Essex Shipbuilder, Umpire - David E. Whittemore, 59

David E. Whittemore 59, lifelong resident of Essex and beloved son of the late Margaret and Edward Whittemore, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday morning, December 11, 2014 after a long and courageous battle. David graduated from Gloucester High School with the class of 1973. After graduating, he joined the Army, where he served his commission at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. David was an employee at Woodman’s for over 40 years, and was thrilled to be featured in the Adam Sandler movie, Grown Ups, filmed in 2009. Whit was an avid sports fan, and a talented athlete, with a passion for running, but his greatest love was for the game of baseball. He pitched for the Essex Town Team, and umpired both in Florida & Massachusetts. Throughout David’s life, he enjoyed many travels, to beautiful beaches, often times on his motorcycle, enjoying incredible sunsets and making memorable lifelong friendships. David will be remembered by all for his “quick wit”. He was a great friend to Bill W.
A service will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at the First Congregational Church, 39 Main St. Essex, at 11:00 a.m., with a potluck lunch immediately following in the church hall located downstairs. Food will be collected beginning at 10:00 a.m. in front of the church before the celebration of David’s life. Donations will be collected at the funeral for a plaque to be placed at Memorial Park, where Whit pitched and umpired for many years. Please make checks payable to Woodman’s, with ‘Whit’s plaque’ on the memo line, and mail to Doug Woodman PO Box 349 Essex, MA 01929. In keeping with David’s wishes, his ashes will be scattered at the mouth of the Essex River at a later date.

Hit One Out at Fenway, Red Sox Foundation Event

• When: Friday, October 24

• Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Opportunity to hit a home run at Fenway Park

• Each participant gets 8 pitches

• For a minimum donation of $75 per person

Open to the first 200 participants. To register visit, redsoxfoundation.org/donate

(use the drop down menu “Program/Event” and indicate Mass Biotech Derby).

Or you can call Gillian: 617-226-6380

There will be opportunities to win prizes throughout the day.

Once you have made your donation, you will complete the

required registration form.

From the news

NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

August 18, 2014

ONE INNING SHORT

Rowley lets Game 5, series slip away as Manchester Essex wins sixth ITL title in seven years

By Mac Cerullo
Sports Editor

---- — ROWLEY — They say that in order to be the best, you have to beat the best, and in the end the Rowley Rams couldn’t dethrone the champs.

The Manchester Essex Mariners beat the Rams 8-4 yesterday in a decisive Game 5 of the Intertown Twilight League championship series, scoring four runs in the seventh inning to win the team’s third straight title and its sixth in seven seasons.

The loss came after the Rams also dropped Game 4 of the series 2-1 on Saturday, setting up a winner-takes-all showdown after the Rams previously owned a 2-0 series lead.

Over the course of the game, Manchester Essex had two big innings where it did most of its damage, while Rowley spread its runs evenly over the course of the game. After falling behind in the seventh, the Rams got their first two runners on, but the team wasn’t able to maintain the rally and ultimately fell short.

Rowley head coach Jeff Wood said afterward that the result wasn’t what they were looking for, but both teams played hard and unfortunately the Rams couldn’t get the job done.

“Both teams battled back and forth,” he said. “We worked hard all season, but we came up one inning short.”

It seems almost fitting that the Rams and Mariners wound up playing to the final out given the battle the two teams have waged over the years. This year the two split their four regular season games and finished first and second in the standings, and over the past few seasons the teams have become very familiar with one another come playoff time.

In 2011, the Rams upset the three-time defending champions in the semifinals en route to their first championship in team history, and then a year later the Mariners avenged their loss by knocking the Rams out in the semifinals.

Last year the two met in the finals, and the Mariners came out on top again to win their fifth championship in six years. Finally, this year it looked as if the Rams were ready to topple the Mariners’ dynasty, as the team separated itself from the pack and finished the regular season with a 19-5 record and a 31/2-game lead over the Mariners for first place.

Both teams subsequently swept their first round playoff opponents, and then played out a series of grueling games in the championship series. The Rams won Games 1 and 2 by scores of 5-4 and 4-2 respectively, and then the Mariners responded by taking Games 3 and 4 by scores of 3-2 and 2-1.

Wood said after Game 2 that had a couple of plays gone differently, the Mariners easily could have been the ones up 2-0, and the same could easily be said about the three losses that followed. Despite the disappointing end to the season, Wood said he was proud of his players and that they should feel good about what they were able to accomplish this year.

“You couldn’t ask for any more. Everybody showed up and had a great year,” he said.

Mariners win championship

The Mariners beat the Rams 8 to 4 in Game 5 of the ITL finals to clinch the series 3 games to 2. Manchester-Essex came back from being down 2 games to zero to clinch their 6th title in 7 years.

A failed safety squeeze kept the Mariners off the board in the top of the first. Rowley was first to strike with a run in the bottom half as Anthony Conte led off with a single, moved over on a stolen base and error then scored on a grounder to second by Tim Cashman.

Manchester-Essex had another runner caught at the plate in the top of the 3rd as the Rowley 2nd Baseman, CJ Ingraham, gunned down a Mariner at home.

In the bottom of the 3rd Rowley increase their lead to 3-0 on singles by Justin Bolla and Colin Sitarz.

Manchester-Essex finally got to the Rams starter, Tim Moore, in the top of the 4th as they pushed 4 runs across. Rory Gentile (2-4) led off with a single and was followed up with RBI hits from Peter Clark, Max Nesbit, Ian Buckley and Dylan Maki.

Rowley evened the score in their half of the 4th scoring the tying run on a wild pitch.

The game remained 4-4 until the top of the 7th. Max Nesbit the game winner a 2 out 2 RBI single just deep enough between Short Stop and Left Field. Ian Buckley added 2 more insurance runs on a single to make the score 8 to 4.

Peter Clark closed it out picking up a complete game win.

The last time a team overcame a 2 games to zero deficit in the ITL Finals it was the 1993 Manchester Mariners.

Mariners 2 Rams 1

Rory Gentile picked up the win as the Mariners force Game 5. The game is today in Rowley at 2.

Mariners 3 Rams 2

NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

August 15, 2014

Mariners outduel Rams

By Pat Bradley
Sports Reporter

---- — ROWLEY — After a rough outing on Saturday where he was knocked around for five runs, Manchester-Essex’ Ryan Marques was on a mission. The 26-year-old righty from Gloucester threw a complete game and kept the Rams at bay for most of the evening, eventually earning a 3-2 victory over their rivals.

“Rowley’s a really good team and you’ve got to be up for the game and ride off of it. They put up a ton of runs off me on Saturday, so I was happy with the way the game went today,” Marques said.

Even giving up an early run in the first couldn’t shake his groove.

“I stay confident out there, and if there’s a guy on base I bear down a little bit more and just work through it,” he said. “Today I was throwing three pitches for strikes, keeping it down and moving around, and I got some calls on the corner which you always like to see. It helps me set up pitches. I usually pitch to contact and let them play behind me.”

His counterpart, Mike Sloban, was equally effective, just not quite as good yesterday.

Sloban finished with 7 hits, a walk, 3 strikeouts and an error, while Marques finished with 4 hits, 8 strikeouts and a hit batsman.

“What it comes down to is that the guy we had on the mound wasn’t about to give in. He was pitching on four days’ rest, but no one was going to take the ball out of his hands today,” Rory Gentile said after the game. “He’s been the guy for a few years, he’s been a Mariner for a long time. In a big game, that’s the guy you want on the hill.”

The big blow came in the third inning for the Mariners. Caulin Rogers led off the inning reaching on an error, and Mike Cain followed with a base hit to left. Gentile, the team’s No. 3 hitter, came up with two on and no out and laid down a sacrifice bunt. Sloban couldn’t field it cleanly, though, and rushed the throw to first, sailing it down the right field line as Rogers and Cain both scored. A heads-up Gentile hustled his way over to third, sliding in safely and setting up the team’s cleanup hitter, Nate Bertolino. The big first baseman put a drive into the next pitch and sent it deep enough to center that Gentile could tag from third and score what proved to be the game-winning run.

