Cardinals Defeat Jackfish in Extra Innings

WELLAND - The Welland Jackfish opened their first of three games in three days on Thursday night against the Hamilton Cardinals.  Thursday’s ball game marked the first meeting between the Cardinals and the Jackfish in Welland as both of the two previously scheduled games were postponed due to bad field conditions earlier in the season.  

The opening inning of the ball game saw the Cardinals strike first with two early runs.  Jackfish starting pitcher, Euclides Leyer was tested early but was able to hold the Cardinals to just those two runs. Leyer threw six innings, gave up two runs on five hits, while walking four batters. Hamilton’s starting pitcher Zackary Gonzalez also threw six innings, allowed five hits, and gave up one earned run.  

The Jackfish were very excited to welcome Vaughn Bryan to the lineup who made his debut on Thursday night after coming back to Canada to play ball.  Bryan was a member of the Burlington Herd last year and was named a 2018 IBL Allstar.  Bryan went 1 for 4, with an RBI.  

The Jackfish were able to tie the game at two after eight innings but could not get the bats going in the ninth or tenth innings.  The Cardinals made a pitching change to start the ninth inning which seemed to be the difference maker as righthanded pitcher, Kelvin Pichardo, struck out five in just two innings of work.  

The Jackfish are on the road Friday night in London and then will return home Saturday afternoon for “Bark in the Park” day at the Pond at Welland Stadium with the first pitch set to fly at 1:05pm.