Baycats Fall 4-1 in Game 2 as Cardinals Take 2-0 Series Lead

Barrie, ON - The Barrie Baycats fell 4-1 to the Hamilton Cardinals in Game 2 of their CBL Semi-Final series, giving Hamilton a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven matchup.

Hamilton did all of its damage in the top of the third inning, scoring four runs against Barrie starter Saul Vasquez. Evan Magill opened the scoring on an RBI single from Brandon Nicoll before Tyler Duncan brought Nicoll home with a single to left field. Dario Borrero followed with a two-run single to centre, scoring Duncan and Darlin German to extend the Cardinals’ lead to 4-0.

The Baycats were held off the board until the bottom of the seventh. Ryan Rijo helped start the rally and eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Wandy Ciprian, cutting Hamilton’s lead to 4-1.

Barrie finished with nine hits but was unable to turn them into further offence. Canice Ejoh went 2-for-3, while Evan Magill finished 2-for-4. Rijo led the Baycats at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance and scored Barrie’s lone run.

Vasquez took the loss after allowing four runs on nine hits across six innings. The left-hander struck out five and did not issue a walk. Boris Vecerka was perfect out of the bullpen, throwing three hitless innings with three strikeouts to keep the Baycats within striking distance.

Luis Ramirez earned the win for Hamilton, allowing one run on seven hits over seven innings while striking out seven and walking none. Steven Hospital worked a scoreless eighth before Freisis Adames closed out the ninth to earn the save.

Hamilton now leads the CBL Semi-Final series 2-0.