“If we hit lazy ground balls, the teams are going to make the plays, but if you put the pressure on with guys on first and second and put a bunt down — I’m the three hitter, I still put the bunt down, and you saw what happened,” Gentile said. “You’ve got to pressure on, and that’s what we did in that inning. They’re human and make mistakes just like we do, but it’s about keep the pressure on.”

Tim Cashman’s RBI groundout scored Anthony Conte to give the Rams an early 1-0 lead. Cam D’Agostino’s infield hit drove in Rowley’s second run of the game in the fourth inning, but it was all the team’s offense could muster.

The Rams still lead the series 2-1, and return to the field Saturday at 2 p.m. for Game 4.

Game 3 Postponed

Tonight's game in Rowley is postponed due to weather.  Right now the game will be played Thursday night in Rowley, start time 5:30pm.  If there are any changes to that it will be posted here.

Rams up 2-0

GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA

August 11, 2014

Rowley takes control of ITL finals with weekend sweep

By Nick Curcuru
Sports Editor

---- — ESSEX — The Manchester Essex Mariner’s reign as Intertown Twilight Baseball League champions is in serious jeopardy thanks to the play of the Rowley Rams over the weekend.

Rowley opened the series on Saturday with a tight 5-4 win over the two-time defending champion Mariners at Eiras Park, and on Sunday it took control of the finals with another close win, 4-2 at Memorial Field in Essex.

The Rams have played themselves into a great position as they can clinch the ITL championship at home on Wednesday (5:30 p.m.). If the Mariners stay alive Game 4 will be played on Saturday back in Essex (2 p.m.), and if necessary a decisive Game 5 will be played on Sunday back in Rowley (2 p.m.).

Rowley was powered by pitcher Tim Moore, who picked up the win allowing two runs over six innings, and an outstanding defensive effort to come away with the decisive win.

“We stress pitching and defense,” Rowley manager Jeff Wood said. “Timmy was very effective today, he pitched out of a few jams and made a few big pitches. And I thought our defense was great. Plus we battled at the plate and made the most of our opportunities. It was a well played baseball game.”

“Rowley did a better job taking advantage of their opportunities,” Mariners player Ryan Marques said. “And they played better defense. We battled and hung in there but (Rowley) got the job done.”

The Mariners were the victim of a tough break in the bottom of the fourth inning that just may have played a factor in the outcome of the game.

Trailing 3-1 with the bases loaded and nobody out, Moore was able to pick up a huge 3-6-4 double play for the first two outs of the frame. But after a walk loaded the bases, Sam Schaut ripped a line drive single up the middle that scored Paul Crehan to cut the lead to 3-2.

But the play was far from over as Bart Margiotta rounded third base with what was surely going to be the tying run as the ball got past the Rams centerfielder and stumbled on his way to the plate. Margiotta injured his knee on the play, he was taken from the field by stretcher and transported to Beverly Hospital, and was tagged out and Cory Burnham, who was also charging hard to third base and may have scored, was forced to stop at third.

“That was just bad luck and hopefully Bart is alright,” Marques said. “We caught a bad break because we didn’t convert the opportunity, but Rowley did a better job in that area regardless.”

The Rams would go on to score an insurance run in the seventh on a John Mical RBI single, and Tim Cashman closed the door in the seventh for the win.

Margiotta put the Mariners ahead 1-0 in the second with a solo shot to left but the Rams answered right back with three runs of their own in the top of the third.

Anthony Conte’s double to the gap in left center off of Mariners starter Rory Gentile, who also had a solid outing allowing just four hits, tied the score at 1-1. CJ Ingraham followed with an RBI single and Cashman a sacrifice fly to put Rowley ahead for good 3-1.

After the game, Wood was quick to praise the lower third of his batting order, which scored a pair of runs, drove in a run and started the decisive third inning rally.

“The bottom of the order really came through for us,” Wood said. “We put together some solid at bats and Gentile pitched well. Whenever you’re getting productive at bats from the bottom of the batting order, you’re in good shape.”

Although the Rams are up 2-0, both teams know that the series is far from over.

“It’s tough that we didn’t take care of business this weekend but we have to put it behind us and focus on Wednesday,” Marques said. “We have a lot of experienced players on this team so we aren’t worried or nervous but we know we are in a hole against a good team.”

“(The Mariners) have a ton of experience over there, and sometimes the last one is the toughest one to get,” Wood said. “Of course we are happy to be up 2-0 against this team but we know we still have work to do.”

Rams -5, Mariners -4

Rowley won game one saturday, Joe White picked up the win with Cashman getting the save. Marques took the loss.

Manchester - 10, Beverly - 2

Peter Clark allowed 2 runs (1 earned) over 5 innings for the win at Balch Park Tuesday night.  Beverly took an early 1 to 0 lead in the first inning but the fourth inning saw Manchester plate 6 runs on 5 hits, 3 walks, and 2 errors.  Beverly answered with 1 run in the bottom of the 5th to cut the lead to four, but Manchester struck right back for 4 runs in the 6th.

The Mariner offense was led by Crehan (2 for 3, 2RBI, 2R), Nesbit (2 for 3, RBI, 2R), and Cain (2 for 4, R).  Beverly's Paul Drinkwater was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and scored both Giant runs.  Luke McDonald went 2 for 3.  Josh Levesque took the loss.

Manchester advances to the Finals with the victory.

Mariners 10 Giants 0

SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

August 5, 2014

Beverly blanked by Manchester in postseason opener

By Nick Curcuru
Staff Writer

---- — ESSEX — The Manchester Essex Mariners are now just one win away from their third straight trip to the Intertown Twilight Baseball League finals, while Beverly is one loss away from elimination.

The second seeded Mariners took care of business against No. 3 Beverly on Monday in the first game of their best-of-three series with a 10-0 shutout win at Memorial Field.

The Mariners can earn a trip to the finals with a win tonight in Game 2 of the series on the road (5:30 p.m.). The winner of the series will move on to the finals to square off with the first place Rowley Rams or No. 4 Ipswich. The Rams took a 1-0 lead in their series on Sunday and had a chance to wrap things up in Monday’s late game.

“You have to come ready to play in this league or you’ll lose and we came to play tonight,” Mariners pitcher Ryan Marques said. “We weren’t playing good baseball at the end of the regular season but tonight we kept them off the scoreboard and got hits up and down the lineup.”

The Mariners were firing on all cylinders on Monday, which led to the lopsided result. Marques turned in a strong performance on the mound allowing two hits over six innings with his defense flawless behind him, while Mike Cain pitched a scoreless seventh to finish the contest. Offensively, the Mariners scored in each of the first three innings and never looked back.

Nate Bertolino made it 1-0 Mariners in the bottom of the first inning when he doubled in Rory Gentile, who singled.

The Giants did not help themselves in the second inning as a walk, a balk and an error loaded up the bases. The miscues led to two more Mariners runs on a sacrifice fly from Mike Cain, that was just a few feet away from being a grand slam, scoring Bob Whynott and a Bertolino RBI single scored Ray to make it 3-0 through two.

The Mariners plated two more runs in the third on a Giants error and a Ray RBI single to make it 5-0.

But it was the fifth inning where the Mariners really broke the game open, plating five more runs to essentially finish off the Giants chances of a comeback. Ray and Peter Clark each had RBI hits in the frame while the Mariners scored two more runs on wild pitches and another on a fielding error to cap the scoring at 10-0.

Ray and Bertolino powered the Mariners offense with a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs each, while Paul Crehan and Gentile each scored a pair of runs. Conor Walsh led the way for Beverly with two of hits team’s three hits.

“It was a good effort from the entire lineup,” Marques said. “We got on base, kept them off base and played really well in the field. We got on them early and we didn’t let up. We have to take care of business (tonight) to win the series. (Beverly) is a good team, especially at the plate, so we will need to bring a strong effort again.”

The Mariners will send Clark to the hill tonight with hopes of clinching a spot in the finals.

