Quarterfinal Round: Reading 6 Danvers 7 (9 innings) Reading’s season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion in a thrilling 9-inning defeat under the lights at Twi Field in Danvers. This game featured two teams that perennially excel in Division II North and both clubs provided an intense, exciting game. Reading came out swinging and scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Garrett Colantino led off the game with a double and scored on a 2-out single by Derek Galante. Sean O’Neill followed with a long double to score Galante. After putting down Danvers in the first, Reading scored 3 more off Danvers’ undefeated (9-0) pitcher. Mike O’Leary singled to right field and stole second base. Colantino delivered and RBI single to score O’Leary. Liam Kenneally followed with an infield hit to put two runners on best. Then Scott Tully drilled a double to score both runners and give Reading a 5-0 lead. Reading scored one more in the 3rd inning when Mike O’Leary singled home Rob DiLoretto, who had doubled. But that would be the end of the scoring for Reading, as Danvers’ relief pitcher held Reading to no runs and just three hits over the next six innings. Danvers started its comeback in the bottom of the 3rd, with two 2-out runs. They did the same in the 5th: after Colantino struck out the first two batters, a walk and three singles plated two runs to make the score 6-4. Reading turned a nifty 4-6-3 double play to end the sixth inning and now just needed three more outs for the victory. But Danvers would not go down easily. In the bottom of the seventh, a single and walk but two runners on with no outs. Reading’s relief pitcher, Sean O’Neill, got the next hitter to send a fly ball to center field that fell in for a double and a 6-5 game with runners on second and third. The tying run scored on a ground out and O’Neill did a good job inducing another ground ball and getting a strikeout to send the game to extra innings. Both teams went down 1-2-3 in the 8th, and Reading gave it a shot in the 9th. With two outs, O’Neill doubled and went to third on a wild pitch. DiLoreto was walked intentionally to put runners at the corners. Two attempts at 1st and 3rd plays were ignored by Danvers, who did not want to chance giving up the go-ahead runner. So Reading had runners on second and third, but a strikeout ended the inning. Danvers got its walkoff win in the 9th on two walks, a ground out, and a suicide squeeze. This was a most difficult way to end the season, yet the game in which Reading’s players gave their best effort, great energy, and tremendous emotion.

MIAA Division II North Tournament Reading 15 New Mission 3 (5 inn) Number 10 seed Reading traveled to Hyde Park to play #7 New Mission High School on a hot Saturday afternoon. The game was a mismatch as Reading was able to take control of the game early. Sean O'Neill pitched four innings to get the win and Nate Terry pitched the final inning. The offense was led by Liam Kenneally who had 6 RBI on a sacrifice fly, single, and grand slam homerun. Derek Galante hit his 5th homerun of the season and Scott Tully had a double and a single. Reading now moves on to the quarterfinal round at #2 seed Danvers.

Game 19 Reading 2 Hingham 1 In the first round of the Reading Baseball Alumni Tournament held at Morton Field, Reading rallied with two runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to defeat a strong Hingham team, 2-1. Garrett Colantino pitched brilliantly, limiting Hingham to six hits and no earned runs. He was aided by a couple of big defensive plays: with Hingham ahead 1-0 with a runner on 3rd, first baseman Sean O'Neill fielded a ground ball and fired to catcher Derek Galante who tagged out the runner. In the next inning, Hingham had a runner on first when a batter launched a deep drive to right center. Right fielder Ryan Wynns chased it down and made a running catch. Then he made a throw to the infield to double off the runner. So Reading still trailed, 1-0, in the bottom of the sixth when, with one out, Liam Kenneally walked and advanced to 3rd on a wild pickoff attempt. Galante doubled to center to tie the game. Two successive passed balls allowed Galante to score the go ahead run. In the 7th, Colantino retired the first two hitters, but then a batter reached by error. Scott Tully came in a got the next batter to fly out to center field to end the game. Game 20 Reading 2 BC High 7 In the championship game, BC High was just too much for Reading and it handed the Rockets a 7-2 loss. Reading pitchers Steve Roesler, Nathan Terry, and Rob DiLoreto battled, but a 2-run first inning and 5-run 4th inning was too much to overcome. Reading's runs were driven home by Liam Kenneally (2 hits) and Chris Polleys. Reading finished the regular season with a 12-8 record and Middlesex League Liberty Co-Championship (11-5). The Reading Baseball Alumni Tournament was a huge success, thanks to many, many people who made the event very special. The weather was spectacular and Morton Field was in pristine condition (thanks to coaching staff who worked on the field for a few days and then re-groomed the field after each game). There was a big crowd who enjoyed good baseball and refreshments at the concession stand (thanks to many Reading Baseball parents who did all the work to set up the tent, purchase and sell food, create a schedule of workers, and much, much more. Special thanks to Sheila Tully who spearheaded the whole operation and did an amazing job). Sydney Thayer (RMHS 2012 grad) created the program and Ted Bryson and Steve Palladino did a great job as PA announcers. Thanks to John Halsey for providing the PA equipment and Reading Babe Ruth League President Jeff Pierce who coordinated the set up and operation. RMHS Athletic Director Tom Zaya was active and supportive throughout, and ensured that the tournament was a great experience for everyone. Thanks to Troy Tully who operated the scoreboard for all four games. There were four JV games played at Washington Park, which was only playable (after 3 days of rain) because of parents who worked all day Sunday to get the field ready. On a personal note, I must express my gratitude for the recognition of my upcoming retirement and the playing of my last games at Morton Field. Thank you to former RMHS AD and current MIAA representative Phil Vaccaro, who made a heartfelt presentation and, as always, showed his love and support. RMHS Alumnus Joe Picano '81 gave a wonderful speech, on behalf of all alumni players, for which I am very thankful.Then having scores of former players, from the 70's to the '10's in attendance and recognized for their constant support and friendship, was the highlight of the event, for me. Many more thank yous will be forthcoming when the season ends, but also must thank my coaching staff of Scott Farris, Jason Zerfas, and Tom White for doing a great job and for their tremendous commitment and loyalty.

