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.

Beverly - 6, Rowley - 5

The Beverly Giants finished the season at 9-13-1 by defeating the Rowley Rams (10-14) by the score of 6 to 5 Thursday night at Cooney Field.

Luke Deschamps earned the win throwing 5 innings while allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3. Nick Adams pitched a scoreless 6th for the "hold" and Mike Freni allowed 1 run in the 7th for the first save of his ITL career.

Matt Wile was charged with the loss allowing 6 runs (5 earned) over 6 innings while striking out 1.

Beverly's offense was led by Derek Scialdone (1 for 3, HR, 2RBI) and Kyle Sewyck (2 for 3, RBI). Rowley's White (2 for 2, 3RBI) and Moore (2 for 4) led the Rams offense.

Chiefs 3 - Rams 2

The Ipswich Chiefs continued the winning ways, with a three game sweep of the Rowley Rams in their final meeting of the season.

In a well played game all around by both teams. Ricky "DJ" Sotoropolous scored on a passed ball in the top of the 7th for the go ahead run. Dylan Durning continued to hit well going 2-4 at the plate with a RBI. Matt Lane, Patch Barton, and Tyler Hammond also contributed 1 hit a piece in the win.

Chris Lane earned the win going 7 strong innings, scattering 4 hits, and one earned run, while striking out 1.

The Chiefs continue their week of games with a match-up against Topsfield Thursday Night at Proctor Field.

Topsfield - 5, Beverly - 4

The Topsfield Tories defeated the Beverly Giants by the score of 5 to 4 at Proctor Field Wednesday night. Mike Dreesen threw a complete game for the victory, striking out 5 while allowing 6 hits. Joe Gill allowed 5 runs (4 earned) over 5 innings and was charged with the loss.

Topsfield's runs came via a Zack Lamkin sacrifice fly in the 1st, then Lamkin scored on a wild pitch in the 3rd. Max Travers knocked home a run on a sac fly in the 4th. Driscoll knocked home the last two on a ground rule doube in the 5th.

Beverly scored 2 in the first inning thanks to a Giannino RBI fielder's choice, and an error that later scored Giannino. In the fourth, Mike Freni delivered a solo homerun. In the sixth, Derek Scialdone doubled, and scored on a Pat Doyle sac fly.

HR Derby This Sat. 8/2

The 3rd Annual ITL Home Run Derby will take place this Saturday, August 2nd at Patton Park in Hamilton. The event will kick off promptly at 1pm following the Topsfield/Hamilton game scheduled for 10am. All current and former ITL players, Fans, and officials are encouraged to attend even if you don't plan to participate. The day is a lot of fun and designed to get everyone together in preparation for this year's playoffs (which begin Sunday!).

Participating players please be there no later than 12:45pm, and please don't forget to wear your game shirts. The entry fee this year will be $20 and the order of hitters will be determined by a drawing. So you will have to be there at the start so you won't miss your spot. The Derby itself will consist of 3 rounds, exact numbers of players advancing in rounds will be determined by how many participants compete. Each player will get 10 outs to hit as many HR's as they can. Any swing not resulting in a HR is considered an out. The field is open to all current ITL players and alumni of the league.

While not hitting, please be prepared to shag balls to help the day move quickly and smoothly. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Tom Jones @ itlbaseball@gmail.com.

See you Saturday!

Generals 7, Mariners 2

Rory Gentile's bookend HR's provided all the offense for the Mariners but the Hamilton Generals were able to pull out another win last night on the road. Gentile led off the game with a HR and added another in the seventh inning for the home team. Generals' pitchers were able to scatter only 3 other hits during the rest of the game while the offense came up with 7 runs on the way to the victory.

Judd Funchion started the game for the Generals giving up only one hit while striking out 4 in just 2 innings of work. With one down in the second Funchion collided with teammate Bryan Vitale on a foul ball bid. Vitale held on for the second out, but Funchion was injured on the play. He stayed in the game to complete the inning but was unable to come out for the third as he swelled up pretty good in between innings.

Mike Drinkwater came in for the Generals and went the rest of the game to earn the victory. Drinkwater allowed only 4 hits and 1 run in 5 IP and got out of a tough bases-loaded no-out situation unscathed. Mahi got the start for the Mariners, pitched well, but got the loss.

Offensively, Maidment got it going for the Generals for the second straight night with an RBI single in the second to tie the score at 1-1. The Generals took the lead in the third inning with a 3-run 2-out rally. O'Leary and Tilley each delivered RBI singles during the rally to take the lead. Mark Provost added 2-RBI later in the game. When all was said and done the Generals were able to win by a 7-2 margin. The two teams face off again on Thursday night at Patton Park, 5:45pm start.

Rockport beat Topsfield Monday Night

Heard thru the ITL grapevine...