Rowley - 3, Ipswich - 0

Justin Bolla broke a scoreless tie with a 3 run homer to left in the top of the 6th, Mike Sloban went the distance for the shutout win. Doucette pitched well in a complete game loss. Rowley advances to the finals.

Rowley -5, Ipswich -0

Joe White got the complete game shutout  and Kevin Michael went the distance for the Chiefs as Rowley took game 1. Game 2 tomorrow in Ipswich 530 start.

2014 Standings

2014 ITL Playoffs

• (4) Ipswich Vs. (1) Rowley
• (3) Beverly Vs. (2) M/E

2014 ITL Standings

• TEAM - W-L-T - POINTS
• Rowley 19-5 (38)
• Man./Essex 15-8* (29)
• Beverly 11-11-2 (24)
• Ipswich 10-11-3 (23)
• Hamilton 10-12-2 (22)
• Topsfield 5-12-4 (14)
• Rockport 5-16-1* (10)

Tops 2 Rock 0

Complete game shutout from Ben Panunzio recording 8 Ks. The Tories got a big RBI double from Brooks McArthur in the 6th to get the win.

Playoffs Set

#1 Rowley vs #4 Ipswich
Sunday at Rowley
Monday at Ipswich
Wednesday at Rowley (if necessary)

#2 Manchester/Essex vs #3 Beverly
Monday at Essex
Tuesday at Beverly
Thursday at Essex (if necessary)

* All games at 5:30PM

Ipswich over Rowley Friday

With the win Ipswich edges Hamilton out for the final playoff spot by 1 point.

Rockport forfeits to Rowley

Rockport had 8 make the trip but couldn't field a team.

Hamilton Wins Must-Win

Hamilton (10-12-2) brought its best game to the field Thursday night at Patton Park and came up huge with an impressive 16-3 victory in a must-win game over Manchester/Essex (15-8).  Jack Clay (6IP, 5H, 3R, 0ER, 4BB, 7K) picked up the complete game victory in a darkness shortened game.  Mike Cain was charged with the loss for the Mariners.  The Generals offense was led by the middle of the order duo of Matt Cook (2-for-3, HR, 3RBI, 3R, 2HBP) and Jim Maloney (2-for-4, HR, 6RBI, BB).  Austen Michel added three hits for the home team while Lawrence Saggese and Jim Love each contributed two hits.  Alex Ray accounted for all three runs for the Mariners with a bases clearing double.

Hamilton has put together a good stretch this week with three straight wins and currently sits one point ahead of Ipswich (9-11-3).  However, Hamilton's fate lies in the result of the Rowley/Ipswich game on Friday night.  An Ipswich win will eliminate Hamilton while a Rowley win will result in Hamilton claiming the #4 seed in the playoffs.  A tie would result in a one game playoff between Hamilton and Ipswich for the #4 spot in the playoffs.  Hamilton would be the home team.

Playoff Picture

Rowley:  With 37 points Rowley has clinched 1st Place

Manchester:  With 29 points Manchester has clinched 2nd Place

Beverly:  With 24 points Beverly has clinched 3rd Place

Ipswich:  With 21 points Ipswich currently sits in 4th Place and controls their own fate.  Ipswich clinches a playoff spot if Hamilton loses to Manchester tonight OR if Ipswich can beat Rowley (Friday?) in their final regular season game.

Hamilton:  With 20 points Hamilton currently sits in 5th Place.  Hamilton needs to Win or Tie against Manchester in their regular season finale tonight to stay alive.  A Hamilton Win AND an Ipswich loss would clinch a playoff spot for Hamilton.

(Ties in either game would complicate things possibly leading to a one game playoff between Ipswich and Hamilton)

Topsfield:  With 12 points and 4 games remaining Topsfield is eliminated.  A maximum of 20 points isn't enough to crack the top 4.

Rockport:  With 11 points and 4 games remaining Rockport is eliminated.  A maximum of 19 points won't crack the top 4.

Ipswich - 2, Rowley - 1 (9 Innings)

Beverly - 6, Topsfield - 6

Beverly and Topsfield tied 6 to 6 in 7 innings Wednesday night at Proctor School.  Topsfield scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th to take a 6 to 3 lead but Beverly answered with 3 runs of their own in the top of the 6th to tie the game.  Andy Brown threw 2 scoreless innings in relief to preserve the tie.

For Beverly, Josh Levesque was 3 for 4 with a double and 3RBI.  Eric Messina was 2 for 3 with 3 runs scored.  Paul Drinkwater was 2 for 2 with an RBI.

For Topsfield, Zack Lamkin was 2 for 5 with a run scored.  Budrewicz and Gagnon were each 1 for 3 with 2RBI.  Brooks MacArthur was 1 for 1 with 2 runs scored.

Playoff Picture

Rowley:  With 36 points Rowley has clinched 1st Place.

Manchester:  With 29 points Manchester has clinched 2nd Place.

Beverly:  With 23 points Beverly has clinched 3rd Place.  Ipswich could still reach 23 points and tie Beverly, but Beverly holds the first tiebreaker which is Most Total Wins.

Hamilton:  With 20 points Hamilton currently sits in 4th Place but they do not control their own destiny.  Hamilton's final game is vs Manchester Thursday night.

Ipswich:  With 19 points Ipswich currently sits in 5th Place but they control their own destiny.  If Ipswich can finish 2-0 vs Rowley this week they will make the playoffs.  If they finish 0-2, Hamilton will make the playoffs.  And there remains the possibility of a tie for 4th and a one game playoff.

Topsfield:  Still alive, but a long shot.  Topsfield would need to go 5-0 and get help.  Three of those five games haven't even been scheduled yet.

Rockport:  Officially eliminated last night.  Rockport has 11 points and can only get to 19 points even if they win out, which wouldn't catch Hamilton.

Hamilton 7 M/E 6

Hamilton picked up a much needed win last night in Essex.

Rowley -5, Topsfield -1

Mike Sloban pitched 5 innings for the win, Jeff Moore pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief. Colin Sitarz had a double and a triple for thr Rams. Zach Lampkin pitched well in the loss.

Beverly - 1, Ipswich - 1 (9 innings)

Beverly (11-11-1) and Ipswich (8-11-3) squared off in a classic pitcher's duel last night at Balch Park in Beverly.  The game ended in a 1 to 1 tie after 9 innings with both Beverly's Josh Levesque and Ipswich's Greg Doucette going the distance.  Levesque gave up 1 earned run on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.  Doucette allowed 1 earned run on 7 hits, 1 walk, and a hit by pitch while striking out 7.

Ipswich manufactured a run in the top of the 3rd inning to give them an early 1 to 0 lead.  Curran walked and was bunted over to 2nd by Gongas.  Andy Knox's infield single moved Curran to 3rd.  Galanis then hit a sac fly to left scoring Curran.

The game remained 1 to 0 until the bottom of the 7th.  Jeff Barricelli led off with a single.  Brian Chirco then singled to right moving the pinch runner, Eric Messina, over to third.  Dan Cashman then singled home Messina to tie the game.  The next batter grounded into a double play.  With a runner at third, Doucette got out of the jam inducing another grounder to send the game to extra innings.

Beverly had the best chance to score in extra frames when they put two runners on base with one out in the bottom of the 9th, but Doucette struck out the final two batters to lock up the tie.

With the tie, Beverly clinched 3rd Place.  Ipswich is in a battle with Hamilton, and potentially Topsfield for the final playoff slot.  Beverly travels to Topsfield to finish off their regular season on Wednesday.  Ipswich will be in Rowley Wednesday night and will face them again later this week in a makeup game.

Rowley at Ipswich Monday Game Postponed

Field was unplayable.

Generals 7 Townies 0

Generals picked up the shutout win in Rockport last night in a makeup game.

Ipswich @ Beverly Makeup

Tuesday, July 29th at 5:45PM at Balch Park

Topsfield at Rockport Postponed

Ipswich at Beverly Postponed

Field was unplayable.

