IBL Quarterfinals - Game 3 - August 24, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs at Barrie Baycats
Toronto 3 - Barrie 2
Toronto leads series 2-1
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| Power Surge: Justin Marra's second home run of the series was a game-winner. |
The CNE Air Show is not for another week, but yesterday the Toronto Maple Leafs put on one of their own up north.
The Leafs sent three solo home runs soaring into the Group of Seven skies above Barrie and won Game 3 of their quarterfinal series against the Baycats 3-2.
It was a day of tension and redemption. The Leafs held a slender lead for most of the game until the Baycats tied it late. Luis Florentino and Justin Marra, whose ninth inning mishaps led to defeat in Game 1, came back to be two of this game's biggest heroes.
After a blowout Game 2 win at Christie Pits, the Leafs picked up where they left off. Third baseman Ryan Dos Santos led off the game with a home run off starter Cesar Rosado.
Josh Berenbaum took the mound for the Leafs already enjoying a lead. The B.C. native pitched as if that might be the only run of the game and gave up no hits until Brandon Hernandez singled for Barrie in the fourth inning.
By then, the Leafs had taken a 2-0 lead following a solo home run by right fielder Marcus Knecht in the top of the fourth.
Berenbaum pitched like a beast. He took a shutout into the sixth inning before the Baycats got to him. Three singles in a row put two runs on the board and the game was tied 2-2 through six.
Entering the seventh inning, jaws around the ballpark began to clench. Every game is important, but this one was critical to both sides. The winner would be a game away from advancing to the semifinals while the loser would be behind the eight ball the rest of the way.
Berenbaum returned to the mound. Barrie's leadoff batter grounded out to Jordan Castaldo at first base. The next man up hit a single. Manager Rob Butler made the call to the bullpen and Luis Florentino trotted out. Berenbaum's final line was 6.1 innings pitched, two runs allowed on seven hits. He walked none and struck out eight. With the game now in his hands, the Dominican giant recorded two swinging strikeouts to end the threat and it was on to the eighth.
Reliever Carlos Sano got two quick outs to start the inning. That brought Justin Marra to the plate. The Leafs' catcher stood in and watched Sano throw a couple of balls. Measure twice, cut once. Marra blasted the next pitch high and deep and gone. The Leafs went ahead 3-2. On the YouTube broadcast, the large contingent of travelling Leafs fans can be heard going wild.
If Marra's Game 2 homer electrified the Pits, this one electrocuted Athletic Kulture Stadium as Baycat fans fell silent.
Florentino retired the side in the eighth inning and the home nine were down to their final three outs. The tension had the entire ballpark rocking, bouncing, anything but sitting still.
Bottom of the ninth. Florentino was back to close it out and he struck out the first man up. The next batter, Andrew Johnston, hit a grounder along the first base line. As he sprinted to first, he stepped outside the basepath and was called out. Barrie partisans erupted in dispute. Manager Josh Matlow argued vehemently, got tossed, and argued some more but to no avail. The next man up struck out swinging to end the game.
The Leafs took the 3-2 FINAL and a 2-1 series lead. Florentino with the win, Sano with the loss.
Florentino and Marra embraced on the infield, having banished the demons of Game 1. For both men it was a moment of fantastic redemption.
Toronto 3 8 1
Barrie 2 7 0
W - Florentino (1-1, 2.07)
L - Sano (0-1, 3.85)
This quarterfinal series rumbles on and returns to Christie Pits for Game 4 on Tuesday night. Game time is 7:30 pm.
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