On the Christie Hillside: Opportunity and Knocks

2022 IBL Semifinals - Game 1

September 3 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Welland Jackfish

Leafs win 15-10, lead the series 1-0

Jose Vinicio is greeted by his teammates after scoring one of his four runs in an epic come-from-behind series opener for the Leafs.

Fortune, guile and lots of lumber.

That was how the Toronto Maple Leafs overcame an early 9-2 deficit to win the opening game of their semifinal series against the Welland Jackfish. After a marathon battle, they won 15-10.

Both clubs sent their powerhouses to the mound to start the game, but neither Jake Harford nor Angel Castro had a stellar night.

Castro was knocked around for 12 hits and 9 runs (6 earned). His low point came during a sloppy 2nd inning. Welland took advantage of some poor fielding plays and Castro added to his problems by hitting a batter. By the end of the inning, the Jackfish had scored four runs on five hits to enjoy a 5-1 lead.

An agitated Castro stalked off the field, glowering at everyone his eyes fell upon. When he reached the dugout, he went Full Machado on his teammates. His passion to win was voiced in shouts of encouragement for everyone to do better out there. Or he may have been berating everyone in a rage, hard to tell.

Harford looked to be having the better night until fortune turned against Welland.

Top of the 5th, Jackfish leading 9-2, Castro out of the game, replaced by Marek Deska. The Leafs came to bat during those few minutes that come between evening light and nighttime darkness. It is the time of the gloaming. Against a dull grey sky, flyballs can become difficult for fielders to spot.

Shortstop Jose Vinicio led off the 5th with a solo home run. Then with one out, first baseman Jordan Castaldo lifted a flyer to centerfield. Gianfranco Morello waved his arms to indicate he couldn't see the ball, and it landed safely several feet past him. This piece of intel shot through the Leafs dugout in two seconds. Next man up was right fielder Marcus Knecht, and he seized the opportunity to drop a double between two temporarily sightless outfielders. Third baseman Johnathan Solazzo then scorched a single that drove in both Castaldo and Knecht. The Leafs poured it on with three more singles. Six runs went on the board for the visitors, and Harford was knocked out of the game. It was 9-8 Jackfish through five.

Deska calmed the waters at the Pond, going 2.2 innings and giving up just one hit.

In the top of the 7th, the Leafs stunned the ballpark by taking the lead. Second baseman Dan Marra walked and DH Damon Topolie singled. Left fielder Gregory Carrington reached first on a fielder's choice that erased Topolie at second. Vinicio then singled in a run. Catcher Justin Marra followed with a drive that scored two more and the Leafs soared into the lead 11-9.

Sam Greene pitched the bottom of the 7th for Toronto. He gave up a solo homer that made it 11-10 with two tense innings left in the game.

Franklin Hernandez was called upon to get the final six outs. He retired the side and struck out two in the 8th.

The Leafs unleashed a final load of lumber on the Jackfish in the 9th. Justin Marra and Knecht each knocked a two-run homer to give Hernandez some breathing room with a five run lead.

After giving up a walk to start the bottom of the 9th, Toronto's closer retired the next three in a row with a swinging strikeout to end the game. He sealed his team's incredible comeback and a 15-10 FINAL. The Leafs' travelling caravan of supporters was dee-lighted with the result and made themselves heard.

The game went over four hours and the clubs combined for 35 hits and 25 runs. Vinicio recorded five hits and two RBIs while scoring four times. Justin Marra drove in four. It was a game where contributions came from everyone whose name was on the lineup card and one force of nature that was not.

Beware the gloaming!

Toronto 15 21 2

Welland 10 14 1

W - Deska (1-0, 3.17)

L - Boatto (0-1, 3.17)

S - Hernandez (3)

BOXSCORE