CARDINALS BEAT BARRIE 8-1 THANKS TO LATE OFFENSIVE SURGE

HAMILTON – A great start for Evan Soules is not enough as Hamilton’s offense surges late for an 8-1 win over the Barrie Baycats. Barrie could only manage one run off the Cardinals' pitching and a five-run eighth inning sealed the deal. The game was scoreless until the seventh inning and had great pace. Two hours and 34 minutes later it was over.

Both starters were terrific and each of them had bounce-back starts from their previous outings. Evan Soules threw six and two-thirds giving up three runs on four hits. Colby Ring tossed seven innings allowing no runs on just one hit picking up the win. Corben Peters and Stefan Strecker closed things out for the Red Birds combining for two innings in relief.

Ryan Rijo launched his seventh home run of the season in the late innings to ruin the shutout. Rijo now leads the Baycats in the long ball department. Brandon Nicholson and Tyler Duncan led the way for the home team. Nicholson smacked a three-run double and Duncan also drove in a run while making some great plays in the outfield. 

In the ninth inning of this game, Baycats shortstop Starlin Rodriguez appeared to need some help off the field after stopping between home and first when he hit a ground ball to shortstop. No official word on what happened with Rodriguez. 

One more game tomorrow night for the Barrie Baycats. It is a make-up game in Kitchener against the Panthers. The first pitch is set for 7:30 pm from Jack Couch Park. Head to the Panthers' YouTube for the game broadcast or buy road tickets here.