Mariners Move On...

Manchester moves on Manchester knocks off defending champ Rockport, headed to finals

By Nick Curcuru
Correspondent

ESSEX — For the first time in four seasons, the Inter-Town Baseball League will have a new champion. The three-time defending champion Rockport Townies saw their bid for a fourth straight championship come to an end at the hands of the Manchester Mariners. Manchester knocked off Rockport, 6-2, at Memorial Field In Essex to take the best-of-three playoff series 2-1. With the win, Manchester will face Hamilton in the finals starting tomorrow (4 p.m. Memorial Field).

"This was a great win," Mariners catcher Bryan Lafata said. "It wasn't pretty but it worked. We showed a lot of heart and we put it all together when we needed to most."

With the loss, the Townies failed to make the finals for the first time in 10 years, Rockport would go on to win six championships in that span. Although the team didn't reach their goal, Rockport catcher Jeremy Spittle said the team put together a great run.

"It was one heck of a run we went on," Spittle said. "And I have no reason to believe that this team won't be back. This is just a bump in the road, we will be back and re-tooled next season."

Trailing 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, Manchester took the lead for good, plating four runs. Rockport pitcher Brent Currier was in control when everything came apart, as three of the four runs were unearned.

Manchester made it 2-1 when Nate Bertolino (3 RBI) drove in Rory Gentile (single), with a sacrifice fly. The Mariners tied up the score two batters later when Joe Orlando (two hits) came in to score on a fielding error. The Mariners would add two more runs in the inning when Lafata came in to score on an infield single, and Ty Haskell scored when Dylan Maki was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Mariners added two more runs in the sixth to put the game away.

"We let this one get away," Spittle said. "Brent (Currier) was in control and made some great pitches in the fifth. They just hit the ball where we weren't and we didn't make the plays in front of us. It's tough to swallow but it's a part of the game, they beat us."

Jack Brancaleone picked up the win for the Mariners going the distance and allowing two runs on seven hits. Lafata was hoping to get a couple of innings out of Brancaleone, but he kept getting stronger as the game went along picking up the third straight complete game for a Mariners pitcher in the series.

"Jack pitched great," Lafata said. "He made a couple of mistakes early but he got stronger as the game went on. He did a great job getting ahead in the count and keeping (Rockport) on the defensive."

Manchester will now turn their focus to Hamilton, which fell to Rockport in the finals last season and took two of its three meetings with the Mariners this season.

Lafata stressed that his team needs to bring the same focus that helped them get by Rockport.

"Hamilton will be a tough series," Lafata said. "They are a smart, solid team. We have to stay focused like we have been. (Tomorrow) starts a whole new series and we are going to take it one game at a time."

Top-seeded Chiefs ousted by Hamilton in first round

Top-seeded Chiefs ousted by Hamilton in first round
By Joshua Boyd
jboyd@cnc.com

Ipswich - When it all comes down to it, first place in the Intertown Twilight League guarantees you one home game in the playoffs.

That is all that is guaranteed, as you have to win at least two games to stay alive in the tournament to see any more benefits from the regular season championship. The Chiefs could not do that, as they lost to the Hamilton Generals in two straight games to get bounced from the Intertown Twilight League playoffs.

Following the team’s 7-2 loss to Hamilton to open up the Intertown Twilight League playoffs on Aug. 4, the Chiefs’ player-manager David Shoreman wasn’t too enthusiastic about first place anymore. That was especially true when they lost the next night, 3-0, to get bounced from the playoffs.

“Right now, it’s irrelevant,” he said. “We fought hard all year, but the same thing is happening this year that happened last year — finish first, then come into the playoffs a little flat.”

Indeed, the Chiefs did finish up with a 15-7-1 record. To show how strong a finish they had, consider that after their June 22 game, they were just 3-5-1 at the time.

“We’ve been coming on so hard for the past month, losing just once in a month. We need to be grounded, we need to come in with a chip on our shoulder and be ready to play,” said Shoreman.

“This is the second year in a row being knocked out in the first round after finishing first in the regular season,” said teammate Chris Lane.

Lane pitched the second game on Aug. 5 against Hamilton, giving up four hits and three runs (just one earned, a solo homerun in the fifth inning).

Matt Lane and Travis Doty had the only Ipswich hits until the seventh inning, when the Chiefs loaded the bases, but stranded all runners.

