Townies 10 Tories 7

The Rockport Townies defeated the Topsfield Tories by a count of 10-7 on Saturday evening at Proctor Field. The Townies banged out 13 hits led by Chris Bouchie and Brent Currier going a combined 8 for 9.

Manchester - 14, Beverly - 10

Manchester led 9 to 6 heading into the bottom of the 5th inning. Beverly got two solo homers from John Boyle and Pat Doyle to cut the lead to one. In the 6th, trailing by one, Beverly loaded the bases with nobody out but Mike Gibbon got a strikeout and a doubleplay ball to end the threat. In the top of the 7th, Manchester added 5 insurance runs to seal the victory.

Manchester's offense was led by Graham (4 for 4, 2 runs), Nate Bertolino (2 for 4, HR, 4 runs, 2RBI), Mike Cain (2 for 4, HR, 2RBI), and Goodhue (3 for 5, 3RBI).

Beverly got offensive production from Kevin Harutunian (3 for 4, 4RBI), John Boyle (2 for 4, HR), Pat Doyle (1 for 4, HR), and Jeff Barricelli (2 for 4, 2RBI).

Marques got the win. Joe Gill was charged with the loss.


TEAM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R
MAN 2 5 1 0 1 0 5 14
BEV 3 3 0 0 2 0 2 10

Chiefs 11 - Torries 0

The Chiefs bats were active Friday night. Kevin Michael pitched a complete game (Shortened due to darkeness).

The Chiefs square off against HW in their next series. Game starts Monday Night at 5:45!

Rockport 11 Beverly 0

Townies triumph 11-0 over Beverly tonight at Evans behind six strong innings from Adam Orlando and an 8-run second inning.

Townies travel to Proctor Field tomorrow to face Topsfield for the first time this season.

Generals Over Rams 2-1 in 8 Innings

The Generals pulled out an extra innings win over the Rowley Rams Thursday night at Patton Park. Jeff Jensen went 7 1/3 innings for the Generals but did not figure in the decision. Ligouri pitched fantastic for the Rams going 7+ but was charged with the loss. Hits were hard to come by all night as both starters were on their games. Both teams had trouble capitalizing on the few chances they had.

Both pitchers held their opponents scoreless through three, before Rowley’s Dave Mariani clubbed a homerun to straightaway center to give Rowley a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Meanwhile, Ligouri was able to make the pitches when it counted most as Hamilton stranded two runners in scoring position in the third and runners at the corners in the fifth.

Hamilton's Tom Jones led off the sixth with a single to right and later came across to score on a clutch two-out RBI single off the bat from Tim O’Leary, tying the score at one. Jensen held the Rams scoreless in the top of the seventh. In the bottom half, Jim Maloney hit a two-out double to put the winning run to scoring position, but again Ligouri showed he pitches best under pressure, recording a strikeout for the final out of the inning to send the game to extra innings.

Jensen yielded a one out single in the eighth and then departed in favor of Mike Drinkwater. After retiring the first batter he faced, Drinkwater induced a groundball that was thrown away into rightfield as Hamilton attempted to record a force out at second. Rightfielder O’Leary tracked the ball down and made an accurate throw to catcher Bryan Vitale just in time to record the out on the Rowley baserunner who had come all the way around from first. The play ended the inning in dramatic fashion but more importantly kept the game tied heading into the bottom of the eighth.

In the bottom half of the eighth, Jered Stewart led off with a ground-rule double to left. Next up, Vitale reached on an infield error and then Judd Funchion was intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs. Ligouri was finally pulled from the game at this point after a tremendous effort in favor of Matt Warden. Warden induced O’Leary to ground into a fielder’s choice with Rowley’s catcher making a nice catch and force-out at the plate to cut down the winning run. Now with one out and Justin Tilley at the plate, the first pitch was in the dirt and caromed toward the Rowley dugout allowing Vitale to trot home with the winning run, ending one of the best games of the ITL season thus far.

Ligouri pitched well enough to win but was charged with the tough-luck loss. Drinkwater picked up the win tossing 2/3 innings of relief. Mariani led Rowley's offense, hitting a homerun for the second night in a row. Teammates Maloney and O’Leary contributed multiple hits for the home team. Stewart was phenomenal filling in for the vacationing Andre Painchaud at first base, making several fine plays. Tilley also extended his league lead in fires fought to two.

