The Ipswich Chiefs used a 5 run 5th inning to defeat the Beverly Giants in a game stopped in the middle of the 6th inning Friday night. The pivotal moment of the game came in the bottom of the 5th. With the game tied at 6 and thunderstorm clouds threatening, Ipswich had a runner on 2nd base with 2 men out. If the run scored, then Ipswich would have an official win if the rain came. If the run did not score, then Beverly could salvage a tie. It was at this point that Ipswich's offense came alive. Matt Lane singled in the run to take the lead. That was followed up by a single from Rick Sotoropolous, an RBI single by Knox, a 30 minute rain delay, a successful double steal scoring Sotoropolous, a walk by Dave Shoreman, a single by Dylan Durning, and a two run single by Gonzalez, before Beverly finally got the 3rd out of the inning. After five complete, Ipswich led 11 to 6.
Beverly scratched for 2 runs in the top of the 6th to cut the lead to 3, but after the half inning the umpires decided that it would be impossible to play 7 complete innings, and the game was called due to darkness.
Kevin Smolla got the win for Ipswich allowing 6 runs over 5 innings. Michael pitched the 6th inning. For Beverly, Sean Martin was tagged with the loss in relief. Joe Gill started and allowed 6 runs (5 earned) over 3 1/3.
The Chiefs offense was led by Sotoropolous (3 for 4, 3 runs, 2RBI), Michael (2 for 2, 3 runs), and Matt Lane (2 for 3, 2RBI). Beverly got production from Derek Scialdone (3 for 3, 2RBI), Pat Doyle (2 for 3, 2 runs), Kevin Harutunian (2 for 4), and Rob Freni (2 for 3, RBI).
Founded in 1929, The Intertown Twilight League is the oldest active amateur baseball league in the country, and is recognized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame as such. The league consists of teams from Beverly, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Rockport, Rowley, & Topsfield to make up the league. Most of the players are college or former college/high school players; a few have had professional experience. Please join us this and every summer for some of the best baseball around! We hope to see you there!