Hamilton and Topsfield tie again

Heard thru the ITL grapevine

Ipswich - 7, Beverly - 3

The Ipswich Chiefs (8-11-2) beat the Beverly Giants (11-11) by the score of 7 to 3 Friday night at Bialek Park.  Rich earned the win allowing 2 runs over 5 innings.  Greeney earned the save allowing 1 run over the final 2 innings.  In the 7th, Beverly brought the tying run to the plate with the bases loaded, but the rally ended there.

For Ipswich, Matt Small was 2 for 3 with a HR, 2RBI, and 3 runs scored.  Curran was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.  Greg Doucette was 2 for 4 with 2RBI.

Beverly was led by Dan Cashman, who went 3 for 3 at the plate and retired the only two batters he faced on the mound.  Andy Brown took the loss for Beverly.

The two teams play again Sunday evening at Beverly High.  A win for Beverly clinches a playoff spot, and 3rd place for the Giants.  A win for Ipswich improves their chances of making the playoffs greatly.

Mariners 6 Townies 3

The Mariners were led by Caulin Rogers (2-4, 2 doubles) while Max Nesbit, Cory Burnham, and Rory Gentile all had RBI hits.
M-E pulled ahead 2-0 through 3 innings then the Townies tied it up in the 4th. M-E answered back scoring 2 more to take the lead for good in the 5th. Ryan Marques picked up his 5th win of the season while Adam Philpott pitched in relief recording the save.
Jason Vizena pitched a complete game for the Townies.

Hamilton- 2, Topfield- 2

Game ended in a tie

Rowley - 2, Manchester - 0

White pitches Rams past Mariners to 2-0 victory

By Mac CerulloSports Editor

ROWLEY — Down two runs and locked in a grueling pitcher’s duel with Rowley pitcher Joe White all game, Manchester Essex hurler Peter Clark nearly took advantage of his team’s only genuine scoring opportunity all game when he ripped a fastball deep into left field with men on first and third and two outs.

But unlike on Tuesday, when the Mariners erased a late two-run lead with a massive three-run home run, this time the ball stayed in the yard, and it stayed up just long enough for Rams left fielder Colin Sitarz to reach out and make the highlight reel catch, ending the sixth inning and effectively sealing the 2-0 victory for his team.

“I thought it was trouble,” said Rowley coach Jeff Wood. “Every time you see your outfielder’s number, you get worried, but Colin recovered nice and made the catch.”

The catch saved two runs and preserved Rowley’s slim lead, allowing White to slam the door in the seventh to finish off the complete game shutout. White allowed only three hits and four total base runners all game, and right from the start he was in complete control of the game.

“Everything tonight starts with Joe White,” Wood said. “He’s already pitched a no-hitter and a one-hitter this year, so he’s been dialed in, hitting his spots, keeping people off balance, and the infield defense tonight was outstanding.”

The only Mariner who was able to consistently beat White all game long was centerfielder Mike Cain, who went 2-3 with a pair of base hits. Though Cain’s first hit didn’t lead to anything significant, his second hit nearly proved to be a turning point in the game, especially after second baseman Rory Gentile beat out an infield single later in the inning to give the Mariners men on first and third with two outs, leading to the aforementioned catch by Sitarz in left.

Though Clark may have been unlucky on that play, he was excellent on the mound. Clark pitched six innings and allowed two runs on four hits, matching White for most of the game before his defense failed him in the fourth.

First, Rowley right fielder Tim Cashman led off the inning with a double and then came around to score after designated hitter Marco Luisi beat out an infield single to put the Rams up 1-0. Then, after Zach Rice came in to pinch run for Luisi, first baseman Justin Bolla reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Rice to come around to make it 2-0.

Gentile said after the game that he felt his team played well, but ultimately just got overmatched by White.

“I thought we fought hard. There’s not much you can do when you hit the ball hard right at people,” Gentile said. “White pitched good, he was all around the plate, that’s what matters. What could we have done more? Get more base runners. Pete pitched great, we made plays every inning except for that one, but we have to hit better.”

With the win, Rowley improves to 17-3 while Manchester Essex will fall to 14-6, and barring an unexpected collapse, the Rams will almost surely finish the season in first place ahead of the Mariners. The two teams will also split their season series with two wins apiece, and with four games remaining in the regular season, Wood said he’s looking forward to the chance to keep busy going into the playoffs.

“We want to play a lot of baseball before the playoffs and we’ll get the opportunity to do that,” Wood said.

Mariners 5 Rams 4

GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA

July 23, 2014

Mariners edge Rams in late-season showdown

By Nick Curcuru
Sports Editor

---- — ESSEX-- Tuesday’s Intertown League baseball tilt between the Manchester Essex Mariners and the Rowley Rams sported a playoff-like atmosphere.

The Rams and Mariners have ruled the ITL over the last half decade and this season has been no different with Rowley sitting atop the league standings and Manchester Essex sitting right behind them in second.

“I’d be lying if I said this was just another game,” Rams manager Jeff Wood said. “Both teams have been at the top of the league for the last few years and both teams had a full bench tonight. It’s always fun when we play the Mariners and you can throw the records out the window because it’s going to be close.”

The potential ITL finals preview lived up to the hype on Tuesday but in the end a fifth inning three-run homer from Mariners first baseman Nate Bertolino was the difference in a 5-4 Mariners win.

Rowley remains in first place despite the loss at 16-3, Manchester Essex moves to within two games of its rival at 14-5. Each team has four games remaining on its schedule.

The league titans will meet again tonight at Erias Park (5:45 p.m.)

“It’s always a big win if it’s against Rowley,” Mariners manager Bryan Lafata said. “If they take care of business they should still have first place locked down, but I thought both teams played pretty good baseball.”

The Rams had a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning when the Mariners bats came alive.

Alex Ray led off the frame with a single off of Rowley starter Tim Moore, who had retired nine Mariners in a row heading into the fifth, and after a two-out walk from Rory Gentile, Bertolino came to the plate and put a fly ball over the left field fence just inside the foul pole to turn a two-run Mariners deficit into a 5-4 lead.

“(Moore) was pitching well and was rolling at the time,” Lafata said. “He didn’t strike too many of us out but he pitched to contact and his defense made the plays behind him. Luckily, big Nate was able to get his hands through the zone on that pitch and put it over the fence for a home run. There were a few hard hit balls that were knocked down by the wind today but he had enough strength to get it over.”

Rowley threatened to tie the game in the seventh when pinch hitter Joe White led off the inning with a double off of Mariners starter Rory Gentile, who went the distance for the win.

White was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, but Gentile was able to get the next two hitters on a grounder right at a drawn in Max Nesbit at second base and a grounder to Caulin Rogers at shortstop to end the contest. Rowley nearly tied the game with two outs in the inning when CJ Ingraham lined one down the left field line, but his shot fell inches foul just in front of the left field fence.

“Gentile just battled all night,” Wood said. “I have no problem with the way we played and I have no problem tipping my cap to the Mariners, they deserved the win. This loss doesn’t cripple us and we will be back tonight.”

Rowley took a 2-0 first inning lead on a two-run error on a grounder to third in the top of the first inning. Manchester Essex, however, answered right back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single from Mike Cain scoring Rogers, who reached on an error and moved up to second on an error, and an RBI grounder from Peter Clark scoring Cain.

Rowley got the lead back in the second when Cam D’Agostino scored on an Anthony Conte grounder, and added an insurance run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Tim Cashman scoring Conte before Bertolino delivered the decisive homer in the bottom of the fifth.

Beverly - 10, Hamilton - 3

The Giants (11-10) won their 5th straight game with a 10-3 victory over the Generals (7-12) at Patton Park Tuesday night.  Steve Palladino earned the win with 4 innings of no hit, scoreless relief. Palladino allowed only one walk. Dan Cashman added a scoreless 7th. Giants pitching held Hamilton to 3 hits on the night, two by Larry Sagesse.  Hamilton's Wendt was charged with the loss.

The game was knotted at 3 until the top of the fifth when Beverly plated 6 runs. Offensively, Beverly was led by Jeff Barricelli (3 for 4, 2RBI), Conor Walsh (2 for 2, RBI, 2R, 2 BB), Josh Levesque (2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, 2RBI, 2R), and Cashman (2 for 4, R).

