a year ago, the Hornets played near flawless defense, committing just one harmless error.

Christina Simblaris did her part on the mound and at bat, striking out seven and allowing just three hits. She also had an RBI single in North Reading's four-run third and scored a run. Guiliana Peppe also contributed with a single and two doubles with three runs scored and two RBIs. In total, North Reading had 13 hits.

Next is a semifinal match-up at Martin Park in Lowell against the winner of Monday's game between Whittier (17-3) and Marblehead (16-2).

Tara Driver clubs a first inning two-run homer. Photo by Bob Holmes