Generals / Maloney Walk-Off Winners over Rams

The Generals scratched out another wild finish last night at Patton Park beating the Rams 10-9 in walk-off fashion. Jim Maloney delivered for the second time in as many games with a walk-off 2-RBI single in the bottom of the seventh. Jim Love recorded the win in relief of Mike Drinkwater in his ITL pitching debut. Martin started for the Rams and pitched well but did not figure in the decision. Dave Leavitt also pitched well in relief but was the tough luck loser. This game had a little bit of everything on both sides: defensive gems, a few miscues, questionable calls, HR's, great pitching, and a wild finish. Just another night of ITL baseball.

Rowley struck first and held a lead for most of the game with 3 runs in the first. Mariani picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice that plated Ligouri which was followed by an Esposito 2-RBI single. Hamilton got 1 back in the bottom half on a Ruggiero sac-fly to left. The Rams extended their lead with two more in the second thanks to a Bolla 2-out 2-RBI single. The Generals returned with 3 in the bottom half cutting the Ram lead to 5-4. Jim Love got an RBI single then later scored all the way from first on an errant throw that plated two. The Generals tied the score at 5's in the bottom of the third thanks to a Reggie Maidment double that just dropped down the right field line.

The Rams came right back and pushed their lead back to 3. In the 4th Mariani got another RBI single. In the fifth Barba delivered a huge 2-run HR making the score 8-5 Rams. Jered Stewart got one back for the Generals with a solo-HR in the bottom of the fifth, but Bolla answered the call with a solo-HR of his own for the Rams in the 6th. The Generals escaped the sixth without anymore damage thanks to a terrific catch by Provost and throw to first to get a double play to end the inning. With the score 9-6 the Generals managed one more in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded and in a tough spot the Rams delivered with a nifty 1-2-3 double play to end the inning and the threat leaving the score 9-7 heading into the final frame.

In the final half of the seventh Jones beat out an infield hit to start the inning. Jered Stewart was next up and put in a tremendous bid to tie the game. His towering shot to left was stabbed over the fence by Bolla in an unbelievable play. The diving play over the fence saved a HR and gave the Rams the first out of the inning. The next batter struck out leaving a runner on second with two outs. After an HBP, Love got a single to right, Jones scored on a bobbled ball cutting the lead to one. Provost followed with a BB loading the bases with two outs. Maloney then hit a hard one down the line to left scoring two and giving the Generals the win.

The two teams meet again tonight in Rowley and then again on Thursday back at Patton. Based on the first two meetings, the next two should come right down to the wire. 5:45pm game times for both games.