Ipswich 7 - Mariners 11

On Sunday night the Manchester-Essex Mariners put themselves in a 2 way/possible 3 way tie for first place with an 11-7 victory over Ipswich at Memorial Park in Essex. The win puts the Mariners at 8-4 starting the 2nd half of the season, and also places the Chiefs at an identical record of 8-4. Pending Rockport's Sunday game, there is the potential for a 3-way tie.

Mike Gibbon threw 5 1/3 innings in his first start of the season, to gain his victory. Gibbon surrendered 5 earned runs on 7 hits, while striking out 6. Charlie Choate came in to close the last 1 2/3 innings to earn his first save of the season. The Chiefs managed 2 runs (1 earned) off Choate on 2 hits. Chris Lane suffered the loss for the Chiefs pitching 5+ innings striking out 6 and Andy Workman finished off the night on the hill.

The Mariners were led by Nate Bertolino who went 4-4 on the night including a 2b,hr,4rbi, and 3 runs scored. Charlie Choate (2-3, hr, 3rbi, 3r), Ian Buckley (2-4, 2 r) were also big contributors to the Mariners victory. Whit Graham and Bryan Lafata also hit safely with Lafata recording 3 runs scored.

At the plate for the Chiefs it was the Ryan Montecalvo and Andy Workman show. Montecalvo, the veteran shortstop led the Chiefs with a 3-4 night including 2hr, 1 double, 3rbi, and 2 runs scored. Workman also contributed a 2 run homer, and finished the night 2-4 with 3rbi, and a run scored. Also hitting safely for Ipswich were Chris Zaremba, Tommy Radzim, Jim Bodwell (3b), and James Lampropolous.

The 2 teams meet again on Monday night for the backend of the double header at 5:45 in Ipswich at Linebrook Field. The winner of Monday's night matchup will take sole position of first place for the time being.