North Reading Little League Update

We're starting to get the word out on some sponsor/fund raising events taking place in support of NRLL.

• On Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, NRLL is holding Sponsor Appreciation Days. On Saturday (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.) and Sunday (12 noon - 4 p.m.), team and sign sponsors are invited to Benevento Memorial Fields to hand out coupons, brochures, show pictures of their work, etc, and promote their services; or they can just wear their company shirts and see the kids play. 

• On Wednesday, May 8, it's "NRLL Night" at Mike's Famous Pizza and Roast Beef. From 5:00 -8:00 p.m. that evening, for everyone who orders take out or in person and says they " are ordering to support NRLL," 20 percent of the sales will go to NRLL. Mike's is located at 6 Washington St., (in the plaza next to Cervizzi's Martial Arts). 

• The annual Pancake Breakfast is set for Sunday, May 19, from  8 a.m. - 12 p.m.  at the Great American Tavern. Last year, the buffet worked well and there was no waiting time. The price is $6 per person and a $20 cap for families. There will also be raffles.

Highlights from Wednesday night's Majors action:

Angels 10, Giants 0: Thomas MacEacheron threw five dominant innings and Chewy Capozzoli and Nick Torme each drove in two runs to lead the Angels to their third victory of the season. MacEachern allowed just one hit and struck out 12 batters. He also had an RBI single in the third inning. Jay Schille had two hits, including a fifth-inning double, and younger brother Sal Schille scored three times. Joey DiSanto and Max Dorrington also hit two-baggers in the win.

Cardinals 12, Royals 7: The Cardinals scored their first win of the spring, striking early against the Royals with runs from Colby Bryant, Domenic Gallo, Mike Forni, and Demitri Boulas in the first inning. On the mound, Antonio Bautista-Foti shut down the Royals by not allowing any runs over the first three innings, forming a great partnership with catcher Demitri Boulas, who held on to three foul tipped balls for outs. Dante Centofanti tagged a two-run home run for the Cardinals in the third inning and Mike Forni hit a line drive single in the fourth that plated two more runs.   

Blue Jays 10, Athletics 5: With a beautiful spring evening as a backdrop, Derek Reilly (Blue Jays) and Matt Solecki (A's) took to the hill, and both starters were in command for the first two innings to keep the game scoreless. The Jays' offense came to life in the bottom of the fourth with six runs, keyed by a Jake Intravia two-run double and a two-out, bases-clearing double from Jack Donahue. The game's key defensive play came in the top of the fifth. With one out and a run already in and a man at third, catcher Joe Ressler came out to tag the batter on a dropped third strike, then lunged back to the plate to tag the runner breaking for home, ending the threat.

Highlights from Thursday night's Minors action:

Sea Dogs 5, Mets 0 

A tremendous pitchers' duel went the Sea Dogs way on a beautiful Thursday night at Benevento. Nick Shea turned in a superior effort for the winners, going five shutout iinnings and striking out 13 batters. The Mets' Michael Luker matched him with an outstanding performance of his own, going three strong innings, yielding just one run, and setting down eight Sea Dogs. Helping preserve the Sea Dogs shutout was solid play in the field, including defensive gems from Dan Kiley, Joey Framantino, and Ryan Caviasca. Offensively, Anthony Diozzi had the big hit of the game, scoring Cole Lopalito and Ewan Kennedy.

Highlights from Thursday night's Farm League action:

Pirates vs. Royals

The Royals received two terrific defensive plays in the game. Max Hampoian started a triple play with his fine catch of a shallow fly ball, and Kyle Bryant made a terrific grab at shortstop that he turned into a double play to end the game.