Rockport 6 Hamilton 2

Hamilton broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the 6th with a two run homer by Stewart.  However, Rockport chased Hamilton starter Mike Drinkwater out of the game in the 7th and scored six runs capped off by a three-run Brent Currier homer to give Rockport a 6-2 victory.  Matty Sharon went the distance for the Townies first win in 2012.

Manchester - 1, Beverly - 0 (8 innings)

The Mariners won an extra innings pitchers duel with the Giants 1 to 0 Thursday night. Caulin Rogers led off the bottom of the 8th with a double before scoring the winning run on a Rory Gentile suicide squeeze. For Manchester, Brandon Bell struck out 8 over 6 1/3 shutout innings before giving way to Adam Philpott. Philpott struck out all five batters he faced to earn the victory. Christian Maki was 2 for 3.
For Beverly, Steve Palladino was the tough luck loser allowing 1 run on 6 hits over 7 1/3 innings. Ben McLaughlin was 2 for 3 with a double.

Prior to the final inning both teams escaped jams.  In the top of the 7th McLaughlin led off with a double for the Giants.  Frankie Messina bunted him over to third.  Philpott then entered and struck out the next two batters.

In the bottom of the 7th Maki led off with a single.  The next batter attempted a sac bunt.  Beverly tried for the runner at second but he beat the throw.  The following batter bunted again and the throw to third was mishandled.  Palladino then bore down and got out of the bases loaded, no out jam by inducing a grounder to short, an infield popup, and a grounder back to the pitcher.

Beverly - 9, Rockport - 3

The Beverly Giants beat the Rockport Townies 9 to 3 at Cooney Field Wednesday night.  Josh Levesque earned the win allowing only 1 unearned run in 5 innings while striking out 8.  John Boyle provided much off the offense going 2 for 3 with a HR and 5RBI. Mike LaMothe (2 for 2, 2RBI), Conor Walsh (2 for 4, 3R, RBI), and Ty Besse (2 for 4, 2R) also contributed.

For Rockport, Shutnik hit a two run homer.  Brent Currier doubled and walked twice.  Tommy Robertson singled and walked twice.  McDowell took the loss.

Beverly (2-0) travels to Manchester-Essex (2-0) on Thursday.  Rockport (0-2) goes to Hamilton (0-0) Thursday.

Manchester Sweeps Ipswich

The Mariners swept the Chiefs in their season opening series.  M/E won 2-0 Monday night followed by a 3-1 win Tuesday night in Essex.

Rams- 3, Townies- 2

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the 7th Rowley loaded the bases with no one out.Ralph Renzulli walked to bring in the tying run with one out, with 2 out Tim Moore hit a hard single into center to complete Rowley's comeback.

Mike Sloban started and pitched 5 innings, Joey Martin got the win with 2 innings of scoreless relief.

Brett Smith went the distance for the Townies. Brent Currier drove in both Rockport runs with a long drive to right center in the 5th. Currier, Osmond and Emerson each had hits for Rockport.

Offensively for the Rams, Marco Luisi and Dave Smith led the way with 2 hits each.

Beverly - 1, Topsfield - 0

Opening Day in Beverly featured a pitcher's duel between Beverly's Joe Gill and Topsfield's Mike Gallo. The Giants scored the game's only run in the third inning when Ty Besse scored from second on an Erik Drown infield single. The shortstop bounced a throw to first on a very difficult play. That gave Besse all the time he needed to come in all the way from second.

Joe Gill was stellar all night throwing a 7 inning complete game shutout with 7 strikeouts. Gill scattered 6 hits and did not allow a walk. The Tories' Gallo allowed just one unearned run in 6 innings but was charged with the loss. Gallo struck out 8 while allowing 7 hits and 0 walks.

Beverly's offense was led by Besse (2 for 3, R, SB) and Drown (2 for 3, SB). Topsfield got two hits from Heath (2 for 3).

The Giants host the Townies Wednesday night at Cooney Field. Topsfield travels to Rowley Wednesday.

Opening Day 2012!

Opening Day is here.  There are two games on the schedule

Topsfield @ Beverly 4:30pm
Rockport @ Rowley 5:45pm in a rematch of last year's finals.

Good Luck!

2011 Season Recap

2011 ITL Playoffs

• FINALS
• (2) Rockport vs. (1) Rowley
• Rams Win 3-0
• (4) M/E vs. (1) Rowley
• Rams win series 2-1
• (3) Hamilton vs. (2) Rockport
• Townies Win series 2-1

2011 ITL Standings

• TEAM - W-L-T - POINTS
• Rowley 17-5-2 (36)
• Rockport 14-9 (28)
• Hamilton 13-10-1 (27)
• Man./Essex 12-10-2 (26)
• Ipswich 11-13 (22)
• Beverly 8-15-1 (17)
• Topsfield 5-18 (10)