Townies 4 - Ipswich 1

Rockport beat Ipswich 4 -1 last night in Ipswich.  Jordan Pallazola led the Townies offense with a  HR, double and 3 RBI.

Chiefs over Townies 5-3

Ipswich won Sunday night's game behind an impressive complete game pitching performance by Jake Greaney.  The offense was led by Greg Doucette who had 3 hits and 3 RBI along with Tom Radzim and Pat Curran who also chipped in two hits each. The two teams meet again for the final time of the season tonight at Bialek Park.

Rowley -4, Topsfield -1

Mike Sloban got the win for Rowley going the distance.

Beverly - 5, Hamilton - 0

The Giants moved to 10-10 with a 5 to 0 win over the Generals (7-11) Sunday night at Cooney Field.  Andy Brown pitched 6 shutout innings of 2 hit ball for the win.  Brown was 3 for 4 with 2 runs and an RBI at the plate.  Kevin Harutunian was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

For Hamilton, Cam Charette took the loss and Jack Clay pitched well in relief.  Luke Painchaud was 2 for 3.

The two teams play again at Patton Park on Tuesday night.

Topsfield 9 M-E 6

Beverly - 3, Rockport - 2

Beverly improved to 9-10 behind a complete game effort from Josh Levesque. Levesque notched his 4th win of the season with 7 innings of 2 run ball allowing only 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8.  
Levesque finished strong retiring the last 12 batters of the game.

Beverly scored all of its runs in the 2nd inning. Kevin Harutunian's sac fly scored one before Andy Brown's deep fly was misplayed into 2 more runs. Rockport got both of their runs and all their hits in the 3rd inning. Brian Lentz and Favalora had RBI singles in the frame. Douglas went the distance for Rockport but was tagged with the loss after 3 unearned runs. Douglas retired the last 10 batters he faced.

Rowley @ Topsfield Makeup

Rowley @ Topsfield MAKEUP Tuesday, July 29th 5:45pm

Hamilton @ Rockport Makeup from 5/25

Game scheduled for Monday, July 28th at Evans.  7pm start.

Generals- 7, Chiefs- 0

Luke Painchaud had a stellar performance on the mound with a 3 hit, complete game shutout.  There were no walks for either team in the 90 minute game.  Jim Maloney (2-4, 2 RBI) started the scoring in the bottom of the first with a 2 run homer.  In the 4th, the Generals added 5 more runs to round out the scoring.  Larry Saggese, Avon Stewart, and Bryan Vitale all had 2 hit nights for Hamilton.

Both teams return to action Sunday as Ipswich travels to Rockport and Hamilton travels to Beverly.

Rockport @ Rowley Postponed

Weather and field conditions.  Makeup TBD

Mariners 8 Tories 6

Andy Heath homered twice and Panunzio also went yard but it was not enough for the Tories as the Mariners scored 6 runs over the final two innings to erase a 6-2 deficit. Rory Gentile picked up the win in relief and rookie Bart Margiotta was 2-4 with 3 rbi's for the Mariners.

Manchester-Essex improves to 13-4 while Topsfield drops to 3-10-1.

The two teams meet again Friday in Topsfield.

Hamilton - 5 Ipswich - 4

Jack Clay entered in relief to a based loaded jam in the 4th and limited the damage.  He went on to pitch a scoreless final 3 innings for the victory.  Danny Johnson had 2 hits and drove in what became the winning run in the top of the 5th.  Larry Saggese and Luke Painchaud also tallied 2 hits apiece for the Generals.

For Ipswich, Chris Zaremba tripled and scored and Louis Galanis had 2 hits.

The 2 teams meet again in Hamilton on Thursday night.

Rowley - 8, Rockport - 6

Heard thru the ITL grapevine.  Rowley improves to 15-2 and clinches a playoff spot with the win.  Rockport falls to 4-10-1.

Rowley 8 Rockport 6. Rockport erased a 6 run deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. Rowley countered with runs in the sixth and seventh on heads up base running by Anthony Conte and clutch hitting by Marco Luisi and Colin Sitarz. Derick MacDowell pitched a complete game for Rockport.

Beverly - 7, Manchester - 0

Andy Brown pitched 6 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5 for the win. Steve Palladino pitched a scoreless 7th.  Kevin Harutunian was 2 for 4.  Luke McDonald went 1 for 3 with 3RBI.  Dan Cashman was 1 for 3 with 2RBI.  Beverly moves to 8-10. Manchester drops to 12-4.

Topsfield @ Rowley (from 5/28)

Game rescheduled for Sunday July 20th at Eiras Field.  5:45pm start.

Ipswich - 4, Topsfield - 3

The Chiefs (6-8-2) beat the Tories (3-9-1) Friday night in Topsfield.  Kevin Michael went the distance for the Chiefs and despite and Andrew Stone RBI double in the 7th, he was able to hold on for the W.

Rowley - 5, Hamilton - 4

The Rams (14-2) topped the Generals (5-10) by one run for the second night in a row Thursday at Patton Park.

Beverly - 5, Rockport - 2

Josh Levesque allowed 1 run over 6 innings for the win over Rockport Friday night at Beverly High School.  Beverly improved to 7-10.  Rockport fell to 4-9-1.

Rams - 1, Generals - 0

Joe White pitched an 8 inning no hitter to pick up the win. White threw 91 pitches struck out 6 and walked 4. Anthony Conte scored the game winning run with no out in the 8th when he rounded the bases on 2 Hamilton over throws. Clay went 7+ for Hamilton striking out 5 with 5 hits and 2 walks. The teams meet again tomorrow night in Hamilton.

Rockport 5 Hamilton 3

Townies beat the Generals last night at Patton.

Mariners 13 Giants 2

Manchester-Essex tacked on 5 runs in the first and 6 runs in the second en route to a 13 to 2 victory over the visiting Beverly Giants.

Rusty Tucker threw 6 scoreless to pick up the win.

Chiefs Blank Tories

Greg Doucette led the way for the Chiefs last night on a rainy night at Bialek Park.  He pitched a complete game no-hitter and led the Chiefs offense with two hits and an RBI.  He was certainly economical with his pitches recording both a 4 pitch and a 6 pitch inning and was helped out by solid defense in the infield and two outstanding catches in the outfield.  The Chiefs only other run was driven in by Louis Galanis in the 5th inning.  The Chiefs and Tories will battle again on Friday night in Topsfield.

Generals 8 Giants 2

The Generals defeated the Giants by a score of 8-2 Sunday night at Cooney Field.  Luke Painchaud went six strong innings to pick up the win.  Matt Cook led the Hamilton offense going 2-for-3 with 2HR and 5RBI.  Jim Maloney (2-for-3, 2B, 3R) also had a solid game in his return to the lineup for the Generals.  Brown (2-for-4) and Jeff Barracelli (1-for-3, 2RBI) led the way for Beverly.  Josh Levesque went five innings and struck out nine, but was charged with the loss for Beverly.

Mariners 2 Chiefs 1

In a game that lasted close to 90 minutes, Rory Gentile out dueled Kevin Michael for the 2 to 1 victory.

The Mariners benefited from 2 superb catches in the outfield, Mike Cain made an over the shoulder catch running towards the center field fence and with a man in scoring position right fielder Bobby Whynott tracked down a line drive in the gap.

Galanis, Michael and McNamera each hit safely for Ipswich.

The Mariners recieved hits from Cain, Gentile, Whynott, Caulin Rogers (2B) and Max Nesbit. Paul Crehan added an RBI.

Rams - 10, Tories - 5

Topsfield turned a triple play in the first inning and Zach Lamkin homered. Tim Moore went the distance for Rowley.

Tops 8 Ips 4

Zack Lamkin went all 7 innings recording 7 Ks and helping his own cause going 3-3 at the plate. Matt Nolfi continued his hot hitting as well with 2 hits. Nahigian and Heath also had multiple hit games.

