Game 7 Reading 10 Woburn 0 Scott Tully (5 inn, 9 K's, 1 hit) and Steve Roesler (2 inn, 1 K, 0 hits) gave a dominant performance as they combined for a 1-hit shutout at Woburn. The offense was led by Derek Galante (2 hits, 3 runs, 2 stolen bases, 3 RBI), Liam Kenneally (2 hits, 3 RBI), Rob DiLoreto (2 hits, 1 run, 1 stolen base, 2 RBI), and Ryan Wynns (3 hits, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases). Reading scored 3 in the top of the first on consecutive singles by Alex Valente, Wynns, Kenneally, and Galante, followed by an error. Another run was scored in the 2nd on a single by Mike O'Leary and RBI double by Kenneally. Reading broke it open in the 5th on a combination of walks, errors, stolen bases, and a wild pitch. The final four runs came in the 6th on a 2-run single by Galante and a 2-run double by DiLoreto.

Game 6 Reading 4 Arlington 8 In a key early-season game, Arlington beat Reading, 8-4, at Morton Field. Arlington jumped on top with 3 first inning runs on 2 walks, a wild pitch, and 3 hits. Reading came back in the bottom of the 1st with two runs on two-out doubles by Liam Kenneally and Derek Galante, followed by an RBI single by Sean O'Neil. Reading's pitcher, Garrett Colantino, settled down and retired Arlington without another run in the next four innings. In the meantime, Reading went ahead, 4-3 in the third, when Anthony Spano was hit by a pitch, Liam Kenneally singled (with both runners advancing an extra base on the throw), and then a 2-run single by Galante. Reading had a chance to extend its lead in the 5th, but left runners on 2nd and 3rd. In the 6th, Arlington forged ahead on an error, sac bunt, single with an error, and another single. Then Arlington tacked on 3 more runs off reliever O'Neill in the 7th for the 8-4 final.

Game 5 Reading 4 Belmont 0 Reading got a much-needed win at Belmont vs. their outstanding pitcher, Mike Richardson. Reading scored in the top of the first on an opposite field homerun by Liam Kenneally. Reading scored again in the 2nd when Sean O'Neill singled, Scott Tully sacrificed bunted (both runners safe), Mike O'Leary sacrifice bunted, Chris Ehl walked, and Ryan Wynns hit an RBI single. The third and fourth runs came in the 5th on a single by Wynns, a sacrifice bunt by Anthony Spano,a two-out RBI single by Kenneally, a stolen base by Kenneally, and an RBI single by Derek Galante. Three out of four Rocket runs were scored with two outs and 7 of 8 Reading hits were with two strikes. The big story for the game was the dominant pitching by Scott Tully who threw a complete game gem. Scott yielded just two infield hits and struck out 17 batters, including 8 in a row at one stretch. For a regular season game, Scott's 17 K's tied for the second highest by a Reading pitcher. Bob Lucci '87, also struck out 17 Gloucester hitters in a 6-inning game (so 17 of 18 outs were by strikeout). The all-time #1 strikeout game was by Russell Hunt '00 who struck out 20 Watertown batters on his way to a perfect game (only one batter put the ball in play, groundout to pitcher).

Please check out the website below. Michelle Kramer, mother of current Reading Baseball Student-Manager, Kasey Cook, and 2012 outstanding player, Mac Cook, has been taking photos of our players, coaches,and fans for several years and posting them on a Shutterfly site. Michelle takes beautiful photos and we truly appreciate what she does for us. So visit the site; I know you will enjoy her photographs. http://rmhsvarsitybaseball2013.shutterfly.com/

I know that Game Results 1 through 4 are not posted in chronological order. Sorry about that, but look for the Game Number to tell the order of the games.

Game 3 Reading 4 Melrose 7 Reading suffered its first loss at the hands of Melrose at Morton Field. The Rockets sprang to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Anthony Spano reached on an error, Alex Valente singled, Liam Kenneally singled home Spano, and Derek Galante hit a 2-run double. But Melrose hung in there and began a comeback with a solo homerun in the 2nd inning and another run in the 4th, to make the score 3-2. Reading got a run back on a long homerun by Galante but Reading could not hold on. Reading's starting pitcher, Garrett Colantino, pitched well, yielding 2 runs over 5+ innings, but two relief pitchers gave up 5 runs in 6th and 7th, for a 7-4 Melrose win.

