High-scoring matchups highlight weekend action; Jackfish drop 18-6 decision to Toronto as playoff race tightens

NEWS RELEASE

INTERCOUNTY BASEBALL LEAGUE

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Maple Leafs explode for 18 hits, defeat Jackfish 13-6

WELLAND — The Toronto Maple Leafs broke out offensively Saturday night, racking up 18 hits en route to a 13-6 victory over the Intercounty Baseball League-leading Welland Jackfish at Welland Stadium.

Marcus Knecht led the offensive barrage with a 5-for-6 night that included a home run, double and RBI, while Dennis Dei Baning launched a three-run homer in the ninth to cap a three-RBI performance. Jordan Castaldo also went deep, driving in two runs on a pair of hits, and Spenser Ross added two hits and two RBI.

Toronto (14-19) scored in five different innings and capitalized on four Welland errors to take full control of the game.

Starting pitcher Wilgenis Alvarado picked up the win, going five strong innings while allowing just one run on four hits and striking out four.

Welland starter José Domínguez was tagged for six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 5.1 innings to take the loss.

Matteo Porcellato continued his stellar season with a 3-for-4 effort, two RBI and a stolen base. Brendan Luther and Ethan Hunt also contributed RBI for the Jackfish.

The Jackfish are on the road Sunday against the Hamilton Cardinals at 2:05 p.m., while the Maple Leafs host the Barrie Baycats on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

 

Majors capitalize to edge Red Sox 5-3

BRANTFORD — The London Majors took advantage of the opportunities they were given to earn a 5-3 win over the Brantford Red Sox on Saturday afternoon at Arnold Anderson Stadium in Intercounty Baseball League action.

A four-run third inning, highlighted by Tucker Zdunich’s two-run single, turned out to be the difference for the Majors (20-12). The rally was aided by a pair of Brantford miscues before Eduardo De Oleo and Cleveland Brownlee each brought in runs.

Zdunich finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBI and a walk, while De Oleo went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a double and two walks.

For the Red Sox (6-25), second baseman Lucas Lefebvre led the way at the plate, going 2-for-5. Christian Ortega added a 2-for-5 effort with a run scored, while Rene Tachioka reached base four times, scored twice and added a single and three walks.

Despite drawing seven walks and collecting six hits, the Red Sox stranded 12 runners and couldn’t capitalize late.

Jose Arias earned the win for London with four solid innings in relief, striking out four and allowing just one unearned run. Skylar Janisse shut the door in the ninth for the save. Starter Colby Ring tossed four innings, striking out three but walking six.

Brantford starter Connor Irvine took the loss despite giving up only one earned run over six innings. He struck out seven.

Despite committing five errors themselves, the Majors did just enough at the plate and on the mound to seal the win.

The two teams will tangle Sunday in London at 4:05 p.m.

 

Baycats outslug Barnstormers in 12-10 thriller

BARRIE — The Barrie Baycats used a big seventh inning and a trio of doubles from Willy Garcia to outlast the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers 12-10 in a back-and-forth Intercounty Baseball League slugfest Saturday afternoon at Vintage Throne Stadium.

Garcia led the Baycats’ offence with a 3-for-3 performance, driving in a run and scoring three times. Nolan Machibroda and Adam Odd each had two RBI, with Odd’s clutch single in the seventh inning sparking a five-run outburst that proved to be the difference.

Chris Nagorski picked up the win in relief, tossing a scoreless seventh, while Johnathan Warden earned the save despite giving up three unearned runs in the eighth. Starter Juan Benitez went six innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits while striking out six.

Yushin Ohta powered the Barnstormers’ offence, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and five RBI, including a bases-clearing double in the eighth that brought Chatham-Kent within two. Andrew Groening added two hits and an RBI.

Catalin Morin took the loss in relief for Chatham-Kent, allowing two runs (one earned) in 2.2 innings. Starter Yuki Yokoyama gave up seven runs (five earned) over four innings.

With the win, Barrie improved to 21-12 and travels to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Barnstormers dropped to 17-15 and next play Tuesday when they host the London Majors at 7:35 p.m.

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