Cougars Fall to North Reading in Quarter Finals

NORTH READING—One run per inning in the opening innings of the game proved all the  girls softball team needed to defeat , 3-2, in the North Division 2 Quarter Finals of the MIAA tournament.

"This game was won by hits," said North Reading coach Rusty Russell. 

The Hornets (No. 11, 13-8) were hitting right from the get-go, allowing Shelby Carney to score in the top of the first inning. The run gave her team the quick 1-0 advantage. 

Arlington Catholic (No. 14, 12-9) was unable to respond during their chance at bat. North Reading, on the other hand, was just getting started.

A one-out triple by co-captain Brittany Venezia in the top of the second, followed by an RBI fielder's choice by Nicole Eisenaure allowed the Hornets to increase their lead to two before hitting into a double-play to end the inning.

North Reading came out confidently in the top of the third following a 1-2-3 inning by the Cougars.Tarah Reilley had a lead-off single, and was eventually brought home by pitcher Terri Ferrazzani, widening the scoring gap to three. 

That would be the last time North Reading would score, but Arlington Catholic was unable to tie together enough runs to tie things up.

The Cougars scored twice in the bottom of the fourth after back-to-back singles by Casey and Caitlyn Leddy. Thanks to a series of steals by the pair, and Leddy's long single, the Cougars were able to come within just one run of the tie.

Ferrazzani closed out the game with a dramatic strike-out, ensuring the Hornets spot in the upcoming Semi-Finals, and leaving the Cougars just one run shy of the tie.

"I think we could play [Arlington Catholic] 100 times, and win 50 each. We are evenly matched teams," said Russell.

North Reading will take on Burlington (No. 2, 20-2) in the next round on Thursday at Martin Field.