Two misplayed balls in the third inning led to the other two runs that Hamilton put up, outscoring Ipswich 10-2 in the two games.

“Overall, it’s a tough loss to swallow. But when you look at what we accomplished over the last month or so, it’s pretty remarkable,” said Lane. “We lost one game to finish the regular season. We had one loss to Rockport and won every other game we played, and eventually went from sixth place to first. We came up short this year, but we are already talking about next year and what we need to do to get better.”

To start off the Aug. 4 match-up, Jim Maloney (2-5, RBI, stolen base) led off the game with a double down the right field line. With two on and two out, Andre Painchaud (2-4, two RBIs) delivered a two-run single, putting the Generals ahead with the Chiefs coming to bat.

Ipswich battled right back, as Anthony Hernandez nailed a double to right field, bringing in Ipswich’s lead-off man Rick Sotiropoulos, who had been hit by a pitch by Jon Jackson.

In the top of the second, Shoreman stranded three runners on base, but Hamilton would rise again. Not before Shoreman would knock a home run against the back of the Little League scoreboard in the top of the third, though.

“The homerun was nice. I was hoping it would bring a little life back to us, put us on a roll a little bit” said Shoreman, whose solo homer tied the game going into the top of the fourth inning. “We put two quick ones on them, but we couldn’t close them out from there.”

And, of course, Mark Provost tagged the Chiefs with a two-run homer of his own in the top of the fourth, to put Hamilton up 4-2.

Hamilton kept rolling from there, adding two more runs in the fifth inning. Mark Potter and Maloney picked up RBI singles in that inning. It would’ve been 7-2 right there, but Sotiropoulos tagged out Reggie Maidment at home plate.

However, in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, the Chiefs only sent three batters to the plate. Potter’s seventh-inning double to score Andre Painchaud for the final, decisive run.

“They can hit the ball,” said Shoreman, the pitcher of record, helped out by closer David Doucette. “I tip my hat, they did a good job. I put them on base a couple too many times and they took advantage of it. I didn’t do good enough job holding runners on, and they took advantage of it. Other than that, they put the ball where we weren’t. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t.”

This year, Lane said, the Chiefs had quite a few additions that helped mold the Chiefs.

“Kevin Michael really stepped up and proved himself. Zach Graves was a solid role player, and Mike Blaise, who caught for us as well, brought his veteran status and experience to the club,” Lane added.

Every player, though, has to bring his game face in order to earn wins.

“You’ve got to come ready to play,” he added. “Otherwise, it’s a long eight months [until the next season].”

Game 3 Tonight (8/7/08)

The decisive game 3 between the Manchester/Essex Mariners and the Rockport Townies will be tonight at Memorial Field in Essex. The game starts at 5:30pm and the winner will move on to face the Hamilton Generals in the ITL Finals. Please come support the teams and the league as this should be an exciting game, adding to an already terrific ITL season.

Funchion, Generals Sweep Chiefs

Judd Funchion pitched a complete game shutout, clinching the series for the Generals and sending them to the league finals for the second straight year. Funchion gave up only 4 hits and one BB on the day. The Chiefs couldn't really get anything started off the Hamilton pitcher as Funchion was able to retire the first batter of every inning except one. He really kept the pressure on the visiting Chiefs all night long.

Chris Lane was equally stingy for the Chiefs. He allowed only five hits on the day. The Generals were able to manufacture a two run rally and got a solo HR late in the game to earn the victory. Lane was great but ultimately was charged with the loss.

With no score heading into the bottom of the third Reggie Maidment was able to reach base on an HBP with one out. After a stolen base, Jim Maloney delivered a double just out of reach of the Ipswich right fielder. Maidment advanced to third on the play. With 2nd and 3rd and 1-out, Mark Provost was able to bring home Maidment and advance Maloney with an RBI sac-fly. Jered Stewart got a big 2-out RBI single to make the score 2-0. In the fifth inning, Maloney hit a 2-out solo HR pushing the score to 3-0.

With a 3 run lead and Funchion cruising on the mound things looked good for the Generals. However, in the seventh the Chiefs made a comeback bid. Dylan Durning led off the the 7th with a single, the first leadoff man to reach for the Chiefs. Following the single came an out, error and another single from Montecalvo.

