North Reading Wears North Softball Crown

LOWELL -- How did last year end? What happened in the 2017 tournament? If you can't remember, join the group. Just pay attention to the 2018 version of the North Reading softball team and everything they've accomplished. Hopefully with more to come.

North Reading won the Division 2 North title Saturday at Martin Field in Lowell, beating Burlington, 3-1, while improving their record to a shiny, brilliant, and perfect 23-0. The Hornets advance to face South champion Greater New Bedford (20-4) on Tuesday at Taunton High for the EMass title. A win there sends North Reading to Saturday's state title game in Worcester.

The win over Burlington was made impressive, not so much because of who contributed, but by who didn't, at least with the bat. North Reading senior catcher Tara Driver homered in the first tournament win and had two doubles in the second tournament win, but the Niagara-bound CAL MVP went 0-for-2 with a walk in the win over the Red Devils. She also had the Hornets only error when she overthrew second in the fourth inning. But North Reading isn't just the talented Driver. It's Ferrazzani, Luker, Pascucci, Howse, Peppe, McDonough, Simblaris, Paine, Lord ... and Driver.

"We're one of those lucky teams that has one through nine," said coach Michele Morales of her team's hitting depth. "They try to get through nine, then you're right there back at it."

Cassandra Pascucci limited Burlington to seven hits while striking out five. She also had two hits. Burlington's only run came in the fourth inning when they bunched two singles, two walks, and Driver's error to score one run. It could have been worse. The bases were loaded with two outs but Pascucci induced a grounder to short that Julia Howse handled.

"Even with runners on she bared down and didn't let it phase her," said coach Michele Morales of Pascucci. "She knew her defense had her back the whole time."

North Reading scored all three runs in the second. Howse singled, followed by a double by Guiliana Peppe. Christina Simblaris singled and the Red Devils committed a throwing error that allowed Peppe to score and put Simblaris at third. Abby Paine then lifted a sac fly to right for the third run.

In total, North Reading had eight hits, with Pascucci, Howse, and Simblaris getting two each.