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.
No comments:
Post a Comment