Mariners Take Game 1 in Pitcher's Duel

Game 1 of the Finals went to the Manchester-Essex Mariners, as they defeated the Rockport Townies 2-1 at Memorial Field in Essex on Saturday. Game 2 is slated for a 4pm start on Sunday at Evans Field in Rockport.

Steve Stout of the Mariners and Townies pitcher Derek Osmond combined to pitch in a classic pitcher's duel that came down to a walk off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 7th inning. Stout went 7 innings to pick up the victory, surrending 1 unearned run, only 3 hits, 3 strikeouts and 3 walks. Osmond went 6+ innings for the Townies giving up 2 earned runs, 10 hits, 4 strikeouts, and 3 walks (2 intentional).

The Townies got on the scoreboard first in the top of the 5th inning when Mike Emerson hit a one out double to right centerfield, after a strikeout Emerson proceeded to easily steal 3rd base. After the play as the 3rd baseman was attempting to get the ball back to the pitcher, the ball was overthrown and continued to roll out of play on the first base side, allowing Emerson to score.

In the bottom half of the 5th inning, the Mariners came right back to tie the game at 1. Whit Graham led the inning off with a single, immediately followed by an infield hit by Alex Ray. Brett Cahill succesfully sacrifice bunted the 2 runners up and Nathan Bertolino was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Clean up hitter, Joe Orlando, laced a single to right field scoring Graham, but a perfectly executed relay by the Townies to home plate cut Ray down for the second out of the inning.

The score remained tied at 1, until the bottom of the 7th inning. Cahill led off the 7th for the Mariners with a double off the wall in right centerfield. Bertolino was then intentionally walked for the second time. Orlando than executed a perfect base hit bunt to bring up centerfield Charlie Choate with the bases loaded. Choate lifted a fly ball to centerfield, deep enough to bring home Cahill on the sacrifice fly and end the game.

Emerson, catcher Dan Greel, and centerfielder Conor Ressel all hit safely for the Townies. For the Mariners Orlando led the way going 3-4 with an rbi. Cahill and Ray both collected 2 hits a piece, while Choate, Graham and leftfielder Ian Buckley all collected base hits.