(Byfield) Anyone paying attention knows that undefeated Amesbury is considered the best team in the Cape Ann League.
Second best? That’s not nearly as certain.
Triton, however, staked its claim to that designation with a 6-4 win over North Reading this afternoon.
The Vikings victory offsets an April 7th, 9-3, loss at North Reading.
Triton (11-4) is now 8-1 in the CAL. North Reading (9-5) falls to 8-2. The Vikings haven’t faced Amesbury yet. NR has and they lost, 11-0.
Triton was up 2-0 in the third inning today, but North Reading came back to tie things in the top of the fifth inning. The Vikings tallied four runs in the bottom of the fifth only to have the Hornets get two of those runs back in the seventh inning. The visitors had the tying run at the plate before the final out was recorded.
“It was a good high school softball game,” said Triton coach Alan Noyes afterwards. “It wasn’t the cleanest and we had to battle to win it.”
North Reading had eleven hits led by Caitlin Reilly and Jocelyn Ostrowsky who each had three hits.
It was a frustrating loss for the Hornets. Although they had a lot of hits, a three-hit first inning didn’t produce any runs because of an out on the bases.
More frustrating for North Reading were their defensive lapses. Triton scored in three innings and wild pitches and passed balls played a large part in each inning. In the four-run fourth, a throwing error allowed a run to cross.
“It just wasn’t our day,” said NR assistant coach Paul Sonia afterwards.
In the Triton first, Maddy Jacques walked, went to second on a passed ball and was driven in by Izzy Oldini.
In Triton’s third inning, Kyla Story doubled, reached third on a wild pitch, and scored on Mallory Johnson’s two-out, two-strike single.
North Reading came all the way back with a two-run fifth inning. Keely Hannon singled, reached second on a passed ball, and was driven in by Caitlin Reilly. Caitlin later scored on Mia Vittozzi’s single.
Izzy Oldini and Mallory Johnson each had an RBI in the Vikings’ four-run fifth.
Credit North Reading for challenging the Triton lead in their final at-bats. The Hornets had two on with two outs when Jocelyn Ostrowsky scored both of them with a single. That brought the tying run to the plate, but Triton pitcher Emma Penniman registered her fifth strikeout to end the threat.
“It was an awesome win,” said Maddy Jacques post-game. There was a special celebration afterwards for the Vikings’ only senior.
Maddy plays second base. The sun can be very tough on that side of the field.
“That sun got them today, and it also got me once,” said Maddy.
“North Reading is a good team,” said Coach Noyes. “They are one of the better hitting teams around. Their pitcher (Keely Hannon) has plus stuff.”
Keely finished with seven strikeouts.
Both teams have three non-league losses.
Triton has now won four of their last five games.
Maddy Jacques: “When I was a freshman, Senior Day seemed so far away. I will be going to Endicott and majoring in business management.”
The last time the two teams played (April 7th) the temperatures were in the 30’s. Today, the temperatures were in the 70’s!
North Reading 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 = 4
Triton 1 0 1 0 4 0 – = 6
McClelland Miscellanea 