Manchester - 7, Beverly - 1

The Manchester Mariners (8-5-1) beat the Beverly Giants (7-6-1) behind the pitching of Jack Brancaleone. Brancaleone allowed just 1 run over 5 innings while striking out 4 to earn the victory. Gibbon and Cain each pitched scoreless innings in relief.

Manchester scored 4 runs in the 2nd and it was all they would need. Ricky Bettencourt led the offense going 3 for 3 with a steal and 2 runs scored. Goodhue was 1 for 2 with 3RBI. Cain added a 2 run double.

Rocky Pisa took the loss for Beverly allowing 7 runs (6 earned) over 5 innings. Kyle Sewyck pitched a scoreless 6th in relief. John Boyle was 2 for 3 on the night. Kevin Harutunian was 1 for 2 with 2 steals and scored Beverly's only run.

Beverly travels to Rockport Friday night and then hosts Manchester on Sunday.

Make Up Games

Saturday 7/12 5:45 Rockport @ Topsfield
Wednesday 7/16 5:45 Hamilton @ Beverly
Thursday 7/17 5:45 Rowley at Manchester/Essex
Friday 7/18 5:45 Beverly @ Ipswich
Thursday 7/24 5:45 Ipswich at Manchester/Essex
Monday 7/28 5:45 Hamilton at Manchester/Essex
Tuesday 7/29 5:45 Rowley @ Ipswich
Thursday 7/31 5:45 Ipswich @ Topsfield


Any changes to these games please notify league officials and umpires.

Rams 10 Generals 2

With a threat of rain hanging over their heads most of the night the Rowley Rams and Hamilton Generals were able to complete their contest in full. Things got off to a quick start as Hamilton posted 2 runs in the top of the first with Maloney and Jones crossing the plate. Rowley responded with 6 of their own in the bottom of the inning powered by a Dave Mariani 3 run HR to right center. Judd Funchion(4IP, 4H, 3BB, 4ER, 3K) of Hamilton and Shane Johnson(7IP, 1H, 4BB, 1ER, 7K) for the Rams settled in after the first and no one crossed the plate again until the bottom of the 4th when the Rams plated 1 more. Rowley finished the scoring with 3 more in the 6th, 2 scoring on a Koby Thibault double and the other on a Craig Knight fielder's choice RBI. Mariani, Thibault and Andrew Macdonald all contributed 2 hits for the Rams. Reggie Maidment had the only hit for Hamilton. The two teams will do battle again tomorrow night at Patton Park.

Mariners Beat Townies 6-3

Topsfield 6 - Ipswich 5

Monday night at Linebrook field saw a back and forth battle with Ipswich battling the Torries of Topsfield.

Kevin Smolla put in a valiant effort for the hometown club leaving the game tied at 4a piece. Chris Lane came on to try and preserve the lead but was unable to handle the task. Lane let up a sacrifice fly in the 5th to score the 5th Torries run.

The Chiefs fought back from one run down in the bottom of the 5th, to bring the game back to 5-5. In the top of the 7th the Torries would score another run and lock in the win for them. Lane let up a base hit with the bases loaded to plate Brian Greene for the winning run.

The Chiefs again played well defensively and Smolla had an effective outing. But Lane couldn't hold off the Topsfield bats. Setting the table for the Chiefs offensively were Tom Radzim (2-3 3-Run Homerun 2 Runs Scored) Ricky Sotoropolus (2 Hits), Dylan During (Double).

The Chiefs look to rebound the loss on Friday night at Proctor Field in Topsfield.

Rockport 5 Manchester/Essex 3

On a humid evening at Evans Field, Rockport outlasted Manchester by a score of 5-3. The Townies were led by a complete game effort by Derek Osmond (improving to 3-0 on the season) and some much needed timely hitting to beat the Mariners in a playoff like affair.

The Townies visit Memorial Field in Essex on Tuesday evening to close out the season series against the Mariners.

Beverly - 8, Topsfield - 5

The Beverly Giants (7-5-1) scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 6th for a come from behind victory over the Topsfield Tories (1-11) Sunday night.

Topsfield led 5 to 3 heading into the bottom of the 6th when Pat Doyle led off with a solo homer to cut the lead in half. After an out was recorded, Topsfield's infield made two errors. Beverly then got RBI hits from Brian Chirco, Kevin Harutunian, Jeff Barricelli, and Derek Scialdone.

Harutunian also added a 2 run homer in the 2nd. Scialdone doubled twice and knocked in 2. Brian Chirco was 3 for 3 on the night.

