By Staff
August 24, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They are not going to be beaten easily – in fact they just might not be beaten at all.
The Toronto Maple Leafs showed the Brantford Red Sox’s how to do it when they took the quarter finals in a seven game battle.
Now they are in a tight series with the London Majors and may have saved their season Tuesday night with a 7-4 win
Their four-run eighth inning thriller prolonged their semifinal to at least five games.
London leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.
Toronto trailed 4-3 heading into the eighth and tied the game when Jonathan Solazzo doubled home Sean Mattson. The Leafs took the lead for good four batters later when Owen Boon’s wild pitch with the bases loaded allowed Ryan White and Dan Marra to score with one out.
Jon Waltenbury’s ground-rule double brought home Brendan Keys to finish the scoring.
London threatened in the ninth with runners on first and second and two out, but Mike Wagner struck out Brett Sabourin to end the game.
Wagner (3-0) went three scoreless innings for the win, scattering four hits and striking out four around a pair of walks. Starter Justin Cicatello lasted six innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits with two strikeouts.
At the plate, Waltenbury finished with three hits and four RBI, while Connor Lewis drove in the other Toronto run.
Kyle Gormandy went 2-for-2 for the Majors with an RBI and run. Carlos Arteaga had the other RBI. Michael Ambrose and LeJon Baker each singled and scored once.
Boon (1-1) took the loss, giving up three runs on two hits in two innings with a pair of walks.
Cory Hammond started and allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings, walking five and striking out four.
2016 IBL playoffs
Semifinals
Kitchener Panthers vs. Barrie Baycats
Barrie wins series 4-0
Game 1: Barrie 8, Kitchener 1
Game 2: Barrie 2, Kitchener 0
Game 3: Barrie 10, Kitchener 5
Game 4: Barrie 3, Kitchener 0
London Majors vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
London leads series 2-1
Game 1: London 5, Toronto 0
Game 2: London 9, Toronto 6
Game 3: Toronto 7, London 4
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: Friday, Aug. 26 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 27 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 28 at London; 7:05 p.m.
This is going to be either a 400 or a 401 series