Mariners 6 Townies 0

Manchester-Essex beat Rockport last night 6 to 0. Rusty Tucker carried a no hitter into the 7th until Rockport's Jason Vizena hit a single up the middle.

M-E was paced offensively by Caulin Rogers, who had 2 hits including a solo homer. Paul Crehan also hit safely twice.

Derek MacDowell (6ip 2er) took the loss for the Townies.

Rockport 11, Topsfield 2

Townies beat the Tories last Friday night at Proctor.

Rowley - 9, Topsfield - 2

Ipswich 5 M-E 4

Walk off hit by Greg Doucette to get the win for the Chiefs.

Rockport - 13, Beverly - 5

Rockport 13 Beverly 5. Strong 5 innings from starter Jason Vizena for the win  Timely hitting led by Jordan Pallazola who was 3-4.

Beverly - 7, Topsfield - 4

Details to follow...

Beverly - 4, Rowley - 2

Josh Levesque allowed 2 runs in 6 innings while striking out 6 for the win. John Boyle pitched a scoreless 7th for the save. The Rams rallied in the 7th loading the bases with nobody out. But a great defensive play by shortstop, Kevin Harutunian cut a runner down at the plate. A strikeout and a flyout ended the inning.

Beverly @ Rockport MAKEUP

Monday, June 30th

Beverly at Rockport

7:00PM

M/E- 6, Hamilton- 3

The Mariners took advantage of the Generals wildness on the mound and built a 4-0 lead after 2 innings.  Hamilton battled back in the 5th with a solo homer by Avon Stewart followed by a 2 run homer by Matt Cook to make it 4-3.  M/E tacked on 2 insurance runs late.

For Manchester, Rusty Tucker reached safely in all 5 AB's going 3-3 with 2 walks and both Caulin Rogers and Rory Gentile had 2 hits apiece.  Ryan Marques pick up a solid win on the hill.

Avon Stewart, Austen Michel, and Matt Cook each had 2 hit games for the Generals and Cam Charette pitched 4 1/3 innings of solid relief.

Giants Over Tories

A hard hitting Beverly Giants team was able to take care of the Topsfield Tories last night.  The Tories committed some costly errors resulting in the lopsided score.

Rowley - 5, Ipswich -2

Tim Moore got the win for the Rams going 6 innings and giving up 2 runs. Joe Martin pitched the 7th for the save. For the Chiefs, Rich went the distance taking the loss.

Ipswich @ Topsfield (from 6/6)

Makeup date has been scheduled for July 1st at Proctor field.  5:45pm start.

Rusty Tucker No Hits Generals

The Manchester-Essex Mariners beat the Hamilton Generals 6 to 0 yesterday behind Rusty Tucker's 15 strike out no-hitter. Only 2 Generals reached base, on an error in the 2nd and a walk in the 7th.

Rory Gentile hit a 2 run homer for the Mariners.

The two teams meet again on Thursday.

6/23/14 - Rowley 5 Ipswich 1

Ipswich - 6, Beverly - 5

Kevin Michael pitched a complete game to lead Ipswich to a 6 to 5 win over the Beverly Giants at Balch Park on Sunday night.  Tom Radzim and Chris Zaremba added big hits to key the offense.

Ipswich carried a 6 to 3 lead into the bottom of the 7th when Beverly's Josh Levesque hit a 2 run homer to cut the lead to 1.  That was all the offense Beverly could muster though.

Generals 7, Townies 6

Jack Clay (7H, 1BB,  11K's) struck out the side after giving up a leadoff double in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the complete game victory at Evans Field.

HW 9 Topsfield 5

Generals earned a split with the Tories this week with the road team winning each game.

Mariners 12 Townies 0

Caulin Rogers hit a grand slam and a double, mike Cain added 2 ground rule doubles, and Adam Philpott picked up the win as the Mariners rolled to a 12-0 win over the Townies.

Beverly - 3, Ipswich - 1 (8 innings)

With the score tied 1 to 1 in the top of the 8th inning Beverly's Derek Scialdone hit a 2 run homer to give the Giants the go ahead runs they would need to outlast the Ipswich Chiefs.  Scialdone came out of retirement just prior to the game in order to give Beverly 9 players.  It was his first game since 2012 and first home run since 2011.

Josh Levesque was superb on the mound tossing 8 innings of 1 run ball for the win.  Levesque also added an RBI double in the first inning.

For Ipswich, Chris Lane started but had to exit after 2 innings with an injury.  Lane allowed 1 run.  Rich pitched well in relief only allowing 2 runs over 6 innings but took the loss.

Topsfield 7, Hamilton 5

Zach Lampkin picked up the complete game win and added a 3 run homer to help his cause.  Luke Painchaud was the tough luck loser only allowing 3 hits in 5 innings.

Rowley - 9, Beverly - 3

Mariners 2, Rams 0

Ryan Marques shutout the Rams at Eiras earning Manchester/Essex the split of the 2 game series. Dylan Maki homered. Tim Moore went the distance in the loss for the Rams.

Generals 6, Giants 1

Hamilton received a stellar performance on the mound and at the plate from rookie Luke Wendt.  He allowed 1 run on 6 hits with 8 K's in 6 innings of work for the win.  He helped his own cause at the dish going 2-3 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI.  For Beverly, Frankie Messina went 3-4 with an RBI and Jeff Barricelli was 2-3 on the night.  Both teams are back in action on Thursday as Hamilton is in Patton against Topsfield and Beverly is at Rowley.

Rams 4 Mariners 2

The Rams remain undefeated after taking the first game with the Mariners 4 to 2. Marco Luisi led the way for Rowley with a double and a homerun. On the mound Sloban (4ip W), Martin (2ip) and Cashman (1ip Save), held the Mariners to just 2 runs.

6/16/14 - Ipswich 5 Rockport 5

Manchester @ Rockport (from 6/6)

Make up Date will be this Friday (6/20), 6:30pm start in Rockport.

Rockport 8 Ipswich 4

The Townies picked up their first win of season behind a strong effort from Derick MacDowell who went 4 1/2 innings for the win. Jason Vizena hit a home run and pitched last two innings.

Beverly @ Rockport Postponed

Game tonight at Evans Field postponed due to rain.

Paul M. Rigol, 61

Long time Patton Park foreman, Paul Rigol has passed away.  Paul oversaw and paid close attention to the home of the Generals for the past 38 years.  If you grew up in town and played any sport chances are you ran into Paul one time or another.  He was a great fan of the ITL and kept our field as one of the best around.

Paul M. Rigol, 61

Rowley — Paul M. Rigol 61, husband of Susan M. (Lotito) Rigol, died Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by his family.

Raised in Hamilton, he was the son of the late Charles and Barbara (Merton) Rigol.

Mr. Rigol had been employed for 38 years by the Town of Hamilton and at the time of his retirement he held the position of Park Forman.

In addition to his wife, with whom he shared 38 years of marriage, he is survived by a son, Derek Rigol of Rowley; two grandchildren, Julian and Nikolas; a brother, David Rigol and his wife, Donna of Pennsylvania, and several nieces and nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., Beverly, Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service on Saturday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Burial in the Hamilton Cemetery. Information, directions and condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.

Mariners at Tories - Fri 6/13 Rained Out

Tonight's contest scheduled for 5:45pm at Proctor Field has been rained out.  Make up date TBD

Ipswich- 2, Hamilton- 0

Kevin Michael picked up the win with an outstanding complete game performance on the mound (1H, 2BB, 1HBP, 10K).  Ryan Montecalvo lead the Chiefs with 2 hits.  Jack Clay was the tough luck loser (3H, 5BB, 1ER).

Rowley - 2, Beverly -1

Tim Cashman scored the go ahead run on a Justin Bolla single in the bottom of the sixth at Newburyport High. Frank Messina pitched 5 innings of 1 run ball, Josh Levesque got the loss in relief. Jeff Moore started for the Rams going 4 innings giving up 1 run, Cam D'agostino got the win in relief. Beverly goes to Rockport tomorrow while Rowley is off until Tuesday when they travel to Essex.

