Topsfield edge Ipswich 4-3

The Chief's had a great pitching effort from Kevin Michael making his first start of the season.

The Chiefs bats were only able to muster 6 hits against Evan Bunker who worked 6 1/3 innings for the Torries. The Chief's offense was led by Brian Dowley making his first start of the season at third and went 2-3 at the plate.

The Chief's started out in the 2nd inning with 2 runs in two hits. Radzim led off the inning with a walk, and then advanced to third on a Kevin Michael double down the left field line. Brian Dowley had a SAC fly to center to score Radzim. Matt Lane would drive in Michael on a fielder's choice.

There wouldn't be any more scoring until the bottom frame of the 4th, when Lobdelo would reach on an error at third. He would later score on a Ben Hathaway double . Driscoll would then reach on a base hit to right, and would then score on a Travers triple to left, leaving the game tied at 2.

The Torries would tack on two more in the bottom of the 5th, with a Lobdelo base hit scoring Lampkin and Hathaway who reached on a double and single respectfully. The Chief's would make it interesting in the top half of the 7th. Matt Lane was second up in the inning, and had a base hit to right, Sotiropoulos would reach on a walk, and would score on a fielders choice by Andy Knox. The bases would be loaded again with 2 outs in the top of the 7th, but the Chief's bats were unable to tie the game and suffered their third loss of the year.

The Chief's are home Monday to face off against Hamilton-Wenham, and the Torries travel to Essex on Tuesday. All games start as always at 5:45.

JRP Home Run Derby Tomorrow

This event is open to all and may be of interest to ITL members, check it out.

"H-W Residents pay tribute to the late John Ryan Pike with 2nd Annual Home Run Derby"
By Dom Nicastro


Registration / More Details

Rams over Generals Again. 8-7

A night after a serious pitcher's duel, offense was the key in this round 2 match-up. Dave Leavitt picked up the win in relief and Mike Drinkwater suffered the loss as both starting pitchers did not figure in the decision last night at Patton Park. The game was called after 6 due to darkness with the Rams on top 8-7.

The Rams got 1 in the first inning, but the Generals got two in the bottom half on back-to-back HR's by Provost and Stewart. The Rams regained the lead in the 3rd by scoring 5 runs. Thibeault delivered a RBI double, and scored another on the back end of a double play. Jean got a bases loaded walk, and Johnson got an RBI single after a key error that extended the inning for the Rams. The Rams led 6-2 after 3 innings.

The Generals stormed back in the fourth, tying the game. Provost delivered an RBI double which was then followed by a 3-Run HR by Jered Steward, his second of the day, to tie the game at 6. The Generals took the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a RBI walk from Justin Tilley with the bases loaded. White gave the lead back to the Rams with a 2 out 2-RBI single off Drinkwater in the top half of the 6th. The Generals failed to score in the bottom half and the game was called as the Rams were threatening in the top of the seventh due to darkness. The game officially ends 8-7 Rams. The two teams battled to the end in consecutive games making each exciting and with the Rams earning the sweep.

Manchester - 6, Beverly - 3

Manchester beat Beverly by the score of 6 to 3 behind the pitching of Stout and Marques. Stout earned the victory allowing 3 runs (1 earned) over 4 innings. Marques got the save with 2 scoreless innings of relief, while striking out 4. Offensively, Bettencourt went 2 for 3 with a run scored.

For Beverly, John Boyle allowed 1 run over 2 innings. Jay Trowt was charged with the loss after giving up 5 runs (2 earned) over 3 innings. Chris Freni led the offense going 3 for 3 with a run scored.

The game was called due to darkness after 5 1/2 innings.

Rowley Nips Generals 3-2

In a great pitcher's duel, the Rowley Rams defeated the Generals by the score of 3-2. The game only took 1 hour and 15 minutes as both starting pitchers were on fire. Matt Wile pitched 6 innings allowing only 1 run, 4 hits, and 1 BB on his way to recording the win. Judd Funchion was just as impressive going 6 complete, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, 1 BB but picked up the loss. Warden picked up the save in relief.

