The Hamilton Generals picked up a walk-off win of sorts over the Rockport Townies in a shortened game on Thursday night. On a cold and rainy night the game was called in bottom of the fifth inning due to darkness after the Generals broke a 3-3 tie to take the lead. Jon Jackson pitched great for the home team (allowing only 2 hits over 4 innings) in his first start of the season. Osmond started for the Townies and was able to work out of many jams as the Generals left 13 runners on base over the first 4 innings. Neither starting pitcher figured in the decision. Mike Drinkwater got the win, and Brent Currier suffered the loss.The Generals got on the board first in the first. Jered Stewart got an RBI single that plated Judd Funchion. The Generals were able to work the bases loaded with no outs, but could not muster any more runs as the Townies were able to get out of the jam.
Greel scored in the top of the second to tie the game at 1-1. On a passed ball Greel tried to get to third and advanced home on an errant throw. The Generals retook the lead 2-1 in the bottom of third. With the bases loaded and 1 out, Mark Potter was able to bring home a run on a FC. The Generals left the bases loaded again only being able to bring home the one run.
With two down in the top of the forth, the Townies were able to put something together and take the lead. A Junker double plated Ayer, and an Anderson walk with the bases loaded brought home the second run of the inning. Townies led 3-2 going into the bottom of the fourth. Vitale quickly tied the game yet again with an RBI single that scored Provost.
In the top of the fifth Jackson gave way to Drinkwater. Bouchie was able to start the inning with a long at bat and won the battle with a double down the leftfield line. With a runner in scoring position and no outs, Drinkwater went to work and struck out the next 3 batters. Daylight was running out but the Generals wasted no time in the bottom of the fifth. Maidment started the quick rally with an HBP but was eliminated on the basepath by a FC. With a runner on first, Provost (3-3, BB, 2B, R) delivered what was the game winning hit to right field. The single was bobbled in right which allowed Sullivan to score all the way from first. The game was called after that earning the Generals a series split in the first week of the season.
