By Staff
August 31, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Barrie Baycats gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a taste of their own medicine to start the Intercounty Baseball League final.
Barrie scored three runs in the top of the eighth to beat Toronto 4-3 Tuesday night. The Baycats lead the best-of-seven series 1-0.
The biggest part of the IBL championship games in the evenings will be under the lights – the crack of the bat will still sound the same.
It looked like Toronto was going to steal the opener on the road, but the Leafs, who made a habit of comebacks against London in their seven-game semi-final victory, couldn’t hold on against the defending Dominico Trophy winners.
Barrie’s Jordan Castaldo hit a three-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth for the decisive blow. Castaldo also singled and scored on Kevin Atkinson’s double in the fourth, which gave the Baycats a 1-0 lead.
Kyle DeGrace singled twice and scored once.
Jaspreet Shergill (1-0) earned the win, throwing a scoreless inning of one-hit ball without striking out or walking a batter. Adam Hawes picked up his first save of the playoffs, stranding runners on first and second with a strikeout and flyout to end the game.
Barrie starter Emilis Guerrero went seven innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, striking out six and walking one.
For Toronto, Justin Marra’s two-run home run highlighted the Leafs’ three-run sixth inning. Jon Waltenbury added a single and RBI, while Dan Marra and Brendan Keys each had two hits.
Brett van Pelt (2-2) took the loss, giving up three runs on two hits in an inning of relief, striking out one and walking one. Toronto starter Marek Deska allowed a run on six hits in seven innings with three strikeouts and a walk.
2016 IBL playoffs
Barrie Baycats vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Barrie leads series 1-0
Game 1: Barrie 4, Toronto 3
Game 2: Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Toronto; 7:30 pm
Game 3: Saturday, Sept. 3 at Barrie; 7 pm
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