With the bases loaded, go ahead run coming to the plate, and only one out, Funchion found himself in a bit of a jam. Funchion settled down and got the next batter on a strikeout and then Potter and Tilley combined for a nice play up the middle to get the force at second to end the game.

The Generals will now face the winner of Thursday night's game 3 between the Mariners and Townies in the ITL Finals (5:30pm start @ Essex). The Generals made their first trip to the finals since 1991 last season, but advance for the second year in a row in 2008.

Mariners hold off Townies, 7-5

Mariners hold off Townies, 7-5 (From Gloucester Times)

By Nick Curcuru
Correspondent

ROCKPORT — It's a one game season now.

That's what Manchester Mariners third baseman and manager Bryan Lafata said after his team's 7-5 victory over Rockport in game two of their Inter-Town League playoff series. The Mariners win tied the best-of-three series at one, forcing a do or die situation for both teams in tomorrow's decisive game three in Essex (5:30 p.m., Memorial Field).

"It all comes down to Thursday," Lafata said. "Our bats came out today and we got great pitching and defense. We need more of that (tomorrow)."

Manchester appeared to be cruising to an easy victory with a 7-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh when the Townies mounted a furious comeback. Rockport plated four runs on six hits, and even had the potential tying run in scoring position. Mariners pitcher Mike Gibbon was able to force a fly out to end the game.

Despite the loss, the Townies built up a little confidence from their near rally.

"It was almost a great comeback," Rockport left fielder Tom Robertson said. "That last inning gives us some confidence heading into game three. We are great playing from behind but we fell just short tonight. But that's why we play three games."

The Mariners got on the board first with a run in the first inning when Joe Orlando singled in Rory Gentile who reached on a single. Rockport, however, would come right back with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning when Mike Anderson came in to score on a fielding error.

Rockport loaded the bases with nobody out in the inning, but Gibbon was able to pitch out of the jam allowing just one unearned run. The tall lefty kept the momentum going the rest of the game allowing only one more hit in the next five innings and retiring 11 straight Townies at one point.

Manchester would take control of the game with a run in the third and fourth inning. They gave themselves an even bigger cushion with three more runs in the sixth. Whit Graham gave Manchester a 4-1 lead when he drove in Ty Haskell (who singled) with a sacrifice fly.

Nate Bertolino increased the lead to 6-1 later in the inning when he singled in Ian Buckley who reached on an error and Mike Cain who singled. The Mariners would add one more important run in the seventh on a Kyle Hildebrand homer.

The Mariners had four players with two hits and three players (Orlando, Bertolino and Graham) with two runs batted in.

Lafata was very pleased with the team's 12 hit performance.

"The bats really came out tonight," Lafata said. "Our team is built around pitching and defense, which was good as usual, but any time we score a lot of runs we are in good shape."

Robertson on the other hand is hoping the Townies will get their offense going a little earlier in game three.

"We didn't show up until the end tonight," Robertson said. "If we want to win we need to score more runs early in the game. We have a great offense and if anybody can get it done we can."

Rockport 7 Manchester 4

Rockport took game one by a score of 7-4. The Townies were paced by Adam Orlando who went the distance on the hill and contributed two homes runs and 3 runs scored. Steve Stout took the loss for the Mariners.

Game 2 is tonight in Rockport.

Rockport takes Game 1 over Manchester (From Gloucester Times)

By Nick Curcuru
Correspondent

ESSEX — When playoff time comes around in the Inter-Town Baseball League, there is always one constant - The Rockport Townies are going to make a splash.

Having won three straight league championships, the Townies began their quest for a fourth in their first round match up with Manchester yesterday at Memorial Field in Essex. Rockport could not have asked for a better start to their playoff series ripping 15 hits in a 7-4 win over the Mariners in Game 1 of a best-of-three series.

Adam Orlando picked up the win for Rockport going the distance allowing four runs on seven hits. The hard throwing righty was also a force at the plate going 3 for 4 with two solo home runs and three runs scored. Orlando admitted that the Townies pick up the intensity come playoff time.

"It's the playoffs now so everybody comes to play ball," Orlando said. "We always seem to get into a groove this time of year."

Manchester second baseman Nate Bertolino could only tip his cap to the victors.

"It's tough to win when Adam (Orlando) is pitching the way he did tonight," Bertolino said. "We only had seven hits and he really kept us off balance. We need to hit better if we want to make this a series."

