Credit: Eric Russo | Boston Globe
Frank Carey never dreamed he’d have such a successful career. When he started as the head coach of North Reading’s baseball team 47 years ago, he wasn’t sure what the future would hold.
“You never know how long you’ll coach,” said Carey. “You can’t really envision it.”
It turns out the future has been pretty bright.
Carey, on Thursday afternoon, became the state’s all-time winningest baseball coach after the host Hornets swept a doubleheader against Newburyport. The two victories gave Carey 726 for his career (all at North Reading), which surpassed former Leominster coach Emile Johnson.
“I’m very proud,” said Carey. “It’s a credit to all the kids. I’ve had kids that have been very dedicated, committed to the program. They are all a part of it. I’ve had some great young men.”
One is senior Scott Allen, who got the win in both games. The first game, a 9-2 Hornets win, started in the 10th inning, a continuation of the first game of the season.
The Hornets batted first and scored seven runs in the top of the 10th, with Allen driving in the winning run with a single. He then closed things out in the bottom of the innnig.
North Reading (10-3) won the second game, 3-2, with Allen (6-1) striking out five and allowing six hits in a complete game.
“The seniors on this team were with me on the state title team in 2012,” said Carey. “I wanted to see them through. Having these kids was a motivating factor [to keep coaching] this year.”
With a few weeks to go in the season, Carey would not say if he would be back to add to his win total next year.
“I really can’t say,” he said. “Right now, I’m undecided.”