Rowley -4, Rockport - 0

Joe White fell one out shy of a no hitter giving up an infield single with 2 out in the 7th. White went the distance giving up the 1 hit with 1 walk and 10 k's. Macdowell took the loss throwing 5 strong innings for Rockport. Rowley plays Beverly tomorrow at Newburyport High and Rockport is back in action Friday at home against Beverly.

Rowley defeats Hamilton in Tuesday's Make-up Game

Rowley defeated Hamilton 5-0 at Patton Park.  Hamilton received a strong effort on the mound from Pat Hendrickson in his ITL debut allowing only 3 hits in 6 innings of work.  Tim Moore picked up the impressive win for Rowley scattering 5 hits over 6 innings including 9 K's.

Mariners 5 Tories 1

Manchester-Essex beat Topsfield last night 5 to 1 in Essex. The Mariners were led by Caulin Rogers (3-3, HR, 3B). Eight different Mariners had a hit as Rory Gentile (HR), Brett Cahill, Nate Bertolino, Mike Cain, Dom Cirone, Cory McCollum and Cory Burnham all hit safely. Ryan Marques (4IP, 6K, 0R) picked up the win, Gentile (2IP, 1K, 1R) and Adam Philpott (1IP, 2K, 0R) closed the game out.

The Mariners also benefited from some great defensive plays. In the third, Gentile made a circus catch in deep right center and then again in the 5th Cain made a marvelous diving catch in the right center gap to rob  Andy Heath of extra bases.

For Topsfield; Nahigian, Panunzio, Nolfi and Runge had hits. Panunzio (4IP, 5K, 3R) took the loss, Zach Lampkin (2IP, 2R) pitched in relief.

Manchester-Essex improves to 5-1, while Topsfield drops to 1-1-1. The two teams will meet again on Friday.

Ipwsich Over Generals 3-0

The Ipswich Chiefs took the first meeting of the season against the Generals by the score of 3-0.  Luke Painchaud was the tough luck loser but pitched well.  Generals hit the ball well, with many line drives, but the Ipswich defense was up to the task and took care of business.  The two teams meet again Thursday at Patton.

Rowley 8 Rockport 2

The Rowley Rams picked up the win at Evans Field Sunday night and move to 3-0 on the season.  The Rams are in Hamilton Tuesday night for a make-up game against the Generals.  The Generals take on Ipswich tonight in Ipswich.

Rowley @ Hamilton

Makeup scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th @ Patton Park.  Game time 5:45pm

Manchester forfeits to Beverly

Sundays game was forfeited due to lack of players for Manchester.

Friday Games Postponed

Both ITL games have been postponed for tonight mainly due to the fact that numerous players are still contributing to their High School teams as they advance deep into the State Tournament.  Good luck in all the games!

Rowley @ Hamilton Postponed

Tonight's game at Patton has been postponed.  Makeup TBD.

Michel Sends HW to North Final

ITL General Austen Michel hasn't joined the team yet this season as he has been busy with is current team, sending them to the MIAA North Final for the first time since 1991.  To say his outing yesterday was outstanding would be an understatement.

"Michel fans 15 in no-hitter to send H-W to first North final since 1991"

By Phil Stacey

Posted:  06/05/2014 4:30 AM

More images >>

  

LYNN — Great players rise up and do great things when the stakes are greatest.
Austen Michel proved yesterday that he most certainly belongs in that elite athletic group.
Hamilton-Wenham’s fireballing junior right-hander spun a no-hitter and struck out 15 Pentucket hitters en route to a 3-0 victory in the Division 3 North semifinals at Fraser Field. In doing so, he helped his club advance to the North title game for the first time in 23 years.
“I knew I had to throw my curveball more today,” said Michel, who said he became aware that the Sachems didn’t have a hit in the fourth or fifth inning. “I pitched against them earlier in the year and they hit my fastball well, so I had to mix it up better this time.
“In the bullpen (beforehand), I really had my curveball spinning and breaking late, so I made sure to use it a lot  in the actual game.”
Head coach Reggie Maidment, whose eighth-seeded Generals (16-7) will face the winner of today’s North Reading/Austin Prep semifinal in the Division 3 North final this weekend, said he thought about throwing capable righty Jack Clay yesterday and saving Michel for a possible North final start.
“But who was I kidding? We lose, we go home,” laughed Maidment. “I asked both guys and Austen said, ‘Coach, today’s the day. I want the ball. I want it.’ And Jack was like, ‘No problem; I’ll play third base.’ Simple as that.”
On a cloudy, cool afternoon, Michel was superb throughout. With a snapping curveball to go with a plus-fastball, he had opposing hitters swinging and missing frequently. There was only one hard-hit ball off of him — a first inning shot deep into left field by Darren Englke that sailed foul — as he allowed just two balls out of the infield. Of his 101 pitches, 71 went for strikes as Michel threw first-pitch strikes to half of Pentucket’s 24 hitters.
Here’s perhaps the best indication of how ‘on’ Michel was: 10 of the Sachems’ 15 batters who struck out were caught looking, guessing on one pitch and getting bamboozled with another.
“Austen’s breaking ball was definitely breaking a lot more, and he was hitting his spots with his fastball,” said catcher Pete Duval. “His heater had a bit of a tail today, which definitely helped. He had a little two-seam going on.”
Down three in their final at-bat, Englke reached first base when his bunt attempt was botched for an error. Unfazed, Michel struck out the next three Pentucket batters (all looking) to end his masterpiece.
Michel, a Division 1 college baseball prospect, improved to 5-3 on the season (with 3 no-decisions) and now has 103 strikeouts and an earned run average under 1.00 on the season.
Pentucket starter Robert Barry came out of the gate and matched Michel virtually pitch for pitch. He struck out five of the first six Generals’ batters who made outs and didn’t allow a hit in 3 2/3 innings of work. But the second time through the lineup, Hamilton-Wenham made something happen without the benefit of a hit.
Cleanup hitter Brett Harring drew a one-out walk and reached third base when Duval’s grounder back to the mound was bobbled by Barry, giving the Generals runners at the corners. With two out and Tom Dowd at the dish, a passed ball enabled Harring to scoot home with the game’s first run.
“I knew we were going to get something (offensively),” said Michel. “Our team’s done that all year; we might struggle the first time through but have good at-bats, then get them the second or third time through the lineup.”
After leadoff hitter Ian Dickey had the game’s first hit, a clean single to right off Pentucket reliever Pat Beaton in the fifth inning, Hamilton-Wenham tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Harring singled to right, took second on pinch hitter Tristan Smith’s single to center, and Gallant was hit by a pitch with two out, loading the bases. No. 9 hitter Henry Eager brought home Harring with a single to center, making it 2-0, and an infield error on a Dickey grounder plated pinch hitter Harrison O’Brien.

Full Story

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/high-school/post/_/id/32533/top-miaa-baseball-performances-june-4

Ipswich, Topsfield Tie

Ipswich and Topsfield battled to a tie Monday night at Bialek Field.

Rams - 10, Generals -4

Rowley built an 8-0 lead keyed by a bases loaded double by Tim Cashman and a 2 run homer from Justin Bolla. Joe White, Tim Moore, Jeff Moore and Joe Martin all contributed from the mound. Next game for both teams is a rematch in Hamilton tomorrow night.

Beverly - 2, Rockport - 1

The Townies and Giants played a tight one under threat of rain Wednesday night in Beverly.  Beverly got on the board first in the second inning, when Josh Leveque doubled and Kevin Harutunian singled him home with two outs.  Rockport answered in the top of the third, when Fulmer (2 hits) doubled home Douglass to tie the game.  Townie pitcher MacDowell (6ip, 10Ks) worked out of a couple jams and kept the Giants at bay until the 6th, when a wild pickoff throw scored the eventual winning run.

For the Giants, Steve Palladino, Tommy Burns, and Andy Brown combined for the win on the hill.  Conor Walsh, Paul Drinkwater, and Luke McDonald had two hits apiece.

Scatterday and Nelson added hits for the Townies.

