On the Christie Hillside: Send Them Victorious, Happy and Glorious

2022 IBL Semifinals - Game 4

September 8 - Welland Jackfish at Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs win 9-5 and win the series 3-1

26 finished what 36 started. Together, Franklin Hernandez and Angel Castro spelled the dub that returned the Toronto Maple Leafs to the IBL Championship Series.

For most of the 2022 regular season, the Toronto Maple Leafs got battered by the Welland Jackfish.

The season series went 4-2 in favour of the Fish, and included the Leafs' worst defeat of the season, a 1-hit, 13-1 battering at Welland Stadium back in July.

But as they say, the postseason is a new season. In their semifinal series, it was the Jackfish who got battered, fried, salted, sprinkled with lemon and smeared with tartar sauce to the delight of a ravenous Leafs fanbase.

Last night at Christie Pits, a 9-5 victory by the marvelous Mapes eliminated Welland and clinched their place in the IBL Championship Series.

Dalashous!

Head chef for the night was Angel Castro. He battled through seven innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and four walks, while striking out 12.

Sous chef was Franklin Hernandez, who came in with a lead and pitched the final two innings. In his now-familiar style, he allowed a few inconsequential baserunners before mowing down the Jackfish with six strikeouts, five of them swinging.

Chef's kiss!

From the very first inning, the Leafs made it clear that this series would end, here, now.

Nine men came to the plate against Jake Harford, scoring four runs on four hits. Second baseman Dan Marra tallied two RBIs, while right fielder Marcus Knecht and centerfielder Connor Lewis each drove in one. 4-0 Leafs after one.

The teams traded runs in the 2nd. James Smibert hit a solo home run off Castro, while Knecht drove in another with a single. 5-1 through two.

A single and a walk to start the 3rd ended Harford's night and the Jackfish went to the bullpen to try and save their season. The Leafs remained in "Here! Now!" mode and rallied again. Left fielder Gregory Carrington drew a bases loaded walk to cash in a run. A sac bunt by shortstop Jose Vinicio cashed in another. First baseman Jordan Castaldo then singled in another run to make it an 8-1 ballgame after three.

Castro almost set the kitchen on fire in the top of the third. He walked three batters in a row to start the inning. With the Wellanders poised to stage a comeback, the Noisy Horse hunkered down. He surrendered a single that scored two, then struck out three batters in a row to douse the potential blaze. 8-3 Leafs through five.

Top of the 6th, Welland scored two more to draw tantalizingly close and the Leafs clung to an 8-5 lead.

As if on cue, the Christie Pits Rally Skunk made an appearance. It was gently herded out of the right field corner and play resumed.

Bottom of the 6th, Knecht punched a solo home run to relieve some of the tension that had been growing around the Pits.

Castro shut the Fish down in the 7th and turned it over to Hernandez.

Six K's later, the Leafs secured a 9-5 FINAL to win the semifinal series three games to one.

Celebrations around the park were lively and the Leafs massed in the middle of the diamond before the end-of-series handslaps.

It was another total team victory, which has been the hallmark of this postseason run. The pitchers have given their all and have been dialed in. At the plate, everyone has taken turns being a hero. The defence has bent but not been broken.

Speaking of not breaking, I would be remiss without giving a tip of the cap to Christie Pits iron man Al Ross. He started the season accompanied by a team of ticket selling protégés. As the summer wore on, the youngsters began to fall by the wayside until only Al remained. In true iron man fashion, he continues to work the hillsides on his own and we love him for it.

We love this whole damn team and everyone involved with it. Players, family members, staffers, announcers, broadcasters, photographers, rogue scorekeepers, Bushmen, Christie Crazies, rally skunks, randos, doggos, cowpath huddlers and other hillside regulars -- everyone has made this a special summer.

Now comes the grand finale, the IBL Championship Series. The Leafs will attempt to win back the Dominico Cup for the first time since 2007. The opponent is still to be determined, but will either be the Hamilton Cinderellas or the defending champion London Majors.

Unfinished business remains to be settled. LET'S GOOOO!

Welland 5 8 1

Toronto 9 11 0

W - Castro (2-0, 6.87)

L - Harford (1-2, 13.88)

BOXSCORE