IBL Championship Game 1: A Turn of the Crank

Game 1: Toronto Maple Leafs at Barrie Baycats - August 30, 2016

Baycats win 4-3

The 2016 IBL Championship series got underway at Coates Stadium last night in a very chill atmosphere.

Not talking about the weather, which remained humid following a late afternoon shower. Talking about the fact that neither the Barrie Baycats nor the Toronto Maple Leafs showed any outward signs of pressure as they began their battle for the title.

Prior to and during the early innings of Game 1, players from both sides mingled and chatted amicably.

The Baycats are two-time defending champs. They don't have much else to prove, although a series win would cement their status as one of this decade's dynasties.

The Maple Leafs were supposed to lose to Brantford, and then lose to London. They weren't expected to be here, although a series win would hang a gold star on a surprise playoff run.

As the innings cruised along and we moved deeper into Game 1, the players got down to business. 

After starters Emilis Guerrero and Marek Deska duelled through seven innings, the Mapes held a 3-1 lead thanks to a two-run home run by Justin Marra.

Brett van Pelt -- the team's Semifinal Game 7 starter in London two nights before -- came in to pitch the eighth inning. With two men on and two out, Jordan Castaldo (above) launched a van Pelt offering over the right field fence for a game-winning three-run homer. A ballpark that had been unexpectedly calm and quiet all night long exploded into loud celebration. Fans and players alike whooped it up as the Baycats took Game 1 by a score of 4-3.

So the Baycats are the first ones to turn the crank and apply some pressure to this series. The Leafs lost the first games in both the quarterfinal and semifinal series, so there will be no panicking yet. They will get the chance to bounce right back as Game 2 goes later tonight.


Game Recap:


The Barrie Baycats welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs to Coates Stadium for Game 1 of the 2016 IBL Championship Series. On the mound for Barrie was Emilis Guerrero, versus Marek Deska for Toronto.

Both starters opened the game with 1-2-3 innings.

Toronto second baseman Dan Marra got the first hit of the series -- a single up the middle that Guerrero wasn't able to get a handle on. No damage done however, as both starters pitched a scoreless 2nd inning.

It was 1-2-3 for Guerrero and Deska again in the 3rd inning, as both starters were dialed-in from the get-go.

Barrie stuck a run on the board in the bottom of the 4th. First baseman Jordan Castaldo singled with two outs in the inning. Third baseman Kevin Atkinson was up next, and he doubled to right field, bringing Castaldo all the way in to score the first run of the series. 1-0 Baycats through four.

A scoreless 5th led to an eventful 6th for Toronto. Centerfielder Connor Lewis reached base on an error by shortstop Branfy Infante. First baseman Jon Waltenbury then singled to right, where it was misplayed by Ryan Spataro. That allowed Waltenbury to reach second and Lewis to slide home safely with the tying run. Catcher Justin Marra was next at the plate, and he smashed a two-run homer to right that put the Leafs ahead 3-1 after six innings.

Guerrero and Deska each pitched a scoreless 7th before turning the game over to the bullpens.

Jaspreet Shergill retired the side in the top of the 8th.

Brett van Pelt took to the mound to start the bottom of the 8th. He recorded a strikeout, then walked centerfielder Glenn Jackson. After a lengthy cat-and-mouse game with Jackson at first, van Pelt struck out his second batter of the inning. Catcher Kyle DeGrace was up next, and he singled, moving Jackson to second. Castaldo then hit a three-run shot over the fence in right to put the Baycats ahead 4-3, and the Leafs suddenly down to their final three outs.

Adam Hawes relieved Shergill to try for the save in the top of the 9th. Shortstop Ryan White lined out to start the inning, but then Dan Marra singled for his second hit of the game. A single by rightfielder Brendan Keys moved Marra into scoring position, but Hawes was able to retire the next two batters to get the save and seal the win for Shergill with a 4-3 FINAL score for Barrie.


Toronto 3-9-0
Barrie 4-8-3

W - Shergill (1-0, 3.60)
L - van Pelt (2-2, 5.40)
S - Hawes (1)


BOXSCORE


The championship series continues with Game 2, Wednesday night, August 31 at Christie Pits.

IBL Championship Preview: Champs versus Scamps

It's going to be a contest of thoroughbred champs versus tenacious scamps. 

The schedule for the IBL Championship Series between the defending champion Barrie Baycats and the Toronto Maple Leafs has been confirmed.

Game 1: Tuesday, Aug 30 @ Barrie, 7:30 pm
Game 2: Wednesday, Aug 31 @ Toronto, 7:30 pm
Game 3: Saturday, Sept 3 @ Barrie, 7:00 pm
Game 4: Sunday, Sept 4 @ Toronto, 2:00 pm
*Game 5: Tuesday, Sept 6 @ Barrie, 7:30 pm
*Game 6: Wednesday, Sept 7 @ Toronto, 7:30 pm
*Game 7: Thursday, Sept 8 @ Barrie, 7:30 pm

* if necessary


After eliminating fourth-seeded Brantford and pennant-winning London, the Leafs are back in the finals for the first time since they won the title in 2007.