Game 2 Reading 15 Winchester 0 Reading had things go its way at Morton Field, blanking Winchester in a contest that went six innings. Scott Tully pitched 5 innings of 2-hit ball, striking out 12 batters. Nathan Terry pitched a scoreless 6th inning. The Rocket offense had a big day, banging out 16 hits and scoring in 5 out of 6 innings. Leading the way offensively were Derek Galante (HR, triple, 4 RBI), Alex Valente (3 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Liam Kenneally (3 hits, 3 runs, RBI, Scott Tully (2 hits, 2 runs), Anthony Spano (2 hits, run, RBI), and Nick Clivio (2 hits).

Game 4: Reading 3 Burlington 4 Reading dropped its second consecutive game, losing a tight contest at Burlington. Reading scored two runs in the top of the first when Alex Valente walked, Liam Kenneally doubled, and Derek Galante and Sean O'Neill hit consecutive RBI singles. Burlington came right back with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the first, aided by 3 Reading errors. Burlington added another run in the third, to take a 4-2 lead. Reading cut it to 4-3 with a single run in the 5th when Ryan Wynns reached on an error and scored on Kenneally's two-out RBI single. In the meantime, O'Neill, who pitched well all day, escaped a couple jams to give Reading a chance in the 7th. The Rockets threatened when Wynns reached on an error and was sacrificed to 2nd by Anthony Spano.Then Alex Valente reached on an error to put runners on first and second. But Burlington's pitcher was able to induce a fielder's choice and a strikeout to preserve the win.

Game 1 Results

Game 1: Reading 7 Wilmington 1 Scott Tully pitched 6 strong innings, yielding 1 run on 5 hits; he walked just 1 and struck out 8. Senior Garrett Colantino pitched a scoreless 7th inning. Reading scored in the top of the first when leadoff hitter Anthony Spano tripled and shortstop Alex Valente hit a sacrifice fly to drive him in. Reading scored again in the second when Tully led off with a walk, was sacrificed to 2nd by 2nd baseman Mike O'Leary and eventually scored on a 2-out error. Wilmington made the score 2-1 on a home run to left field, but Reading responded with two runs in the 3rd inning. Liam Kenneally led of with a walk and stole second. With two outs, Tully singled him home. After an error, O'Leary singled home Tully. A big play of the game occurred when the score was 4-1 and Wilmington had a runner on 3rd with no outs after an errant pickoff play. Third baseman Kenneally and Tully pulled off the hidden ball play to tag out the runner off 3rd base. Reading got its final three runs in the 7th inning on a single by Valente, and RBI triple by catcher Derek Galante, and an RBI single by 1st baseman, Sean O'Neill.

Schedule for Week of April 15

This week's game schedule: Monday vs. Winchester Wednesday vs. Melrose Friday at Burlington All games are at 10:00 am You can download complete season schedule at www.readingbaseballschool.com Click on the baseball icon next to "Varsity Baseball" to find the link to the schedule.

The entire team went to see "42" Movie today. Really enjoyed the movie and the team-building experience. Young players had an opportunity to learn about the amazing strength, courage, and talent of Jackie Robinson (and his wife, Rachel Robinson, who is alive at age 90) as well as the key characters - Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford was excellent in that role and really stole the show), Leo Durocher, Pee Wee Reese, Dixie Walker. We pointed out the Reading - Jackie Robinson connection: long-time Reading resident Lennie Merullo played against Robinson in the late 40's. Mr. Merullo played shortstop on the last Cubs team to play in the World Series in 1945. After his playing career, Mr. Merullo became a scout and eventually the Head of the Major League Scouting Bureau. He earned a reputation as being one of the most highly respected people in the game. He is still going strong at age 95 !

Hello Reading Baseball Fans - I am resurrecting this blog so you can view game results and other information about Reading Baseball at this site. We are also on twitter @readingbaseball but this blog will allow more detailed game summaries. Pete Moscariello