In one of the fastest games on record, through 5 complete innings the game saw a total of zero runs, 3 hits, and only 3 base runners. The Generals got on the board first in the top of the sixth inning. O'Leary started things off with an infield single. A fielder's choice and a BB later, Provost delivered an RBI single that plated Maidment with the game's first run.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Rams struck back with 3 runs. Mariani keyed the attack with a 2-run double, which was followed by a Berry RBI single. In the top of the seventh the Generals put together a rally. O'Leary delivered an RBI double scoring Tilley from first. With the tying run in scoring position and two outs, Judd Funchion put together a great at bat. A full count Funchion drilled a line drive down the left field line that just landed foul. Warden was able to settle down and paint the corner with a strike 3 call to end the game, earning the save. A great game ended with the Rams winning 3-2.

ITL In the News....

"ITL Generals Return to Field"
by Dom Nicastro

Hamilton - Hamilton’s Intertown Twilight League baseball team will return all of the players who made a championship run possible last summer. The only problem will be getting them all together on the diamond at once.

Tom Jones, the Generals’ players/manager, will have his hands full this summer juggling the lineup because of his players’ busy work schedules.

Hamilton has two full-time EMT/firefighters and a soon-to-be graduate of the Boston Police academy.

“These key players may have to miss some time on the field due to their day-time jobs so the rest of the roster will have to step up in their absence,” Jones said. “We do have a deep enough team to keep a steady ship, but it just makes everything a bit more difficult, and everyone needs to focus just a little bit more with a constantly changing lineup from day to day.”

Hamilton’s formula worked just fine last year.

The Generals made their second straight trip to the ITL finals, falling in the best-of-five series to Manchester/Essex, 3-0. The Generals flirted with first place all season, made their second straight trip to the finals after a more than 10-year absence and had a special field dedication ceremony that drew more than 100 fans to honor Richie Vitale.

Hamilton had no problem getting players to show last year, Jones said.

Jim Maloney, the league’s regular-season Most Valuable Player, led the team with a .448 average, followed by Mark Provost at .373. Jones (.333), Mark Potter (.318) and Jered Stewart (.318) rounded out the top five. The pitching staff was well rounded — Judd Funchion (four wins), Mike Drinkwater (three), Jeff Jensen (three), Jon Jackson (three), Luke Painchaud (three) accounted for most of the team’s victories.

Funchion and Jackson had playoff wins over first-place Ipswich. The Generals were seeded fourth. Jackson led the team in earned-run average (3.29) followed by Painchaud (3.92).

Brian Vitale, Stewart, Maloney and Jackson each made the 2008 ITL all-star squad for Hamilton.

“We have a very deep team,” Jones said. “Only being able to play nine at a time makes my job real tough as everyone is capable at playing at a high level and contributing to the team’s success. The core team is back again, and we have made a few additions in the offseason. Our pitching staff is extremely solid and has a lot of experience.”

Funchion and Jensen are the league’s most experienced pitchers. Jackson, who played college ball at Wheaton, Drinkwater, currently on the Endicott College roster, and ITL rookie Connor Sullivan, who plays at Colby College, joins them. Painchaud is recovering from an arm injury; he was stellar in his rookie campaign last season, Jones said.

Hamilton opened Sunday with an 11-5 loss to Rockport at Evans Field in Rockport.

Lou McGrath, who returned after a few years in retirement, went three-plus innings on the mound for Rockport, and was followed by Cory Emerson and Brent Currier.

Jones had a hit and two RBI for Hamilton.

Rockport and Hamilton meet in a rematch Thursday night at Patton Park.

“The league as a whole is extremely competitive and has seen somewhat of a resurgence of talent in recent years,” Jones said. “All seven teams should be close in competing for the four playoff positions.”



"Intertown Baseball League: Rowley Blanks Beverly"
by Staff Reporters

Mariners Hold On To Defeat Townies 3-2

The Mariners held off a 7th inning rally by the Townies on Tuesday night in Essex to win 3-2. With a 3-0 Mariners lead heading into the 7th, the Townies plated 2 runs and had the tying and go ahead runs on base. The win puts the Mariners at 3-0 on the young season, while the Townies drop to 1-3.

