Jackfish outlast Red Sox in rain shortened playoff preview

By ROD MAWHOOD • Photo by Ryan McCullough 

It was billed as a playoff preview. 

The Welland Jackfish will host the Brantford Red Sox next Thursday night in Game one of their best-of-five opening round Intercounty Baseball League playoff series. However this past Thursday night the Jackfish would empty their bench to mix up their lineup and still prevail 12-7 in an eight-inning rain-shortened final. 

"We wanted to get guys some at bats, and innings on the mound," said Manager Brian Essery. 

James Smibert led the Fish at the dish going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Ethan Pasco and Greg Marco each recorded a pair of hits, while Tyson Gomm picked up a double. 

With the win, Welland registered its second straight 30-win season. "That's pretty impressive, We're really happy with that," Essery said. 

Now sitting at (30-10) the first place, IBL regular season champions, Jackfish close out their regular season with a home tilt against the London Majors Saturday before visiting Hamilton Sunday afternoon. 

Tickets for Saturday - Fan Appreciation/Post-Game Fireworks Night - and the first round of the playoffs are now on sale at wellandjackfish.com/tix or 905-735-9834.