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.