Game 18: Reading 2 Malden Catholic 4 Reading came out on the short end of a highly spirited and competitive game under the lights at MC. Reading went ahead, 2-0, in the 2nd inning when Scott Tully singled, Rob DiLoreto reached via catcher’s interference, Chris Ehl singled home Tully, and with 2 outs and the bases loaded, Mike O’Leary drew a walk. Those were the only runs Reading would score despite banging out nine hits on the night. MC closed the gap to 2-1 with an unearned run in the 3rd inning and went ahead 3-2 in the fourth with a 2-out, 2-run rally. The final run came in the 5th on a triple and sacrifice fly. Sean O’Neill was the hard-luck loser as he pitched well, yielding just six hits and two earned runs. Derek Galante finished the night with three hits and Scott Tully had two.

Game 17: Reading 1 North Andover 3 North Andover came to Morton Field and outplayed Reading for a 3-1 win. The Knights had 10 hits, played good defense, and were led by an outstanding job by their pitcher who held Reading to just 3 hits. Reading’s only run was a solo homerun by Derek Galante in the 2nd inning. Garrett Colantino took the lost despite pitching a solid complete game. The Middlesex Liberty Division coaches selected 15 players to its All-Star Team. Three Reading players were selected: Liam Kenneally, Derek Galante, and Scott Tully (who was also voted league MVP).

Game 16: Reading 6 Lexington 2 Reading earned a Middlesex League Liberty Co-Championship with a great win vs. Lexington at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, CT. The game was played at the beautiful minor league park as an alternative to the traditional Cooperstown trip. Teams were treated well, with pre-game and post-game access to players’ clubhouses, indoor batting cage, public address system and music throughout the game – the complete professional experience! Scott Tully took the mound for Reading on just 3 days rest and he retired Lexington in order in the first. Reading came out swinging in the bottom half as Anthony Spano, Mike O’Leary, and Liam Kenneally each singled for a 1-0 Reading lead. The score remained 1-0 after two innings, and then Reading struck again in the 3rd. With one out, Derek Galante singled and Sean O’Neill walked. After a 2nd out, Galante and O’Neill pulled off a double steal and Rob DiLoreto hit a bullet to left, singling both runners home. Chris Ehl followed with an RBI single of his own to give Reading a 4-0 lead. In the meantime, Tully retired the side in order in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings. Reading tacked on a big run in the 4th via a Kenneally double and a Tully 2-out RBI single. Lexington got its first hit in the 5th, but did not threaten. Reading did, though, scoring another run in the 5th on singles by Spano and O’Leary and a run-scoring single by Galante. Up 6-0, in the 6th, Tully may have tired a bit, and yielded a run in the 6th. Lexington scored another run in the 7th, but Tully bore down and struck out the last two hitters for a 6-2 win and a Reading co-championship! All told, Reading banged out 12 hits, with Spano, O’Leary, Kenneally, Galante, and Tully each getting 2 hits. Tully gave up just one earned run on 4 hits and 9 strikeouts.

Game 15: Reading 8 Woburn 0 Reading kept its title hopes alive with a solid win at home vs. Woburn. Sean O’Neill pitched 6 masterful innings, yielding just 2 hits while striking out 10. Nate Terry pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning, recording two strikeouts. The offense supplied more than enough runs for its pitchers, beginning with two runs in the 2nd inning on doubles by Scott Tully and Rob DiLoreto, and a single by Garrett Colantino. Reading made it 3-0 in the 3rd inning when Liam Kenneally singled, stole 2nd, and scored on O’Neill’s RBI single. Reading broke it wide open with a 5-run 5th inning where Mike O’Leary, Kenneally, O’Neill, DiLoreto, and Chris Ehl all had singles. O’Neill had a big day overall; in addition to being the winning pitcher, he also had 2 hits, 3 RBI, 2 stolen bases, and a run scored. Other multiple-hit players were O’Leary, Kenneally, and DiLoreto. It was great to see 3 players from Coach Mosc's very first RMHS team - 1976 Freshman Team. Steve Mello, Jack Marlin, and Pete Collins attended the game and it was wonderful to visit with them afterwards. Great memories of those great guys who went on to be outstanding varsity players and become my first tournament team in 1979.