Mariners 5 Townies 4

The Mariners erased a 1 run deficit to walk off in the bottom of the 7th yesterday in Essex. Trailing 4-3, Ian Buckley led off the 7th with a HBP. Pitch runner Jake Fitzgerald stole second and moved over the 3rd base after Rory Gentile reached on a ball hit in the hole to 2nd. Gentile then stole 2nd base. Still with no outs, the tieing run was scored on a wild pitch and then Caulin Rogers hit a ball down the 3rd base line that scored Gentile who was running on contact.

Mike Gibbon started for the Mariners and went 4 innings allowing 2 runs, Gentile pitched the final 3 innings allowing 2 runs and earning the win. Mackenzie Quinn pitched 6 quality innings for the Townies, letting up 3 runs. The Fighting Bertolinos move to 4-0.

Support the Spittle Twins

Rockport Townies player/coach Jeremy and wife Mandee recently welcomed twins and need our help...

"After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers." -

See more at: 
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577 

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

After the Spittles spent 2 weeks at Mass General Hospital, the twins came into the world at only 27 weeks! They were born on Saturday May 24: Emma Grace was 2lb., and Sophia Joy was 1lb. 13 oz. Both girls are expected to have a lengthy stay at MGH, and little Emma, who has Down Syndrome, will need heart surgery to correct an atrial septal defect and a ventricle septal defect in the near future.

As a way for family, friends, and others who have expressed a desire to support Mandee and Jeremy, this fund has been established to help them with extra medical and miscellaneous expenses that they will incur over the months to come. In doing so, this will allow them to focus on loving their precious girls and making sure they get stronger with each passing day.

Thank you for all your continued support, positive thoughts, and prayers. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-the-spittle-twins/183577#sthash.sa7TzWZ7.dpuf

Rams Over Giants

Rowley Rams defeated the Beverly Giants 3-2 on Sunday.  The Rams went ahead 1-0 in the first inning and added two more runs to make it 3-0 in the fifth.  The Giants rallied for two runs in the bottom of the 7th but left the tying run on 3rd base with one out when the Rams closer struck out two batters.

Rowley @ Topsfield (5/30) Postponed

Tonight's game at Proctor has been postponed and will be rescheduled due to a field conflict.

Mariners (3-0) 4 Giants (0-2) 1

Manchester-Essex beat Beverly 4 to 1 yesterday at Memorial Field to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Steve Palladino (4ip, 2r, 3k, 2bb) took the loss for Beverly. For Manchester-Essex; Ryan Marques (4ip, 1r, 6k, 1bb) picked up the win, Dylan Maki threw 2 scoreless innings of relief and Adam Philpott (1ip, 2k) registered his 2nd save of the season.

The Mariners scored first in the home half of the second on a sacrifice fly by Cory Burnham that plated Maki. Beverly answered back in the top of the 3rd after Brown doubled to leadoff the inning, Paul Drinkwater hit a 2 out RBI single to right field. Manchester-Essex took the lead back for good in the bottom of the 3rd after Max Nesbit hit a 1 out double to left and was knocked in by Brett Cahil's RBI single.

Drinkwater and Jeff Barricelli each had 2 hits for Beverly. Caulin Rogers also hit safely for the Manchester-Essex.

Generals 5 Townies 3

Hamilton (1-0) defeated Rockport (0-1) by a score of 5-3 Thursday night at Patton in the season opener for both teams.  Luke Painchaud was the star for the Generals, turning in a complete game effort on the mound with nine strikeouts while adding a two-run single in the bottom of the 6th to break a 3-3 tie.  Derek McDowell turned in a strong effort for the Townies going 6+ innings on the mound, but was charged with the loss.

Rockport went up 1-0 in the 4th when Cottone doubled with two outs and came in to score on a Generals error.  Hamilton tied the game in the bottom half of the frame when Matt Cook (3SB) drew a walk, stole second and third and scored on an Andre Painchaud RBI single.  In the bottom of the fifth, Jim Maloney broke a 1-1 tie with an RBI single and Cook added an RBI fielder's choice to put the Generals up 3-1.  Rockport evened the game in the top of the sixth on RBI singles by Nelson (2 hits) and Gitten.  Hamilton prevented further damage by gunning down two runners trying to advance on the basepaths.

Andre Painchaud turned in the at-bat of the game to lead off the bottom of the sixth, fighting back from an 0-2 count by fouling off several pitches and drawing a walk.  Larry Saggese followed with another walk, chasing McDowell from the game.  With one out and runners at second and third, Luke Painchaud helped his own cause with a two-run single to put the Generals up 5-3.  Luke retired the side in order in the 7th to earn the complete game win.

Topsfield @ Rowley today: RAINOUT

Status: RainoutDate & Time: 5/28/2014 Wed 5:45 PM
Sport & Level: Inter Town League, Mens League
Site: Rowley / Erias
Home: Rowley ITL
Away: Topsfield ITL

Tonight's game has been rained out.  Stay tuned for a make up date.

Mariners 7 Chiefs 3

Manchester-Essex completed the sweep of the Ipswich Chiefs with a 7 to 3 win at Memorial Field in Essex. Rusty Tucker picked up the win going 5 strong innings with 12 strikeouts. Caulin Rogers led the way for the Mariners with 2 hits.

For Ipswich, Doucette had 3 hits including a 2 run homer.

Mariners 5 Chiefs 2

Manchester/Essex beat Ipswich last night 5 to 2. Mike Gibbon went 4 innings to pick up his first win since the 2010 season and Adam Philpott recorded the save. The teams meet again tonight in Essex.

2013 Standings

2013 ITL Playoffs

• FINALS
• (2) Rowley vs. (1) M/E
• Mariners win series 3-1
• ROUND 1
• (4) Ipswich Vs. (1) M/E
• Mariners win series 2-0
• (3) Beverly Vs. (2) Rowley
• Rams win series 2-0

2013 ITL Standings

• TEAM - W-L-T - POINTS
• Man./Essex 19-4-1 (39)
• Rowley 15-6-2 (32)
• Beverly 13-11 (26)
• Ipswich 12-9-1 (25)
• Hamilton 11-13 (22)
• Rockport 5-18 (10)
• Topsfield 4-18 (8)

Topsfield - 3, Beverly - 0

Troy Bunker threw a 1 hit shutout to beat the Beverly Giants on Opening Day Sunday at Cooney Field.  The game was scoreless into the 6th inning when Topsfield scored the only 2 runs they would need.  With runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out Beverly's infield made a throwing error that allowed both runs to score.  Topsfield added one more run in the 7th.  Beverly threatened in the bottom of the 7th but couldn't score leaving runners on 2nd and 3rd to end the game.

ITL General George Jermyn Passes Away at 80

George A. Jermyn, 80

Beverly — George A. Jermyn 80, beloved husband of the late Eleanor (Cannon) Jermyn, died on Sunday, February 16, 2014, following a brief illness, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by his family.

Born and raised in Beverly, he was the son of the late Alfred and Winifred (Burns) Jermyn.

An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country during the Korean Conflict as a member of the U.S. Army.

Mr. Jermyn had been employed for many years as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in the city of Beverly, until the time of his retirement.

Surviving him are two daughters, Susan Hirschfield and her husband, Brian, of Haverhill, and Sheri Walsh and her husband, Dana, of Peabody; a son, Peter Jermyn of Salem; four grandchildren, Lindsay and Kevin Hirschfield, and Bryan Walsh and Jeremy Jermyn; thee great grandchildren; a brother, Neal Jermyn and his wife, Lucy, of Ipswich; a sister-in-law, Peggy Jermyn of Hamilton; and many nieces and nephews. He was also the father of the late Scott Jermyn, and brother of the late Clifton Jermyn and Lee Roderic Jermyn.

ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at the Memorial United Methodist Church, 2 Dane St., Beverly, on Thursday, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Campbell–Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 9 Dane Street, downtown location, will be on Wednesday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in the North Beverly Cemetery. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Memorial United Methodist Church, or to the River House, P.O. Box 3226, Beverly, MA 01915. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.

http://www.salemnews.com/obituaries/x488692623/George-A-Jermyn-80