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.