Jackfish play comeback kids with ten stolen bases

Welland now (4-0) to start season

By Rod Mawhood • Photo by Steve Ruddy

WELLAND - Welland Jackfish Manager Brian Essery perhaps said it best: "Ya, it wasn't pretty but we'll take it." The Jackfish fell behind 7-0, but stormed back to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 10-9 in Intercounty Baseball League action.

Welland starter Wyatt Hummell struggled with his command early, but the never say die Jackfish rallied with two runs in the sixth inning, seven more in the seventh, and added another in the eighth - which proved to be vitally important. 

"We struggled on the mound, and at the plate for the first half of the game, however, we turned it around in the latter half of the game. That's why we play nine innings," Essery said. 

Fan favourite Matt Hilderbrandt led the way offensively with a pair of hits and three runs batted in, but the real story was Welland's speed. The Jackfish stole 10 bases in the comeback victory which improves the club's record to (4-0) on the season.

"When you steal 10 bases, that definitely helped us start the rally in the seventh," Essery said. "We'll continue to use our speed to our advantage all year."

St. Catharine's native Tyler Dupuis stole five bases himself. 

Casey Howard picked up the win in relief, while Chris Boatto worked a nervous ninth for the save. 

The Jackfish and Maple Leafs conclude their home and home set tomorrow afternoon at historic Christie Pits Park in a 2 pm first pitch. Welland travels to Guelph on Tuesday night and Kitchener on Thursday before welcoming the Barrie Baycats next Saturday, June 4, at 6:05 pm. It's also movie night at The Pond. 

Get your tickets now here: https://www.wellandjackfish.com/tix

Jackfish Jottings: It was First Responders Day at Welland Stadium as members of the Niagara Regional Police Service, Welland Fire, and Niagara EMS all throughout ceremonial first pitches.