Baycats win 7-5 (win series 4-0)
Those Barrie Baycats are champeens of the IBL again, after knocking out the Toronto Maple Leafs in four.
Another closely fought battle saw the 'Cats take Game 4 by a 7-5 score to sweep the 2016 Championship Series.
In each of the series' four games, Barrie proved themselves to be just that much better, and they are deserving champions. Winners of three titles in a row, they are the league's newest dynasty.
The game today was a continuation of the pattern set in the previous three. Toronto fell behind early but refused to roll over. Tooth and nail, they scratched out enough runs to even the score. Barrie then delivered a decisive blow in the later innings and held on for the win. All four games played out in the same manner.
As he did in Game 1, Jordan Castaldo hit a game-winning home run, this time off of Mike Wagner in the seventh. Oppo Taco to left, damme!
Barrie starter Emilis Guerrero went the distance, throwing 126 pitches for the complete game win. Toronto starter Brett van Pelt dueled with him for six innings before turning it over to Wagner.
Guerrero succeeded in silencing Toronto's Four Batsmen of the Apocalypse: Jon Waltenbury, Justin Marra, Sean Mattson and Johnathan Solazzo. They failed to drive in a single run despite racking up eight hits between them.
Dan Marra was the offensive motor for the Leafs today, hitting three RBI singles in three different innings. In between, Connor Lewis hit his first home run of the postseason -- a solo blast -- and he also singled in a run.
It was not enough to overcome Barrie's knack for the timely RBI.
When the Baycats recorded the final out of the game, they raced together for the traditional pileup in the infield grass, followed by a congratulatory handshake line with the Leafs before the presentation of the legendary Dominico Trophy.
Toronto fans will be able to look back on a season that stretched into the first week of September -- something that hasn't happened in a while.
When it was all over today, everyone on the Christie hillside showed their appreciation for this Leafs team with a long ovation. The players walked out to the infield prior to the trophy presentation in order to show their appreciation back. For a few glowing seconds, neither side wanted to let go.
Game Recap:
The Leafs' amazing postseason run of 2016 came to an end on the first Sunday in September at Christie Pits.
To get one more sunny afternoon of baseball was a nice gift from this memorable club, and the hillside crowd grew in size over the first several innings. A vocal contingent of fans from Barrie was also on hand in anticipation of a championship-clinching win.
Brett van Pelt was on the mound for the Tronnos, versus Emilis Guerrero for Barrie.
Both starters faced the minimum in the scoreless 1st inning, and they followed that up with a scoreless 2nd.
In the top of the 3rd, left fielder Joey Guaragna drew a walk off van Pelt to start the inning. Centerfielder Glennn Jackson singled to advance him to second. A single by rightfielder Ryan Spataro then drove him in, while moving Jackson to third. Catcher Kyle DeGrace was up next, and he hit one to second baseman Dan Marra who played it for an error. That allowed Jackson to score and make it 2-0 Baycats through the first three innings.
In the bottom of the 4th, the Leafs put a run on the board. Third baseman Johnathan Solazzo reached first on an error by first baseman Jordan Castaldo, much to Castaldo's protest. DH Sean Mattson then doubled off of Guerrero, moving Solazzo to third. A single by Dan Marra drove in Solazzo to make it 2-1 Baycats through four.
The V-Necks tied it in the 5th on a solo home run over the left field fence by centerfielder Connor Lewis. 2-2 through five.
More scoring in the 6th. Pow! A solo home run by Castaldo. Pow! A solo home run by DH Kyle Nichols. 4-2 Baycats midway through the 6th.
Solazzo and Mattson singled off Guerrero to start the bottom of the inning. Dan Marra then singled in Solazzo again. A single by Lewis drove in Mattson and the score was tied 4-4 through six innings of play.
The fatal blow was delivered in the top of the 7th. Mike Wagner relieved van Pelt to start the inning. He gave up a single to shortstop Branfy Infante, who was then eliminated at second on a fielder's choice by Jackson. With Spataro at the plate, Jackson stole second. Spataro then flew out to leftfielder Grant Tamane. DeGrace then had a long at bat against Wagner, which included a pitch that he fouled off his leg, requiring a painful pause. He eventually singled in Jackson, bringing Castaldo back to the plate. Pow! Castaldo hit his second home run of the game, a two-run opposite field shot that made it 7-4 Baycats midway through the 7th.
As they have throughout this roller coaster postseason, the Leafs immediately battled back. Justin Marra hit a single, as did Mattson. Dan Marra then hit his third RBI single of the game to drive in his brother. 7-5 Baycats through seven.
It had been a fast moving game, and that trend continued in the 8th as both Guerrero and Wagner pitched 1-2-3 innings.
The Leafs were suddenly down to their final three outs. First baseman Jon Waltenbury was called out on strikes to start the inning. All afternoon, both clubs had been vocal in their displeasure with the umpiring of the game. Waltenbury took a moment to share a few choice words with the home plate umpire before returning to the bench. Justin Marra was up next, and he singled. Solazzo singled behind him. Mattson then struck out swinging, bringing Dan Marra to the plate again with a runner in scoring position. Marra was finally foiled as he hit one to center, where Jackson recorded the final out to end the game 7-5 and clinch the championship for the Barrie Baycats.
Barrie 7-9-2
Toronto 5-16-1
W - Guerrero (4-1, 2.02)
L - Wagner (4-1, 4.33)
BOXSCORE
Congratulations to the Barrie Baycats, 2016 IBL Champions.
A final round of fist bumps and thanks to all of the Toronto Maple Leafs for a memorable summer. I spent more time with you guys in the past month than I have with my own family.
See you next spring, you maniacs.
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