Beverly - 4, Manchester - 2

The Beverly Giants (7-9) beat the Manchester Mariners (8-8) by the score of 4 to 2 Thursday night in Essex. The Mariners jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when Nate Bertolino followed up a Joe Orlando single with a two run homer to center field. However, after that blast, Beverly starter Luke Deschamps settled down and shutout the Mariners over the remainder of the game. Deschamps pitched all 7 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4. Deschamps got help from his defense which did not make an error on the night.

Beverly scored all four runs in the top of the 4th inning. Beverly used five singles and two Manchester throwing errors to plate the four runners. Jeff Giannino was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Ty Besse was 2 for 4.

Manchester threatened in the bottom of the 7th. After an out was recorded, Hildebrand and Hildonen singled. The next batter grounded to first moving both runners into scoring position with two out. Deschamps struck out the final batter to clinch his third win of the season for the Giants.

Beverly travels to Rockport Friday night before hosting Manchester in a rematch on Sunday.