So far, their quarterfinal and semifinal series were both long, dragged-out battles that went the full seven games. In each series, the dogged Leafs proved that they are a hard team to kill off, surviving four elimination games en route to the finals.

They have been scrappy and determined. When they have fallen behind, they battled back instead of crumbling. Supporting each other as a team and making big plays in the clutch has taken them deep into this postseason.

Next, the Mapes will face the two-time IBL champs from up north.**

Brantford could have used more hitting.  Barrie has the hitting.

London could have used a better bullpen.  Barrie has the bullpen.

Barrie has the starting pitching.  Toronto has a fascinating composite pitcher named Justrek van Wagner who is guaranteed to start, relieve and close most of if not every game of the finals.

Barrie also has the veterans who have won it twice in a row.  Most of Toronto's players enter the championship series as first-timers.

So it's the classic David and Goliath matchup.  

Four wins from the title.  The Leafs have made it this far, why not win four more?  

Hey, why not!

** to a downtown Torontonian, anywhere above the 401 is "up north".

Semifinal Game 7: Leafs Win It With 9th Inning Rampage

SF Game 7: Toronto Maple Leafs at London Majors - August 28, 2016

Leafs win 10-6 (win series 4-3)

                                                                                                                                                                                          FILE PHOTO

For the first time since 2007, the Toronto Maple Leafs are headed to the IBL Championship Series. 

Tonight at Labatt Memorial Park, the Leafs won in grand style, scoring six runs in the top of the 9th inning to overtake the London Majors and win Game 7 of their semifinal series 10-6.

The Majors led the game all the way from the first inning as the Leafs battled to stay alive. London starter Elis Jimenez held Toronto at bay for 8.1 innings. When he finally turned it over to the bullpen, the visitors went on a hitting rampage.

Grant Tamane (above) hit a two-run home run off of reliever Cory Hammond to put Toronto ahead for good. 

Was he surprised to see Jimenez depart the game at such a crucial moment?

"No, Jimenez had been throwing a great game but I knew he had thrown a lot of pitches," Tamane said afterwards.

With the game tied and a new pitcher on the mound, Tamane resisted any mental flights of fancy and focused on hitting the ball hard.

"I had been getting jammed all game and knew a fastball was coming inside and just reacted to it."

While Tamane's winning blast was the story of the night, Ryan White also had two RBIs, and Jon Waltenbury, Sean Mattson and Connor Lewis each drove in one.

On the mound, Brett van Pelt battled the Majors into the fourth inning before turning it over to Justin Cicatello, who held the home side to just one run over the final five innings.

Through the first two rounds of this postseason, the story of the Leafs has been a different man stepping up to be the difference maker when it mattered most. Whether on the mound, in the field or at the plate, it's been a different hero every night. No one player has carried this team -- they have each taken turns bearing the load.

"I think everyone on this team believes in each other which helps," Tamane said. "No one can be perfect every game. I had my bad games at the beginning of the series and the guys had my back. It was time I helped out the team after Lewis had a clutch hit before me in the ninth."

Your Toronto Maple Leafs -- a team of heroes, moving on to play for the trophy that bears their club owner's name.


Game Recap:


It was the second time in this postseason that the Toronto Maple Leafs stretched their opponents to seven games. Semifinal Game 7 against the London Majors took place at Labatt Memorial Park.  On the mound were the same starters from Games 1 and 4 -- Elis Jimenez for London and Brett van Pelt for Toronto.

Jimenez cruised through a 1-2-3 top of the 1st inning.

Leftfielder RJ Fuhr led off the bottom of the 1st with a walk. He advanced to second on a sac bunt by shortstop Keith Kandel, and scored on a single by catcher Michael Ambrose. 1-0 Majors after one inning of play.

The Majors tacked on two more in the bottom of the 2nd. Rightfielder LeJon Baker singled, and DH Humberto Ruiz singled right behind him. An error by van Pelt then allowed Baker to come all the way around to score, and Ruiz ended up on third base. Ruiz scored on a flyout by shortstop Keith Kandel to make it 3-0 Majors through two.

Jimenez and van Pelt both pitched a scoreless 3rd inning.

The Leafs bats awoke in the top of the 4th, as first baseman Jon Waltenbury and catcher Justin Marra each singled to start the inning. Third baseman Johnathan Solazzo then drubbed an RBI single that brought Waltenbury in to score and moved Marra to second. 3-1 Majors midway through the 4th.

