Jackfish, Cardinals Set to Battle for 2026 Dominico Cup

By ROD MAWHOOD

Two of the Canadian Baseball League’s closest geographical rivals will battle for the Dominico Cup championship beginning Friday night.

The Welland Jackfish and Hamilton Cardinals finished the regular season with identical 31-17 records, but Hamilton earned the higher seed by winning four of six meetings against Welland during the regular season.

Both teams advanced to the championship after winning their respective first-round playoff series in six games, with the Jackfish defeating the London Majors and the Cardinals eliminating the Barrie Baycats.

Heading into the Dominico Cup Finals, both teams have several players ranked among the CBL’s top postseason performers.

Welland third baseman James Smibert leads the two clubs with a .478 batting average, while Jackfish second baseman Jonah Weisner is hitting .444. Hamilton centre-fielder Duncan leads the Cardinals with a .435 average.

Weisner has recorded 12 hits, while Smibert and leadoff hitter Daiki Abe have 11 apiece. Duncan leads Hamilton with 10 postseason hits.

Jackfish designated hitter Greyson Barrett and Abe, along with Hamilton infielder Reyny Reyes, have each hit two home runs.

Barrett leads the CBL with nine postseason runs batted in, while Abe and Reyes have seven apiece.

On the mound, Hamilton’s Hector Yan is 2-0 with a 0.90 earned-run average, while Ben Abram leads the Jackfish with a 1-1 record, 1.15 ERA and a CBL postseason-best 10 strikeouts.

Out of the bullpen, Hamilton’s Freisis Adames has a playoff-high two saves while posting a 0.00 ERA.

Jackfish manager Brian Essery expects a closely contested championship series between two similarly constructed teams.

“Hamilton is very similar to us. They have a solid lineup, one through nine, very good starting pitching and they limit mistakes with good defence,” Essery explained.

“I feel if we can get to their starting pitching and continue to put pressure on them, we can have some success.

“I know our pitching will keep us in every game, so we have to play clean defence — much like we did in the last four games against London.

“This will be an exciting, emotional series, and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of winning another ring.”

The 2026 CBL Dominico Cup Finals schedule is as follows:

Game 1: Friday, September 18 – Welland at Hamilton – 7:05 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, September 19 – Hamilton at Welland – 7:05 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, September 20 – Welland at Hamilton – 4:05 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, September 23 – Hamilton at Welland – 7:05 p.m.
Game 5: Friday, September 25 – Welland at Hamilton – 7:05 p.m.*
Game 6: Saturday, September 26 – Hamilton at Welland – 7:05 p.m.*
Game 7: Sunday, September 27 – Welland at Hamilton – 4:05 p.m.*

*If necessary.

Tickets for Jackfish home games in the 2026 CBL Dominico Cup Finals are on sale now at tickets.wellandjackfish.com.