ITL veteran lefty, Lou McGrath, kept the Townies in the game with 6 strong innings on the mound. McGrath scattered 6 hits, with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks. 2 of the 3 runs scored were earned runs on solo home runs by Rory Gentile and Nate Bertolino of the Mariners. Picking up the victory for the Mariners was Jack Brancaleone, who pitched 6 1/3 innings of 5 hit baseball, giving up 2 runs (1 earned), and also striking out 5 and walking 3. Matt Hildebrand, making his ITL debut, picked up the save by pitching the final 2/3 of an inning with no hits.

Hitting safely for the Mariners was Gentile (solo hr, bb), Bertolino (solo hr, bb), Kyle Hildebrand (rbi double), Mike Cain (2b), Ty Haskell, and Bryan Lafata. Mike Bertolino led the Townies with a 2 for 2 day at the plate with double, bb, and run scored. Other Townies contributing hits were Tom Robertson (1 run), Mike Anderson (rbi), and Brent Currier (bb).

The Mariners host Beverly tonight (Wed 6/3) and Sunday 6/7 at Essex (Sunday's game is Beverly's home game in Essex), and Rockport has a 2 game series with undefeated Rowley (Sun 6/7 in Rockport and Wed 6/10 at Eiras Park in Rowley).

TR Deep Fly to Center 6/2/2009 from sunairgolf on Vimeo.

Tories over Chiefs 9-7

The Topsfield Tories defeated the Ipswich Chiefs, Monday evening in Ipswich by a final score of 9-7. It was a back and forth game that saw 4 lead changes throughout. After putting up 4 runs early, Topsfield had the lead which quickly disappeared as the Chiefs came back to lead 5-4. Evan Bunker got the W in relief, allowing only 2 runs on 3 hits in his 4 innings of work. Bunker was supported by 14 hits from the Tories led by Andrew Dyer, (3 for 4, 3 RUNS, 2 RBI and 2 SB) and Zack Lamkin (2 for 4, 1 RUN, 2RBI, 1SB). Topsfield put up 3 in the sixth to break a 6-6 tie. Ipswich threatened in the bottom of the sixth scoring one and leaving them loaded. The game was called after 6 due to darkness. Dave Shoreman had 2 HR and Montecalvo was 3 for 3 in the loss. The two teams will meet again Friday at Proctor for the Topsfield home opener.

Mariners Top Townies

In a rematch of a 2008 playoff semi-final series the Manchester-Essex Mariners defeated the Rockport Townies 4-0 on Sunday night at Evans Field. Mike Gibbon led the way for the Mariners on the mound picking up the victory with the complete game shutout effort. Gibbon scattered 4 hits, while striking out 8 and only walking 1. Rockport pitchers Cory Emerson and Andrew Vassallo combined to hold the Mariners to only 4 hits, but 11 walks and 2 errors came back to haunt the Townies as the Mariners scored 3 runs in the 5th inning and 1 more in the 6th inning.

The 4 lone hits for the Mariners were from Mike Cain (rbi,r, 2b, bb), Whit Graham, Ian Buckley (rbi, bb), and Bryan Lafata (bb, r, 2sb). Leadoff hitter, Rory Gentile paced the Mariners with 4 bases on balls and scored 2 of the Mariners 4 runs. 3 of the 4 Townies hits were doubles from Brent Currier, Dan Greel, and Eric Junker. Chris Bouchie had the other hit for the Townies and also recorded a stolen base.

The Mariners go to 2-0 on the young season, while the Townies drop to 1-2. The two teams meet again on Tuesday night (6/2) at 5:45 at Memorial Park in Essex. Following that the Mariners host Beverly on Wed 6/3 and Sunday 6/7 at Essex (Sunday's game is Beverly's home game in Essex), and Rockport has a 2 game series with undefeated Rowley (Sun 6/7 in Rockport and Wed 6/10 at Eiras Park in Rowley).

Rowley - 4, Beverly - 0

The Rowley Rams (1-0) beat the Beverly Giants (1-1) by the score of 4 to 0 Sunday at Cooney Field in Beverly. Joe Katin pitched a 5 hit complete game shutout for the victory. Rowley scored three times in the top of the 2nd to take a lead they would not give up. Brink walked with the bases loaded plating the first run and Shane Johnson doubled scoring two. Rowley added an insurance run in the 7th.

