Going Hard

2022 IBL Quarterfinals - Game 2

August 27 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Barrie Baycats

Leafs win 6-3, lead the series 2-0

Marcus Knecht's feet barely touch the ground as chugs for home on a day when runners were flying around the bases.

Pitchers gutting it out.  Batters battling.

Fielders racing for flyballs as if they were prizes from a T-shirt cannon.

Runners flying around the basepaths like some out of control funpark ride.

Two teams playing hard makes for great baseball and a great 2022 quarterfinal series so far.

Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs are extra satisfied after their boys won 6-3 on the road yesterday afternoon.  The Leafs now enjoy a 2-0 series lead over the Barrie Baycats.

The game began with Toronto's fearsome Dustin Richardson on the mound.  He pitched the first four innings and surrendered just one run.  D-Rich struck out seven and induced at least one or two batters into an existential crisis.

Brad Grieveson started on the mound for Barrie.  Toronto got five hits over the first two innings and stranded five runners.  They finally scored in the third.  Singles by third baseman Johnathan Solazzo, centerfielder Connor Lewis and second baseman Dan Marra loaded the bases.  A grounder to third by catcher Damon Topolie was bobbled, allowing Solazzo to score and make it 1-0.

The Barries tied it 1-1 in the 4th inning before the Torontos retook the lead.  In the top of the 5th, right fielder Marcus Knecht singled, then chugged home on a triple by Lewis.  A sac fly by Marra plated Lewis and the Leafs led 3-1 through five.

The Leafs edged away with two more runs in the 6th.  Left fielder Greg Carrington ripped a triple to start the inning, then trotted home on a single by shortstop Jose Vinicio.  Vinicio worked the bases like a man whose car is parked illegally.  He stole second, which is almost a given once he's on base.  Then, with Solazzo at the plate, he took off for third.  Solazzo smacked a grounder and was out at first, but Vinicio kept going all the way around and slid home to give the Leafs a 5-1 lead through six.

Richardson turned the ball over to Dylan Jacober, who pitched three innings and gave up a run.

Chris Nagorski pitched the 8th and his first pitch was belted over the fence by Ryan Rijo.  Other than that he was perfect.

Toronto added one more run in the top of the 9th.  Lewis singled and eventually came around to score on an RBI single by Topolie.  Topps was out there playing his guts out like a 20-year-old and his teammates showed their appreciation.  He racked up three hits on the day including a double.  Lewis, Knecht and first baseman Jordan Castaldo also recorded three hits as part of Toronto's 18-hit barrage.

Franklin Hernandez entered to pitch the bottom of the 9th and he retired the side.  He got the Baycats' final batter to strike out swinging to complete a 6-3 FINAL for the Leafs.

Toronto 6 18 0

Barrie 3 8 1

W - Jacober (1-0, 3.00)

L - Grieveson (0-1, 7.20)

S - Hernandez (2)

BOXSCORE

The series continues today at Christie Pits.  Game 3 goes at 2:00 pm local time.