Jackfish crowned IBL regular season champions for third straight year

By ROD MAWHOOD

The Welland Jackfish have been crowned Intercounty Baseball League regular season Champions for a third straight year.

Another sellout crowd at Welland Stadium celebrated with the Jackfish following a 10-0 victory over the Brantford Red Sox.

"Winning the league was a goal from the beginning of the season," said victorious Jackfish Manager Brian Essery. "Three years in a row is quite the accomplishment. But we're not done, the goal now is the championship."

James Smibert continued to impress since returning to the Rose City, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI.

On the mound, Teodoro Ortega was brilliant again for the Jackfish, pitching six shutout innings of two-hit eight eight-strikeout baseball.

"Ortega has been excellent all season. We feel he's been the top arm in the league so far," Essery added.

Welland visits Guelph Saturday before hosting the Kitchener Panthers next Thursday night. A contest that will see the Jackfish surpass 50,000 home fans at The Pond in 2025.

For tickets and more information, visit wellandjackfish.com or call the box office at 905-735-9834