By Staff
September 3, 2016
BARRIE, ON
For a while they looked like the little engine that could but with three games lost against the championship defending Barrie Baycats – it looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs are about to get ready to end their season – with perhaps four straight loses.
A five-run eighth inning moved the Barrie Baycats one step closer to the Intercounty Baseball League championship.
Barrie used the big inning to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 11-6 Saturday night and leads the best-of-seven final 3-0. The Baycats can clinch the Dominico Trophy on Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits at 2 p.m.
Kevin Atkinson delivered the biggest blow in the eighth, smashing a three-run home run to give Barrie a 9-6 lead. Glenn Jackson added a two-run double with two outs.
Jordan Castaldo had two hits, two runs and an RBI, Ryan Spataro and Branfy Infante each had a hit and had an RBI, Kyle Nichols doubled and drove in a pair of runs and scored once, and Joey Guaranga went 3-for-4 with a run.
Adam Hawes (2-0) picked up the win in relief, throwing 1.1 innings of scoreless one-hit ball with a strikeout and walk. Adam Rowe started and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits over six innings, striking out three and walking two.
For Toronto, Jonathan Solazzo doubled and had three RBI and a run to lead the Leafs’ offence. Dan Marra singled and drove in a run and scored once, Jon Waltenbury singled twice and scored a run, and Connor Lewis singled and doubled.
Justin Cicatello (1-2) took the loss, allowing 10 runs (six earned) on 11 hits in seven innings, striking out five and walking six.
2016 IBL playoffs
Dominco Trophy league final
Barrie Baycats vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Barrie leads series 3-0
Game 1: Barrie 4, Toronto 3
Game 2: Barrie 15, Toronto 12
Game 3: Barrie 11, Toronto 6
Game 4: Sunday, Sept. 4 at Toronto; 2 pm
Game 5: Tuesday, Sept. 6 at Barrie; 7:30 pm*
Game 6: Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Toronto; 7:30 pm*
Game 7: Thursday, Sept. 8 at Barrie; 7:30 pm*
* — If necessary
