Hornets Baseball Beats Swampscott 6-1 in Tournament

Defending state champs North Reading rode the arm of RJ Warnock on Saturday defeating Swampscott's Big Blue 6-1.

Warnock struck out seven batters and surrendered only three hits on his home field. 

Two of the hits were of the extra-base variety, doubles by Trevor Massey and Ryan January. 

Swampscott got on the scoreboard first, in the top of the first inning. The action started on a scorching drive off Massey's bat.

He scored on a groundball and a throwing error at first, sliding into home for the 1-0 lead.

The Hornets' pitcher was shaken up on the play — it looked like he may have injured his neck — and was tended to by the team trainer.

But he returned to the mound and soon settled down.

The pitcher fell into a rhythm, throwing 50 strikes out of 70 pitches.

His coach, Frank Carey, said after the game that the team is always in the game when Warnock pitches. 

Swampscott's coach, Jason Calichman, said he was disappointed with the loss. He expected the team to meet the challenge and beat the top-seeded North Reading Hornets.

Still, he was proud of his players and the way they battled throughout the season.

Senior pitcher Al Wallach went the distance for Swampscott. He kept Big Blue in the game, but ultimately North Reading "made the plays and we didn't," the Swampscott coach said.

The Hornets play next in the quarterfinals Tuesday at home against Newburyport.