Jackfish sweep aside Red Sox

Now await semi-final opponent  

By ROD MAWHOOD • Photo by Brandon Taylor

The Intercounty Baseball League regular season champion Welland Jackfish swept aside the Brantford Red Sox in three straight games to open their playoff run, and become the first team to advance to the IBL semifinals. 

After rain suspended Game 1 Thursday night with the Jackfish on top 8-4 after six innings of play, Welland would travel to Brantford Friday night and prevail 7-3 to take Game 2. 

The series returned to the Rose City Saturday night with the resumption of Game 1 and Game 3. 

The Jackfish would use a four-run eighth inning to finish off Game 1 with an 12-4 victory, and take a 2-0 series lead. 

In Game 3 a four-spot in the second inning was all Welland needed in a 15-3 final. 

Tyler Dupuis went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a stellar defensive play in the ninth inning in the series clincher.

The St. Catharines native, and second baseman, hit .500 in the series going 6-for-12. 

In fact, three Jackfish players hit .500 to open the playoffs. Dupuis, James Smibert and Caleb Feuerstake. 

Alberto Guerrero picked up the win in Game 3. 

All three Welland starters registered wins in the first round playoff series as Ben Abram, James Bradwell and Guerrero combined to strike out 19 Brantford batters. 

Jackfish Manager Brian Essery feels the sweep, and a few days off before Round 2 of the post-season is beneficial and admitted the depth of his club shone bright against the Red Sox. 

"Oh for sure, there's always some bumps and bruises to heal up," Essery explained. 

"We just kept coming at them, both at the plate and on the mound."

Welland will now wait to see whom it faces in the semi-finals. 

"We just have to continue what we're doing," added Essery. "Whomever we meet - we'll be ready. It gets tougher from here. Any team we see next round will be a tough opponent."

Stay tuned to wellandjackfish.com and the Welland Jackfish on social media for further playoff information.