Jackfish strike first in IBL finals

By ROD MAWHOOD • Photo by Brandon Taylor 

The Welland Jackfish took Game One in the best-of-seven Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) finals with a 6-5 victory over the visiting Barrie Baycats. 

Barrie would strike first in the second inning as Adam Odd would hit the first of his two home runs on the day. Welland would respond in the bottom of the inning, scoring three times, and take a 5-2 lead in the third inning. However, the visitors would rally with two runs in the fifth inning and one in the sixth to tie the game 5-5, and that's where things stood until the bottom of the ninth inning when Robert Mullen played hero again for the Jackfish. 

With the bases loaded, Mullen lined a pitch to left field, giving the home side the 6-5 victory. 

"It was another great team win. Barrie played a great game as well; their lineup is very good," said Welland Manager Brian Essery. 

Reliever Pedro De Los Santos entered the game in the seventh inning and struck out four Barrie batters over three scoreless innings to earn the win and Player of the Game nod. 

"Pedro came in and shut it down; he was excellent tonight - exactly what we needed," Essery said. 

Jonah Weisner led the Jackfish with three hits, while Jake Sanford and Brandon Hupe both drove in a pair in the win. 

Game two goes Tuesday night in Barrie. 

Tickets for Game three, back in Welland on Thursday night, are on sale now at wellandjackfish.com or by calling 905-735-9834.