London extended their lead in the bottom of the 4th. Ruiz led off with a single and then stole second and third. A double by Fuhr drove him in. A double by Kandel then plated Fuhr. Justin Cicatello relieved van Pelt after 3.2 innings and got out of it with no further damage. 5-1 Majors through four.

The Leafs got those two runs back in the top of the 5th. Second baseman Dan Marra singled, then moved to second on a groundout by rightfielder Brendan Keys. Centerfielder Connor Lewis then reached base safely on an error by second baseman Chris McQueen. Marra scored on the play. A double by Waltenbury then drove in Lewis to make it a 5-3 ballgame, London still ahead after five.

Jimenez and Cicatello traded scoreless 6th and 7th innings.

Leftfielder Grant Tamane led off the top of the 8th with a single, and took second on an error by Kandel. He scored on an RBI single by DH Sean Mattson. That made it 5-4 Majors midway through the 8th.

Cicatello pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th, bringing the Leafs down to their final three outs.

Dan Marra led off the 9th inning for Toronto with a single. He moved to second on a passed ball. Going for the complete game, Jimenez retired the next batter, but then gave up a double to Lewis and Marra crossed the plate with the tying run. That ended Jimenez's night as Cory Hammond came on in relief. The first batter he faced was Tamane, who belted his second home run in two nights, a two-run shot off the light tower in left that gave the Leafs a 7-5 lead. Waltenbury was up next, and he singled. Justin Marra then drew a walk. Mattson then kept the rally going with an RBI single that scored Waltenbury. Solazzo singled to load the bases. With the bullpen dumpster fire raging out of control, Hammond got the hook without recording an out. In came Jordan Skavinsky, who promptly gave up a 2-run single to shortstop Ryan White, scoring Marra and Mattson. Saving their One Big Inning for the very end, the Leafs took a 10-5 lead into the bottom of the 9th.

With one pitch from Cicatello, Waltenbury recorded an unassisted out at first on a hit by third baseman Carlos Arteaga. McQueen then reached first on an error by White. Fuhr flew out for the second out. The nerves were showing as the Leafs committed their second error of the inning, on a hit by Kandel. He reached first safely on the play and McQueen came around to score. But that would be all as Ambrose flew out to Lewis in center for the last out of the game and a 10-6 FINAL for Toronto.


Toronto 10-16-3
London 6-9-3

W - Cicatello
L - Jimenez


BOXSCORE 


Having dispatched the 2016 IBL pennant winners, the Maple Leafs move on to the finals, where they will face the 2015 IBL champions, the Barrie Baycats. Schedule and preview coming soon.

Semifinal Game 6: Leafs Romp Forces Game 7

SF Game 6: London Majors at Toronto Maple Leafs - August 27, 2016

Leafs win 16-4

It was movie night last night at Christie Pits, and they were showing Psycho on a huge outdoor screen at the south end of the park.

Over at Dominico Field, a thriller of a different sort unfolded.

Dark omens met my arrival. Grey clouds and darkening skies were already casting a gloom over Toronto's sunken ballpark. A relative of one of the Leafs players approached me.

"Justin Marra's not here."

"What do you mean?"

"He couldn't get out of work."

"Are you kidding me?"

Concerned looks were exchanged. Down on the field, the Leafs warmed up for the most important game of their season without their starting catcher and game-changing home run machine. In his absence they were forced to rejig their lineup.

Player-manager Damon Topolie was suited up to play first base. Brendan Keys was behind home plate. Jon Waltenbury was in the outfield.

Under these foreboding circumstances, Game 6 of the Leafs' semifinal series against the London Majors got underway.

London scored immediately. 

Mike Wagner -- late-season revelation and postseason star -- coughed up a run in the first inning. If London could keep it going and build a bigger lead, the Leafs' season could be about to end.

Then the stage whispers began.

"He's here!" That was Papa Tops.

"He's in the clubhouse!" That was Heads Up On The Hill.

"He's coming!" That was several more voices at once.

Like a scene from a movie, suited up and running to the Leafs bench was Justin Marra, freed from the tyranny of his bosses, ready to play baseball.

The timing could not have been better. Seriously, it was ridiculous. It was the bottom of the second inning and the Leafs had battled back against London starter Owen Boon. With two runs already on the board and the bases loaded, Mr. Announcer delivered the news:

"Pinch hitting for Damon Topolie is number nine, Justin Marra."

The stage whispers rose to a buzz all around the ballpark. Looking like he'd been there all along, Marra calmly stepped up to the plate. 

First pitch, KA-POW! Opposite field, grand slam. Christie Pits went bananas.

With one swing of the bat, Marra blew the game open and put the lead out of reach. That's baseball in Hollywood North.

In addition to Marra's instant legend grand slam, Grant Tamane launched a three-run opposite field bomb late in the game to drive the Pits wild again. 

