Baycats Comeback Falls Short in 12-Inning Loss to Guelph

Barrie, ON - The Barrie Baycats battled back from late deficits twice but ultimately fell 6-3 to the Guelph Royals in a 12-inning marathon at Athletic Kulture Stadium.

Guelph struck first in the opening inning when Victor Mascai singled to centre field to bring home Antony Gilbert. From there, the game turned into a pitchers' duel. Frank Garcés kept the Baycats within one, allowing just one run on seven hits over six innings while striking out five. Oscar Moreta followed with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing only one hit and striking out two.

The Baycats remained off the scoreboard through eight innings before finally breaking through in the bottom of the ninth. Francisco Hernandez reached and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches before Wandy Ciprian delivered a game-tying RBI double to centre field, bringing Hernandez home and sending the game to extra innings tied at 1-1.

Guelph immediately answered in the top of the 10th. Ashton Patterson singled home Victor Mascai to put the Royals back in front before Matthew Ward doubled to left field to score Patterson and extend the lead to 3-1. Barrie refused to go away. Clayton Keyes came around to score on an Adam Odd RBI single in the bottom half before Noel McGarry Doyle singled to centre to bring home Odd, tying the game once again at 3-3.

Neither side was able to break through in the 11th, sending the game into the 12th inning. This time, the Royals were able to create separation. Miguel Hiraldo singled to centre to score Ryan Dos Santos and give Guelph a 4-3 lead. Ward followed with a sacrifice fly that brought Hiraldo home before Nathaniel Ochoa scored on a Garrett Takamatsu groundout, completing a three-run inning and putting the Royals ahead 6-3.

The Baycats were unable to mount a third comeback in the bottom of the 12th, with Kevin Escorcia closing out the game to earn the save. Gleyvin Pineda picked up the win for Guelph, while Braedan Pakkala was charged with the loss for Barrie.

Conner Morro led the Royals at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance, while Ciprian went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Barrie. Francisco Hernandez finished 2-for-4. Barrie's pitching staff combined to keep the game within reach deep into extra innings, but the Royals' three-run 12th proved to be the difference.