The Mariners opened up the scoring in the bottom of the second inning on a solo home run by Bertolino down the left field line. Manchester pitcher Steve Stout would keep the Townies bats at bay until the fourth inning, when Rockport was finally able to get on the board when Marc Bouchie (3 for 4) doubled in Orlando, who reached on a single.

Stout held the powerful Rockport lineup to just one run through five innings, drawing praise from Orlando.

"Stout pitched a great game," Orlando said. "He really gave us trouble early on. It was a pitcher's duel for a while."

The Townies offense, however, would wake up in the sixth inning, plating four runs on four hits. Orlando made it 2-1 Rockport when he homered to left-center field. Chris Bouchie (two hits) gave the Townies an insurance run when he beat a throw to home plate on a ground ball in the infield. Matt Ayer (two hits) and Marc Bouchie add two more runs on bases loaded walks to give Rockport a 5-1 lead.

Rockport added two more runs in the seventh to take a 7-2 lead going into the bottom half of the inning. Mariners right fielder Joe Orlando (two hits) cut the Townies lead to three when he homered to right-center, but it was too late as Adam Orlando would get the next batter to fly out to end the game.

With the win the Townies take a 1-0 lead in the series, they will move on to the finals with a win in game two tonight in Rockport (6 p.m, Evans Field). Orlando says his team needs to keep up the focus and momentum to advance.

"We need another performance like tonight's," Orlando said. "We have to keep hitting and playing defense, if we do that we will be alright."

Generals Take Game 1 Over Chiefs, 7-2

The Generals got a great pitching performance from Jon Jackson and a consistent attack on offense to take game 1 of the best of 3 series against the Ipswich Chiefs. Jackson pitched a complete game, surrendering only 4 hits and allowing 2 runs. Dave Shoreman got the ball for the Chiefs, went 5 innings, but was charged with the loss. Game 2 will be tomorrow night in Hamilton at Patton Park, 5:30pm start time.

Jim Maloney (2-5, RBI, SB) led off the game with a double down the right field line. With two on and 2-out, Andre Painchaud (2-4, 2RBI) delivered a 2-RBI single putting the Generals ahead with the Chiefs coming to bat. In the bottom of the 1st Ipswich struck back with 1 run on a Hernandez RBI double.

The score stayed 2-1 until the bottom of the third inning when Shoreman was able to deliver a lead-off HR that ricocheted off the little league scoreboard in deep left. The blast tied the game at 2. The Generals were able to put together two mini rallies over the next two innings to take the lead.

Provost hit a monster 2-run HR in the fourth while Potter (3-4, 2B, 2RBI, SB, 2R) and Maloney added RBI hits in the fifth to push the score to 6-2. Potter got another RBI single in the seventh to end the scoring. Jackson took care of the rest as he seemed to get stronger as the game went on. He was able to retire the last 15 batters in a row. Shoreman's HR in the third was the last player to reach base for the Chiefs. The two teams battle again Tuesday night @ Patton with the Chiefs looking to force a game 3 back in Ipswich. We hope to see you there!

Playoff Game Changes

With yesterday's cancellation and Wednesday's terrible weather forecast there are a few changes to the playoff schedule. Please take note of the most updated schedule below.

(1) Ipswich Chiefs Vs. (4) Hamilton Generals

Game 1: Monday, August 4th 5:30pm @ Ipswich
Game 2: Tuesday, August 5th 5:30pm @ Patton Park
Game 3: Thursday, August 7th 5:30pm @ Ipswich


(2) Manchester/Essex Mariners Vs. (3) Rockport Townies

Game 1: Monday, August 4th 5:30pm @ Essex
Game 2: Tuesday, August 5th 6pm @ Rockport
Game 3: Thursday, August 7th 5:30pm @ Essex

Game 1 Canceled

Tonight's game 1 playoff game between Hamilton and Ipswich has been canceled. It will be pushed back until tomorrow (Monday 8/4), still to be played in Ipswich. Game 2 will be @ Patton Park on Tues. night, Game 3 will be on Thursday back in Ipswich.

Brent Currier Wins 3rd ITL HR Derby

Brent Currier of the Rockport Townies was able to defeat M/E Mariners' Nate Bertolino in the derby finals 4-3. Currier hit a 3-round total of 15 HR's, two short of the Derby record. Overall, 32 players made up the field with Currier able to take home the crown.