Tom Carr took the loss allowing 3 runs in 2 innings. Rocky Pisa kept things close with 4 innings of shutout relief.

makeup games

Hamilton @ Beverly
Ipswich @ Man./Essex
Topsfield @ Rowley
Rowley @ Topsfield

no makeup dates have been scheduled yet

Generals Over Townies - 4-3

The Hamilton Generals picked up a walk-off win of sorts over the Rockport Townies in a shortened game on Thursday night. On a cold and rainy night the game was called in bottom of the fifth inning due to darkness after the Generals broke a 3-3 tie to take the lead. Jon Jackson pitched great for the home team (allowing only 2 hits over 4 innings) in his first start of the season. Osmond started for the Townies and was able to work out of many jams as the Generals left 13 runners on base over the first 4 innings. Neither starting pitcher figured in the decision. Mike Drinkwater got the win, and Brent Currier suffered the loss.

The Generals got on the board first in the first. Jered Stewart got an RBI single that plated Judd Funchion. The Generals were able to work the bases loaded with no outs, but could not muster any more runs as the Townies were able to get out of the jam.

Greel scored in the top of the second to tie the game at 1-1. On a passed ball Greel tried to get to third and advanced home on an errant throw. The Generals retook the lead 2-1 in the bottom of third. With the bases loaded and 1 out, Mark Potter was able to bring home a run on a FC. The Generals left the bases loaded again only being able to bring home the one run.

With two down in the top of the forth, the Townies were able to put something together and take the lead. A Junker double plated Ayer, and an Anderson walk with the bases loaded brought home the second run of the inning. Townies led 3-2 going into the bottom of the fourth. Vitale quickly tied the game yet again with an RBI single that scored Provost.

In the top of the fifth Jackson gave way to Drinkwater. Bouchie was able to start the inning with a long at bat and won the battle with a double down the leftfield line. With a runner in scoring position and no outs, Drinkwater went to work and struck out the next 3 batters. Daylight was running out but the Generals wasted no time in the bottom of the fifth. Maidment started the quick rally with an HBP but was eliminated on the basepath by a FC. With a runner on first, Provost (3-3, BB, 2B, R) delivered what was the game winning hit to right field. The single was bobbled in right which allowed Sullivan to score all the way from first. The game was called after that earning the Generals a series split in the first week of the season.

Mariners Win Season Opener at Ipswich

The 2008 Postseason Champion Mariners defeated the 2008 Regular Season Champion Chiefs Monday night in the season opening game for both teams, 9-5.

In a back and forth battle throughout the game, the Chiefs took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning on a towering 2 run homer from Dave Shoreman. In the top half of the 6th inning 1st baseman, Mike Cain, launched a 3 run homer for the Mariners to give them a lead that they would not surrender.

Ryan Marques picked up the victory with his 2 shutout innings in relief, while surrending 1 hit, and striking out 5. Steve Stout went the first 5 innings scattering 7 hits, with 2 k's and a walk. Dave Shoreman went 4 strong innings for the Chiefs giving up 4 hits, 4 runs, and striking out 5. Dave Doucette pitched the final 3 innings, giving up 5 runs (4 earned), striking out 3, but credited with the loss.

Cain (3 rbi, 2r) and Joe Orlando (2rbi, 2r)paced the Mariners with 2 hits each, and leadoff hitter Rory Gentile had 3 walks in 5 plate appearances. Rick Sotoropolous (3-4), Anthony Hernandez and Dave Shoreman led the Chiefs with multiple hits, while Shoreman and Dave Lane both contributed home runs.

The teams were to play in Essex on Wed 5/27, but have been rained out. The Mariners travel to Rockport on Sun 5/31, then play their next 4 games in Essex.

Hamilton @ Beverly Postponed

Game postponed due to field conditions. No makeup date has been set.

Ipswich vs. Manchester-Essex PPD

Tonight's game has been PPD due to rain. No make up has been scheduled.

Rams/Tories Postponed

Due to field conditions tonight's Rams/Tories game has been postponed. A make up date will be announced.