Walk-Off Grand Slam Pushes Generals over Townies, 7-4

An epic pitchers duel gave way to 7th inning fireworks at Patton Park tonight. Brent Currier broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the seventh with a 3-run laser HR. The Generals fought back in the bottom half leading to a walk-off grand slam by Jim Maloney. Jeff Jensen dazzled on the mound once again for the Generals going 6 2/3. Osmond was equally impressive for the Townies, also going 6 2/3 innings. Jensen did not figure in the decision, Connor Sullivan picked up the win after he came in to record the final out in the top of the seventh. Osmond was the tough luck loser.

The Generals got on the board first in the first. Jim Maloney plated Provost with an RBI single who had previously doubled. The Townies shut the door on an early Generals rally by turning a nifty 1-6-3 double play to get out of the first. The one run lead stood until the sixth inning thanks to some great pitching and defense from both sides. Osmond only allowed two hits over the next 5 innings and recorded 6 k's (7 total). The Townies also caught a runner stealing and recorded another double play. Tom Robertson also contributed many sensational diving catches to keep the Generals from scoring.

On the other side, Jensen allowed only 2 hits over the first 5 innings. In the sixth, the Townies were able to tie the game at 1-1. Brent Currier led off the inning with a single. After a fielder's choice, Junker was able to single to right that put runner's on first and third. A clutch single tied the game where it remained heading into the seventh.

In the top half of the seventh inning the Townies worked two on with 2-out. Brent Currier came through again with a big hit. A line drive shot to left through the wind that cleared the fence. Just like that the Townies took a 4-1 heading into the last half of the seventh inning.

Osmond got the lead off man in the seventh to fly out. Up next, Ruggiero reached on a fly ball that somehow dropped in there. That was followed by Tilley reaching base on an error. With runners on first and second with one out, Osmond got Potter to ground a ball toward second. The ball hit Tilley in the base path resulting in the second out of the inning. Next up, Maidment was hit by a pitch loading the bases with two outs. Love walked making the score 4-2 with two out and the bases still loaded. Provost then followed with a hot shot to third, Maidment was able to beat the play thanks to some nice hustle, scoring another run and more importantly extending the game in the process. Maloney was next up and deposited a long Grand Slam into the pond completing the comeback and ending the game in walk-off fashion.

The win moves the Generals into second place at 8-5 with the Townies right behind at 7-4. The two teams have one game remaining between them, a makeup game that will be held in a few weeks. The Townies next face the first place Mariners in a double header on Sunday in Rockport. The Generals play three in a row against Rowley starting next Tuesday at Patton Park.