All ITL teams were represented in the 3rd annual ITL Home Run Derby. 32 current players rounded out the field vying for the Leo J. Marino Trophy. After a slow start in round 1 the field quickly was reduced to 5 players to start round 2. Brent Currier, Nate Bertolino, Rory Gentile, Jered Stewart, & Rick Sotoropolous all made it to round 2.

Round 2 saw many willow tree and pond shots with Bertolino, Currier, & Stewart doing most of the damage. When the dust settled, Bertolino's 7 and Currier's 6 round two HR's put them in the finals.


Bertolino up first, was able to hit 3 more in the finals. Currier matched that plus one more to take the title. Bryan Lafata earned MVP honors for the day as he pitched to what seemed to be half the field, including both finalists.

Playoff Matchups Announced...

(1) Ipswich Chiefs Vs. (4) Hamilton Generals

Game 1: Sunday, August 3rd 5:30pm @ Ipswich
Game 2: Monday, August 4th 5:30pm @ Patton Park
Game 3: Wednesday, August 6th 5:30pm @ Ipswich


(2) Manchester/Essex Mariners Vs. (3) Rockport Townies

Game 1: Monday, August 4th 5:30pm @ Essex
Game 2: Tuesday, August 5th 6pm @ Rockport
Game 3: Thursday, August 7th 5:30pm @ Essex

2008 Regular Season Standings

The results are in, the 2008 ITL regular season was one of the most competitive of all time. Congratulations to all teams and players for making the entire season a tremendous success.

2008 ITL Standings

• TEAM - W-L-T - POINTS
• Ipswich 15 - 7 - 1 (31)
• Man./Essex 14 - 9 - 1 (29)
• Rockport 14 - 9 - 1 (29)
• Hamilton 14 - 10 (28)
• Rowley 10 - 14 (20)
• Beverly 9 - 13 - 1 (19)
• Topsfield 5 - 19 (10)

Tories Top Generals in 9 Innings

Reardon went the full 9 innings to earn the win for the Topsfield Tories Saturday morning. The game closed out the ITL regular season in dramatic fashion as the results decided the ITL playoff seedings. Mike Drinkwater got the tough loss in relief. Luke Painchaud started for the Generals and went 6 strong innings allowing only 2 runs, earning the no-decision.

With the Tories leading 2-0 in the sixth, Jered Stewart tied the game with a 2-run HR. The Generals failed to bring home the go ahead run later in the inning as the Tories worked out of a bases loaded jam.


Now in the 9th inning the Tories got a 3-run HR from Bunker to take a 5-2 lead. The Generals tried for a rally in the bottom of the 9th, Jim Maloney led off the inning with a solo HR closing the score to 5-3. With two out and two on, Jones made a walk-off bid but Hittenger was able to haul it in with his back on the fence ending the game and securing the 5-3 Tories victory.

Ipswich Over Mariners 7-4, Clinch 1st

The red hot Ipswich Chiefs beat the M/E Mariners by the score of 7-4. By doing so they also clinched the number 1 seed in the playoffs. Their first game will be Sunday night in Ipswich. The rest of the seeding will be determined following this morning's Hamilton vs. Topsfield makeup game. Congratulations Chiefs!

Mariners All Over Generals 15-3

The Manchester/Essex Mariners had the hot bats ready go at Patton Park last night. Along with some great pitching, the Mariners were able to take care of the Generals by the score of 15-3. Gibbon got the win while Judd Funchion picked up the loss.

Nate Bertolino led the way once again for the Mariners going 3-3 with a Grand Slam HR and 5RBI total on the day. Orlando was also an offensive standout going 4-4 with a HR and 4 RBI. Haskell added a solo HR as well for the Mariners. Bryan Vitale had an RBI single and Jered Stewart contributed a 2-run HR for the Generals.

The Mariners face off against Ipswich tonight in Essex with first place on the line. The Generals finish off the regular season tomorrow morning at Patton against the Tories before the HR Derby, 10am start.

Chiefs 5 - Torries 3

The Ipswich Chiefs won when the game reverted back to the bottom of the 6th inning with the Chiefs up 5-2.

Kevin Micheal pitched a complete game. Dave Doucette added his first hit of the season in the 6th.

The Chiefs face off against Manchester-Essex tonight at the Pit.