Joe Gill started and alowed 5 runs (3 earned) over 5 innings while striking out 5. Sean Martin (2-0)earned the win with a scoreless 6th and Roger Dragani earned his 2nd save with a perfect 7th.

Matt Rogers was charged with the loss for Topsfield allowing 8 runs (4 earned) over 6 innings. Doug Hittinger led the offense going 2 for 3 with a HR and 3RBI. Zack Lampkin was 2 for 4 with an RBI and Mike Driscoll added a solo homer.

Happy 4th of July!

Painchaud(s), Generals Take Townies 9-4

Luke Painchaud picked up his second win in as many games as the Hamilton Generals were able to beat the Rockport Townies 9-4 on a wet Vitale Field. Painchaud pitched a complete game gem allowing only 4 hits on the day. Adam Orlando was charged with the loss, though it was great to see him back in the Townies lineup after an extended stint on the DL. Both teams were fortunate to get the game in thanks to some heavy rain, but the grounds crew had the field in tip top shape in time for the first pitch.

The Generals struck first with a Tom Jones RBI single that plated Jim Maloney (3-4, RBI) in the first. The home team was able to extend the lead with a big second inning. Mark Potter delivered on a big 3-Run HR to left. Maloney followed that with an RBI single and Jones finished it off with a 2-run HR. The Generals led 7-0 after two.

Brent Currier, now on in relief for the Townies, was able to help his own cause by hitting a line drive 3-run HR to deep center closing the gap to 7-3. Painchaud was able to shake it off and was strong for the rest of the game. The Generals picked up two more runs on an Andre Painchaud (3-3, 2R, HR, 2 RBI) 2-run HR in the fifth.

The Townies were able to muster one more run off Luke Painchaud in the seventh on an Anderson (2-4, RBI) RBI single. That was all the scoring as the Generals held on to win 9-4. The Generals are off now until next Wednesday when they travel to Rowley, the Townies look to bounce back against the Mariners this Sunday in Rockport.

Rams 4 Tories 3

The ITL continues to crank out quality baseball games, this one makes 14 straight games decided by 3 runs or less. The Rams and Tories locked into another tight game at Eiras field tonight. Rowley struck first scoring 4 times in the second, Koby Thibault knocked in 2 while Dan Knight and Dave Mariani contributed with RBI singles. The Rams Nick Liguori made the 4 runs stand as he worked 6 innings giving up 2 H , 5BB, 8 K's and the 3 earned runs. "Big" Dave Leavitt entered the 1 run game in the 7th and left the tying run on 3rd, ending the game with a strikeout and earning the save. Not to be outdone Riordan of Topsfield pitched effectively all night, going 7Inn with 7H's, 2 BB's, 6 K's and 3 earned. Offensively Topsfield was led by Lamkin 1H, 1 Sac and an RBI and Riordan 1H, 1RBI. The Rams are off until next Wednesday when they take on the 1st place Generals at Eiras Field. The Tories are Back in action Sunday when they travel to Beverly.

Chiefs 2 - Mariners 0

The fans at Linebrook Park Monday night saw a fantastic game which saw solid pitching from both sides, stellar defense, and some late inning heroics.

Chris Lane (W 7IP, 2H, 6K,2BB) took the mound for the Chiefs, and was able to perserve the 2 hit shut-out, with some of the best defense the Chiefs have played in a long time. Ryan Montecalvo, Matt Lane, and Ant Hernandez all contributed with fantastic plays in the field. With Lane going into the third base line fence to make a sprawling catch. Manchester not to be undone made some fantastic plays of thier own, with a great catch in DEEP center off the bat of David Shoreman. Although Shoreman was robbed of at least a triple, he would later make up for it at the plate.

With both pitcher's battling through out the game, it wasn't until the bottom of the 6th. Rick Sotoropolous lead off the inning with a four pitch walk, which brought Shoreman to the plate. After taking a monstrous hack at an off speed pitch, he settled in, and drove the next pitch over the wall in left for a two-run job. Putting the Chiefs up 2-0 going into the 7th.

Lane would run into some trouble in the top have of the 7th. When Nate Bertolino led off the inning with a double. Lane would then walk a batter with two outs to have runners on 1st and 3rd but was able to get the final out without letting up a run.

The win puts the Chiefs at the .500 mark, with a record of 5-5-1. They travel to Essex Tuesday night.