Judd Funchion pitched a complete game shutout, clinching the series for the Generals and sending them to the league finals for the second straight year. Funchion gave up only 4 hits and one BB on the day. The Chiefs couldn't really get anything started off the Hamilton pitcher as Funchion was able to retire the first batter of every inning except one. He really kept the pressure on the visiting Chiefs all night long.
Chris Lane was equally stingy for the Chiefs. He allowed only five hits on the day. The Generals were able to manufacture a two run rally and got a solo HR late in the game to earn the victory. Lane was great but ultimately was charged with the loss.
With no score heading into the bottom of the third Reggie Maidment was able to reach base on an HBP with one out. After a stolen base, Jim Maloney delivered a double just out of reach of the Ipswich right fielder. Maidment advanced to third on the play. With 2nd and 3rd and 1-out, Mark Provost was able to bring home Maidment and advance Maloney with an RBI sac-fly. Jered Stewart got a big 2-out RBI single to make the score 2-0. In the fifth inning, Maloney hit a 2-out solo HR pushing the score to 3-0.
With a 3 run lead and Funchion cruising on the mound things looked good for the Generals. However, in the seventh the Chiefs made a comeback bid. Dylan Durning led off the the 7th with a single, the first leadoff man to reach for the Chiefs. Following the single came an out, error and another single from Montecalvo.
With the bases loaded, go ahead run coming to the plate, and only one out, Funchion found himself in a bit of a jam. Funchion settled down and got the next batter on a strikeout and then Potter and Tilley combined for a nice play up the middle to get the force at second to end the game.
The Generals will now face the winner of Thursday night's game 3 between the Mariners and Townies in the ITL Finals (5:30pm start @ Essex). The Generals made their first trip to the finals since 1991 last season, but advance for the second year in a row in 2008.