With the exception of Topolie (who laid down a sac bunt in his only plate appearance), each member of the Leafs recorded at least one hit and scored at least one run. Jon Waltenbury clouted four hits, Connor Lewis scored three times -- hell, everyone did something last night. I'm trying to keep it brief.

Wagner settled down and went 6.2 innings for the win. Adam Garner wrapped things up over the final 2.1 innings.

The Leafs went on to crush the Majors 16-4, swing all the momentum back in their favour, and set the stage for a deciding seventh game in this series.


Game Recap:


With the season on the line, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcomed the London Majors to Christie Pits for Game 6 of their semifinal series. Mike Wagner made the start for Canada's Team against Owen Boon for the visitors from old London town.

London immediately put a run on the board in the first. Leftfielder RJ Fuhr hit a triple and then scored on a sac fly by shortstop Keith Kandel. 1-0 Majors after one.

Wagner pitched a scoreless top of the 2nd.

The game was blown open the bottom of the 2nd as the Leafs sent 12 men to the plate, scored eight runs and knocked Boon out of the game after he recorded just five outs. It started with a leadoff single by third baseman Johnathan Solazzo. He was eliminated at second on a fielder's choice by shortstop Ryan White. Second baseman Dan Marra walked next. A single by catcher Brendan Keys then drove in White to tie the game. Centerfielder Connor Lewis was up next and he hit a grounder that Kandel misplayed for an error, allowing Marra to score. Rightfielder Jon Waltenbury's second single of the game loaded the bases. This brought Justin Marra to the plate as a pinch hitter. Marra had been delayed arriving to the game and Damon Topolie had taken his place in the order. Marra did not hesitate to make his mark on the game, smashing the first pitch from Boon over the left field fence for a grand slam. The Leafs weren't finished yet. DH Sean Mattson singled, and then Solazzo doubled on his second plate appearance of the inning. White then drove them both in with a two-RBI single. That ended Boon's night as Todd Leavitt relieved him on the mound and got the final out. At the end of their one big inning, the Leafs enjoyed an 8-1 lead.

Justin Marra took over behind the plate for Toronto, shifting Keys to right field and Waltenbury to first base to start the top of the 3rd. 

Wagner and Leavitt both pitched goose eggs in the 3rd and 4th innings.

Trying to chip away at their deficit, London put another run on the board in the top of the 5th. DH Kyle Gormandy and third baseman Carlos Arteaga both singled. A double play moved Gormandy to third while wiping out Arteaga and second baseman Chris McQueen. Fuhr returned to the plate and drilled a pitch from Wagner deep into the gap in left center. The ball slipped under the outfield fence and even though Fuhr circled the bases and crossed home plate, the umps called a ground rule double. Gormandy had scored on the play, however, making it 8-2 Toronto. Wagner got out of the inning with no further damage.

The Leafs however, piled on the damage in the bottom of the 5th. Lewis advanced to first on an error by Arteaga at third. Waltenbury singled again, moving Lewis to third. Justin Marra drew a walk to load the bases, bringing Mattson to the plate. Mattson hit a single to cash in Lewis and Waltenbury. The next man up was Solazzo, who doubled to drive in Mattson and Marra. It was now 12-2 Toronto through five innings.

Wagner pitched a scoreless top of the 6th, and Brett Sabourin took over on the mound for London in the bottom of the inning. He too pitched a scoreless inning.

Fuhr drew a walk from Wagner to start the top of the 7th. A double by centerfielder Byron Reichstein drove him home. After throwing 128 pitches over 6.2 innings, Wagner was relieved by Adam Garner. He quickly finished the inning with a strikeout and it was a 12-3 ballgame through seven.

Four more runs went up on the board for Toronto in the bottom of the 8th. It started with a single by Dan Marra. Keys was then hit by a pitch from Sabourin. Lewis doubled to drive in Marra, moving Keys to third. Up next was Grant Tamane, who went oppo taco with a 3-run blast over the fence in right.  It was Tamane's first home run of 2016, and a final, booming exclamation point to the game. Christie Pits saluted him boisterously. 16-3 for the Mapes after eight innings.

Garner returned to the mound to finish off the 9th. McQueen singled, Fuhr walked, and Kandel reached first safely on a fielding error by Dan Marra that allowed McQueen to score. Reichstein then walked to load the bases. Garner hunkered down, first getting first baseman Cleveland Brownlee to hit into a double play, and then getting catcher Michael Ambrose to ground out to end the game with a 16-4 FINAL score for Toronto.


London 4-12-3
Toronto 16-16-1

W - Wagner (4-0, 2.45)
L - Boon (1-2, 7.26)


BOXSCORE


This series is going to Game 7. Tomorrow night, August 28 at Labatt Memorial Park.