Generals Win Nail-Biter over Townies, 6-5

In a hard fought back and forth battle, the Hamilton Generals were able to hold off the Rockport Townies 6-5 thanks to the long ball and timely pitching. Mike Drinkwater pitched 6 1/3 innings picking up his first ITL victory, Marks went the distance but picked up the loss. Jon Jackson earned the save in his season pitching debut.

Things got started with two outs in the bottom of the first for the Generals. Bryan Vitale followed a Stewart walk with a 2-run HR to left giving the home team a quick 2-0 lead. The Townies answered in a big way with 4 of their own in the top of the second. Clark and Bertolino delivered RBI singles to lead the charge. The Generals then knotted the score in the bottom half with another 2-run HR off the bat of Jim Maloney.

The Townies didn't wait long to regain the lead as they scored on a defensive miscue in the top of the third. In the bottom of the fifth the Generals tied the score yet again with a 2-out solo HR from Tom Jones. In the bottom of the sixth, after a nifty double play by the Townies, Jim Maloney was able to deliver his second HR on the day to deep left. This time he gave the Generals a one run lead going into the seventh.

In the seventh, the Townies loaded the bases with only one out. Drinkwater gave way to Jackson, leaving him in a tight spot. Jackson was able to strike out the first batter he faced and get a screaming line drive out to right to end the game, earning the save in the process. All the Generals' runs came from the long ball tonight, a rarity for the team. The two teams don't meet again until later in the season. The Generals play next Wednesday at Rowley and the Townies will be back at Evans Field this Sunday.

Rowley beats Topsfield

The Rams won a tight one 5-4 Wednesday night at Eiras field. Matt Wile pitched 6 innings for the Rams giving up 4 hits and striking out 11. Shane Johnson earned the save in his first ITL appearance. Offensively SS Koby Thibault had 2 hits in his ITL debut. For Topsfield Driessen took the loss going 5 IP with 4 hits and 4K's. The two teams meet again Friday night at Proctor School

Beverly - 14, Hamilton - 13

Beverly - 14, Hamilton - 13
The Beverly Giants (2-0) won a slugfest with the Hamilton Generals (1-1) Wednesday night at Cooney Field. Beverly led 9 to 8 after 4 innings but Hamilton scored 5 runs to take a 13 to 9 lead in the top of the 5th. The bullpens held the game scoreless for the next two innings.

Trailing 13 to 9 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th, Beverly erupted for 5 runs and a come from behind victory. Key hits in the rally belonged to Bill Boccuzzi whose double scored the 3rd run of the inning and put the tying runs in scoring position, Jeff Barricelli whose 2 run single tied the game, and Jeff Giannino whose single gave Beverly a walkoff win. Roger Dragani earned the victory for the Giants with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Leading the way for Beverly were Boccuzzi (2 for 3, HR, 3RBI), Barricelli (2 for 4, 3RBI), Giannino (2 for 5, HR, 2RBI), Mike Freni (2 for 3, HR, 3RBI), and Derek Scialdone (3 for 4, 2RBI).

Hamilton's offense was led by Tim O'Leary (2 for 3, 4RBI) and Mark Provost (3 for 4, RBI). Jim Maloney and Brian Vitale added two hits apiece.

Mariners Tough at Home

The Manchester/Essex Mariners were able to defend their home field and hold off the Ipswich Chiefs for a 6-4 victory. More to come.

Manchester/Essex 11, Chiefs 13

In what appears to have been quite a slugfest, the Ipswich Chiefs outlasted the Mariners to win 13-11.

Hamilton 9, Rockport 2

The Hamilton Generals were able to manage an opening day victory at Evans Field behind a solid start from veteran Judd Funchion. Mike Drinkwater was also great in relief, managing 3 scoreless innings in his ITL debut. Brent Currier was charged with the loss, Disantos pitched great in relief for the Townies.

The Generals managed a quick 4-0 lead in first behind a five hit attack. Maloney (2-3, 2 RBI) led off the game with a double into the right field trees. Provost (2-4, 2 RBI), next up, scored Maloney on a single. Jered Stewart followed that with a deep double that threatened the skateboard park. Andre Painchaud blasted a 2-run HR to deep center to finish out the scoring in the top of the first. The Generals took a 7-0 lead after three with a Maloney sac-fly and a Provost HR in the second and a Mark Potter RBI single in the third.

The Townies got on the board in the third with an RBI from Brent Currier, and added another in the fourth on another fielder's choice play. That's all the Townies could get against the Generals. The General pitchers only gave up 4 hits all day. Gabe Funchion scored in the seventh on another Maloney sac-fly finishing the scoring and giving the Generals the 9-2 victory. The two teams face off again this Thursday at Patton Park, 5:45pm start.

Beverly - 16, Topsfield - 3

Rocky Pisa pitched 5 shutout innings for the Opening Day victory over the Tories. Pisa allowed 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1. Beverly's bats were in midseason form as the Giants got homeruns from Nick Adams (2 for 5, 2RBI), Jeff Barricelli (2 for 4, 3RBI), and Pat Doyle (2 for 5, 4RBI). Jeff Giannino and Derek Scialdone also added two hits for the winners.

For Topsfield, Scott Lobdelp (sp?) took the loss. Ben Hathaway had 2 hits.

The Beverly Giants host the Hamilton Generals and Topsfield travels to rowley on Wednesday.

Opening Day!

For the 79th time the ITL season gets underway Memorial Day Weekend. Get a piece of small town Americana by taking in one of this weekend's three games. All four playoff teams from a year ago will be in action, including a rematch of last year's finals. The weather is going to be great, no better way to spend a day than at the ball park!


Sunday, May 25th
Topsfield @ Beverly 5pm
Hamilton @ Rockport 6pm

Monday, May 26th
Manchester/Essex @ Ipswich 5:45pm

Derby Event

There is an upcoming fund raising effort for the John Ryan Pike Foundation that may be of interest to you. John was a great guy, talented musician, baseball lover and great friend to everyone he met. Please visit www.sticksman.org for more information about his memorial foundation.


Event Info:
Saturday, May 31st
1-4pm
@ Patton Park (Rt. 1A)
Hamilton, MA 01982

Basically the event is a HR derby type thing. Baseball experience or talent is not a necessity so the players of the ITL should have some sort of advantage. Each participant will get 7 swings. Depending on where the ball lands on the field points will be awarded accordingly. A HR will be worth the most points, but you can score something for every hit. Each team will have 4 players, the team with the most points will win the event. There will also be music, food, other games, and lots of hanging out going on. Basically the event is to just get people together and have a good time.
More information and online registration for this event can be found at:

http://www.jrphrderby.myevent.com/

Get your team together as this event is right around the corner!

Hall Inductions...

Thank you all for coming to last Saturday's HOF event. Congratulations again to this year's inductees: Bill Bain, Herb Pomeroy, Martin Stone, & Ed Rock. Please join us again this Sunday as we start the regular season. Catch a game in Rockport or Beverly. Check the schedule to the right for all the upcoming games and events.

Kick Off Party: Saturday, May 17th

The season is right around the corner, it is time to get together and celebrate. Please join us at Woodman's this Saturday night from 7-10pm as the ITL inducts new members to the Hall of Fame and kicks off the start of the 2008 season. All current and former members of the ITL are encouraged to come as well as friends and family. See you there.