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.